Arlington Lanes — Local services in Wheeling Township

I am disheartened to give this low rating. We held our kids birthday parties and visited many times over the years. This year, we were invited by my ten year old's friend for the New Year's party. They got a bowling lane and we got a pool table. Right after the count down, the parents were at the bowling lane and my ten year old and his friend was at the pool table with my very older child. They were not within the eye-sight as the pool tables are sectioned off from the bowling alley. We were having a short conversation after the count down and was planning to go back. Then, my older child came to report that a drunk guy from another table verbally assaulted the two ten year old boys because they were blowing horns loudly and he was not happy with that. Not only the choice of the language, but he taunted and forced them to say words they wouldn't have used otherwise. We were playing games in the same area over an hour, so we knew how drunk they were, so instead of confronting them directly, we have decided to report to the staff. After getting all the details from us, the manager said they are regular at their venue and know them well. The manager said he will talk to the guy next time he comes in and give us report. Knowing that we have two kids and their safety is important, we've agreed to this. However, this sent me a loud and clear message that their regular patron is more important the safety of children. I am thoroughly disappointed how they handled this. Even if it was not the best time to confront the drunk person, at least they should have come out and said their behavior was not acceptable. The New Year's party that was family friendly is not what I thought it was and we will not return to their party...

Here’s a break down of Arilington lanes.

The people are nice and helpful for the most part. The place is decently kepted up and got some good deals. That it self gives the lanes a 4 rating.

Issue is lanes are beat up and machines keep tearing up balls. Recently have had a 3 month old ball that got massively chewed up by the machines. They offered to resurface and fix. I personally wasn’t comfortable with that and stated I would have my pro work on the ball and if there was issues with ball roll or surface we would work on the next steps going forward. Well to say the least a full resurface as deep as they had to go ruined the ball to where it is useless. Following up a few days later, got in contact with the lanes and specified the issues about the damage the fact they need to replace the ball. They didn’t have much to say but that they would let management know and they would call me. Guess what still have yet to be contacted + 2 weeks later. My assumption is based on their lack of action they are just avoiding they fact that their machines ruined an expensive ball and they don’t want to own up to it.

Machines also have a habit up getting balls jammed up and cause more damage to balls. This isn’t always but lately happens at least 2 or 3 times a week depending on lanes.

All in all place has potential, but beware if you are an above average league bowler. This is not the place to use anything you want not to get beat up by machines. You will not be pleased with the outcomes of you have issues and need to alter the surface of the ball from out of box heavily. It will never be the same and you won’t get help from the lanes if it’s ruined.

For this they...

Been coming to this place for over a year now and never had a problem that makes me not wanna go back until today.

First, the front staff is super rude, mutturs your lane number then when you ask for them to repeat it they dont reply. Second, because of a prior issue that day(out of spite) the front desk puts my family at a broken lane. Third, when the lane breaks down for the 5th time that night (no exaggeration) we get fed up with constantly having to ask somebody to fix it and go up to the front desk and let them know that this is the 5th or 6th time this happened and its getting a little aggravating. All the front desk did was "correct" me and tell me that its only the 3rd time (which is false) and just nodded her head.

Im a pretty reasonable person, I understand sometimes things go wrong but when you can't even play one game of bowling without the lane breaking down, it gets annoying specially with an uncooperative front desk lady. Didnt even get an "im sorry", "we're working on it", "we can move you to a different lane" ,"we'll give you a game on us for your troubles" , NOTHING.

Therefore, knowing I might have to deal with someone like that again in the future makes me want to go else where.

Very pleased with the people who actually dealt with the constant fixing of the lane....