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Bowling

Alumni Lanes

📍 Old Town Triangle, IL

5.0(10 Google reviews)💰$125-$150👶All ages

Historic two-lane bowling venue in a restored 1891 clubhouse available for private rental only. Accommodates up to 10 bowlers with bumpers and ramps, plus upstairs space for food and drinks.

Historic venuePrivate rentalHidden gemBirthday partiesIntimate setting
★★★★★Featured review by Jules Marling

A Hidden Gem for Team Outings – We Loved Every Minute at The Bader Family Alumni Lanes! We hosted our corporate outing at The Bader Family Alumni Lanes at The Menomonee Club, and I can say without hesitation that it was one of the most enjoyable and memorable team events we’ve ever had. Everyone—seriously, everyone—had an incredible time. The space is quirky in all the best ways. It’s got this wonderfully retro, throwback vibe that feels both nostalgic and totally original. The minute you walk in, you know you’re somewhere special. It’s not your typical bowling alley—it’s intimate, full of character, and clearly run by people who care about creating a fun, welcoming experience. The lanes themselves are in fantastic shape, the setting is cozy and cool, and the atmosphere is just flat-out fun. Whether people were bowling strikes or gutter balls, there were nonstop laughs and good energy all around. It brought our team together in a way that stuffy dinners or big venues never do. We absolutely loved it. Couldn’t recommend it more highly for a group event, a birthday, or even just a night out with friends. The Bader Family Alumni Lanes is a Chicago treasure.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for families planning a private birthday party or small group event who want a genuinely unique, character-filled venue. The whole-building rental means you have the space to yourselves, which works well for groups of 10–20. This is a booked-in-advance experience, not casual drop-in bowling — plan accordingly.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡The entire building is rented as a unit — walk-in play is not available
Book well in advance as availability is sparse and demand is high
🎟️The upstairs kitchen area is included in the rental for food and drinks
🚗Bumpers and ball ramps are available for young or beginner bowlers

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
5.0

10 Google reviews

Historic character and atmosphere45%
Perfect for private events35%
Well-maintained lanes20%
J

Jules Marling

10 months ago

A Hidden Gem for Team Outings – We Loved Every Minute at The Bader Family Alumni Lanes! We hosted our corporate outing at The Bader Family Alumni Lanes at The Menomonee Club, and I can say without hesitation that it was one of the most enjoyable and memorable team events we’ve ever had. Everyone—seriously, everyone—had an incredible time. The space is quirky in all the best ways. It’s got this wonderfully retro, throwback vibe that feels both nostalgic and totally original. The minute you walk in, you know you’re somewhere special. It’s not your typical bowling alley—it’s intimate, full of character, and clearly run by people who care about creating a fun, welcoming experience. The lanes themselves are in fantastic shape, the setting is cozy and cool, and the atmosphere is just flat-out fun. Whether people were bowling strikes or gutter balls, there were nonstop laughs and good energy all around. It brought our team together in a way that stuffy dinners or big venues never do. We absolutely loved it. Couldn’t recommend it more highly for a group event, a birthday, or even just a night out with friends. The Bader Family Alumni Lanes is a Chicago treasure.

M

Maurice Classen

10 months ago

Ok, I have to be honest, I'm conflicted about writing this review. My positive intention? I want to highlight how wonderful this place is. The staff, the quality of the lane, the neighborhood location. My worry? Folks will start coming more often and make it tougher to book a night! Regardless, I can't say enough about this place. Lovely facility (including the upstairs kitchen that is useful for food/drinks) and great people. I have a nightly "league" twice and month and look forward to the banter, lanes, and community. Come check it out. Just don't take our night!

M

Matthew Paprocki

10 months ago

Historic bowling alley built in 1891. Bowling here feels like you walked back in time. The entire building houses two lanes of bowling, but due to brand new lanes, it's a wonderful experience. To bowl here, you rent the whole building-- it is perfect for birthday parties, work events, or we have a regularly scheduled league there. The best!

J

James Sherwood

10 months ago

This place is a hidden gem in the old town neighborhood. I am hesitant to leave a review because once word gets out about this place, it will become impossible to reserve. It's perfect for birthday parties, small work events or just a casual bowling league amongst friends. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Reviews from Google

Overview

The Bader Family Alumni Lanes at The Menomonee Club features two fully automatic bowling lanes in a building dating to 1891. The entire clubhouse — including an upstairs multipurpose room for food and drinks — is rented as a unit, so there are no other parties sharing the space. Bumpers and ramps are available, and on-site staff run the lanes. The restored interior retains the feel of a century-old community institution.

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