Harlem Lanes

I had been once before, and had a good time. But this last Saturday was enough to let me know my first trip was an anomaly. The floor was sticky (which nearly ruined my bowling shoes - I had to go home and scrub the gunk off the bottom), the pin resetting machines would regularly knock down pins instead of picking them all up, and children were allowed to run free - which included UP THE ACTUAL LANES. Now, the parents should take the blame for the last travesty, but there seemed to be camera's all around so someone must have seen these kids running up and down and rolling bowling-balls down lanes that weren't open. This means they weren't coming back, so if you wanted to switch to a different bowling-ball that wasn't on your immediate carousel - too bad.
Never have I had such a miserable time bowling. I expect a lot more for $8.50 a game. The beer was the only thing that didn't let me down.

Pros: none

Cons: Just about everything

Posted 05/11/09

I attended a kids party on Jan 30 2009. The service was horrible. There we're no attendents present on the lanes to deal with issues. The lanes constantly got stuck. We waited for over 30 minutes for the lane to be fixed. They never put up bumpers in one of the lanes. The food was late. I will never have kids party there. I gave my daughter a bowling party at another establishment and it was fantastic. Harlem Lanes is the worst I will never patronize them.

Posted 03/06/09

Is there a 0 star rating because this place is LOUSY!!! Very unprofessional. Poor food quality. Lousy lanes. Terrible equipment. I had a party @ Harlem Lanes on nov.29th '08 and to mine and my party's dissmay, our experience was a bad one. After having done a party here last year and having had a good time, thought I would do it again. It was as if the lace took a compete three 60. The food was not very good (the pizza in particular was cheaply done and brought up too early so it was cold by the time all of my party arrived.) The server/hostess I had must've been friends with Toni Morrison because she kept doing "Dissappearing Acts." We must'v ewaited for over an hour for a Cake cutter that never arrived so we were forced to cut the cake withthe plastic fork handles. The Lanes were constantly malfunctioning (Bowlingballs would not return and Pins not resetting properly) and it took too long for the Lane mechanics to get on their job. My guests and I felt the management and Owner(s) did not do their best to satisfy our needs or go above and beyond to rectify the disappointment.

HARLEM LANES will never have any of my business again and you can bet that my guests will do and say the same!!!

Pros: close to train station

Cons: slow and unprofessional service. Poor food quality, poor communication.

Posted 11/30/08

I agree with the first bad review. They tend to let all their friends in first and then deal with the people they don't know. The food is super basic and costs almost $10 for 3 strips of dried fish and over cooked fries and soda. The lanes are constantly keeping the equipment and you have to wait forever for service to get your bowling back. They always say upstairs is not available but here come the hood ratz and thugs and they go directly upstairs. They upgraded the place but forget to upgrade the bowling equipment. Broken and divoted beyond repair. And yes the staff are more concerned with texting their friends, chatting with each other, yelling their orders over to the kitchen area, letting in their non paying friends, and walking away in mid sentence to see what everyone else is talking about. This place is also hard to find they need a large awning or banner in front. We ended up in some funeral home at first. Its nice to have a bowling alley in harlem but if its going to keep the hood mentality tear it down because it won't last. Lower the prices on food and hourly bowling and maybe you guys will get more customers.

Pros: area around bowling area. nice shopping

Cons: price of food/bowling, attitude of staff, wait for service.

Posted 10/24/08

ive been going to harlem lanes since it first first opened i was there when all the original bartenders was there and those was my dudes but anyway me and my friends have always had a great experience at harlem lanes GAIL is that chick she's the coolest and so is the rest of the staff ive neva had to wait too long for anything maybe cuz they kinda consider us vip cuz we've faithful since day 1 which was in april 06 and the food omg is great esp the shrimp and frenchfries platter to die for the drinks are neva watered down so you gonna get twisted trust i just wanna give harlem lanes nothing but love not only cuz its a good place to chill but because its a black owned establishment (female) at that and its about time somebody brought summin like bowling to da hood
LOVE YOU GUYS ALWAYS

Posted 04/16/08

I bowled here for two years before moving to another league but, I will always give much love to Gail. I was always right at home at Harlem lanes. Workers are very well mannered and very helpful. I give Kudos to both young owners for their wisdom in making this feel like a family run business. Please keep up the good work....

Pros: Friendly atmosphere, good music, great food and great lounge area.

Cons: approach too short.

Posted 03/19/08

I went here to have a good time play and have some drinks. Didnt get a chance to do any of that. From the door I had a horrible service got me very annoyed. when I first got here a gentleman had told us to wait. I had to wait for who ever was behind the desk to come back from the bathroom. ( that wasnt a problem).. we waited 20 minutes she still never came, but at this time he saw a group of a bunch of young girls and decided to help them which is rediculous. when we could have taken care of us first. They had just gotten there oppose to us waiting a while. Then he took a gentlman money cause he wanted additional time again we are still here he straight ignored us. The girl finally came from her bathroom break and had tend to them young girls again cause they wanted to add one more person we decided to leave and never recommend this place to anyone. they take care who ever they want to take care of. no common courtesy what so ever no good customer service skills. they are the worst to me!!!!
I mean the place look nice dont get me wrong its just the people, the workers there I couldnt stand!

Pros: looks nice to have fun

Cons: horrible service

Posted 01/21/08

The atmosphere was so cool. The drinks were good, the food was surprisingly really very good!!! Bowling alley food usually is the worst but they put that "sista girl" touch on the menu and worked it. The staff invited us (a party of 12, thirty something woman) upstairs after the lanes closed to party with them a few others we were partying and having a great time. I can't wait to go back!! " A big fat "Job well done." to the owners. I was pleased and I've been spreading the word.

Pros: ambience, music, service, food

Cons: long wait to bowl

Posted 01/23/07

I went to Harlem Lanes last night (a Thursday) for a birthday party and it was SO fun! The couches were comfortable to chill in (for people both bowling and not) the bar was great, the staff was attentive. One of the owners was chatting with us and she was super friendly. I came up from way downtown and it was totally worth it. I would highly recommend for a party situation (adults or kids)- or even just to bowl.

Posted 09/08/06

I loved my Harlem Lanes experience. From the moment I stepped in the door I realized that Harlem had finally come up! I don't usually enjoy bowling, but my nieces and nephews wanted to go so bad that I had to give it a chance.
When I stepped off the elevator, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. I am so used to going to bowling alley's with musty smoke filled carpet and nasty, smelly shoes from 1987; but not at Harlem Lanes. I don't even know how to put into words the fun I had and the overall experience....you have got to see it for yourselves!

I highly recommend Harlem Lanes to anyone who is looking for more than just bowling!

Pros: Ambience, Courteous Staff, Delicious Food

Cons: None

Posted 06/17/06

thank god for those wonderful sisters they did a great job

Pros: very tastefully done, a place for the commu, 2 thumbs up

Posted 05/26/06

upscale bowling at its finest harlem lanes is the best

Pros: upscale bowling, fine dinning, and vip and sportsbar

Posted 05/24/06

If your a young professional and u want a place to lounge and have fun then this is a great place. It's chic, the food is tasty, the bouncers are attractive, the bartenders are generous, the staff is friendly, the lounges are comfortable, and it's affordable.

Pros: big screen t.v.'s, great social scene, convenient location

Posted 05/16/06

i had a great tiime! the lounge was so hot and bowling was fun too! what a great spot to gather with friends or family..defintely check it out!

Posted 04/26/06

I went to the lanes of 4/16/2006 and the time wait for a lane was not bad. However in the middle of our bowling game the lane shut down due to that the staff was shuttinmg down the computers while people were bowling as well as shutting off the lights. I had to wait 20 minutes for a manager. The staff was busy chatting with one another and on their cell phones. The security was not helpful at all and the customer service sucked. I was very diappointed in the service I received and I would never reccommend anyone to go there.

Posted 04/17/06