River Lanes — Attraction in Bethel

River Lanes in Bethel, Maine, is more than just a bowling alley; it's a cornerstone of our little community. For those of us who call Bethel home, River Lanes is the go-to spot for unwinding, celebrating, or just killing a few hours with some good old-fashioned fun.The place might not be the flashiest venue you've ever seen, but it's got charm in spades. The lanes are well-maintained, which is more than you can say for a lot of small-town alleys, and there's a homely feel to the whole establishment that just puts you at ease the moment you step inside. It's clean, welcoming, and exactly what you'd hope for in a town like ours.But River Lanes isn't just about bowling. They've got a decent selection of arcade games that can keep the kids (and let's be honest, adults too) entertained for hours. And their snack bar? Surprisingly good. We're talking way above your average bowling alley fare. It's the kind of place where you can actually sit down, enjoy a meal, and chat with friends without feeling rushed.One thing that really sets River Lanes apart is the staff. They're friendly folks who genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs. They're always around to help with a stuck pin, recommend their favorite snack bar treats, or just share a laugh. It's that personal touch that makes you feel welcome, whether you're a regular or stopping in for the first time.In a small town like Bethel, places like River Lanes are what keep the community together. It's where you run into your neighbors, where kids have their birthday parties, and where you go for a casual night out. Sure, you might not find the high-tech features of big-city entertainment centers, but that's not really what we're about here. River Lanes captures the essence of Bethel: simple, friendly, and just a great place to be.So, whether you're a local who's never laced up a pair of bowling shoes or a visitor looking for a slice of small-town life, drop by River Lanes. It's a perfect example of what makes living in a place like...

River Lanes - self described as an "Family Fun Bowling - Entertainment Center built from the ground up. Guaranteed Fun For the Whole Family....offers a relaxed atmosphere...." However, the owners of this business miss one incredible detail. Beginning right from the front door, to the arcade, to the bar, to the bowling lanes - the entire place is covered with signs telling you what you can NOT do. "NO food or drink" "NO Water bottles or Coffee Cups" "NO sneakers". Think about this from a hospitality standpoint and everywhere you turn your being told what you cannot do. Nothing says "Welcome" like the first sign you see on the front door telling you what not to do.

This may seem subtle, but its a family fun entertainment center. Hospitality is the only thing you are paid to provide. "Relaxed Atmosphere" with employees that apparently would rather decorate the place with negative reinforced rules instead of actually work.

Beyond the simple point above. There is no hostess, probably 2-5 too few wait-staff. The entire place is a free for all and your best bet on getting a meal or drink is by going down the street.

Owners are missing the mark. Hopefully they see this and can adjust the attitude of the place to actually...

I cannot begin to explain how RUDE and disrespect the service was here!! We had a party of 18 …….EIGHTEEN !! (Think of the money PLUS tip this was going to bring in) the “waitress” came to the table and the first thing she said was “what do you want?!” “YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO ORDER FOOD BEFORE YOU GET DRINKS! DID YOU WVEM PAY FOR THOSE ?!” (Mind you, my mom, my brother and myself got a drink at the bar PRIOR to us deciding to stay and eat there) how dare you accuse us of stealing drinks, second the disgusting and disrespectful attitude TOWARDS VETERANS was appalling!!! My dad said “ I’m embarrassed to say that she’s a Mainer” . When I say we had money to blow, I’m not exaggerating…… we asked to speak with the manger, the bartender said “that’s who you were talking to, there’s nothing I can do for you”. THE “WAITRESS” WAS THE MANAGER!! The manager WAS RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL AND HAD A DISGUSTING ATTITUDE not only towards civilians BUT ALSO TOWARDS OUR VETERNS (3 tours to be exact)!!!! Absolutely disgusting behavior ! You should be ashamed of yourselves!!! The owner needs to address how this manager treats people, clearly after seeing the reviews the owner doesn’t care very much about...