Arena Lanes — Attraction in Worth Township

I would give zero if I could... Called on Sunday 8.28 for Sat.9.2,2-4 for a surprise birthday party for my husband was told nothing to be guaranteed without a deposit. I asked could I give the deposit over the phone, they said no I had to sign a contract... Next day left work early to make it to the alley to book the Sat. Had to pay the minimum of 10 people @$20 per person and was warned multiple times that the money I paid was non refunded no matter what that if fewer than 10 people showed too bad, if someone was late too bad... paid and signed the contract. The contract stated that no outside food could be brought in, I had to pay in advance, and no refunds would be given. Whilst I waited for everything to be finalized I heard about 1 employee having insomnia, a dispute about cleaning duties, the manager thanking an employee for taking her shift so she can study for her mortuary exam and how hard it was. I wished the manager good luck.. I told the manager that it was a surprise for my husband and if my family members could come in advance they said yes..The reasonwhy I note this becauseof all the conversationsthat happenedCosmicBowlingwasnt mentionedonce.. Had it been I wouldhavebooked before or after Cosmic Bowling.. I was told all the ways I would lose my prepaid deposit. . Day of: Bowling alley was less than 1/4 full, my family members stated they couldn't do anything until I got there. It was 9 people in our party. We bowled for 1 hour then the manager came on the P.A. and said sorry bowlers we have people who want cosmic bowling and cosmic bowling is about to start. I went to the manager Kimberly I believe to complain,( same person that I booked my reservation with) she stated that cosmic bowling was happening. I stated that wasn't part of the contract I signed, and walked away.. She then went on the P.A and said: Reminder bowlers cosmic bowling is from 330-430.. This was said at 315... after cosmic bowling had been on for 15 min. I later complained to the Bartender. While I complain the Bartender stated how she could see why I would be upset. Then the manager came to me stating that obviously I had a problem, I asked the Bartender to ask her to move away from me. The Bartender said that she was her manager. I stated I am asking you to ask her to get away from me while the manager continued to harass me. We finished bowling but it is a reason why this alley was my 4th choice after my previous 3 choices were booked for the weekend. I will never go to this alley again.. Go to Blue Bird lanes, Palos, Castaways, go see a movie.. this is not the...

My recent visit to Star Lanes Arena was, unfortunately, a far cry from the fun and organized experience I remember from years past. What was supposed to be a enjoyable evening of bowling and games turned into a frustrating ordeal that left me questioning whether I’d ever return.

We arrived at 4:30 PM to sign up for open bowling, which was scheduled to start at 5:00 PM. Despite holding the second spot in line, we waited over three hours and still hadn’t been called to bowl by 7:30 PM. The check-in process was disorganized and chaotic. Staff members called out numbers inconsistently, and we had to repeatedly check in, only to be told to wait longer. The lack of clear communication and inefficient management of the lanes made the experience incredibly frustrating.

The food and drinks were a mixed bag. The Pepsi and fries were decent—nothing extraordinary, but at least they were satisfying. The pizza, however, was a letdown. It was essentially a basic cheese pizza topped with haphazardly chopped tomatoes, which felt like an afterthought rather than a properly crafted menu item. For the prices charged, I expected better quality and more effort.

The arcade games, which could have been a saving grace, were mostly out of order or malfunctioning. It was disappointing to see so many machines either broken or in poor condition, especially since this is a key part of the entertainment experience. The overall atmosphere of the venue was stuffy and poorly ventilated, making it uncomfortable to spend any extended amount of time there.

I recall Star Lanes Arena being a much more organized and enjoyable place in the past. The decline in service, maintenance, and overall experience was evident throughout our visit. While the staff members we interacted with were polite, they seemed overwhelmed and underprepared to handle the crowd, which only added to the frustration.

If you’re considering a visit, I’d advise tempering your expectations. Unless you have the patience of a turtle (or perhaps a saint), this venue may not be worth your time or money in its current state. There’s potential here, but significant improvements are needed in organization, maintenance, and food quality to make it a worthwhile destination again.

For now, I’m giving Star Lanes Arena a 2-star rating. It’s not the worst experience I’ve had, but it’s far from good. Here’s hoping management takes note and works to restore this once-great venue to its...

ARENA BOWLING located in Oak Lawn, IL. has been longstanding to this southwest community. Located on 103rd St. & Cicero Ave. it is hard to miss. Today I visited after 30 years & not much has changed which is comforting. This alley hosted the Special Olympic Games this morning & it was grand event with award ribbons to each participant. The facility was packed with family & friends cheering on the bowlers beginning at 8 a.m. The staff was very helpful attending to the lanes & getting the handicapped ramps in place. ARENA BOWLING is a large alley with about 40 lanes with electronic scoring. There is a large bar area, vending machines, party & game room, fast food counter, locker rooms & lower area which I didn’t see. The kids will have a blast with all the brightly lit pinball & arcade games..too many to count! I also saw an ATM machine for convenience as well as change machine. The restrooms were clean as well as the lanes. This is a great place for families, date night, birthday parties, leagues, & special occasions. Price point is comparable to similar venues. I have taken many photos for viewing & recommend ARENA BOWLING for your enjoyment. I am not affiliated with...