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    Circle Lanes

    3.5 (65 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Circle Lanes Photos

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    Maronda H.

    I was out walking in my neighborhood. And I discovered a bowling alley right down the street from where I live. It's maybe literally 3 minutes within walking distance from my apartment. How Cool? I went inside to browse around and ended up bowling. The owners were so sweet and kind. The prices are reasonable. I was super excited to see a couple pool tables on the side. Pac man video game. Just a cool and chill place to come and spend a day bowling or shooting pool with family and friends. Old school neighborhood vibes bowling alley. On site ATM and bar with beer specials. I The owner stress to me that it gets super busy and crowded on the weekends. Bowling league are also held on the weekends. I will be coming back soon to practice on my bowling skills.

    Crystal N.

    Classic bowling alley without the frills. It's a cash-only place with billiards available by the hour. The bar is a divey with your typical dive bar array. It's a standard bowling alley and if you like to bowl, this is the spot in Oak Park!

    It's a moving image of me getting a strike at Circle Lanes in my Thursday Night Mixed League.
    Eric H.

    It's definitely the definition of a older type bowling center. 18 lanes. I bowl in a Thursday Night league there fall winter league. The lanes dry up quickly. So I would definitely recommend a urethane ball if your bowling there. Reactive type bowling balls work for at least 1 game but then after that a urethane ball is your best option. They only take cash to be able to bowl there and you must show proof of Vaccination card. They have a atm onsite if you need some cash to pay for bowling.

    Brent W.

    Big fan of Circle Lanes and no i'm not going to say bc it's "RETRO" like every single reviewer has probably stated before me. And it is def throw back but for me this is what a bowling alley should be. Stripped down to its essence, no frills where you come to bowl, drink a few High Life's and have a good time. It is like walking into a time warp and as someone has mentioned, they have the coolest dessert/cactus garden as you make your way back to the bathrooms....it is like the crown jewel of this place. Cash only (boo, but just deal I guess) where you can bowl for anywhere from $3-$5 per round, depending on hour and day of week. You can also play some pool or get your Galaga and Ms Pac Man on to re-introduce your arcade skills that have fallen dormant over the decades. [X] A Forest Park Gem !

    Loved the retro feel of this place!!!

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    6 days ago

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    1 month ago

    An old fashion kind of bowling alley. Very clean, oiled lanes and everything runs smoothly. Cash only but worth it $6 a game.

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    6 years ago

    Great local place that's been around since I was a kid in the 90s. Friendly staff, everything works well, good prices.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Circle Lanes

    Review Highlights - Circle Lanes

    And it is def throw back but for me this is what a bowling alley should be.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Pinstripes

    Pinstripes

    3.5(640 reviews)
    8.0 mi
    $$

    This place was cool. We had our company dinner here while in Chicago for our annual meetings…read more It had a little bowling alley area that was being used by other folks, it had a banquet area where we all had our buffet line and ate, and it had a very cool little bar right in the middle of everything. The bar tenders and the wait team was AMAZING and were right where they needed to be when you needed them. They were nice and friendly as well. The food was kind of like bar food but had a little bit of an upscale feel to it and everything was very tasty. I highly recommend this spot for a night out or a company function as they were on point for both the night we were there.

    Not a fan of restaurants that kick you out while you're eating. We went for the brunch buffett and…read morewe're planning to order another round of drinks, one person wanted to have an omelette and went home hungry. Just not a good experience after being told there was no time limit originally they told us our time was up and brought us the bill. Don't come here if you're planning to visit and relax because apparently your expected to shovel down your food and drinks and GTFO. I also felt very bait and switched I called and was told the Galentines special would have vendors so we can go shopping. I was excited to think we would have food, visiting, plus activities but we only had 3 vendors one of which had already left by the time I went looking for them. They did have lush who had a crafting station for your own bath products plus a goody bag so they were definitely a high light. But I'd really anticipated something different from the advertisement especially when I called and asked questions about the event. There were no jewelry, nails, crafts or anything other than one vender with purses and watches. So this could have definitely had more variety. The DJ was in a completely different room so it wasn't like you could ask for songs and get to sit and enjoy them. The omelettes were decent, chocolate fountain had good strawberries, although I think they use melting chips. The buffett felt very carb forward. Two pastas, pizza, fries with a very small carving station compromised of what looked like two very small dried out looking pieces of meat and chicken strips and chicken in the buffet. So not much variety. I would say there's definitely better buffets with better selections where you can get your money worth and not be given a time limit so you can actually visit the people your with rather than feeling like you need to rush as even the bottomless mimosas are time limited.

    Photos
    Pinstripes - A view of the packed main dining room.

    A view of the packed main dining room.

    Pinstripes
    Pinstripes - Dessert station.

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    Dessert station.

    Timber Lanes - Bowling balls

    Timber Lanes

    4.3(145 reviews)
    8.2 miNorth Center
    $

    This is my favorite bowling alley in the city. Cash only, old school, manual scoring bowling…read morealley.I think one of the benefits of that is the customer base, even with casual bowlers, seems more respectful of the space than at other alleys.The customers/parents that bring children seem better at watching them than those that bring children to other, bigger bowling alleys. They don't let them repeatedly roam across lanes while others are bowling. Which isn't just frustrating, but can be unsafe with someone swinging a 15 lb ball and kicking their leg out. My only advice would probably be to get some more uniform house ball options to make it easier to find the same ball on return visits for casual bowlers.

    I just did an event here and was pretty impressed by the whole process. This is an old school…read morebowling alley that is old fashioned in a few ways, but still worked well in 2026! Yeah, it was a bit small, but it really had a cozy atmosphere! Probably the star of this place is the service. From creating an event to day of, Timber Lanes showed some really good customer service. We had a party reduction and they adjusted the lanes and the price. I really appreciated the help! Also, every employee my group met the day of my event were excellent. This place has a bit of a hipster vibe, but everybody was so kind. Their drink prices were also pretty good (perhaps a steal). The only downside to this place is that its cash only. I get the want for cash only, but it is 2026. I was particularly confused that I was able to use a credit card for the deposit, but not to pay for the whole event. That part was pretty weird. Either way, this really fit the bill for our group so if we do this again, Timber Lanes is on the top of our list. We really had a great time and as long as you can get past the cash only aspect, this place is a real winner!

    Photos
    Timber Lanes - Small, old school place. Manual scoring.

    Small, old school place. Manual scoring.

    Timber Lanes - The view from lane 1

    The view from lane 1

    Timber Lanes

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    10pin Bowling Lounge - Guinness.

    10pin Bowling Lounge

    3.3(390 reviews)
    9.2 miNear North Side
    $$

    Pretty standard bowling alley with pub style bites and drinks. Good beer selection. Food was…read moremediocre. Decent service. Bowling lanes are in good condition but everything felt dated. Bowling balls are showing signs of wear and tear, and the scoring technology is definitely old school. I wish they had booths for all bowling lanes - instead most had small high top tables which were crowded, awkwardly placed and uncomfortable. Ok for a casual bowling night with friends but nothing special.

    Had an awesome experience here from start to finish. Booking was simple, and everything was ready…read morefor us the moment we walked in. The team working that day went out of their way to make sure we were all set and comfortable before we even hit the lanes. What really stood out was how clearly everything was explained -- super organized, no confusion, and they made the whole process feel easy. Even when we had a couple of questions about our reservation, they handled everything with patience and a genuinely positive attitude. The atmosphere was energetic in the best way, and the lanes were in great shape. It's the kind of place where you can just relax, have fun, and not stress about the details because the staff keeps everything running smoothly. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. They turned what could've been a complicated visit into a great time, and that's something I really appreciate.

    Photos
    10pin Bowling Lounge - Italian sausage pizza.

    Italian sausage pizza.

    10pin Bowling Lounge - Dreamy Drinks

    Dreamy Drinks

    10pin Bowling Lounge - Best Pizza in Chicago!

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    Best Pizza in Chicago!

    Pinstripes - Ice sculpture and shrimp!

    Pinstripes

    3.9(801 reviews)
    9.8 miNear North Side
    $$

    Buffet was good. Food tasted fresh. Seafoods, chicken, beef to all kinds of breakfast foods were…read moreoffered. Sitting outside with nice weather made it even better.

    I have heard of Pinstripes but haven't had a chance to visit until we had our workplace holiday…read moreparty here. I was skeptical but honestly, because of Pinstripes, this may have been the best work party I've been to. I didn't see a lot of the place because I didn't visit the bar upstairs, and we were downstairs for our meeting-party. The meeting room is quite large and accommodated our group of 50 or so people easily. The food was really good too; we had some chicken, Mac and cheese, ribs, and more. The sliders weren't my favorite because they were really pink inside, so I skipped that. The other stuff I had was quite delicious. But the best part was the games. I mean I'm a board game enthusiast but have never played bocce and now I am wondering why not. It was so much fun. I mean I'm ready to buy a lawn set, or join a bocce league or whatever. The rules are simple but it's fun. They also have a really gorgeous patio area that another group was apparently going to be using, and that space is along the riverfront. I would be super glad if we came back to Pinstripes, to the extent that I'm going to make sure our VP knows how much we enjoyed it. There's no dedicated parking so you'll need to take a taxi or find a spot in a nearby lot. Spothero was great for that, since my spot was cheaper than the validated parking that Pinstripes offers.

    Photos
    Pinstripes - Cute and delish!

    Cute and delish!

    Pinstripes
    Pinstripes

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    Twisted Pin - Freshly prepared shareable favorites at Twisted Pin in Plainfield, featuring crispy chips and dip alongside saucy wings--perfe...

    Twisted Pin

    4.1(99 reviews)
    28.2 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Private events

    Wow! I had never been to Plainfield Lanes before, but came for my nephew's birthday party this…read moreweekend. I was very pleasantly surprised! Most bowling alleys (if not part of a chain, ie Brunswick), have a dreary vibe to them - dark, dank and unkempt - but not here. We arrived at 1pm for the birthday party, and all of the lanes were already busy. You can tell that this business books a lot of parties - and I can see why! The price per person for parties is fantastic! They have multiple tiers of both children and adult parties, as well as corporate and fundraising events. We had chicken fingers and pizza, and both were better than you'd expect at a bowling alley. The party even had a coordinator; he kept the time very on track, and was very accommodating. I'd definitely recommend Plainfield Lanes as a local outing or party spot!

    This was my first time at Twisted Pin, and I was very impressed. The prices are pretty high but as…read morea non-bowler, I am not sure how they rank compared to other places. On the other hand, this place is also a little more high end compared to your old fashion bowling/dive bar places. The location was very easy to find. We used Google Navigation and it lead us directly to the place. If you miss the entrance, it might be a little annoying to backtrack but no big issues. Parking was no issues and it is very big compared to the size of the building. We showed up on a busy Wednesday where it is penny pins so you only pay a penny per pin you knock down. Essentially...the worst you are, the cheaper your game will be. Inside the building is very nice and clean. There are two entrances..one is a "restaurant" and the other is the decent sized arcade and bowling. There is a self serving beer tap. And they do serve food. They do a little star less due to the prices of the food as well. It is better than your traditional bar/bowling food but it is a little more expensive. Also, I do enjoy the service of the self serving beer tap. They had a lot of selections of beer, 1-2 seltzers, 1 cider and ~5 wine selection. Also, they do have a "limit" of ~32 oz where the bartender can allow you or less depending on how you act. I do appreciate that so while you can drink feely, no one is getting drunk. I think we were paying ~.60 cents an oz and it does tell you how much your drink will cost as you are pouring. Also, they do have a small water station will is greatly appreciated. The arcade is decently sized. They do have a lot of selections of games but it is not a place where I would go just for the arcade. The size is good for after bowling or while you are waiting for your lane. Overall, I am very impressed with this location. Food, self serving beer tap, and arcades... I am fan of Twisted Pins and I would be back in the future.

    Photos
    Twisted Pin - Hot, oven-baked pizzas served fresh at Twisted Pin, offering classic comfort food with a modern twist--ideal for bowling night...

    Hot, oven-baked pizzas served fresh at Twisted Pin, offering classic comfort food with a modern twist--ideal for bowling night...

    Twisted Pin - Craft cocktails, indulgent desserts, and crave-worthy appetizers come together at Twisted Pin, creating the perfect pairing o...

    Craft cocktails, indulgent desserts, and crave-worthy appetizers come together at Twisted Pin, creating the perfect pairing o...

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    Be happy about splitting - dive into juicy boneless wings drenched in the sauce of your choice (shown w/ buffalo), indulge ...

    Lucky Strike Chicago

    Lucky Strike Chicago

    2.7(589 reviews)
    9.7 miNear North Side

    Arcade - Many broken or malfunctioning games (almost all coin pusher games had constant errors),…read moreundertrained employees, and no rewards app or bonus offers like that of Dave & Busters. Friendly staff who is trying their best, but don't seem supported by management or corporate in any way. Can't really speak to the other aspects of the business. Have reached out to coorperate folks about this location.

    Came here with my girls after a wonderful Valentine's Day lunch. We got our tickets from Groupon…read moreand paid $18.75 per ticket. This is the Streeterville location. Upon arrival we showed the nice guy at the register our tickets and we got a red game play card with 100 credits on it. Unfortunately, I don't think I even used all of my credits. So many machines were out of order, I would say a good 30% of their inventory was not working. So the games got a little repetitive. There was one machine that had no out of order service sticker, so we tried to use it and it didn't work. It just stole our credits. It was the machine where you hit the ball to test your strength. My friends and I got pretty bored with the games and went to their restaurant. We just shared an order of wings and my friend got funnel cake fries that came with ice cream and an assortment of other toppings. The food was okay- it was what you would expect arcade food to taste like. Our waiter was very kind, but service was really slow. We had to flag someone down to take our order after we initially sat down and waited for about 20 minutes. I probably wouldn't come back here, if I want a mediocre arcade experience I'll just stick with Dave and Busters!

    Photos
    Lucky Strike Chicago
    Lucky Strike Chicago
    Lucky Strike Chicago

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    Circle Lanes - bowling - Updated May 2026

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