Best Bowling Alleys In The Chicagoland Area
By Rachel Azark
"Let's go bowling!" seems to be the response to every question ever asked on a Saturday night that revolved around wondering what to do. Bowling is a sport that everyone can play no matter how bad they are. It's an even better activity for larger groups to just go out and have a fun time no matter what the score.
Kings
5505 Park Place
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 847.233.0099
Email: info@kingsrosemont.com
kingsbowlamerica.com
In the new Rosemont development that is blossoming overnight near O'Hare, Kings is the newest bowling alley in town and boasts 27,000 square feet of entertainment. They have 20 bowling lanes, two premium bars, a full service restaurant and the Royal Room which features three, full-sized billiard tables. The whole inside has a retro-inspired vibe and state-of-the-art equipment. Even when you have to wait for the bowling lanes to open on busy nights, grabbing a drink in the bar makes it an easy wait. I highly recommend the Gummi Bear Martini.
10pin Bowling Lounge
330 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312.644.0300
www.10pinchicago.com
10pin prides themselves on offering a bowling experience that combines the retro style of the sport with a hip, upscale lounge. Located adjacent to the House of Blues in Marina City, 10pin offers 20,000 square feet of fun with 24 bowling lanes, 8 hi-def video screens and plush sofas in the lounge. Order drinks from an extensive martini list or small-plated snacks to enjoy while bowling.
Pinstripes
7 Oakbrook Center Mall
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: 630-575-8700
Email: obinfo@pinstripes.com
pinstripes.com
Pinstripes is more than bowling, it's an entertainment venue complete with Italian/American cuisine and wine, bowling and bocce and a year-round outdoor patio and fire pit. On the weekends they have live blues and jazz. Check out their live music calendar on their website to get a chance to bowl and enjoy music at the same time.
Timber Lanes Bowling
1851 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 773.549.9770
www.timberlanesbowl.com
Are you looking for old school bowling and not the hoopla of lounges and martini bars mixed with bowling? Timber Lanes is your classic bowling alley in Chicago located just off the Irving Park Brown Line stop. It even has a fascinating history dating all the way back to the Michagamea Indians when they had a burial ground on the same land that Timber Lanes sits on today. Follow the rest of their fascinating history on their webpage. Games are between $2.50 and $3 apiece depending on the time and $20 to reserve a lane for an hour.
Diversey River Bowl
2211 W. Diversey Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773.227.5800
www.drbowl.com
This is not your normal bowling alley. If you're looking for a Saturday night that combines the fun of bowling with dance music, this is your spot. They have concert level lighting and sound to create a light and sound show that will get your heart pounding while you play. Their digital lighting projects include virtual scenery, digital aerials and laser-like effects in a 3D imagery space environment. If bowling makes you hungry, they also have a pizzeria.
Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago's northwest side. Read more of her work on her travels on her blog parksandpancakes.com.
