Reviews of Garden Bowl (Bowling Alley)

kjlflex

Hey what can I say, make sure you make reservations. Don't even bother with shots because they're watered down. The servers the bartenders we're all friendly and happy and very helpful. The allies are definitely old school and has a really good old school feel to it. Totally recommend this place, it's good to have fun in Detroit.

Jennifer Zagorski

Excellent customer service for planning events and great staff! Clean and felt safe with covid protocols

Will Price

Nice lanes, good music, fully stocked bar, and pretty good weekday prices. Plus, there's a pizza place attached, so you can grab a slice, a brew, and a game all at the same time. Bartender also rents the shoes on slow nights, which is weird but cool. I'm just happy that there is a good bowling alley within walking distance from WSU. I know we all like driving, but I would much rather save the $4 on gas I would spend going somewhere else and buy myself a drink instead. Bonus: Garden Bowl is kitty-corner from the Great Lakes Coffee company, which makes for an awesome night.

Austin Gregory

Bowling was just too expensive their.

Angel Wilson

I'm rating them a three just due to customer service and cleanliness. Its in a great location near a college campus. I was there for a birthday party so I'm not sure of the prices but they do make you pay to park in their lot which I thought that was a little weird. Parking should be free, especially since we're utilizing your facility. We had pizza and soda. The food was good. About the cleanliness, it just looked a little dingy and the bowling shoes looked like they had them for over 20 years. They looked really run down. They could definitely use new bowling shoes and a few updates to the building. The staff was decent. Some good and some bad. I stood at the counter for a while as they just talked to each other paying me no attention. Once someone did notice me standing there they gave me the wrong size bowling shoes TWICE. Probably in a rush to continue their conversion. All in all the kids had a great time and the food was good.

Dora Nancy

Bowling ????, drinks ???? & pizza ????. What more could you want. I love coming here

Lejla Bajgoric

$10 - 1hr bowling, pizza & beverage - and the pizza is delicious!! The bowling tech is sweet too, you take cute selfies that appear in funny animations after your turn. Plus fun lights post-10pm.

Jordan Malokofsky

Great fun out with my team from work! They take pictures of each player at the start, and then play hilarious videos with the faces superimposed. Sgt Pepperoni's Pizza is in the building as well, and their food is very good. Definitely going to take the family.

Tiffany P

Threw a birthday party there and it was amazing. It was a great value, service was fantastic, the employees were kind, and the music was bumpin. Would definitely recommend!! For $25/person we got 3 hours of bowling, shoes, pizza, salad and soda. They let us bring in our own cake and candles, and helped get a better knife for cutting and serving. So happy with how everything went!

Andrew Schultz

Cool place. Great bartenders, awesome pizza, well kept alleys.

Pratima Dayal

The parking in the lot near the bowling alley isnt free but you might be able to find street parking for free nearby. It is a very old and rather cramped bowling alley. And all the rental shoes I saw were really beat up but it's a cozy feeling place too and I think they have glow bowling in the evenings too so that's nice.

Sarina Jackson

Just a little bit too small. But still nice.

Jason Heien

We visited the garden Bowl yesterday for a team meeting. there was quite a few of us about 100 and we took up about half of the place. We had ordered pizza and beer and pop and they were very quick to refill everything as it was needed. The staff was very friendly and understanding even though there was 100 of us arriving all at once and ordering drinks and food. Garden bowl is the oldest bowling alley in America!

Kobies Mindfulness

Never tried their pizza even though that's what they're known for. And not sure if I ever bowled there even though they are part bowling alley. But I've tried & love their chicken nacho deluxe with a side order of steak fries. And if you try it you'll love it too. Matter of fact I'll be back real soon to get it again.

Chanelle Patrice

Nice bowling alley. Awesome pizza and subs!! I went midafternoon during on a Saturday and the upstairs was not open. I really to shot a couple of games of pool. I didnt know that the upstairs was closed at slower times of the day and/or week.

Vincent Rucker

Friendly staff and offers an intimate atmosphere to bowl and enjoy yourself. Fun for all ages

Harmony Ruggles

Double the price we would normally pay at our local bowling alley, but it looked much cooler so I guess it was kinda worth it?

Ej Jones

My friends and I had a great time. You pay by the hour not per game.

Shel

This is my favorite bowling alley in Michigan! Such a cool esthetic inside and out! Very clean and very friendly staff! Can't wait to go back again soon!

Cherlyn Lorick

Nice customer service. They could upgrade the free bowling balls.

Jim Mitchell

Heard about the Garden Bowl from a friend, so glad we did. Its a cozy alley with 16 lanes, a bar and a stage setup for bands over top of the center bunch of lanes.

Josh Taylor

Staff is confrontational, as were our neighboring patrons who happened to be quite friendly with the staff. Off-putting for a group of visitors trying to have a good time. The place itself is nice.

AP Schaffer

Good pizza, good drinks, good for a crew. Club/concert hall upstairs

E. W.

My favorite place to bowl

Tina Williamson

It was cool. We had a party and we basically had nothing to eat as Vegans and still had to pay full $30 price. The bowling itself is awesome and they played awesome music.

Sospi Thomas

CCS brought us here for Welcome Week; bowling and pizza, it was a fun time. I would revisit.

Tiffany Howard

Affordable, but if you go after 6pm lanes go up to $28/hr. They have really good pizza but don't get a fountain drink pitcher from the bar. First I got Sprite and it tasted like alka seltzer then the coke was flat and then minute made lemonade was watery. Buy pop where order the food and tell them to start carrying 2 liters more often. The restroom was very hot and stuffy due to no ventilation but it was clean. The music left a lot to be desired. All in all it was fun bowling with the family.

Drea

The food is delicious! DJ was great! Rooftop vibe is a great idea.

Cyrus Walker

If you can get past the wait on a Friday/Saturday night (days i go) and the small size of the venue then i think you will really enjoy yourself. Its Clean, affordable, and it has a historic feel to it. They have a live Dj and he mixes the music very well. The bowling balls seem newer for the most part and the lanes are well kept. Staff was friendly and efficient gettting us in a lane in a timely fashion. Food is good a d the alcohol is affordable as well. They had well secured parking lots and even had security in the alley.

Andrew JK

Nice atmosphere. Good bowling spot. It was my first time in Detroit and the downtown core seemed oddly empty. Met a lot of friendly people. The pizza there was excellent.

A Banks

Horrible! The lanes are in need of service. Every time you bowl 10 minutes before the ball returns if, it returns! Staff was very rude about busted equipment and cheated us on our time. Pizza is good though. Wish staff would be more courteous and stay off their phones.

Charles & Tamara Johns

Groupon had an awesome deal. 4 people bowl for 3 hours with large pizza and pitcher of soda for a fair amount. It was a quiet atmosphere during 11:30am to 2:45pm. The food was decent

Ms.Fabulous Grinde

My bowling experience here wasn't bad at all, however I've just been to more updated Lanes. They're Lane has a nice atmosphere but the seating is way too close pre-covid and definitely post covid. Other than that it's definitely an okay place to go bowling last minute but the music selection isn't impressive and definitely can use more of a variety

Tony G (ITS, Traffic, & Mobility)

Simply a fun place to be in the heart of downtown Detroit.

Kevin “kivoCrypto” Hill

Great Price if you have a massive group to go with. Usually the price is $8 per hour for a lane (not per person) , before 6pm and the price goes up after differently depending on the weekday. I have come here with friends and have even used this place as a dating location because I know I will have a great time. Bottom line, I say if you're looking for a cheap place that is plenty of fun for everyone, come here.

Shane Campos

Great location! Oldest bowling Alley in the U.S.! They have an upstairs also that has an outdoor access with amazing views. There is a theater attached. So much character and history. Pizza parlor is attached and bar. Highly recommend!!

Mr. Prescott

Great crowd, young and well dressed. Staff is friendly and there was a DJ above the lanes. One down side is that a few lanes all share the same ball return which can be a bit awkward. Still a great place to go and chill.

Todd Ferguson

Great Atmosphere! Oldest operating Bowling Alley in the United States.

Meghann Hallock

Great bowling, nice clean lanes, love the bowling boards with all the graffics. Laughs had by all :) the beer and pizza is also a nice plus while playing a few games

Reem M

Too crowded, the DJ put the worst music ever, waited 45 minutes when they said 30 minutes, and over priced.

Jacquie Hamilton

This bowling alley is in downtown Detroit and has a great atmosphere.. The lanes are ok, but the bar food options are great. Vegan and vegetarian options available here.

Stephen Sawyers

Talk about some COVID friendly fun. Bowling is your best bet. Sargent Pepperoni is delicious. And they got stiff drinks. "What more can I say?"

N V

Nice and clean with a classic retro look. Open windows to the sidewalk from the bar for a chill midday drink. We went for a relaxed round of bowling

Corey Dye

Too expensive...42$ for 2ppl to bowl for 1hr plus5$ for parking...cheaper on 12 and dequinder...24 for 3 games for 2ppl....garden bowl only offer pizza to eat ....no eating or drinking in the bowling area....whereas on 12 and dequinder they have pool tables games larger menu and they bring u ur order while ur bowling and parking is free...never will I come here again...

Larry Arreguin

Anyplace you can listen to Los Tigres del Norte, toss back a Modelo and have awesome pizza automatically gets 5 stars in my book! (Flashback to when my dad did dances at Dells in Lansing).

Kevin Barnes

Great bowling experience. They have great security. They could do better on the pizza/food aspect, but drinks are affordable and service is pretty good.

A J (Dree)

This is my favorite place to bowl in the city. Although the lanes aren't my favorite to bowl on, the alley is convenient. They stay open until 2am, are in a great location, they have a nice bar, and good pizza! They also host karaoke nights which are usually very entertaining. The service has mostly been great, the staff is really laid back. The guy with the long hair is the best. He makes sure everyone has a great experience. The parking lot is huge but note that there is a $5 fee to park in their lot. It is enclosed and guarded by security and is a shared lot with the majestic theatre next door. Finding a parking spot in the front on the street is VERY hard to do during peak hours, so just be aware. Their music is pretty good too (if the remember to put it on).

Alex Beresh

Bartender must have been intoxicated. I stopped in and put our names in to bowl.. and was buying drinks for friends. I asked for Cherry Bud Light Seltzer. She came back with one cherry and a lime. I asked what other flavors there were available and she said I was “being a dick” and told me that I get what ever she picks out and that if I a disagree she would have me kicked out. It wasn’t even that busy.. i explained I don’t like lime flavor, apologized for the the apparent disconnect on communication.. she proceeded to insult me and threatened me. It was the most uncomfortable experience of my life. I paid for the drinks.. and left a tip.. (bill was about 30 dollars) – a friend of mine asked why she was being so short tempered.. she marched around the counter and got incredibly too close and then called on bouncers to ask us to leave. We had to leave drinks behind and walk out. She said she worked there for 5 years and can say and do anything she wants.. she deserves to be fired or needs some time off to get her priorities right. Sincerely, a regular customer of over 6 years.

brittany parham

Great pizza, very great place..

Nakeisha Keisha

We had fun celebrating my friends 51st Birthday here.

Gaby Grajales

I really had fun bowling, the animation in the screens during the game are hilarious! Music is nice and had couple of beers from the bar. Great service!

Elizabeth Schweitzer

I love this place! I have been coming here for years. Whether it's a concert upstairs, a DJ party on the deck, a concert at The Majestic, or a trip for some Sgt. Pepperoni's and bowling, this complex has it all. It is one if the last great places of Old Detroit. I hope they never leave.

Asia Williamson

My Daughter and I love this Place I'm going bring my Family One Day Very Clean and Friendly.

Chris Paradis

Great atmosphere, nice staff. They've got good prices too.

Paul Asker

Great unpretentious venue with competent, friendly staff and many different things to do. Also a large outdoor area for your COVID 19 party needs.

April Stephens

Classic bowling experience. It also has an area to hug pizza and other goodies. The bartenders are fab and they have a strict security staff

HaiDera Hollins

I only go the to get pizza from Sgt pepperoni! There slices are huge and fresh out the oven. There toffee and chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy. Staff is super cool and even help put my topping (oregano, pepper & parm cheese) on top. Can't go wrong for a quick bite or drunk food HAHAHA

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Pizza crust is surprisingly good and the sauce can definitely hold it's own.

Caroline Arra

We had fun but this bowling alley seems to have a lot of issues. The ball return kept giving us extra balls that weren't ours and A LOT of the ceiling tiles are actually falling down. I know a lot of alleys are struggling right now, but if they dont keep up with their maintenance, this bowling alley is gonna go in the gutter.

Erica Osborn

Very nice bowling alley/bar in Downtown Detroit, really enjoyed myself

Janoushhh B

Very cool place to get pizza and bowl, awesome atmosphere

Ed Matyk

Great alley .⭐ You pay per hour bowled .⏳ Very affordable. ???? The is a great bar and pizza joint in front of the bowling alley .???????? Well kept for the age. ???? Glad to see old bowling alley doing well like this one. ???? Great for groups or date night. ???? Great for kids. ???? Staff is super cool. ????????‍✈️ Street parking and you have to pay for street parking. ???? Convenient public transportation close by. ???? The seating by the lanes are squeezy. ???? Fun score keeping system. ????

Jenn Henderson

The Garden Bowl has everything you need for a good night in one spot. And most importantly, my socks matched the screen at the end of the night.

Charese Anyakudo

The staff is so great here the food was good at Srgt. Pepperoni And the cashier was nice and helpful we had a great time bowling the only thing I take away from giving this a 5 is the parking guy Jerry is was very rude and disrespectful other than that our experience was nice

James Ellmers

Went with a group of friends for my wife's birthday. A little grungy but great fun, great atmosphere, great Pizza, and friendly service. We Bowled, we ate, we drank. All for a very reasonable price.

Vernice Danna

6-8-2019 We recently had our Charity Outing at Garden Bowl and things went perfect! The facility was clean and well maintained. The staff was friendly and very accommodating. Parking was provided for the guest in a well maintained lot behind the building so there were no concerns about ticketing etc. From the moment I started planning our event until the day it was over, EVERYTHING was awesome. I highly recommend this venue for anyone planning a medium sized personal event. This is the place. The food prepared onsight was on point and so, so delicious. Thanks Brian Gach, you are on-top of what it means to provide all around excellent customer service. V. Danna

Jonneka Harris

Had my birthday here a while ago and was NOT accommodated for what I paid for and my guests were very uncomfortable. I reported this to staff and a manager. Brian was the name of one of the managers or assistant managers. Was told they would get back with me and they never did. I even spoke with an assistant manager and they assured me a manager would get back to me and they never did. It was a while ago, but I definitely wanted to remember to come back to leave a review to let people know and warn them and I’ll be telling EVERYONE I come into contact with to never do business here with them. They only care about taking the money and not accommodating anyone or anything ????????‍♀️

Counselor Chix

I did not like that I had to pay $5 for parking. The food was good but the space is very tight, so if you plan on going make sure you get your lane for long enough. And it is also very tight when you're walking in to go past the other bowlers.

Will Dill

Attended the rooftop patio last Tuesday night. They had a house music set there. Pretty cool place to chill out.

Khay Meeks

This bowling alley would be 10 times better if the DJ for Saturday nights were more diverse. Even the employees mentioned the music choice was terrible. The whole vibe was killed. Unfortunately, If you’re not white they could careless about your music preferences. I even spoke with the manager about hoping for a more inclusive DJ and he gave me a nonchalant attitude about it. Do not go to this place unless you only like techno, pop, and rock. It’s not worth the money. I like pop and rock from time to time but that’s all the DJ played. I would’ve appreciated other music genres.

KRISSY

The atmosphere looks great; there is a pizza joint and bar inside the bowling alley with bathrooms. You got to pay for parking either in the back or across the street. It's not very clean and not a place to take kids (at least not at night). People were burning hookah and the lanes are very small and hard to squeeze in. It took my friends and I two hours before we got a single lane. However, there was a DJ and disco balls with cool lighting. Also, one of the oldest Alley's in Michigan.

Doris Johnson

It's to small for birthday parties. Suggest they get rooms to hold the people for parties. Instead of on the floor while people are bowling. The pizza was delicious suggest you get the vegetarian pizza.

ch3rry bomber

Very charming and cheap! The videos you make with your team's pictures make watching the bowling scores so much more fun. The pizza is also great.

Linda Rae

Best pizza and Calzone I've ever had.

Cedric Webb

Awesome establishment babyyy. i'm visiting from St. Louis and was taken to Garden Bowl. The food and drinks were great, the place is clean, the employees including the security officers were friendly and professional. I highly recommend this joint ????.

Rob Ellison

Excellent bowling alley. Brought the family here for some Sunday afternoon bowling had a great time. It's a very nice place lots of history one of the oldest continues running bowling alleys

Sidonie Brooks

Was able to accommodate a bit group and by big group I mean over 100 of us for a work outing. I was also happy to see they could make gluten free pizza.

Quasae Hopper

No waiting fun, clean atmosphere we enjoyed our night! Great drink specials

Ometrice Page

Great place to bowl, nice atmosphere, and staff were very professional.

chevelle sawyer

Had fun. If your into crowds of laughter and drinks this is the place for you. I had a great time withy friends and staff was friendly

Jasmine Sallad

We went for my son birthday had good time but no one was really in there in place us by the door with my kids in it just 5 of us me my kids in they dad it was a lot of lines open it was some in the middle in the back but my problem was when me was about to go so my kids father the shoe's front counter in he said that she ask him did she give him another card I someone had lost there credit card I ask we pick it up or something but my point it we was there for 2hour she never came up to us in ask nothing in we was about to go. But other then that it was fine my kids had fun they dad in me myself I did to just spending time with my love one .

LarryLove Hamilton

Went during the day. It did not look great. So I would suggest going at night.

HiKe Whaddup Doe

It's fun and cheaper on Tuesdays. The bartender with the pink hair is the coolest

MrAnon00

Love this bowling alley. A bit small, but it works great. You can take a photo for your game to use in some funny scenarios that play during the game.

Therese Marz

We had our work holiday party here and will return next year! Staff was very accommodating. Prices for food and drinks were very reasonable and pizza was delicious!

J Pooh

Atmosphere was great! People were friendly! Food and drinks were A1! Great Job!!

Todd Hill

Was a cool surprise for my daughter to bowl at this eclectic bowling alley. She thought it was cool especially the retro element. Thanks for a great time.. staff was super friendly and helpful. Will be back again most definitely.

Tam Love

We had to pay $10 for parking just to bowl. You have to walk around to the front of building.

Roberto Berry

Garden bowl is pretty good lots of fun... clean bowling alley the house balls are in pretty bed bad shape though. Not a bad place to pick up a couple games and have fun..the parking lot guy had a really bad attitude. Sgt Pepperoni's pizza has Pretty good pizza and is connected to the bowling alley

Christine Hernandez

Very nice atmosphere people are friendly. They don't bother you and they let you have privacy. Love this place.

Tiffany Ohman

It was crazy busy, the drinks were pricy, and the balls are pretty worn out. However, the screen graphics were really entertaining, the food was great, and we had a blast! I would go again, but I'd probably choose a night that was a bit less busy. Being elbow to elbow with people in the other bowling lanes wasn't very fun.

Justin Kappeler

The majestic bowling alley is the best place to go to in downtown Detroit especially during winter tome! Been going for years while I was in school at Wayne state . Great time great atmosphere and the place is always packed !!! Sergeant pepperoni is located inside the bowling alley and is definitely top 5 pizza in the city if not the best !! If you have a second wanna get a slice and have a great time check out the majestic!!!!!! You will not be disappointed!

T Roy Smooth

Had a ball bowling here with the family. Had some good drinks and food also. I thought it was kind of small compared to other places that I go to, not very roomy at the bowling area but you will still be able to have a good time.

Rodney Bellamy

We celebrated our cousin's birthday and had a great time

April Lewis

Happy hour drinks were SUPER CHEAP the food was great and the workers were SO cool and nice. Perfect for lil kids too as they have the bumpers and the ramps for them

Lucious Jackson

A little pricey but we had a great time. Maybe they should offer some deals all around.

Ernestina Walker

Nice clean place to bowl. Updated electronics. I hadn't been there in 30 yrs. And nothing changed but the paint. It brought back a lot of good memories. After bowling there are plenty of restaurants around. They also have pizza place in the front. We didn't get a chance to try it. Also they rent the lanes by the hour.

T Roark

Great retro bowling alley, we had a loved the videos after each bowler, super nice employees

Richard L

A lot of fun surrounded by affordable beer and great pizza. It's a blast, messing with the photo sticker thing that puts your group up on the scoreboard screen.

Maria Negrete

Fun place, bar, and pizza shop all in one!