Bowling in Glen Ellyn

For 50 years, Mont Clare Lanes & Banquets has been dismantling boredom with competitive 10-pin games and dismissing hunger with an onsite restaurant. The bowling center houses 32 lanes equipped with a slew of modern conveniences, such as automatic scoring machines, two video screens, and an electric fence at each fowl line. Themed event nights are peppered throughout the week, such as Cosmic Bowling night, in which lanes bathe in the glow of darkened light waves as glow-in-the-dark balls spin to the beats of a live DJ. A full-service restaurant and bar pleases palates with eats ranging from wings to house-made pizzas alongside sudsy brews, and an adjoining banquet room plays host to corporate events, birthday parties, and jubilant Groundhog Day celebrations.

Open until at least midnight nightly, Dyer’s night-owl-friendly Stardust Bowl III hosts bowling face-offs in a sprawling complex with 48 lanes. Merrillville’s even larger Stardust Bowl II lets patrons scatter pins on one of 68 lanes or shoot for table pockets in the billiards room. Arcades at both alleys bolster joystick-specific agility, and after working up an appetite hefting heavy balls, bowlers can quell their hunger at Merrillville’s coffee shop or Dyer’s full-service restaurant. Birthday parties and groups garner special discounts at both alleys, and at Dyer’s partygoers can keep secret handshakes truly secret by retiring to one of five private party rooms.

On Friday and Saturday, Fox Bowl transforms from its traditional state into an activity-filled nightclub equipped with laser lights, disco lights, fog machines, and a 10-foot screen broadcasting family-friendly music videos. The cosmic-bowling hours begin early in the afternoon and extend late into the evening, allowing all ages to enjoy futuristic entertainment without having to watch robots perform cabaret acts. League opportunities are also available for both children and adults, as are private bowling lessons with USBC-certified instructor Gregg Zicha. During lessons, Gregg collaborates with digital video-analysis software and calls upon more than 20 years as a PBA member to help to perfect each student's form. He also reveals techniques that have led him through 47 perfect 300 games and two USBC national championships.

One part bowling alley, one part laser-tag arena, and one part sports bar, eSkape Entertainment facilitates friendly competition and allows guests to bond over rivalry-burying toasts. The high-tech bowling lanes aid players’ games with electronic score keeping, automated bumpers, and instructional videos on how to high-five. In the laser-tag course, players wield phasers and wind through dim corridors while searching for opposing team members. In between strikes and futuristic games of tag, guests can refuel at eSkape's in-house sports bar and lounge. The kitchen staff fires pub specialties—including mini cheeseburgers and slow-roasted baby back ribs—and orders can be delivered to each lane.

Nestled above the Ace Hardware in the neighborhood it’s named after, Lincoln Square Lanes holds the distinction for being “the oldest operating bowling center in Chicago.” An unassuming set of what appears to be stairs to an apartment, leads bowlers into the delightfully dive-y bar. Backed by neon beer signs, the friendly staff pours stiff well drinks as talkative customers chat over the sounds of occasional live bands or keep tabs on games through the interior windows overlooking the lanes. In the bowling area itself, a handful of waxed, gleaming lanes stoically abide the arrogant, loutish thud of the bowling balls and the way they wink at the pins just before slamming into them.

Within easy walking distance from the swooping neon, thundering pins, and intergalactic bowling murals of Glo-Bowl Fun Center lies a tranquil restaurant complete with stone fireplace. In fact, it's in the same building: not content with just a typical snack bar, the proprietors created a full spread of meaty sandwiches, sweet-potato fries, barbecue ribs, and other classic American fare. Every Friday and Saturday, the open patio hosts laidback live music that never overwhelms conversation, and guests are welcome to tote their meals into the alley if a favorable bowling wind suddenly arises.