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Bowling

Timber Lanes Bowling Alley

πŸ“ North Center, IL

β˜…4.6(385 Google reviews)πŸ‘ΆAll ages

Iconic Chicago neighborhood bowling alley with eight wood lanes, hand-scored games, dart boards, a jukebox, and a bar. Cash only. Popular for birthday parties and league play year-round.

βœ“ Cash onlyβœ“ Hand-scored lanesβœ“ Birthday partiesβœ“ Year-round leagues
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β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Freedomis Power

Amazing old school bowling alley! Cash only and great prices. The staff is phenomenal and so are the lanes! Love the old school wood lanes, which have been recently shaved and the approaches. Ball returns are new and most importantly they have an Lane walker oil machine from Kegel. They can put down. Sport patterns with enough notice and is the perfect setting for a small tournament or league requesting sport conditions! It's the perfect facility for the old school and new all in one package! This establishment caters to recreational and serious bowlers and just aims to wow and take care of all their guests. Definitely a Chicago hot spot that just gives you more than what you expect!

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best for families with older children and teens who appreciate a no-frills, character-filled bowling experience over modern entertainment centers. The hand scoring and vintage atmosphere make it genuinely different from chain alleys. Young children can bowl, and the staff are known for going out of their way to make groups feel at home.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Cash only β€” ATM access nearby and confirm before your visit
⏰Check Google for busy periods or call ahead; walk-ins typically find lanes available
🎟️Birthday party bookings are accommodated β€” coordinate with staff in advance
πŸš—Ball selection is broad and grab your preferred weight early during busy sessions

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.6
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385 Google reviews

Authentic atmosphere unlike any chain alley40%
Staff friendliness earns repeated praise30%
Great value for the experience20%
Cash-only policy to plan around10%
F

Freedomis Power

7 years ago

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β€œAmazing old school bowling alley! Cash only and great prices. The staff is phenomenal and so are the lanes! Love the old school wood lanes, which have been recently shaved and the approaches. Ball returns are new and most importantly they have an Lane walker oil machine from Kegel. They can put down. Sport patterns with enough notice and is the perfect setting for a small tournament or league requesting sport conditions! It's the perfect facility for the old school and new all in one package! This establishment caters to recreational and serious bowlers and just aims to wow and take care of all their guests. Definitely a Chicago hot spot that just gives you more than what you expect!”

A

adam robbins

a month ago

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β€œThe last bastion of old school bowling alleys. It's cash only. They don't have a lot of lanes but enough that we walked in and had no wait, definitely check Google to see how busy it is, or call first. The bar is just steps away from the the lanes which is great. They have a lot of balls but finding just the right one may be difficult, so I say grab one that's remotely close and hit those lanes! Truth be told I scored an average of 60 points per game so I kind of stink, and still had a good time.”

L

Lauren Waters

6 months ago

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β€œIf I’m in Chicago, you can bet my first stop is Timber Lanes. If you know, you know. And if you don’t know, I implore you to find out! Iconic old school bowling alley with a kind and hilarious staff and a real cast of characters as regulars (I’d know, I kinda used to be one). This place’s deserves all the love. I love this place so much I had a birthday party, going away party and got my engagement photos shot here all in about the same year.”

B

Brian McAuliffe

4 years ago

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β€œAn iconic Chicago tavern that had the brilliant idea of swapping out the pool table for an 8-lane bowling alley. Genius. Great vibe; comfortable and friendly. My wife and I bowled for an hour, split a six-pack, traded some songs on the juke and chatted with some truly affable chaps - all for about $40 bucks. Solid.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

Timber Lanes operates eight recently shaved wood lanes with new ball returns, a Kegel lane oiler, hand scoring, dart boards, and a jukebox β€” all within an authentic Chicago tavern setting. The bar is steps from the lanes. Cash is the only payment method accepted. The venue runs leagues year-round and accommodates birthday parties. Walk-in waits are rare.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 00:00
Tuesday14:00 – 00:00
Wednesday14:00 – 00:00
Thursday14:00 – 00:00
Friday14:00 – 00:00
Saturday12:00 – 01:00
Sunday10:00 – 00:00

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