We held a milestone celebration here for our construction crew, what a great experience! First off all the staff were friendly, helpful and hospitable. This felt like a classic bowling alley- no gimmicks and no silliness. This place features a bar & grill, two pool tables, a fair amount of bowling lanes, and a small arcade. The dining area seating is plenty and the touchscreen displays at the lanes make setting up your games very easy. This place was clean, professional and didn't feel "corporate" if that makes sense. It definitely took me back to when I was a kid, bowling in a league with my uncles, very nostalgic. Our host gave us a quick rundown and rules which was great for anyone who had never been bowling before. Our party was pretty big (I think 30-40 people) but the staff was great in keeping up with our hungry carpenters. The food was good, I definitely rate it better than all bowling alley food I've ever had- but not quite "sit-down-restaurant" quality. That's OK, we were there to bowl and have fun. Everyone had a fantastic time. I highly recommend for group events, parties, dates or family fun. I leave one star off for parking- there is very limited parking and maybe I missed something but it seemed like the closest option was meter parking or up the block, most of our guys parked a block away in a public lot. read more

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Bowling shoes were disgusting. Completely worn down, ill fitting, and looks like they haven't been cleaned or replaced in decades. Not only that but the staff was rude, and were inconsistently enforcing wearing bowling shoes. Other bowlers had regular shoes on, but our party was told to wear their shoes or leave. When pointed out, staff said we were wrong. The lanes were inconsistently oiled, the balls were all chipped and low quality. Music was so loud, could barely hear my friends and I speak. Weird policy of charging credit cards at $50 increments. So a $5 dollar water is a $50 charge with a $45 dollar refund. Weird and strange policy. Added 1 star because the pins weren't held up by strings. Probably won't be back unless major changes are made. read more

Pretzel was so good with the cheese. It was nice and hot. Nachos i think took longer to come out so it ended up getting a little cold. We chilled at the bar for a while waiting for our friend and the bartenders were nice. Since im not a professional idk anything about tbe oils on then lane so cant judge that. Lightest ball seems to be 8 and heaviest probably 14. They have little events that is going on throughout summer. There was still left ovrt pokeball straws so i was able to decorate my drink with one. The people in the lane next to us were a bit annoying. Had a kid that throw 2 balls trying to hit the pins before it gets blocked and ended up with multiple balls stuck near the gutter and the dad was doing it too. I would wait for them to go and when i thought they did the kid would run up and throw another.. and always end up on our lane so it was annoying stopping mid way so i wouldnt smack the kid. Its hecka hot in here.. Parking in the front and apparently you can park at the court house? Thats what one of the workers said. read more

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Brought son and his buddies for a birthday get together. I really do like the old school bowling alley vibes, but it's gotten more expensive. I paid $117 for 3 for an hour and half, which includes shoe rental. Then the guys wanted to play pool. It was $25 for one hour and 15 minutes. For that price, I expect better placed pool tables and better lighting. The table in the corner, the lights were off and the fixtures looked like they hadn't been dusted in ages, people had written in the dust that had piled, plus there was a hanging dust thread. Gross! All service was fine, I just think the value has gone down, considering housekeeping. read more

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Amazing customer service!!! Thank you Lisa, Joel, Andy and Kevin for the amazing customer service and hardwork! Very hardworking guys! I came and took my son to a bowling night with the Glendale Community College students and counselors and was very happy with the service provided. I ordered chicken wings and it was amazing! Manager was super nice also and all the staff in this bowling place! Highly recommended!! Good job guys!! read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

Home place of my bowling league. Great food and the customer service is amazing and friendly. read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Chicken tenders and hard chata - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

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Came with the family for the annual Christmas family championship complete with a trophy . This bowling alley was very clean. After customers finished bowling and left , the staff was quick to sanitize tables and seats. What's a bowling alley without a bar.. full bar, mocktails and beer. Also a grill for food, good selection on menus. Although we didn't buy any food since we were going out afterwards. Video Games for kids in the Game Zone. This is one of 2 bowling alleys my family frequents. It's not as glitzy but was easier to get a reservation than the other one. read more

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booked a birthday party here and ordered food in advance. Two days before the party, I specifically asked about the portion sizes so I could order enough food. I was told the chicken tender platter was 5 pounds and around 30 pieces depending on size, and that the $45 Caesar salad would come as 2 large bowls. On the day of the party, the 65$ chicken tenders came in one small bowl with maybe 12-15 pieces, and the Caesar salad came in 2 very small bowls that looked like enough for only about 2 people each. When I brought it up to Seelie, she without having showing emotion simply said the chicken was 5 pounds, but based on the portion I received, I really do not believe it was. I know that 5 pound chicken tenders is between 25 to 40 pieces and it can't fit in one small bowl. I honestly felt ripped off because what we received was nowhere close to what was described to me before the party. I'm posting this so other people planning parties know to be very careful when ordering food here. What I received was not what I was told to expect. read more

Our family loves to bowl! Back Alley Bowling in Glendale is a classic bowling alley that's perfect for families and kids. We recently took advantage of their "kids Bowl Free" bowling deal. We arrived when it opened and the bowling alley was clean and well-maintained, it had a classic bowling alley vibe. Since we arrived early, it felt like our own private bowling alley. The staff is friendly and helpful, and they were great at explaining the kid-friendly bowling deal. We appreciated the pro tip about free parking on the next block, metered parking is available in front of the alley if you prefer. They have food and drinks, and a full bar. The menu options looked decent, and the prices seemed reasonable. The eating area is spacious with plenty of tables and TVs all around. Vending machines are provided if you need a quick snack, they also have a water bottle filling station which is a great bonus. The arcade is small, and basic. They also have two pool tables which are a fun option for adults and personal lockers for your belongings. Bumpers and ramps are provided for smaller kids, however the ramps can be a bit wobbly. We had a great time at Back Alley Bowling and would definitely recommend it to families with kids that want to have the "Kids bowl Free" deal, call ahead to see to what deals they have. read more

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I used to work at this bowling alley about 20+ years ago when the original wood flooring was in. A lot has changed since then , including the flooring, and though it's more esthetically pleasing, the experience just isn't the same. I used to bowl on a league so the way the ball grips matters to me, and the new floors just don't do it the same. I understand that it doesn't matter for most people, and that's also fine, but I prefer the original flooring. All in all it's still a really good time. The bowling balls haven't been changed since I worked there so that definitely needs to happen. These are chipped and beat up. You can actually hear the bumping sound of some of them as they go down the lane. Our company had a group outing there and the one important thing to know is that they charge an 18% service fee, which is NOT gratuity. So you would need to add gratuity on top of that, which puts you at around 33-38% on top of your total package amount. Nobody was able to tell us what the service fee was paying for. read more

I haven't been bowling in awhile and had such a fun time! The kinda lady in the front named Mel was beyond helpful. She's super informative and overall has such a positive vibe! Hope she gets her recognition for her assistance read more

Haven't been here in ages but I had the itch to bowl yesterday. Noticed the rebranding. Though the jewel city name isn't there anymore, I do like the jewels on the lane sofas. Good nostalgia. And I'll still rave about their quality of bowling lanes over anything else first too. Nicely oiled and minimal damage to your ball. Didn't try the bar, nor food this time around. Just straight to bowling on a Wednesday afternoon. Attentive service at the front desk. No parking in the lot adjacent to them until 515pm during the week, which is perfect if you bowl league here. I remember there being some spots out by the back entryway for whenever but doesn't seem like that's a thing anymore. So if you're a day bowler, street parking only. Bring coins or download the parking app to pay on your phone. read more

Honestly it was not really all that to me! The best was the bar I ordered my friend a drink and the drink was good my friend said. the bartender was very patient and kind so that's a plus! The Dj was not all that to me and the music was not poppin' the pro is that it is spacious and have many bowling lanes. They do however, have a long wait and we waited for a while to get a lane. It's very busy on the weekends so be prepared to wait. I did not bowl but the lanes have decent seating area for you party or family. It is very kid friendly and good for family! They have food to choose from and many drink options! They have parking in the lots adjacent to the Glendale Court House! Overall, not sure if I'll be back I feel it can be more modern and a little updated, and better Dj to make it live! read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Inside - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

Went here for the first time on a Sunday afternoon for a 40th birthday party. With a dozen or so of us, ages not-quite-2 to forty-somethings, we all had a great time! Lisa, our host, was great with the kids and adults alike, kind and patient and very attentive. It felt relaxed and fun, but like everything was taken care of. The food was great, the full bar was a nice surprise, and the atmosphere was nostalgic and comfortable. A great place to hang out! read more

Joined a No Tap tournament on Memorial Day, the guy running the show was totally incompetent, had to wait about 2 hours to find out if I was a winner or not based on my score. I'm definitely not doing any tournament at this location. read more

... interesting vibe. The shoes are really uh "well loved" so much so that I had to go down half a size for them to fit. The music was a fun mix of pop, I'll never complain about hearing too many Gaga songs, you know? It's nice you can bring a pitcher to your lane, but unfortunately the menu for a bowling alley was lackluster. You're telling me no hot dogs.... At a bowling alley? Also the decor... looks cheap and there is no clear theme. The classic bad graphics on the score screens were somewhat Hollywood themed but... left me wanting the classic silly bad graphics. They almost looked like Mii characters, not weird enough to be fun. read more

We had a fantastic time at Back Alley Bowling--it's such a fun, nostalgic spot to be in. Even though I didn't bowl, I still had a great experience enjoying the food. What really made the visit special was our server Alvin, who was incredibly kind and accommodating. The pizza, salad, and spinach artichoke dip were all delicious! I'll definitely be back--next time to bowl and play pool too. read more

Organized a birthday party here for my wife and group of roughly 25. And from my initial inquiry call with Michelle and subsequently Erin to finalize the details, and then to and until the end of the party, we had nothing but excellent service and a good time! And we need to give a big thank you to our party attendant, Kenny, who made sure all our food was topped up and that we had everything we needed. He has amazing energy and kept things very organized. We got the BBQ party package and there was more than enough food for everyone plus leftovers to take home, in case anyone was curious. Overall, was a successfull event and all our guests had a very good time and enjoyed the catering. read more

It was my first time here for my nephews 13th Birthday Party. It was so much fun for everyone! I usually help at the birthday parties, but Lisa, our dedicated host for the party, had it all under control. Tables were set-up early, lanes ready and she checked with the parents about food timing, location and how the bowling lanes should be set-up. Super easy with all the adults on one lane and the teenage boys on 2 lanes sharing the space. I also enjoyed being away from the league bowlers so the boys could be as silly as they wanted to. The food was surprisingly good for a bowling alley - pizza comes with the party and we liked the meat one the best. Add on chicken tenders too - I liked them the best! You can bring your own desert - and we had a cake from Porto's which Lisa brought out at the end, served and then cleaned-up and boxed all extras. I really wish we lived closer so I could have my son's birthday there. So easy and fun for teens. read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Bowling fun! - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

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The bowling alley has a serious problem. Not only are their fans not working so well but they don't seem to want to spend the money to fix the ventilation issues. It doesn't feel like there is an AC in here at all. And if they do have one, it's not quite working. League bowlers here complain about the lack of ventilation as well as poor air circulation. Just sitting here, as a spectator, I get extremely warm too. It is bearable during the winter months when it is cold out but because it's summer time, we are all suffering in here. when I arrived at the bowling alley my car said it was 91 degrees. Inside doesn't feel much different. The restrooms are more filthy these days. I feel like less and less attention is being paid to them throughout the night. I see a lot of water on the counter tops and on the floor. The sink in the middle doesn't work at all. There are usually paper towels on the floor now. Not cool, especially since the integrity of the bowling shoes is at stake, not just on the shoes of the bowlers that belong to the house but to the shoes that are owned by the bowlers themselves. I have read some of the league rules and they are absolutely ridiculous. It says kids aren't allowed at league. It's funny to read that. There may be a league going on and further down the lanes there is a birthday party going on at the same time. they may not be participating in league but they are still present. You're trying to tell me that my little one can't come and support her team or her family. that is stupid! On top of that, my little one stays out of the way. They know better than to go and disturb bowlers. She's pumping money into your arcade, half of the games barely work and aren't in the best repair. There are just too many things wrong and so many things that need to be revised. I love Seeley and Alvin. they are the best! I know I can always count on them to provide stellar service. My little one has been asked to remove their service dog. That was a shock and also unfair, as the dog is never a disturbance to anyone. SMH!!! photo: there is only fans and there is HELLA FANS here at the bowling alley. league bowlers have been bringing their own fans because there isn't enough cool air circulating in here. Terrible! read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Packing up after league - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

The service here is extraordinary! We didn't come across a worker who wasn't friendly or welcoming! We really enjoyed our time here bowling and playing in the arcade! Will definitely return! read more

One word ... AMY! We had my daughter's 7th birthday party there yesterday, and Amy was our party organizer, and she was the absolute best. We didn't realize we would have her helping out, and she was truly unbelievable, above and beyond. She managed the food, the kids, the adults, AND the fun. They had the graphics on the walls all done up for the birthday, and the whole staff was so super professional. Really, one of the best birthday experiences ever. I cannot recommend this place enough. read more

I've visited many bowling alleys over the years but never have I ever felt more at home when dealing with Bob from the up your alley pro shop, he's a very outgoing person, very knowledgeable with anything related to bowling and I will definitely be making his pro shop my go to whenever I need anything, thanks again bob read more

We had an amazing experience thanks to our server, Joel! Even on a very busy Sunday night, he was incredibly attentive, personable, and made us feel truly taken care of. He checked on us often without ever making us wait, and his great attitude made our night that much better. Joel is exactly the type of server who makes you want to come back. Highly recommend asking for him--you'll be in great hands! read more

We had our 11 year-old's birthday party here and it was amazing. We had a designated hostess, Amy, who made everything work seamlessly. She was truly incredible, she learned every kid's name! She scheduled in time to take pictures of the kids (and borrowed my phone so I didn't even have to do it). She served all of the food, lit the candles, got the kids together to sing, cut the cake, boxed up all leftovers, and helped me get everything into my car. When I was scheduling this party they told me it would be the easiest party we ever held; they weren't exaggerating at all!!! Thank you Amy! Highly recommend having your kid's party here. It's worth every penny. read more

This place was an amazing find while we were looking for a last minute place to go bowl! It's now called "Back Alley Bowling", but still has the Jewel City signage outside (that could confuse some people). We were able to get on the wait-list and bowl on a Friday night after just 40ish minutes! Their food and drinks are fantastic too, large portions and well made, especially for a bowling alley. The only downside was the lane we were on was a bit glitchy, the screen would act funky sometimes and cause some confusion. Food: 5/5 Experience/Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Drinks: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall: 5/5 read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Nachos and chicken tenders, great portions! - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

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im not sure why they changed their name but this place will ALWAYS be jewels bowling alley. i have been coming to this bowling alley for yeeaarsss now since high school. my friends and i used to have Thursday bowling nights here and it was soo much fun! so many unforgettable memories! it was bowling night on a monday & it was crazy packed! my friend & i had to register to be on the wait list and it was about an hour wait. they called us once a lane was available. before we started playing we decided to get ourselves some drinks at the bar. my friend got a drink that was easy on the rocks and i got myself the strawberry mule. the drinks were alright but not strong enough. lol. - they do check for ID at the bar so make sure you have that with you - once we started playing the game we started ordering more drinks. shout out to Kenneth for makiinn our drinks perfectly strong! your energy is so contagious, it's a vibe to be around! thaankyouu for the satisfactory and making sure we had a enjoyable time. read more

The bar is great - seriously, among the best smoked old fashioned I've ever had in L. A. Also, the bowling is fun read more

This used to be jewel city bowl. We came here with some friends for an unexpected night out and we had a blast! It was such a great time, there was a Dj, they had giveaway and prizes and we enjoyed bowling and participating in games. I'm not sure if it was a special event or if that's something they do on the weekends but we will be back again with a bigger crew! read more

Reasonable fees and nicely maintained lanes. This is a lot of fun. Book the hourly for sure. Parking can be tricky but is plentiful when you figure out the turn is right next to the building. Food options as well. I will return. read more

5 star for staff particularly Alvin, Ruby and Erin. The establishment needs some improvement on ensuring the bathroom stays clean well maintained and stocked. I suggest reviewing leagues days and times and plan ahead prior to coming that will gauge on whether you may have to wait or reserve ahead of time. read more

I threw my son's 13th Birthday party there today and it was an amazing experience. Worked with Michelle the event coordinator who answered all my questions and the day of got paired with Lisa who was my host for the party. Lisa is amazing she goes above and beyond. She's on top of everything very informative and organized. The party went seamless. Perfect situation. One of my candles had broken a piece came off the number 3 and I mentioned it to her she came back and fixed it and it was good as new. She answered all my questions and she was so kind and helpful. Her service was 5/5. And will definitely throw a party there again because of her. She was amazing and my son was super happy with the party ! read more

Super impressed with the cheeseburger and garlic Parmesan fries at the bowling alley. read more

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Drinks were great! Bowling was fun, the owner/manger offered me a free game. We didn't have the time but they took time to talk to us and make sure we all felt welcomed. Great place. Definitely will be coming back! read more

Have been bowing here for years but tonight the staff, especially Mel, were phenomenal! Was a crowded league night but she found us a lane and navigated everything with a smile. We had a great time!. read more

I have not been here in 8 years. I hope they got rid of the older white bartender lady. She reminds me of the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. I met a guy there while I was bowling and he got drunk. She cut him off and then told me I was cut off too. She Said I might give him a drink. WTH?!? I had my own tab and don't know the guy. Never went back. If she's gone I'll def try this place again. read more

the staff was kind, like the DJ and the gentleman who was at the bar. As for the short girl at the register, she was very rude towards me and my family. she ended up turing off our lane towards the end of the night when we still had 15 min. she didn't allow us to continue even tho we had paid for more time. they said that they were closing even tho there were multiple parties still bowling way after we had left. I do come here a lot and she does seem to be the only one with an attitude. read more

Went for a bowling night and our ball return broke. Max O literally stepped in as human ball return. Went above and beyond. Will be back in the future just because of this guy. Bowling lanes were well maintained and staff friendly. Everyone having a good time. Thx again Max O!! read more

Back Alley Bowling - Glendale - Bowling Near Me - Glendale, California

We came here as a party of 5 and played for almost 2 hours. Despite the outdated furniture, cracked and chipped tables, and overall worn-down condition of the place, we decided to continue playing and even planned to extend our time. However, right before our time was up, a large group of about 5-6 people was assigned to the same booth as us, making the space extremely crowded and uncomfortable. The other group did not respect bowling etiquette at all -- they constantly crossed into our area, did not take turns properly when picking up balls, and invaded our space the entire time. What made this situation even worse is that there were other lanes/booths completely empty, yet the front desk still chose to squeeze everyone together. This is poor judgment and terrible customer management. Because of this, we couldn't enjoy the game anymore and had no choice but to leave early. This is not how customers should be treated. We expected better organization and basic respect for personal space. Unfortunately, we will not be returning. I do not recommend this place to anyone! read more

Let me tell you why I'll never come back here again: WEAK DRINKS Tastes like disappointment. Everything tastes like sugar. I had a Cadillac Margarita and a Long Island, both were extremely sweet and I, sadly, can still pass a sobriety test. They're cheap tho ‍ FLAVORLESS FOOD I order garlic Parmesan fries. They didn't taste like ANYTHJNG. How you don't successfully execute french fries covered in Parmesan and garlic is beyond me. It literally tasted like I hot paper. I had to go to the bar and ask for salt packets to make them palatable. POOR COVID STANDARDS If you're dodging Covid don't come here. No one in the lanes is wearing a mask. They make the mandatory announcement but only 20% or so oblige. SMALL LANES This is probably the worst offender. There are constantly people, grown adults and children, spilling into your lane. At one time I pointed to a child standing directly in my lane and said "who's is this?" .. The seating is also RIGHT ON TOP of the lanes. You end up waiting on the lanes to recycle when it's your turn. DIRTY BATHROOMS There was toilet paper, seat covers and what I hope is water all over the floor. SO WHAT WAS GOOD? Service. You can order food and drinks at the lane. We had a lovely waitress who check on us 3-4 times during the hour. At the end of the day. My experience here was not enjoyable. I likely will not return. IN RESPONSE TO THE OWNER: Hey there -- No I didn't tell the severs about the food. I fixed the problem by requesting salt. No one mentioned policing the patrons. I stated that you make the required announcements yet only 20% or so of patrons oblige. That was nothing towards you and your business, only stating that people trying to avoid the virus should probably not come as they would not be comfortable. Thanks :) read more

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