West Lanes Bowling Center

We went on a Wednesday around 4ish. Bill seemed to hate his life and his existence which caused some pretty bad customer service. He changed his tune once I asked his name. Not that he got all cheerful, but he stopped rolling his eyes and acting like I was annoying him with general questions about pricing, shoes, and when to pay. $ 2.00 for a fountain drink less than 20 oz and $ 3.50 for bottles of Budweiser. I’m only here visiting but if I lived here I’d only come for the prices. 3 people, shoes, and 1 game was $ 19. Another game would have been about $ 29. That’s not bad to me.

It had been years since going to West Lanes. So long, in fact, that I forgot where to turn to get in. It’s just behind the old Furniture Row building going North on 72^nd. When I lived elsewhere I would go to Hilltop, but that was kinda grimey. Stepping into West Lanes, for me, was like walking into the Big Lobowski or more like Kingpin. Clean and inviting. Cool looking murals and plenty of lanes. I was taken back to times at the Ranch Bowl when there was still a great music venue in town.
The staff here are really great. Friendliest bartender I have met in a while. the cooks are fun also. The food was on par for what I expected. Awesome fried cheese curds or Mozz bites, tasty pretzels with the non fancy Nacho cheeze on the side and fresh fries. they have chicken wings too, but I didn’t have them. The guy behind the shoe counter was nice and friendly. Even when I asked for a bigger pair, he exchanged them and helped the line of people with a smile.
The music was just loud enough and the beer (Coors, PBR, Blue Moon, and Miller) is cold. I’m glad to have gone again and I can’t wait to go again!

Wow… who knew? Been living in the neighborhood for years and didn’t know this existed. Place is well lit, clean and fun. If you like bowling and you are around 72^nd and dodge… give this place a shot.
They definitely could improve the signage but now I know what I am looking for! ;)

no cosmic or unlimited bowling on wednesdays! update the dang site so people don’t plan a birthday surprise around it. they came around and were nice to say they’d turn it on, but it never happened. all in all fun and clean, but sorely disappointed with the empty promise, which we waited around for for two hours.

I haven’t been to a bowling alley since my beloved Kelley’s Hilltop shut its doors for good a few months ago. Luckily, West Lanes is still alive and kicking and close to where I live.
It offers everything you want from a classic bowling experience: A musky smell still reminiscent of the good ol’ days when everyone smoked inside. Bathrooms that haven’t been updated for decades. A spattering of coin operated vending machines and games. A tacky lounge called Blue Magoo that features no fancy drinks and no craft beer. A menu of classic American favs made fresh to order — we’re talking cheeseburgers and fried pickles and all that jazz. Plus, pretty decent bowling lanes that automatically switch to «cosmic» mode once 9 p.m. hits on the weekends. And a decent crowd on a Saturday night to round things out.
Yeah, I still enjoy grabbing a few friends, a couple pitchers of Keystone Light and throwing some rocks, and West Lanes is a perfect spot to do so.

There seems to be a need for another person to work here as the main cashier was seen running around doing a lot of tasks: running the register, maintenance on the lanes as well. The people on the lane near us had to be relocated because the lane kept malfunctioning and I understand him not having time to fix it. I felt bad though because he had them move only to add new bowlers to the lane a few minutes later causing them to have to move also.
The snack bar was another fun experience where customer service isn’t really something that concerns the staff. The guy was on a stool and seemed annoyed that I was there while a lady was very friendly and seemed to be doing most of the work. My nachos and fried pickles were not anything to write home about but they did go nicely with my super affordable beer from the Blue Magoo Lounge!
I do like how close to home this place is. I am a little confused about the pricing as it changes throughout the night. The fun part was the cosmic bowling! I loved the music and the lights, it created a super fun atmosphere! Not sure how quickly I will go back but I will some day.

So I have driven by this place a million times without realizing it was ever there. It’s hidden a block off the corner of 72^nd and Dodge. Never would’ve guess a bowling alley was there!
Also, they were open on Christmas! Awesome. Standard bowling place, reasonable prices, and very friendly staff. They have a full bar and bathrooms with the tiniest doors I have ever seen. Novelty just for that. Though I do recommend they salt their parking lot so it’s not a solid sheet of ice, but that’s life in the Midwest. Like.