Merle Hay Lanes

3800 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA

Address:	3800 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA
Phone:	+1 515-253-3901
Site:	merlehaylanes.com
Rating:	3.3
Working:	10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–12AM 10AM–12AM 10AM–10PM

Location

Photos 65

Reviews 19

Quinn Hemesath

It is affordable, but the service was HORRIBLE. H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E. I did NOT appreciate their attitude towards me and my son. My son won something on the claw game there, but it was stuck on the claw. It wouldnt come off, and we payed $3 for that one thing. I started to shake it to try to get it off. My son went to ask for help, but the worker started yelling at me to stop. I asked why, he said it was "his machine". He wasnt even a manager. I told him, "my son won something and it was stuck on the claw". He went over to look, and said, "not my problem. Too bad. Gonna have to wait for someone else to get it.". I offered him a dollar to get it off. He fell for it and started SHAKING the machine! He told ME not too! I asked him who and where the manager was. He said specificly, "Shes in the bar room.". My son started to walk in there. "HEY! You need to be 21! Sorry buddy!" in a rude attitude. I told him to stop being rude to my son. He said go sit down to us in a very rude manner. I told him I paid money to be here and I should be treated fairly. I asked another worker who the manager was. The other worker said, "Our manager is Rick. Hes near the bar.". I was confused, because the other guy told me that it was a GIRL in the bar room and gave me NO name. I asked the rude worker, "Why did you lie to me?". "I never said ANYTHING to you.". I was very mad at this moment. I left right there and then with my son. We did get the claw prize, but I never gave him the dollar. I just took it from him. I hope you have the guts to go there, families. Loud cussing can also be heard.

Hobnobble

I have now gone here a total of two times and I dont know why I didnt get the memo the first time that this is definitely not worth the time, patience, or money. You would think with it being located in the mall that it would be a somewhat respectable place to go to, but I find that to be sadly untrue. Both times I have gone, the bathrooms were filthy and smelled like outhouses. Only one of the sinks work and only cold water will come out of it. The service is very slow. I have gotten better service and had more fun at the bowling alley in Colfax that only has I think three lanes and you keep your own score, if that says anything. On top of this, as we came in to get a lane, the attending employee set us up on a lane where the only table we could sit at had an empty beer pitcher and a glass there. Then, later in the game, our ball return began not returning the balls back to us. The family next to us, and our table went up to the attending employee I think a total of three times about this issue and his only response was that, "The 16 balls are clogging it up." The person did not seem interested at all in alleviating any sort of issue that was going on. The employee was frequently rude and we were still charged for a full game, even with the ball return not operating properly, and our computer messing up off and on. The only good thing I can pull from going to this bowling alley is that it is very affordable, but I see now that there is a reason for that. If I was charged the same way that other bowling alleys charge, I would be more upset than I am now.

Siddharth Reddy Potu

As we walked into this place, my first impression was good. But as the evening progressed, it turned out to be a disappointing one. We were 9 of them to have some fun time celebrate one of my friends Bday. The bartender near snooker table was horrible. He hardly paid attention to us even though we were waiting patiently for him to serve us. Every item we ordered was served us late and on top of it no credit cards were accepted. It was really disheartening and no ATM machine inside the play area. The bowling lanes were having technical issues & ambience was mediocre. Our patience was tested all the time while we spent the evening over there since we had no other alternative. In short, people need to carry stack of cash and super amount of patience to enjoy bowling or snooker... Hope they take our feedback and improve!

Reyna Resendiz

Not necessarily family friendly. Unless youre okay with the uncensored music. Also- the scores are totally off. One of the members in our group most definitely got a strike and it only counted it as 6 pins. The entire game (and we played about 6 or 8 of them), the score was wrong. We were still asked to pay the full price. Mediocre to say the least. There are plenty of other alleys to visit that are far better than this one. Dont waste your money.

A Private User

Horrible experience! I went with a group of friends for a fun night of bowling but it was bad all around the bathrooms were disgusting and customer service didnt exist waited 2 hours for the worst pizza ever and the bartender kept our change without asking when we ordered drinks! And then she confronted a friend when we complained never going back here!

A Private User

Smoke Free!! Nice folks that work there. There is a full bar inside the alley and they serve pizzas, fries, nachos, and things like that. Around 24 lanes in decent shape. Plenty of balls and shoes for use. I played in a league so I didnt really pay attention to prices, but they have specials sometimes like buy one get one free or pay by the hour.

Aaron Ketelsen

Didnt have enough shoes in a larger size. For guys. Their shoes run a size small. I would understand if it was really busy but considering not even half the lanes were in use I found it very annoying. I will not be returning

Mike Wilson

Des Moines hidden bowling alley below the mall, accessed from inside the mall. Good lanes, but was way under staffed for a planned birthday party, so removing one star.

Abhinav Sharma

Since last time i visited in september and this place has changed a lot. it is much better looking. may be a best lanes right now near by des moines area

Jamie Lee

I like to bowl a couple games and/or play pool in the lounge and drink some beer. It does, however, make things inconvenient that the bar is cash only.

Megan Foley

Had an alright time until the owners daughter came in. She is rude, classless and inappropriately dressed for a family atmosphere. Will never return.

Bill and Suzanne

Very clean and inviting. Quiet sunday bowl....reasonable price....full bar and kitchen...pleasantly surprised

Antonio Garcia

Horrible food. Horrible service. Outdated system. Extremely loud music. There are plenty of other options.

Josh E.

This place is dated but is still a cheap, decent place to bowl!

rasim dezic

For the price not a bad place at all its very affordable!

Adam Goldberg

A cheap and fun place for bowling. Its great for dates.