Lincoln Square Lanes

Upon finding this hidden spot, you will stumble upon a vintage bowling atmosphere.

(773) 649-1698

4874 N Lincoln Ave (Ainslie Street)
Chicago, IL 60625 41.9706 -87.69

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Ravenswood, Far North Side

Hours:

Sun-Fri 12pm-2am

Sat 12pm-3am

What People Are Saying About Lincoln Square Lanes

The Owner

Lincoln Square Lanes

Owner

Since 1990, Lincoln Square Lanes has provided a memorable bowling experience for all of its patrons. With 12 lanes and late hours, customers can bowl until 2am on weeknights and until 3am on Saturday. Moreover, pizza is served and there's a full bar inside the alley. In addition to open bowling, league games are hosted as well.

The Editor

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene – With its ordinary appearance, Lincoln Square Lanes has the feel of a hideaway - or a speakeasy. Located atop an Ace Hardware store, finding LSL can be a trying experience. Its generic "Bowl" marquee, which does not illuminate, is of little help. Lincoln Square Lanes squeezes 12 lanes into its cramped quarters, leaving little room for spectators. The alley is furnished in wood paneling with red trim around the alleys, creating a basement-type feel. On weekend nights, people of all ages are packed in behind the bowlers. It is not unusual to see infants sleeping in cribs as…

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/15/09

This is a great spot for burgers

by Me100 at Citysearch

This is a great spot for a night out.

  • Pros: Food is great
  • Cons: Parking
3 Star Rating: Average

05/18/08

$4.50 per game, not per person

by Shamontiel at Citysearch

Pros: I came to this location for the first time on a Sunday afternoon, and after figuring out from a local that the place is above a hardware store, I was surprised to find so many parking spots. I thought by it being next to McDonald's, that was going to be the only place to park (and McDonald's has signs saying not to park there unless you're in the restaurant). I liked how cozy the place is. I went in and there was only one other family a few lanes down from us, so with two groups total, we had more than enough privacy to concentrate on the game. I liked that I had to take score because the rare occasions that I bowl, I let the automatice scoring board do it and was too lazy to learn how to tally spares and strikes. Now I know because the forms provide examples!

Cons: The lane lights up how many pins you knocked down the first time but not the second time, so pay close attention (for scoring purposes). The light in the ladies room wasn't on, I couldn't find it, and it wasn't until I yanked the old school towel dispenser that the lights flickered. The other lady there said she just went to the bathroom in the dark. I was also disappointed that on two separate occasions, I called to verify that the games were $4.50 each. The employee there said yes, but when I got there, it turns out it's $4.50 per person although he insists that it's $4.50 per game. That's false advertisement, in my opinion, because a game is two people having two turns each for ten rounds. So, if it's $4.50 per game and we play 3 games, that should be $13.50, but I was charged $27. That would've been fine if I had that much with me, but I had to use their ATM since they don't take credit cards (another downer).

Would I go back? Yes. But I'd be fully prepared knowing now the location, the real price of each PERSON not game, and knowing to yank the towel to get the bathroom lights to come on.

  • Pros: Parking, Comfort, Polite employees, no automated boards (learn to keep score!), quiet
  • Cons: False advertising with prices, lights in bathroom hard to find, light doesn't show second score on lane

The Details on Lincoln Square Lanes

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Bowling Alleys, Lounges

Payment Methods:

Check

Message from Lincoln Square Lanes

  • Bar
  • 12 Lanes
  • Pizza

Since 1990, Lincoln Square Lanes has provided a memorable bowling experience for all of its patrons. With 12 lanes and late hours, customers can bowl until 2am on weeknights and until 3am on Saturday. Moreover, pizza is served and there's a full bar inside the alley. In addition to open bowling, league games are hosted as well.

Lists In Chicago

Advertisement
Best of Citysearch

Things To Do Nearby Lincoln Square Lanes

Lincoln Square Lanes

4874 N Lincoln Ave (Ainslie Street)
Chicago, IL 60625

Recent Reviews In Chicago

1 Star Rating: Poor

Mother's Night Club Original

26 W Division St, Chicago, IL

1 Star Rating: Poor

Blu 47

4655 S King Dr, Chicago, IL

Globe Pub

1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL

4 Star Rating: Recommended

The Red Canary

695 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

Advertisement