Colonial Lanes

2253 Old Hwy 218 S, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA

Related:	colonial 18
Address:	2253 Old Hwy 218 S, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Phone:	+1 319-338-1573
Site:	facebook.com
Rating:	4
Working:	1PM–12AM 1PM–12AM 1PM–12AM 1PM–12AM 1PM–12AM 1PM–12AM 1PM–12AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 14

Jose Verdinez

Poor customer service last night on 3.26.17. Around 7pm. I called from the parking lot to double check to see if they had lanes open for public bowling instead of just league. The lady who answered the phone at front desk said these exact words. "We have 7 lanes open for public bowling, there is league. However all the 7 lanes are taken but if you come in right now, we do go on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis and youll be first on the waiting list and Im sure it wont be too long till one opens up." I replied "Okay awesome, Im in the parking lot right now Ill be seeing you here very shortly. thank you." At this point Im like okay, this wont be too bad hopefully not too long of a wait. So I walk in with my party of 3 and go to the front desk and I see the lady who answered the phone along with a man who was working with her. The man at the front desk is whom I talk to and he asked me "how many?" I said to him clearly, "I have a party of 3 I just called like 2 minutes ago and I would like to be put on the waiting list to bowl" he replies "Okay man, sounds good Ill put you on the waiting list" then I reply, to double check, "Alright how many people are on the waiting list?" He says "Youre the only one as if right now on it." Then I said "Alright well Ill be over here at the arcade section or in the little food bar I guess come find me when one opens up." Thinking my party is first on this list. A party of 5 whom I knew, comes in next about 5 minutes after we did and also gets put on the waiting list. They walk past us by the mini golf section. I ask the girl i knew from the group how long they told her it would be? she said they gave her this piece of paper that said 1 and shes number one on the waiting list. Thats when Im like this doesnt make any sense I literally just talked to the guy 5 minutes ago. She said you better go get a number. So I go back up to the front desk and ask the guy again who was helping me "How come you didnt give us a number when I spoke to you?" Thats when he says "Oh, sorry here you go..." slowly writing a 2 on this small piece of paper. Thats when Im like "How are we number 2? We just spoke to you 5 minutes ago saying we want to be put on the waiting list to bowl?" He then replies "Someone walked in right behind you asking to bowl also so youre right behind them I wasnt sure if you wanted to bowl or not." Thats when Im like "You just told me that we were first on the waiting list, how does that make any sense?" Thats when he says "Oh sorry man, Im sure it wont be too long till more lanes open, it looks like lane 7 is going to open up here soon Im going to go double check with them and see whats up" Thats when I just reply "Okay again Ill be over here" If it wasnt for the fact that I knew the other party and were friends with some of them I wouldve wanted to speak to a manager and would have made a big deal out of this situation for their poor customer service and not honoring their word. Even if I did not ask to get a number, (Which at no time did they ever state I needed one) the man should have knew I just talked to him 5 minutes ago about wanting to get a bowling lane. Still not knowing which exact number I am on the waiting list, my party of 3 just goes ahead and plays some arcade games pretty much expecting not to get a lane at that point for an hour. After waiting and playing games for 25 minutes, I look around and can see that the other party was still waiting as well. Nothing opened up after 25 mins so I decided this is just bullshit and were not going to waste our time any further and left.

Jarid Richards

The bowling alley is much like what you would expect a bowling alley to be, with the exception of the indoor mini-golf (which gave this review an extra star) The customer service however is non-exsistant. The employees all seemed put-off when you require assistance, and on more than one occasion we have been forced to leave before the posted closing schedule.. "They all want to get out of there" is the usual prompt we receive. Its just too bad there is not another bowling alley close by, that would stay open during posted hours. Also I have been a little surprised to see the employees drinking behind the counter on multiple occasions.

William Burton

Well, Ive tried bowling at colonial lanes 4 times and each and every time I have not been able to even bowl. I called ahead and drove an hour and when I arrived they told me it was an hour and a half wait. They failed to tell me is on the phone and again we couldnt bowl. Poor. Poor. Poor. Poor service. The little boy at the front desk was very rude. Said Oh sorry bye implying that I needed to leave. Also many lanes were not in use. Yet we still were told we had to wait 2 hours

A Private User

After reading some of the reviews I was a little worried! I had scheduled a birthday party for my two kids (ages 6 and 8). We had 8 other young guests and everyone had a great time! The staff was very helpful, the party price was quite reasonable (especially given that the hourly rate is pro-rated for the time that you actually bowl). It couldnt have gone better!

Joshua Moe

Quintessential bowling alley from the 1970s (except non-smoking). Its fantastic and I wouldnt change a thing! Good bowling lanes, good bar, fun mini golf...food options are limited (frozen pizza and chips).

Emilia Deem

A long time Iowa City classic. The bowling lanes could stand to be refurbished, and some updates could be done over all. Its nostalgic playing mini golf on the same course that I did as a 5 year old!

Aaron Van Noy

Bowling alley with two pinball machines. Pinball machines were poorly maintained for years but new company is now taking care of them. Ive never bowled there... just played pinball.

Jake Bales

Probably wont be going back, drove all the way from north liberty with 10$ in cash and my credit card just to discover they ONLY take cash....? , its 2017 get with the times.

Peggy Fellows

Fun for groups of adults or families! Bowling and mini golf not to mention lots of arcade games! Really good atmosphere and friendly helpful service!

Peggy Shaull

Great lanes, great food, younger staff could be a bit better thats for sure but the older staff rock! Prices are affordable and always a good time!

A Private User

Game prices are a little high hoewever they do have synthetic lanes. Always seem understaffed and rush you out the door. Nice bowling alley though.

mitchell wesbrook

best bowling place ive been to in a long time. lots of lanes, mini golf laser tag and arcade. nice place to hang out.

Jarret Gorsh

I gave 3 stars for the alley as a hole. If your talking about just the lanes and scoring than I would say 4 stars!

JEFF ROHM

Under staffed, was ignored when I tried to get a bag of chips. 8 lanes unused and a waiting list.