Honestly, this spot surprised me! For a local bowling alley, it's pretty clean and has a chill crowd of regulars. I didn't even bowl--I just came for the cheap drinks and ended up finding some of the best fried chicken I've had in ages. Fresh, crispy, and fried hard just the way I like it. Who would've guessed a bowling alley could serve food this good? read more

Had a misunderstanding at riverside a little over a month ago with reservations I made, but Jim reached out to me and took care of everything in the fastest and most respectful manner anybody could ever ask for. He went out of his way to contact me throughout the process to keep me updated and went above and beyond to help me. I will without a doubt be returning to this establishment whenever I'm in the mood to bowl and I'd recommend anyone thinking about stopping in to do the same. read more

Attended a bowling event I planned for my husband on January 30th do that unforeseen circumstances we did not make it to the bowling alley until 11:50 p.m.. security told me we could not go because we were late arriving and he had to check with management. Fortunately the management allowed us to bowl however the bar was closed and I could not get a drink of water!!!! The young lady that works as a Cook County Sheriff/Security told me to go get water out the water faucet. I have not drank from a public water faucet since covid. So I say I have bottled water on the party bus can I bring a bottle of water inside. I was quoted a policy no outside beverages. I asked where is the vending machine so I purchased a bottle of water. I was told new management took the vending machines out. Then I say okay I'm going to go to the party bus drink some water security told me if I walk out the door I could not come back in. There was no one else in the entire bowling alley but my party group and I couldn't go outside and get water!!! The bowling alley does it close until 1:00 a.m. people are still bowling and getting thirsty while doing so not having access to water it's totally ridiculous. #dobetter read more

A Memorable Visit to Hillside Bowling Alley Bowling alleys are often measured not only by the quality of their lanes and amenities, but by the spirit and hospitality that greet guests as they walk through the doors. My recent visit to Hillside Bowling Alley was a shining example of what can happen when a business is managed by people who truly care about their patrons. Organizing a group event can be challenging, but John the general manager made the process seamless. He was attentive to special requests, ensuring our experience matched our expectations. One of the highlights of our visit was discovering Hillside's fantastic bowling specials designed for groups, these offers made our outing not only enjoyable, but also affordable. Such thoughtful promotions encouraged us to make the most of our time together, adding value to an already delightful experience. It's rare to encounter the kind of customer service that inspires you to return again and again. Thanks to John's exemplary leadership and the welcoming environment with great staff at Hillside Bowling Alley my group left with smiles fond memories and plans to visit again soon. For anyone seeking a venue for a group outing-whether it's friends, family, or colleagues Hillside offers not just great bowling, but a level of hospitality that transforms a simple game into an occasion. Thank you, John!! Mary read more

GUTTERBALLZ Jackie Treehorn presents -- in association with El Duderino productions -- a review by Eric S. It's been a long time since I last shined my balls and laced up a pair of bowling shoes. Too long, in fact, as I finished dead last on Sunday 5/19/19 when joined by Nichole C and Jason K at this local alley in Hillside. It was just a bad day overall for yours truly :( With a BOGO coupon in hand, we met here for a few afternoon games and a few beers. The place was quiet, save for a table full of folks playing dominos and a handful of regulars practicing their curve for league purposes. Shoe rentals were $4.25pp and they looked pretty tattered (my laces had no less than 7 knots in them), plus they were missing that good ol' lemony Lysol scent. Games were $4 per person, which isn't expensive, but it's not a great deal either. Prior to rolling, we had some issues getting set up. When handed the voucher for a free game, the woman behind the counter said "I don't think this works here" (she was wrong, it totally was valid). After enough confusion requiring a manager to get involved, we finally got our lane assignment. Their website claims the scoring devices are 'state of the art', which would be true if it were 1986. But it's actually 2019 and the keypads were as basic as can be. They should update their webpage to say "our sh*t is decades old and beat up, but please love us anyway". As far as the games were concerned, I did not fare well. Likely bowling the worst round(s) of my life, I threw plenty of perfect balls and routinely got 8-9 pins for my effort. At one point a pin literally LEAPED over another and cost me a spare. Damn you, Hillside Bowl! Beer was reasonably cheap, with a 12oz plastic cup of Miller Lite costing $3.25 and domestic buckets priced at $13. The bar area had something I'd never witnessed before in my life: padlocks on all their taps. They must be crazy paranoid about people sneaking free slugs of beer........ * TL;DR * Hillside Bowl is nostalgic and no-frills. There are no cutesy graphics for when you roll a strike, no animations of anthropomorphic bowling balls, no amusing taunts for when you miss everything and yank your 15-pounder into another lane, and definitely no glow-in-the-dark pins. My experience was a borderline 3.5*, but the lanes were not at all kind to me, so this place doesn't get the benefit of the doubt. I blame the archaic ball return, the decrepit scoring mechanism, anything and everything besides my own skill. FWIW, I've never bowled quite that poorly before. As you can tell, I'm not into the whole "brevity thing", man, but when the opportunity presents itself to quote my favorite Coen Brothers movie as part of a bowling alley review, I'm all over that like a hobo on a ham sandwich (coincidentally, neither of my compatriots has seen The Big Lebowski OR Kingpin, which seems like an unspeakable crime). Having grown up with Brunswick Zone nearby, an old school place like this has a certain charm to it. It was fine for a one-off, but Hillside Bowl probably won't get any repeat visits from me. My game was far too sh*tty and those pins just did. not. move. I need my kiddie bumpers!! read more

See all

The service there so bogus so not friendly at all book a bowling party and they did want to let nobody in at all that was with my party did get to play the two full games I payed for it was just all day my birthday weekend was not good because of that place of business bad customer service. read more

The two racist reviews are sad and hysterical at the same time. I've bowled here several times over the years. A few times as a kid and a lot when I went to Proviso West (the high school right next to here) as I was on the bowling team. (wasn't competition but just kids get together to have fun) Enjoyed the dinner during that time grabbing fries and burgers. I haven't really went as much as an adult (I suck at bowling) but have had a good time with family and friends and celebrating birthdays or just hanging out with co workers etc. I've seen tons of people get togeather from a mix of casual couples and kids to full blown leagues come in and this has all been recent in the past two years. I guess if you're looking to feel "safe" with not so many black people around coming on the weekend might not be the best suggestion. it does get crowded like a club on Friday and Saturday night. Hillside Bowl does hire security and it's still about FOUR BLOCKS away from the police station. I'm sure it's easier for me being black to say I don't see the problem but on the flip side I can slightly understand as I don't even go there (as I've only been once and didn't want to deal with the noise level and secruty check....I was glad they had it to prevent anything from happening but as I said just didn't want to deal with it.) I would bring younger kids out to Brunswick Zone on a Friday/Saturday night, but I wouldn't bring them out to hillside bowl, On the other hand. I wouldn't bring kids out to lucky strike or pinstripe's either as I expect more of an adult presences in the later hours. read more

See all

A group of us picked this bowling spot for a team building activity. We went during a great time. Monday afternoon. Plenty of lanes available. The place was inexpensive, clean and the service was on point. We decided to grab lunch at the connected restaurant run by a family. Food was dang good! Great fried chicken, great gumbo, dang good burger and some awesome cheese fries. Home.cut potatoes for sure!! They even offered gumbo samples. They have happy hour specials at the bowling alley. Buckets and pitchers. Recommend this place for daytime fun! read more

See all

Really 1 star is too much. I had family in town for Thanksgiving so I decided to take them to Hillside bowling alley located in Hillside Illinois on that Friday afternoon so I called up there on Friday morning to ask question 1. Were there going to be any leagues that day and the young lady Jenny said yes it is two leagues scheduled for 4pm that day but one had canceled due to the holiday, when their done the lanes should open up. So I asked could I reserve lanes ahead of time and she replied that they don't allow reserve lanes, so I said thanks Jenny was very nice and respectful. So we arrived at 530-600pm so we can obtain 2 lanes when the leagues finish or if they happened to have any open worth a try. So it was none open. So we were told once 2 lanes open they will inform us, fine, so while killing time we grab wings and drinks from their bar and restaurant and chilled . So each time we noticed lanes opening people were coming in getting the lanes we will go to the front desk to inform them which it was 2 African American women young and middle aged working the desk at this time. And they would tell us oh no lanes has opened but lanes 1and 2 will be open in about 30mins. So when lanes 1 and 2 were finished I went back to the desk and mentioned they were open, she replied and said oh 1 and 2 is reserved it was reserved for 7pm, wait for it , remember i was told NO RESERVE, so again we were treated like crap and it started feeling personal. We waited til quarter to 8pm still seeing customers come in and get lanes so went back to the desk now you do the math, and she said 35 and 36 just opened so we paid $66 and change for 3 our group then our other group most likely paid way more with 3 adults and 2 children. OK with the children being so excited as well as the adults to finally bowl. So we started bowling, enjoying and at the beginning of the 4th frames our screens go out, children looking confused as well as the adults on what just happened. So I proceeded to go back to the desk and inquire why did our screens go out. Both ladies said our hour was over, so you mean to tell me that you guys kept giving us the run around and giving lanes to probably you guys family or friends (allegedly ) to have us finally start a game to cut us off before we finished that's really fucked up on y'all behalf. Seeing the children faces of hurt that was unexceptable, if Hillside bowling alley is going to let their employees treat customers like this that is really SAD. I read some of the reviews before typing this one and I seen great reviews about a employee named John and other male employees. Wish they were there that day. I never experienced this kind of treatment from this bowling alley I haven't been here since covid has lifted I would always tell people coming in town about this place cause it was always a friendly and family environment to visit now I'm just really disappointed and shocked. I pray that the owner will read this and make some changes. I will be following up with a complaint call. Signed a really disappointed customer. read more

I grew up in Chicago and the suburbs but never actually heard of Hillside until some friends invited us out. We went to dinner first and then felt like bowling, so headed here. It was a Saturday night, and the place was pretty packed but we didn't wait long at all for a lane. Maybe 5 minutes? It was fun, very efficiently run and everyone who works there is friendly. The line at the bar was too long, so we didn't get drinks but we only played two games as it was pretty late. My husband said there was an altercation at the door at one point and cops came. I didn't see it. Cops were also patrolling the parking lot when we left. I have no context as to whether this is a safe area or not, but I had a good time with no issues. The only weird thing was getting carded at the door. read more

We had a great time at Hillside Bowl. I am the Dean at a charter school and I planned an incentive trip for our K- 4 students. John was amazing great communication, great accommodations, great flexibility and just an overall great experience. The staff helped in each way possible and that's not easy with 100 little people in one space. But they did it and it was a great way to end our school year. We will be back again for sure. T. Betts read more

1st time going and I was very impressed! We had our 1st department outing here and the service was great! From the moment I spoke to John on the phone to book our event, to the actual event day everything went amazing! Great communication, service, food, drinks, and a phenomenal time! Thank you again to the entire staff we all had a Blast! read more

Great experience reasonable prices, awesome staff, family friendly, and clean environment

We were in town visiting family and had a great time! We will definitely be back! The kids loved the special drinks for kids

Had fun for my girls birthday food was good and the facilities were clean would go again soon in the future!!!

Yes, the place is inhabited by a predominant race, but the bowling balls come in ALL colors! If the presence of a certain ethnicity bothers you...don't go or bring some diversity to the place! You can't complain about the lack of your particular race, while negatively complaining about another race "taking over"...I mean, really...you sound racist w/your complaints! It was my first time and the vibe is great and the people are friendly. The only thing I was disappointed in was the lackluster menu and the associated high prices of the menu items. I hear the libations are overpriced as well. Overall, if you want to have some fun bowling, you won't be disappointed. read more

Terrible. Went there on a first date and we were the only white people in the place. Nice pool tables, but the table next to us was full of men just giving off bad vibes. We didn't even finish the hour. Never going back. And I don't really care if this sounds racist or not. It is what it is read more

Quite simply, Hillside is one of the best family bowling centers in the area. The people who work here are amazing. The center is amazingly clean and bright. They have state of the art equipment with bumpers that can go up and down for each bowler. Truly great when kids and adults are bowling together. You do need to call some days for open bowling as they occasionally have tournaments and leagues. read more

Our church had our monthly outing at Hillside Bowl. John, the manager was very nice, accommodating and customer service oriented. We had an amazing time and we will definitely be back. The food was delicious too! Everyone we came in contact with, went out of their way to make sure our experience was enjoyable. read more

This place is awesome! It was really crowded the first few times we went but were able to get lanes. My friends and I had lots of fun.

This bowling alley offers music, drinks and league bowling. Everything a grown person could ask for.. Bowling prices are decent and after 10 pm on Wednesdays its 1.50. I love the Pro Shop! Eula, Willie, and Otis actually give you the truth about what you want to bowl with not just trying to make the sale. Take the time to fit your fingers and all. I enjoy this place and its close to expressway. Easy access. :) read more

Very rude and non accommodating to spectators during Junior Gold Event. I had back surgery end of April this year. Asked for a chair since all seating in bleachers was already taken. They refused. There was no consideration to handicap or temporary disabled spectators. Attitude was horrible. What's worse is they singled me out and took my chair away. Then what's worse is other people took the chairs and they did nothing. Told me I was a fire hazard and truth is they just didn't want me to sit. read more

The location for my 50th Birthday Party got cancelled the week of and Hillside Bowl was able to accommodate me for my party. I had a BLAST!!! The employees took care of me, the drinks were strong (like I like it), and the DJ kept me on the dance floor ALL NIGHT (like I like it). IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!! read more

A group of us went there last month from our congregation. We had a wonderful time. The staff was amazing, the good was good. We will be going back there real soon!!!! read more

Recently bowled here during a tournament. The event was huge and held at various locations. With all the people involved in the tournament I Have to say it was a extremely well managed and successful event. The setup was excellent and organized. Place is clean and employees very attentive. Check it out if you're in the area! read more

Scheduled a party there and dealt with somebody other than who booked my party and that person was not there and they treated me like I was slow or special because I did not get to follow up with whomever I was talking to and told me I could not book my party there because I had no deposit already up. My opinion DO NOT BOOK OR GO TO HILLSIDE BOWL!!! THEY TRUELY SUCK!!! read more