We saw an ad at the hotel for this place and decided to google it. Based on the web, we thought it was a massive arcade area. It was a very tiny arcade area and tight space. They did have a big bowling alley area but they charge $40 an hour without shoes which seemed pretty steep. The kids did have fun for a bit but there wasn't must for them to do. I think this is geared towards older kids. Mine are about to be 3 and they didn't care for the small area. I would like to possibly try to this place again next year to see if they want to bowl. They do charge almost $5 per shoe rental as well. We did stop and eat food at the restaurant as well. I will have to write a separate review. read more

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I'm back in town and wanted to check this place out again. I had noticed that for some reason my review wasn't on here from my previous encounter. Went to this place with a party of 12+ people and placed a rather large food order. Took forever to come out and the staff were extremely unpleasant the entire time. They tried kicking me and my brother out because we had our own water bottles and said "outside food and beverages aren't allowed." It's one thing if it's a company policy, that I understand. But it was the entire experience of staff treating us poorly that is making them receive this review. Also, extremely overpriced across the board. read more

We ordered carry out and what do we find when we get home?! These sorry excuse for chicken wings! All 18 we ordered were this size and I just can't understand how anyone thought this would be appropriate to serve I don't carry what your specials are for the night. Severely disappointed in this place and we'll never do take out from there again. read more

Northern Lights Recreation - Buffalo wings - Bowling Near Me - Harbor Springs, Michigan

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Got $1 wings to go this evening. Smallest wings I have ever seen. So pathetic and can't believe no one in the kitchen flagged the to go order. So disappointed! Never getting wings here again. Not only were they pathetically small they tasted terrible. Do better people! read more

If a zero star review could be given, I'd give it. The equipment didn't work. We had 4 balls in a row get stuck, the pins weren't reset correctly, and the reset button on the lane didn't work. When we asked a worker about these issues we were told, "give it a second." On top of that we were given attitude when we asked to order food and drinks, 3 hours before closing. We also had to track people down to order. When we did find the person taking orders from other people, she was looking at her phone and eating food behind the bar talking to another employee. Please don't go here. read more

Love this place and their pizza chips!!!! Please never take them off the menu. Loving the new renovations as well. read more

Poor management of the bowling aspect. I complained about very uncontrolled children adjacent to our lane and nobody talked to the 2 women sitting with the brats! read more

I went to this restaurant and ordered a beer which I wanted a tomato juice on the side with.They couldn't find the tomato juic said they didn't have tomato juice after giving me bloody mary mix,that I didn't want they found the tomato juice. The second thing was I ordered a French dip sandwich with two different kinds of cheeses on it the French dip come with basically no meat and cheese and bread. My husband ordered a club sandwich again that had almost no meat on it at all neither one of us was happy with our dinner!!! To boot the waitress come to our table after we had to go get our second beer from the bartender and said the bartender brought you your beers . I said know she didn't we went and got it ourselves our bill was $70. I DO NOT recommend anybody go there to eat!!!!! Thank you Deanna read more

Not sure why the nachos were captioned "shareable". $15.99 for 20 chips. We asked the waitress, as we've had them before, but she responded that our serving was correct. I had to buy my daughter dinner elsewhere after. My husband had a very dry burger. Interestingly, the options were med-well or well. I think they meant extra-well or extra extra well. The server did fine and those who ordered pizza were happy so maybe that's all that should be served. read more

We love, love, LOVE this bowling alley & arcade. We stop here every visit to Harbor Springs and always look forward to it. It's clean, cared for, & the staff is super helpful and polite. The food is great, you can't be too fussy when choosing a bunch of fried apps/bar food. (That's all we've ever ate here besides pizza & burgers which were delicious in themselves) the arcade is awesome, a nice variety of games. They have bumpers that can change per each players desire (I didn't know this even existed) & that really made playing together as a family with small kids fun! This place is epic, a whole lot of family fun! read more

Northern Lights Recreation - Guitar Hero was a highlight for me in this arcade! - Bowling Near Me - Harbor Springs, Michigan

The Sassy Loon Restaurant is inside the Recreation Center. Don't be nervous because it is inside a bowling center. The restaurant is right at the front door and you don't hear the bowling alley inside the restaurant. We were in the area for a High School sporting event. It didn't end until 8:00 pm and we needed somewhere open a little later at night. The Sassy Loon was open until 10:00. It is not fancy, but they have a good selection of burgers, sandwiches, and salads, plus some larger dinner items. All of the food was good and the burgers were particularly tasty. This is casual dining and it was very relaxed and friendly. The service was good, the food was hot, and the servings were a good size. All of this at reasonable prices. We will return. read more

Great place for kids and adults; fun activities for the kiddos and superior bowling alley restaurant with an extensive menu and a full bar. I recommend. read more

Do not believe any bad reviews! Great experience! We were visiting Charlevoix, wanted to bowl and attempted to go to alleys in Boyle City, Bellaire, and Mancelona. The other bowling alleys weren't even open, despite contrary information online. When we got to Northern Lights we were welcomed with friendly staff and excellent service. We had a blast! Highly recommend. read more

A great rainy day place with laser tag, a laser maze, arcade games, a pool room, and bowling. There is also a restaurant and bar with entertainment. You purchase credits on a card when you enter the arcade area. Lots of fun arcade games to choose from. We put $40 on our card and received two rolls of smarties, one mini box of nerds, and one mini tootsie roll when we cashed in our credits. But we had an hour of fun! The laser tag is great, with two floors and many walls to navigate ($7.00 per person for 20 minutes). Had a snag with one vest that quit working but received credit back on our fun card. Bowling is $24.00 for one hour and 6 bowlers. You have to also rent bowling shoes or wear your own. Had a snag with pin resetting a couple of times but that was probably due to our extremely slow balls rolling down the lane. We did not eat in the restaurant this trip, but did have popcorn and drinks while we bowled. Next time we will skip the bowling and work on our sharpshooting skills with the laser tag! read more

We were from out of town and came here with a relative who lives in Charlevoix, MI. He wanted to go bowling. I did not have a real opinion either way before or after coming here. I think that if you have been to one bowling alley, you have been to them all. Some of the only differences would be the size of the building and the atmosphere of the location. Space was limited here due to COVID BS, so we had to be put on a waiting list, briefly. All parties had to be spaced at every other lane. Staff, while courteous, was very to the point. They probably get tired of putting up with disrespectful youth and drunk amateur bowlers. I get it. The waitress we had should get a raise or at least a promotion of some kind. She was friendly, prompt with doing her job and always looked busy. She told me that if a customer ran out without paying, which happened to her once to the tune of $60, she has to pay out of her own pocket. Sad... All in all, you get what you would expect for a bowling alley at The Northern Lights. read more

Great time, good pizza, cold beer, clean shoes, enough balls, fast lanes, good music, better people. We'll be back.

Hidden gem! Bowling was well priced. All the staff were very kind, friendly, efficient. Fast service right to your bowling lane. Heather was wonderful! Good beer and wine selection. Billiards room was very nice as well. Fun family friendly environment. We will definitely go back! read more

Thought it was a night place. Absolute embarrassment from the staff. We watched a lady claiming to be the manager of this place get into a full on argument with multiple parents. The mangers husband claiming to be a cop got involved and got extremely argumentative throwing his badge weight around as well as yelling at bystanders watching. The manager and cop husband ended up calling the cops and the off duty cop husband continued to harass other patrons that were watching. The cops asked him to please remove himself. We don't know the end result, except that everyone was able to go in their merry way. What an embarrassment for this company. Whoever owns this place really needs to check in on their staff. It is run just awful. So many various patrons watched this and it was unanimous that the manager and off-duty heated cop were way out of place and made a horrible scene for everyone there. The biggest hot head of the night was the off-duty cop that was yelling at patrons not involved. These people are bringing in money! This is extremely unprofessional. PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT YHIS PLACE read more

This place was terrible. The waitress were some of the rudest people I have met in my life. Last time I came here they seated us and did not check up on us for thirty minutes so we ended up leaving. This establishment does not care about their customers. Drive the extra mile to go to a different bowling ally trust me. Not worth your time read more

Northern Lights is a family fun center. The building is large, and looks a lot like a grocery store in construction. The parking lot is large as well. Busy place. It's set back from the main road by a long driveway between the trees. * Bowling Alley * Arcade Games * Sassy Loon Bar & Grill Sassy Loon: Casual sports bar with attentive wait staff. TVs everywhere you look. Nothing foofoo gourmet, but great if you like pizza, burgers, chili and other stick-to-your-ribs soups. Most of the burgers are third or half pounders. Best to split those. We like the Hot Mama, with chipotle mayo, jalapenos, lettuce & tomato. It's the kind of burger you have to eat with two hands. The onion rings are hearty. Live bands Fri & Sat, starting around 9 usually. http://www.northernlightsrec.com/BANDS-.html read more

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If you are looking for a good burger in the Harbor/Petoskey area this is a place to check out. Their food is very good and the servers are great. My family and I went not to bowl but to eat as I had heard some good things about the food. We were not let down. We thought it was excellent. read more

To pricy for the value. Poor customer service and poorly maintained.

Wasn't super impressed with the customer service. I attempted to get a lane for one game (which would last maybe half hour tops). I was quickly denied stating the lanes were being reserved for three company parties. The lanes would not be available until 10pm. At the time it was 7pm when we were denied. We proceeded to play arcades for an hour while the lanes remained open the entire time. We eventually left by 830 with only one company that had shown up taking up only two lanes, while over eight others were open. Pretty lame to turn away customers. I would say 1 out of 4 of the arcade games were not working, but would take the money off of the card you have to purchase in order to use them. I really have no interest in coming back and by the way it looks they could care less anyways. Not really impressed. read more

We debated about a birthday party here. I called twice to inquire and received the same explanation about laser tag--20 minutes and $10/person. Be advised--half of the time is a safety video and suiting up. After 11 minutes of watching the game from the observation floor, the experience was over. I noted the time on my phone when it started and ended. When I explained it had only been half of the time I was told on the phone, the answer was, "It is a 20 minute experience. That includes the safety video and getting the equipment ready." I suggested they make it clear on the phone that half the time is a video and prep. It seems this specific information is deliberately omitted.. For about a dollar a minute per kid for my kids to run around, I would choose another activity in town like putt putt golf or a free playground, despite the fun black lights and jungle look. I gave two stars because my kids did have fun, but as far as value goes and the lack of transparency about the true time of the game itself, I would give one star. I regret leaving poor reviews, but I think it is only fair other consumers understand the real deal. read more

Apparently 2 years ago they were voted best overall bar and restaurant rec center. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This place is like Meijer, expensive and awful. The service is poor and the portions are small and the food itself is bad. Please don't bowl or eat here. read more

Northern Lights Recreation - a man and a woman playing a game of bowling - Bowling Near Me - Harbor Springs, Michigan

Went in for lunch on a Saturday at 11:45, one table in the restaurant but we were told that our party of 8 could only be seated in two booths because they had a "function" coming in. I tried to ask when they were coming in, I was rudely cut off. So we sat at two booths, unable to converse with half our party, food came up separately; my nachos had congealed cheese, nothing was very good. When we left at 1:15 (and we wouldn't have been that long had the food not been so slow to come out) there was still no one at any of the tables. We could easily have been seated together. I'm guessing just laziness, not wanted to make up the tables twice read more

I called a 2 weeks before to see if I had to reserve a spot for bowling for my boyfriend birthday the lady told me that I didn't have too that they wouldn't be at busy on September 18th so I showed up to get everything ready and I was meant with the lady to see if I could get a game of bowling, she was really rude to me about me asking but she said sure I can do it but you could see that they had a men led play, so I was about to ask her a question about bringing a cake in that I made for him she told me that I had to "well you have to wait mam" she I waited to be nice to her she told me that I could then we play and had a great party for my boyfriend, it was $100 and some $ before we left we ask if we could do a game of laser tag one of the men told us "that they were too busy to do it and I understand that so we went to play some arcade games but before we did that I went to the front desk to leave a tip for them I left them a $10 because of how rude they were. So a week from now my grandmother told me befor they left that the lady that was rude about help us with that party came up to her and told her that no one tip so my grandmother gave her $20. I Will never have a party here ever again because how I was treated! read more

Be aware! Charged more than we were supposed to be for the drinks. After we left, the tip was changed. Called and left a message for the manager to call back. Never heard from them. Keep an eye on your bill. read more

4 Birthday parties in 2 years! My kids love Laser Tag! Food and service is always generous. read more

Northern Lights Recreation - Laser Tag Birthday Party - Bowling Near Me - Harbor Springs, Michigan

So this is one of those oddly managed locations you only find in northern Michigan. They have really good live music on the weekends but the crowd is non existent. Can't understand what is missing here that keeps the crowds away. The Strobelight Honey band a couple weeks back was amazing and if transported to Chicago or Detroit would have a packed house. The few snacks we ordered were well prepared, however, it was a struggle to get our drinks correct. The bar was out of several items we ordered which is crazy for any bar to be missing the basics. Strange mix of atmosphere with the bowling and mini-Dave & Buster's theme games but definitely worth the trip for the music. Hopefully will get their identity better defined. read more

As the "event planner" of the company, myself and management felt that it would be a good place for our annual Christmas party. We had a blast! Working with Cristen, Northern Lights planner, we had a well organized and all around fabulous time! We went a little "off the plan" by adding some activities but they allowed us to pretty much take over the place! A buffet dinner was served and it was a good meal! Not only will we consider this location again but I will be back with my family for event fun and fine eats! read more

What a great fun place to spend an evening. With so much to do and then to enjoy a GREAT meal really makes it a blast. Joined a league this year and LOVED the atmosphere and all the drinks too! read more

So disappointed. After spending several hundred dollars here on vacations this summer they kicked us out before close and told us "the boss said to close." Terrible business model, they don't care about their customers. "Small business" is not an excuse to be completely lazy and disrespectful. Turns out the employee we dealt with was a "salaried" employee, so his job and the way he treats guests didn't matter. Very disappointed and will not be returning. read more

TABLE OF SEVEN Waited 1 hr for our food (After starters) except for one person who got there food 20 min ahead of the rest. Food arrived cold one order incorrect. Spent 144+change sorry no tip after they took off one burger that was incorrect. When I asked about the food I was told our food takes a while. Our drinks needed refilled but waitress was too embarrassed to come to table without food. So sad I used to like it here. Feel sorry for the waitress. Women's bathroom was in need of cleaning as well. read more

This is referencing the restaurant. I have been here for lunch a couple of times and the food has been okay. But the dinner was another thing. The fish (of the fish and chips) was way over cooked almost burnt. The cole slaw was anemic looking without any flavor. The chicken pasta was an extremely small serving for the price and the fact that pasta is relatively inexpensive to make. The waiter was under trained and we had to tell him that our beer was sitting on the bar waiting to be brought to us. He said, "oh, I wondered who's that was". He was the only server. The bartender could have used some initiative and brought us the beer when he didn't see our waiter around. There were only 3 tables the whole time we were there, so no one was terribly busy. The management needs to pay some attention to training of their staff, cooks, waiter, and bartender. We will not return, even for a lunch. read more

Local favorite....best burgers in town. We have learned to split a burger, because they are so big. The Sassy Loon, which IS inside a bowling alley, definitely deserves your business. read more

We decided to pop in for afternoon burgers, having driven by this place hundreds of times over the past several years. We had read a review that they were voted in the top five for "Michigan's Best Burgers." We both ordered the Loony Burger. It was definitely one of the best burgers I have had - it truly lived up to its fame. We will definitely be back for more. Oh, the Bloody Mary's are exceptional. Well seasoned and full-bodied. read more

I am little surprised by al the bad reviews. Perhaps, since this was a bowling alley, I was expecting it to be really bad food, and therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when the food was actually decent. I agree that it can be hit or miss with what's good and what's not so good. My wife loved her Greek wrap, but mentioned the sweet potato fries were not good. The hot dog my daughter ate looked a little rough, but she seemed to like it. I had a hamburger, which was pretty good. We had a large party, and I was surprised by the long wait for a table; however, the hostess kept us updated about the status of the table. They were very busy. I agree it took a little bit longer than expected for our food to be served. Of course, the kids enjoyed the game room. We wil be back given how family friendly the place was. read more

Had my sons 16th birthday party there! The server was great- the activities were well spaced and coordinated. Food came in a timely fashion. We arrived 15 minutes early and they fit us right in! On the way home kids were talking about what a fun time they had! We chose the top package and we're not unhappy- glad we did it! read more

We always keep hoping the best for this place but it's always underwhelming. Service is hit or miss so is the food. we went from weekly dinners there to Northern Lights being the last choice. read more