Enjoy Old-School Fun, New-School Shine at Hillside Bowl
Families, casual players, night-out crowds, and team competitors have enjoyed Hillside Bowl at 4545 Harrison Street in Hillside, IL, for 65 years. A recent renovation has completely transformed this classic bowling center into a lively and modern entertainment spot, blending nostalgia with state-of-the-art amenities and technology to create a vibrant social scene. The addition of an advanced scoring system and 36 brand-new Brunswick lanes with automatic bumpers for kids has elevated the bowling experience to a new level.
Hillside Bowl has introduced the Club 300 Lounge, a social hub featuring daily drink specials and multiple flat-screen HD TVs that surround stylish seating areas. There's even a DJ booth, a VIP section for those seeking a touch of exclusivity, and a spacious dance floor where you can dance the night away.
Visit Hillside Bowl, where the motto is “Eat, Drink, Bowl, Win!”, and discover everything they have to offer.
Why We Love Hillside Bowl
It’s a beloved neighborhood institution, newly refreshed. Following an extreme makeover, Hillside Bowl now features 36 modern lanes equipped with an advanced scoring system for a seamless and professional bowling experience. Automatic bumpers and kid-friendly settings make it easy for players of all ages to join the fun. A friendly staff creates a welcoming atmosphere; the space is bright, clean, and well maintained; there’s free Wi-Fi; and the location, just minutes from the I-290/I-294 junction, and ample, well-lit parking make Hillside Bowl a convenient and stress-free meeting place for friends and families spread across the western suburbs.
Hillside Bowl strikes a balance between nostalgia and modern leisure: a place where the sound of bowling pins crashing blends with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses, creating an entertaining and relaxed environment for all ages.
What’s New Inside Hillside Bowl
The recent renovation updated nearly every part of the building and every inch of the public space, transforming this local favorite into a modern, welcoming, and amenities-packed social destination while preserving its classic bowling charm. The upgrades include:
- 36 new Brunswick ProAnvil synthetic lane beds (for a consistent roll and a clean look)
- state-of-the-art QubicaAMF entertainment/scoring system with HD flat screens
- automatic bumpers that pop up only for the frame that needs them (to make the experience smoother and more accessible for all ages)
- modern lighting, updated seating, and digital displays
- free Wi-Fi throughout the facility
Beyond the Lanes at Hillside Bowl
Hillside Bowl offers even more than bowling. The Club 300 Lounge is a stylish hangout, complete with HD TVs, plush seating, gaming, well-maintained billiards tables, a dance floor, and a full bar. The atmosphere changes throughout the day, shifting from relaxed and family-friendly in the afternoon to energetic and adult-oriented in the evening. On weekends, the lounge enforces a 23-and-over policy after 8:00 p.m., making it a popular local nightlife destination for a crowd seeking music, drinks, and a casual party feel—and there’s a VIP area to boot. The lounge hosts lively events such as karaoke, energetic DJ nights, and creative themed parties.
Rickette’s Restaurant, a family-owned venture that started on Chicago’s South Side, is on-site with a menu of favorites including mouthwatering barbecue, juicy burgers, fried chicken or shrimp baskets, gumbo, and cheese fries. The food complements the experience and is perfect for sharing between games. Drink specials are available daily, along with a wide selection of beers on tap and in bottles. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch with family, watching a game on TV, or relaxing with friends over cocktails, the combination of food, drinks, and entertainment makes Hillside Bowl a lively community gathering place.
Visit Hillside Bowl for current bowling, dining, and drink specials.
Parties, Leagues, and Group Events at Hillside Bowl
A variety of flexible spaces, including banquet and party rooms, plus the lanes, lounge, and billiards room, make Hillside Bowl a popular venue for private events, leagues, and group outings. It offers party packages for birthdays, corporate events, and fundraisers, along with league play for bowlers of all levels. There’s even a pro shop on site for serious bowlers looking for gear or custom fittings.
For kids' birthdays and family parties, Hillside Bowl handles everything—invitations, balloons, birthday cake, refreshments, and two hours of bowling (with bumpers) and shoe rental—so you can relax and enjoy while the little ones have a blast. And its convenient location, with easy access off the highway, makes it a breeze for out-of-town relatives to join in the fun!
Hillside Bowl is ideal for your “grown-up” outings too, whether you’re planning a team-building event, a fundraiser, a team celebration, or a reunion. Even special occasions like bar mitzvahs, bachelor parties, and hen parties are better at Hillside Bowl. The versatile spaces that can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 300 of your closest friends, family, or colleagues.
For leagues and regulars, Hillside Bowl is a friendly home base, and the King Pin Club—free and easy to join—provides exclusive monthly coupons, VIP party invites, competitions, and up-to-date information on Hillside Bowl events and specials.
Planning a group night, corporate event, or birthday party? Visit Hillside Bowl or call (708) 449-5350 to make arrangements.
Know Before You Go (Quick Tips)
- Hillside Bowl is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Admission is limited to guests 23 and older after 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. No one is allowed in after midnight.
- Remember, the atmosphere is much different on weekend nights, so if you prefer a quieter, family-focused experience, consider going earlier in the day.
- For group or party bookings, we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before your reserved time.
- The parking lot is easy to access and well-lit for evening departures.
While You’re in Hillside...
Consider a heritage walk within minutes of Hillside Bowl and make the most of your time in Hillside, IL. Explore Mount Carmel Cemetery, where some of Chicago’s most famous and infamous figures are buried. A self-guided walking tour will take you past the graves of mobsters—Al Capone and Sam Giancana were laid to rest here—and, in the beautiful Bishop’s Mausoleum, men of God, including eight cardinals of the Archdiocese of Chicago. There’s also a rotating monument that swivels on its base.
Next door is Queen of Heaven Cemetery, the world’s largest Catholic mausoleum. It’s known for its grand memorials, including an Art Deco-style private tomb with carved angels and a somber memorial dedicated to the victims of the Our Lady of the Angels School fire of 1958.
Stop by in the morning for a quiet, reflective visit before a lively afternoon of bowling. Remember to be respectful when you visit; this is an active cemetery.
A number of eateries in Hillside, IL, are worth a visit while you’re in town. A few favorites:
Emilio’s Tapas (4100 Roosevelt Road) is a homegrown favorite whose renown has spread across Chicagoland. It’s beloved for authentic Spanish flavors and shareable plates, such as dates wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon served in red-pepper butter sauce, patatas bravas, and traditional paellas.
Q’s Restaurant & Pizzeria (4841 Butterfield Road) is another reliable choice. It’s been serving classic pies and delicious Italian dishes at affordable prices in Hillside for more than 60 years.
Cafe Nuevo Leon (1805 South Wolf Road), beloved in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood before it moved to its western suburb location, serves authentic Mexican dishes made from treasured family recipes.
Getting There
Hillside is a lively suburb just 14 miles west of Chicago. It's easily accessible from the western suburbs and Chicago’s Loop via I-290. Its ideal location, only minutes from the I-290/I-294 interchange, along with ample, well-lit parking, makes Hillside Bowl an easy and stress-free spot for friends and families to meet.
Ready to Roll?
Head to Hillside Bowl and experience the benefits of its extensive facelift. This nostalgic bowling alley, now with 36 state-of-the-art lanes, attracts skilled bowlers from all over, as well as families who enjoy the bumpers and other kid-friendly amenities. Round out your night with a Hillside bite before you head home. Like the nightlife? Boogie in Hillside Bowl’s Club 300 Lounge, complete with a DJ booth, billiards tables, and a VIP party room.