Southport Lanes & Billiards

3325 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA

Address:	3325 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Phone:	+1 773-472-6600
Site:	southportlanes.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 12PM–2AM 12PM–3AM 11:30AM–1AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 16

Ryan Yepsen

Southport Lanes played accidental host to what is almost certainly the most fun night Ive had in my ten years living in Chicago. The bar itself is nice, but the real fun is at the old school bowling lanes, complete with pinboys in the back to clear the lane and reset the pins... Oh, and also help or hurt your score depending on the generosity of your tipping! (Tip by inserting a bill into a finger hole and rolling it slowly down the gutter for the pin boy). Last time I was there with family, I rolled a 300! It might help that I sent a $1 bill down before each roll, but Im taking it regardless. Im not so certain The Dude would abide, but he wasnt there to stop me, so the record stands. Go. Drink. Roll... You will have a great time!

Steve Shephard

We played pool while waiting for an open Bowlin lane. Everything started off well. They called our group up for an open bowling lane, gave us or shoes, and went over the rules. Once we were all set to bowl one of the servers then told us we couldnt bowl and to return our shoes. The reason why was because someone had gone online to reserve a lane. We had been waiting onsite for an hour, but I it is policy that if you book a lane online it trumps the people waiting at the place no matter how long of a wait. We asked for an explanation and we were told, "Everyone knows this" by the server and bartender. This was my first and last time here. It would be great if they catered more to people who were actually at the bar waiting.

Pocha Carter

Great actual experience with lanes themselves. My companion when I went, a much better bowler than myself, explained why I was doing so well with my unfancy roll is that the lanes were sticky. Not unclean, just unwaxed. Throwing in a straight line yielded a high pin count. (As opposed to the impressive hook throws usually needed) I had a reservation and though the staff was moderately pleasant, its just so busy on the weekend and there doesnt appear to be a set place to shoe up etc. Long story short give yourself plenty of time to flag down the zippy staff and get settled since reservations seem to butt up to one another and youll want to make full use of your time.

Kyle Dahl

Overall: Great atmosphere creates a fun and humble bar experience. The good: Fun place to hang out with family or friends, whether its the pool hall or man-run pin setting bowling. The food is typical bar fare, but theres a good amount to choose from. The decor is inviting and hom-ey, its like your in a giant basement. The bad: Service was so-so. She was friendly but at times the time lapses were greater than I wouldve liked. Prices were a little steep for even just the apps we got. Atmosphere:8.5/10 Service: 7.5/10 Food: 7.5/10

Christina Weiberg

Ive never been to a bowling alley that was so entertaining. I went there with friends last week and knowing what an "old-fashioned bowling alley" was. To my delight it meant that there were people behind the lanes who set up all of the pins or messed with them, whatever their hearts desire. If you tipped them they helped you knock over pins or if you were losing they bummed you up a couple points. The staff was really nice and the atmosphere was great to hang out in.

Liz Kelly

Im convinced that Southport Lanes is the best kept secret in Lakeview. This place hits the holy trinity of what I deem to make up the perfect bar: great food, better prices, and the ability to hear yourself talk over the music. Finally, a place where I can relax with my friends without losing my voice and emptying my wallet. Bonus feature: you get a front-row seat for the highs and lows of amateur bowling. Definitely not a place to be missed.

Laura Mantzoros

Had a ton of fun here. Theres only 4 lanes, so if you plan on bowling, reserve ahead of time or come later in the evening for open bowl. They have candlepin bowling, which was a ton of fun, and their lanes are manually reset by pinboys (if you send a tip with a ball down a gutter, theyll help you get a strike or a spare). Food is alright, service is fantastic and the atmosphere is great. Definitely a good place to have a party or unwind.

Amanda Schonfeld

I live near here and I frequent it often. They have an amazing beer list, with lost of local breweries represented as well as some great imports. Im an veggie, and have to say that they have great vegetarian options. Their black bean burger is super awesome. Love their hummus too! The vibe is low key and friendly and they always play good music. What I define as good music is stuff you dont hear on the radio......check it out!

David Kinsey

Never thought Id go here, super glad I did, Not super cheap but certainly worth it. $35 bucks/hour per lane, then charged by the minute after midnight. Drinks arent too expensive, crowd is relaxed. You keep your own score, so you can bowl as you please, in order out of order, whatever. Couches and tables add to a good community hangout. Certainly going back

Erich Luedtke

They have an old style bowling alley where people arrange the pins and send back your ball. Also you keep your own score. Not great if you want a quick bowl competition but excellent for the experience and humor involved when the game isnt that serious (walking pins, gutter ball strikes, tip bribes). Neat old time feel to this bar.

Xavier Cordova

If you arent a serious bowler and like to laugh and have fun while bowling this is the place for you. You may have to tip in order to really have a good time but it is worth it in the end. I did not like though the one time that I tipped the guy well but he ended up screwing me over because he thought someone else had tipped him.

Kyle Steed

This place is great, pool is fun and nice beer selection. But Southport Lanes - PLEASE teach your bartenders how to pour a pint without wasting a whole other pint doing it and taking 5 minutes to finish. Its ridiculous how every single bartender weve had has been unable to do this. Outside of that we love hanging here.

Tom Miller

Very cool bar with 4 bowling lanes, all manually set by pinboys. The pinboys make for a different, fun experience, but cause the pace to slow down quite a bit. The lanes are close together so if there are two large groups next to each other it feels very crowded. The food is pretty good and they have a great beer selection.

Denitsa Kosharova

One of my favorite places to hang out - there are a few pool tables so rarely there is a wait, the drinks are good and fairly cheap and the food is pretty good too. As an added bonus you have the old style bowling lanes with actual people arranging the pins. Its a great place to spend a Friday / Saturday night.

Justin Smith

Southport Lanes is a great time for anyone that likes billiards, bowling, sports and overall fun. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. I always have a great time when I go with my friends. The beer selection is really good and the staff will always make sure you have a drink while youre having fun.

Seth Thomas

7 pool tables and bowling?! This place is delightful. The pool room is massive and open, good quality tables, good sound system with juke box, extremely cold AC which is phenomenal during hot days. Food is above bar food quality, wait staff is wonderful, solid beer selection, I adore this place.