El-Mar Bowl

I’ve been coming here for well over 15 years. The place is nice but it’s falling apart inside, it needs a major interior design. It’s really dim when you walk in as well. The bathrooms are pretty inadequate, the people that work there are never interested in helping out honestly, especially if you’re dealing with the old man. It’s expensive too and I thought arena lanes was the only place that was expensive. Leagues are decently run.
Like what they did to the walls though years ago and the addition of PJ’s as well that’ll serve to your lane if you’re present bowling. It features a juke box but it’s so «alright» honestly… $ 1 to play your favorite song for the whole arena to hear. Plenty of bowling balls to choose from but they’ve been there since the 80’s or more to my knowledge. There have been more and more minor improvements the more I come here so expect an updated review in the future.

Who goes bowling at 11:30pm on a Monday night? Apparently not this girl because El mar advertised bowling on weekdays until 1am and at 11:30pm, they are closed. Change your hours on Unilocal guys.

I practice here every so often and the lanes themselves are great. They stay open later than most alleys and they are never really busy, which is a big plus for me. The prices are reasonable and I’ve never had a problem here yet.

This place has saved me a lot of money from going downtown to clubs etc. Spend 20 bucks here with a couple of my friends and have a great time. They let us order pizza and the have a juke box and they’re always open late

I really enjoy this bowling alley because it’s a great place to bowl. It’s inexpensive, you can always get a lane and they have a digital jukebox with a large selection of music so there is something for everyone.
However, if you’re one of those people who’s idea for a «night out on the town» is wearing sexy high heels and lots of makeup and going to a bowling alley, then this place isn’t for you. This place is no 10-​pin or lucky strike. It’s a bit rundown but it has electronic scoring and every lane works. It has a bar with cheap beer as well.
It’s a great place to just bowl, have good conversation, and you don’t have to worry about any stains on your clothes because this place doesn’t have cosmic bowling.

Amazing how I am only the third review and this place is older than dirt! This is a true hidden gem!
Yes, the place is old but it is part of the charm — at least they have electronic scoring.
Yes, the place smells but most bowling alleys do have a funky smell to it.
I live on the north side and I hate waiting for bowling alleys during the weekend — you never have to wait at El-​Mar. Their lanes are smooth but their house balls kind of suck — I suggest you bring your own ball if possible.
Also, I am 26 years old and I cannot handle Cosmic bowling anymore! lol Fog and laser lights were cool when I was 16, but not now. They don’t have all that crap at El-​Mar.
If you are ever looking for a fun, classic night of bowling and drinking, come to El-​Mar Bowling Alley.
Did I forget to mention how cheap this place is??? Yes, they are cheap and they take credit cards!

Maybe I am used to super commercialized fancy bowling. OR this place is bit… out of date. The sign outside has read «happy Birthday Brendan» for 2 years straight. The employee at the counter looks like he would rather be crocheting a hat with nana then at work. We walk in and ask about the days specials and all he does is tap on the sign. I would have read the sign if it actually had all the words on there. The lanes were overly oiled. the food shop inside has children working back there and very hazardous with the slippery floor. Bowling was expensive for the quality of the actual lanes. The balls were strewn about and not even put back into their holders after people played.
Not a place to have fun because its so dilapidated. I suggest hitting up another bowling alley where people actually care about customers and making thier business profitable because apparently… they don’t.
They get 2 stars because my company was so awesome that we made it fun without them. WooHoo!
i will not be returning… have a fantastic day.

I rolled the rock last night at this place and it was fantastic. We had a big group and it was not hard at all to get 2 lanes. They had a good selection of bowling balls… I always have a hard time finding the perfect fit, but I didn’t have a problem here. They have a bar in the back and the owner even gave us 2 free rounds! The price for shoe rental/​games was also very reasonable.
The juke box has a great selection! My bowling got better with every Def Leppard song that came on.