Plainfield Lanes

First, disregard all the reviews from before the remodeling in Fall 2023 when it was still Plainfield Lanes. I'm not sure the rating would be as high if the rev... read more First, disregard all the reviews from before the remodeling in Fall 2023 when it was still Plainfield Lanes. I'm not sure the rating would be as high if the reviews were only for Twisted Pin, especially from regular bowlers. The Good: When it was Plainfield Lanes, this venue was clean, well-maintained, staffed with great employees, family-friendly, and offered above-average concession stand food—qualities that have continued under Twisted Pin. The renovation is a significant improvement compared to some of the older bowling alleys in the area. The VIP area is good for group events as it is separate from the other lanes, though the tables can make it feel cluttered and hard to navigate compared to the main bowling area. The Bad: Unfortunately, the bowling experience here has declined, especially for serious bowlers or those wanting to improve. The atmosphere leans toward a party vibe with year-round cosmic bowling. The lanes are mostly dark unless you visit during a weekday evening when there might be some open lanes during league play. Additionally, the pins are now attached to strings, which makes bowling here feel more like a carnival game. These strings can frequently tangle, cutting into your playing time while waiting for someone named Caleb to slowly arrive and fix the problem. Sometimes you may find that a pin you didn’t knock down is missing on your next shot, or one you did knock down gets reset. Pins may slide across the pin deck instead of falling, or unexpectedly fall over, I assume due to the strings. Moreover, you can no longer pay per game, making it the most expensive privately owned bowling location in the area—often pricier than larger chains like Pinstripes and Bowlero. For open bowling, the rates can reach up to $50 on weekends and $30 during the week per hour in the general area. This translates to a minimum of $10 and $6 per game, respectively, since you likely won't get more than five full games in an hour with the new string pin setters. You can also choose a VIP lane for an additional $15+ per hour, or reserve a lane online for an extra $25+ per hour, adding another $3-5+ per game to the cost. On weekend evenings, the atmosphere shifts to resemble an adult nightclub rather than a family-friendly environment, complete with loud, explicit music and performances reminiscent of stripteases on the massive screens, not to mention the smell of marijuana. The drinks at the bar are unremarkable at $15+ each—roughly double what you would pay at other local establishments and similar to prices at upscale restaurants in the Chicago area. If you want a beer, your options are mainly limited to $10+ craft beers, with only a few domestic and imported choices available. I wish I could share more positive feedback about the transition from Plainfield Lanes to Twisted Pin, but sadly, I can’t. You end up paying excessively more for an upgraded ambiance that doesn’t result in a significantly better experience.

We reserved a lane in the VIP area to celebrate a family day, and initially, I was a bit annoyed by another family in the adjacent lane who allowed their kids t... read more We reserved a lane in the VIP area to celebrate a family day, and initially, I was a bit annoyed by another family in the adjacent lane who allowed their kids to run around. I had expected the VIP area to be a quieter place. Thankfully, they left shortly after we arrived, and the rest of our experience was wonderful. It felt private and relaxed, and I particularly enjoyed the variety of menu options and the self-serve tap area. I was able to try different beers, and since you pay by the ounce, it was a fantastic way to sample various flavors. I especially loved the Nik Ivy cream brew—it was delicious! I also ordered the carnitas from the food menu, and they were very tasty as well.

After attending a funeral, we decided to go out to have some fun and distract ourselves, but unfortunately, our experience was quite disappointing. We were trea... read more After attending a funeral, we decided to go out to have some fun and distract ourselves, but unfortunately, our experience was quite disappointing. We were treated poorly throughout our visit. Whenever I asked a question, the staff member managed to make me feel as if I shouldn’t be talking to her. She was curt and rude in her responses. Our bowling ball got stuck several times, and there was no apology for the inconvenience. My aunt had paid for my nephew to bowl, but it turned out that the payment only covered one game, even though we all ended up playing two games. My nephew stayed on one lane the whole time, so two games were played there, while we switched lanes quite a bit. In the middle of our games, we encountered numerous issues that felt deliberate, and then in the eighth frame, we were abruptly stopped. The employee couldn’t explain why we were stopped. She first claimed we had only paid for one game, which would be understandable if they had informed us earlier; why didn’t they stop the other lane after just one game? Then, she mentioned that someone had switched from one lane to another, which made no sense at all. Overall, it was a horrible experience, especially coming from out of town and right after a funeral, only to be treated so poorly. It’s really disheartening.

We had a ton of fun at pancakes and bowling event! read more We had a ton of fun at pancakes and bowling event!

Was skeptical at first of way pins are reset. Makes pin action a little different but really hasn't caused change in average score. Actually running 8 pins high... read more Was skeptical at first of way pins are reset. Makes pin action a little different but really hasn't caused change in average score. Actually running 8 pins higher