Diversey River Bowl

2211 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60647, USA

Address:	2211 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Phone:	+1 773-227-5800
Site:	drbowl.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–3AM 10AM–2AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 21

Rob Grace

I saw a lot of reviews, but none from a serious bowlers perspective. I could not care less about cosmic bowling or kids parties. If thats your thing, thats cool, check out the other reviews. I go to bowling alleys to work on my game. The house shot here is tough. If you pull the ball it will hook, and if you push the ball it wont come back. It plays like a medium to shorter sport pattern. Ive found the most success recently by playing inside the 3rd arrow just fading the ball toward the 3 pin (Im right-handed) with a shinier ball that doesnt grab the lane too much, like an old school fall back shot. After a little less than one game its time for a 2-and-1 move further inside. There are definitely multiple lines and angles you can use to get to the pocket (anything from outside of 5 to inside of 20) depending on speed, rev rate, etc. Youll have to work to find out what gives you the best look so move around and experiment a bit. Its really speed and angle sensitive. The lane beds themselves appear to be in great shape (synthetic, fyi), the shot seems consistent from week to week (its always tough), and almost everyone Ive talked to behind the counter knows whats going on and how to take care of people.

David Littman

My favorite alley in the city. Tommy and the rest of the staff run that place incredibly well. The pro shop has a limited selection if they do not have what you are looking for, they will order it up for you. They arent trying to close a sale and maximize how much you spend, they just want you to get the right equipment. The rates for bowling are extremely fair. The food is solid, especially for a bowling alley and the drink prices and specials are fantastic. One mistake is that they just renovated the electronic scoring system and it was basically a downgrade, the new ones stink! But I wont deduct a star because I love this place so much.

Ted Cybulski

Its your standard large bowling alley. Its cleaner than some, but not particularly nice. All automated scoring, if thats your thing. Decent selection of beer and not too egregiously priced, if thats also your thing. However. We went on a Saturday afternoon and were quoted a 30m wait time for a lane. It ended up being over an hour for the lane. That was a bummer; I know they cant control how long people bowl, but it was unfortunate that they couldnt give us a good estimate (we probably wouldnt have stayed). If you go, get a lane reservation.

Anthony Martorina

I love this place. They have great weekly bowling specials. Mondays are dollar games starting at noon. Saturday nights get crazy with there cosmic bowling. The music gets turned up. The fog machine starts smoking and the blue lights come on. Everything is glowing. It is so much fun. Best part is that they are not trying to rip you off like those downtown fancy bowling alleys. This is bowling. Its not suppose to be expensive.

Greg Klein

Remodeled. Looks really nice inside. I wish it still looked like a crappy bowling alley though. Tuesday afternoons tremendous deal which I happily participated in last week was $15 for one lane from 12-5. My two pals and I got in 7 games each. Shoes were three bucks a person. Great time, great deal. Good beer specials too.

Bryce Rowe

Paid $3 for shoe rental and 2 games. Such an amazing deal. The feel is super great. They have a great selection of bowling balls. It is fun as well because you get to take a pic that corresponds with your turn, so when its your turn, your picture comes up. It gets busy quick, so come prepared for crowds and a good time.

Rachel Bires

I love bowling, but I think I went here on the wrong night. Unless you want to spend over an hour and a half waiting for a lane while inhaling fog vapors, do not go on Rock n Bowl night. The one upside was their bar menu. They have a great beer selection! And the staff was very helpful and friendly.

J Shepard

One of a kind. This is a great place to have fun. I wouldnt eat here or expect superior mixed drinks or anything, but cmon its a bowling alley. Its popular with a pretty diverse crowd but everyone is here to have a good time. Many happy memories at this place. No place Id rather bowl in Chicago.

Eric Olson

Pricey. Two hours if bowling was 72 dollars. Lanes were in pretty good condition and the music was a nice eclectic mix of nineties b hip hop. Lots of Beastie boys which I can get behind. Bar had a nice selection if local and craft beer, even if the bartender was a little surly

Wilson Acosta

I had fun but spent more than other bowling alleys I have gone to in the past. Over $50 for just one hour of bowling with my girlfriend. A bit too pricy for just bowling. The food was so bad, not that I would expect anything good anyways, but it would have certainly helped.

Anthony Calek

My mother was a regular in the 60s-70s and its still around. Pizza was ok for a bowling alley, they have a great big beer for sale and a good selection of ales, liquor. Its a fun place with a wide range of people enjoying themselves.

Arushi Bajaj

Strobe lights, cosmic bowling, cheesey 90s videos. Super fun time for older and young ones. Took my 18 year old sister there and she had a blast, even without beer. One of the few bowling alleys in Chicago that isnt 21+ after 9 pm.

Al KING

Lots of lanes though expect to wait during peak hours. Plenty of parking. Most surprisingly is the quality of the food. I have not had a bad item from the menu, from grilled tilapia (yes tilapia) to pizza, its all been very good.

Stephen Bindbeutel

More like Rock N Roll cause this place Rocks AND Rolls. They should have made that the dang nab name of the place! Oh they have the bowling abbeys here too where the Midwestern people throw on the waxy floor for sporting.

Waleska Morales

Fui hace como tres años atrás con mi sister y algunas de sus amigas y la pase de maravilla

tara jones

Good place to practice and have relatively quiet time during the weekdays. Great mon-tues bowling specials. Attentive staff, delicious food and by city bowling alley standards very clean environment as well.

A Private User

They wont take reservations on Saturday nights after 8:00, despite charging $2 more per hour to make a reservation. Seems stupid, especially if youre willing to hold the reservation with a credit card.

Tom Wilschke

Its dark, dingy and awesome. I feel like the Dude every time I go here. The bowling rates and shoe rentals are cheap and the beer is cold. If youre going on a weekend, call ahead to make a reservation.

Charles Cycholl

Best bowling in the city, the best staff around and the best drink prices. Make a point of staying into the evening when the lights go down, its really the best bowling experience youll ever have.

Michael Bradford

Automatic bumpers for the kids make for fun for all skill levels without the trouble of keeping track. Food is served & video games are available, not to mention TV tuned to sports channels.

Taylor Gillen

A classic bowling alley with beer towers, arcade games and billiards. Its a fun place to spend time with friends and feel nostalgic about how people used to spend their Friday nights.