Bowling Alleys in Chicago

THE 10 BEST Chicago Bowling Alleys

Bowling Alleys in Chicago

Types of Attractions
Fun & Games
Traveller rating
Neighbourhoods
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14 places sorted by traveller favourites
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What travellers are saying

  • Sam
    191 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great customer service, staff was nice & friendly. Bowling was fun however they need new bowling balls and pool tables. Had the buffalo wings, they were small & not the best quality.
    Pricey but Happy Hour is optional.
    Written 16 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bree44
    Chicago, IL4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Came for a child's birthday party and couldn't believe the prices were so high for both the bowling alley and arcade. Kids had fun but probably won't come back except to spend rest of money left on swipe card for the arcade.
    Written 19 November 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nomari2015
    Atlanta, GA172 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The audio team does a great job with equipment. This is so important for meetings and speakers, so major shout out to the team.
    Food for lunch was very good- didn’t cheap out on the fruit and had good options for vegetarians.
    Wonderful space to network in and have fun afterwards.
    Written 14 August 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • brmusicman
    Chicago, IL3,121 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited with our neighbors around 6pm on a Saturday night. The bar was pleasantly uncrowded at that hour.

    Loved the retro vibe. Our friends had reserved one of the two bowling alleys for us, and we had a great time playing a couple of rounds! The alleys are short and bowling balls mini, but it's super fun. The staff was very helpful with instructions and on the one occasion the pins got stuck.

    Most importantly, the cocktails were delicious! The menu has a fun, old-Wisconsin-supper-club vibe to it, with some very cool twists on classic cocktails, shaken and stirred. We enjoyed every drink that we ordered, including--indulgently--an ice cream-based drink to finish our visit. Service was knowledgeable, attentive, and fun.

    A great spot--would definitely return!
    Written 14 July 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • strongarm18
    Naples, FL654 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hit and miss, not too impressed but not bad. We didn’t indulge in the gaming area so this review is just of the service, food and drinks. Around 2-hour before a cubs game, this place was surprisingly mostly empty. We sat at a table near the window and ordered a few beers. I wouldn’t blame the sever…but it took awhile. She seemed to be running the entire floor of 20+ customers spread out everywhere.
    Written 25 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BEAUTIFULSOUL316
    Chicago, IL7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I love this place! Pretty great bowling alley equipped with a full bar room with awesome drinks, good food for a bowling alley, vending machines, jukebox, pool table, plenty of washrooms, bowling shop and bowling ramps for those with disabilities (they have two). Habetler’s service is very good considering that they are short staffed because good help is hard to find nowadays. They host different leagues, groups and on Fridays Chicago Park District does their bowling program for people with disabilities of all kinds.

    So the real star of the show…Sang in the bowling shop. Last Friday, I came here with my neighbors/friends to stay with Jocelyn at her weekly bowling for disabled people. I bought her her own Superman bowling ball & bag for her early Christmas gifts. Ball wasn’t drilled with holes and so I decided to walk into Habetler’s bowling shop and asked if they drilled holes (which probably was a dumb question LOL). I explained that Jocelyn has severe Cerebral Palsy and doesn’t really need the holes because she pushes the ball down a ramp to bowl. Also, that these were early Christmas gifts and she just wanted the holes to feel like everyone else she bowls with. Sang said he still wanted to measure her hands and fingers for the holes.

    I proceeded to ask Sang how much it would cost. He initially gave me a price and said he can make the time right away to measure her and have the ball ready in ten minutes. I than brought Jocelyn and her mom into the shop and Sang measured her with such care and professionalism. He than said to all of us, “I’m not going to charge you all anything. This is my Christmas gift to her.” I still offered to pay several times but he refused. I almost busted out in tears. Super unexpected and heartwarming.

    Sang came back out to where we were waiting to
    bowl and asked if we wanted him to inscribe her name on the ball. We both got excited and said a big ol’ “YES!”. He asked what name she wanted and how to spell it. I asked how much would he like to do that and again he refused any of my offers. Ten minutes later he brought the ball out very nicely drilled and inscribed. He’s clearly amazing at his craft and an incredibly awesome human being.

    He walked to the washroom and I stopped him when he came out. I thanked him so much and told him she absolutely loves the ball, his work and that she’s bowling even better than ever. He told me he was so happy to see her smile and that it is contagious. His kindness, generosity, his skills and professionalism are the real gifts.

    Please consider supporting a small local business and get your bowling needs met by Sang. I’m sangin’ his praise, as we’re so grateful, touched. We will always remember the kindness of a stranger for a young disabled girl that just wanted her own bowling ball and to bowl with the rest of the other people she likes and loves.
    Written 5 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kathleen D
    Elk Rapids, MI91 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Arrived midmorning to take advantage of the Saturday A.M. special and the place was hopping with bowling fun. Almost all of the forty lanes were in use. We were immediately assigned a lane. Payment for games was made in advance which we appreciated. It allowed us to bowl past the early pricing times but still take advantage of the special.

    The house was brightly lit and well cared for. The multicolored floor tile provided a 50's atmosphere. Plenty of house balls were available for use. Seating was plentiful and comfortable. I particularly enjoyed the murals of Chicago lining the exterior walls and above the pins.

    We did not order food but the menu looked extensive and the pricing very reasonable. Several birthday parties were being set up as we departed. All were being held at one side of the building. They appeared very well planned and organized.

    After watching people abuse bumpers at other houses, I appreciated the posted rules on appropriate bumper usage.

    I will definitely return for more pin action at Waveland!
    Written 10 April 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Patricia A
    Chicago, IL534 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Classic Bowling at it's BEST!! Very fun for the family, small, intimate, 8 lanes of bowling!! No, high electronic scoring here, or flashing TV videos! Yes! You have to use your MIND and your math skills to teach your kids how to keep score! It was GREAT to engage with the teenagers, and bowling is always a blast!! Open Bowling Rates= $2.50/$3.00 per game or
    $20 per hour per lane. It is a "healthy" place to bowl as it is NON-smoking and is also cash only. There is a FULL bar with plenty of beer choices and 2-3 retro video game machines. Here's a tip! Street parking was super easy to find. Please press "yes" if you found this helpful, as I wonder if anyone actually reads these....
    Written 16 February 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joe W
    Howell, NJ50 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went on a weekday afternoon and enjoyed our experience. We used our Go cards and got 2 hours of bowling and pizza. Staff was really nice and willing to help. Pizza is what you would expect, nothing special. Had a bar but no bartender, had to get one of the desk staff to get something. There are TVs on the entire wall behind the bowling lanes to watch sports and some other games such as pool and ping pong to play as well.
    Written 6 September 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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