Big Bear Bowling Barn — Attraction in Big Bear Lake

The second worst bowling alley I've ever been to. First of all, they don't tell you before you bowl, but you only have one hour max to bowl, after you've waiting an hour and a half in line. While you wait, you're treated to roughly 50% working arcade machines. What's left will either not let you play or will eat your tokens (not quarters, because they make you buy tokens instead). At least they will give you more tokens when the machines eat them. They don't accept responsibility for the games, because it's a different company that runs them. If you're not into wasting quarters, you can enjoy the smallest drinks I've ever seen. They're pretty good, but they're offered in child size party cups.

All of this would be fine, even worth 3-4 stars, if they were a good bowling alley. But, they're not. I'm a bowler, so I'll admit I have high standards, but I can forgive a dry lane. That wasn't the problem. The problem is that even before the lane starts, you can tell the last time this place has seen some TLC was a year that began with "19". The pin setters are about as slow as the machine from the 90's too. Which just exacerbates the problem of only having one hour to bowl.

The floor boards are worn through to the wood underneath, and the lanes are dry enough to curve their house balls. That's fine for a 5 year old's birthday party, but if you're an adult who likes to bowl, go somewhere else. Honestly, with the hour and half wait and one hour time limit, you'd get more bowling in just going down the mountain.

Of more than a hundred bowling alleys I've been to, this was the second worst. Impressive, at least, in that regard.

Ps: Several of those in my party felt the music was too loud. (But that's entirely up to personal preference, no stars off for that. Not that I can take any more stars...

We spent 3 hours bowling and playing air hockey and all the games. Some games take quarters and some you can play with tokens. When you buy the tokens. no change is provided. Sure enough...you can spend all $20 in tokens in no time and that is a good start for your child, but just keep in mind that some games still require only cash..quarters or even $3 to play. Today some games were broken unfortunately and wouldn't work as we kept trying to put more and more tokens since my child's friend tried to score the Playstation and he was super determined and wanted to spend all the money just there..He put in $10 in tokens and nothing... I had to stop him, because he wouldn't put all his money in this broken machine, because that was exactly what he wanted to do...There was a very kind young lady who helped to lessen the pain and returned the tokens, but friend still was a little "bitter" and disappointed...that is why I am rating our experience 4 stars... Kids had fun and I totally recommend to come here and we'll come back again ourselves, but we'll lower our expectations next time. We didn't try the food, no soda cans or bottles are offered, but the fountain drinks were quite expensive and a half cup was ice. Make sure you order a large size soda for $3.99 ...I think it was...or order the ice for your soda...separately. Shirley Temple for $3 was good. Very busy place. Make sure to make a reservation before you go as the place is busy especially on the weekends after the ski...

I'm writing this review because I wanted to share my terrible experience. We tried to go on a Saturday night and were told that the lanes were full, but they put our name down and told us it would be an hour 25 wait. We went out for some food and came back 5 minutes earlier than an hour. A really confused looking employee at the desk showed us our names on the waiting list and told us to stick around. We milled around the desk for 20 minutes and then finally asked the woman assigning lanes when ours would be available. She informed us that our name had already been called multiple times and that she had taken us off the waiting list. I figured that since we showed up even earlier than they had told us to, that something could at least be worked out but the employee flat out refused. She was extremely obstinate and unhelpful and told us that the best she could do was put us at the end of the list again, which would mean at least another hour waiting. We watched a party that had come in right after us have their name called but she informed us that "names get called in groups of 5 or 6 and if you miss it, its gone forever." We tried to come to some sort of workable solution, but she just wasn't having it and we ended up leaving.

tl;dr the customer service left me feeling extremely cold and disappointed. We were back when our reservation was ready but they refused to accommodate us or work something out. Cannot recommend...