Bel-Air Bowl

Bel-Air Bowl

Reviews Summary

Overall, Bel-Air Bowl receives mixed but generally positive feedback. Many praise the friendly staff, fun atmosphere, and good value for bowling and events. However, some criticize outdated decor, high food prices, and occasional issues like vaping or poor maintenance. Food quality is hit-or-miss, with some enjoying classic bar fare while others find it overpriced. Families appreciate the kid-friendly options, though time limits on lanes frustrate some. While not the most modern facility, its charm and solid service make it a popular local spot.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Pool Tables
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Pool Tables in Arcades

Step up to a pool table and dive into a classic, hands-on game! Expect sturdy tables with smooth felt surfaces, cue sticks, and a set of numbered balls for games like 8-ball or 9-ball. You’ll chalk up, aim, and strike the cue ball to pocket balls with precision, mastering angles and spin. Tables are well-lit, often with vibrant designs, creating a lively atmosphere. Whether playing casually with friends or joining arcade tournaments, pool offers strategic, social fun that’s easy to pick up and endlessly engaging in 2025.

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Pool Tables
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

200 S Belt W

Belleville, Illinois 62220

Hours

Monday 11AM-12AM
Tuesday 11AM-12AM
Wednesday 11AM-12AM
Thursday 11AM-12AM
Friday 11AM-12AM
Saturday 10AM-12AM
Sunday 10AM-12AM

Customer Reviews

I turned the Arbor room into a beautiful party space

I truly loved the layout of the room. The tables were done with a simple centerpiece that made it beautiful. The coverings and lashes for the tables and were fabulous. The food was laid out. Everyone raved about the baked and fried chicken. Delicious. Room spacious.

Gd times and great customer service specially the lady at the food counter and her son they where so nice helpful and genuinely friendly will definitely bring my family back on weekends just cause of them

The staff is wonderful! Pizza was hot and delicious, lanes are clean and well taken care of. Wonderful place for family night, date night, night alone.

I used this place as a venue for my fashion show this year. The price was very affordable, customer services was amazing, and the room layout was perfect, the food was also great! The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because they feed stray cats right outside of the banquet door. I, along with many guests are fearful of cats so some were afraid to come in the door because 2-3 cats were roaming around, eating or laying in the bed laid out for them. I think the cat food and water should be placed somewhere at

Had fun, but this place is way too expensive. $30 an hour?! That's more than I make at my job lmao. I paid $8 for nachos, and what I got was some chips and room temp cheese on top. Half of the chips weren't even covered. Funnel cake fries were $5 I think and although pretty tasty, they came with barely any powdered sugar on top and no icing or anything to dip them. The shoes were busted and should have been retired but are still being rented. For the quality of everything, the price is way over the top.

Very clean and had alot of fun.

Celebrated my granddaughter's birthday with a bowling party at Bel-Air Bowl. The girls had a great time! It was fun to watch them bowl ! They provided white table clothes (we brought pink), plates, cups, napkins, and silverware. The also had a table set up for presents and the cake. The package included 2 hours of bowling, 2 pizzas, 2 pitchers of soda, shoe rental and tokens for game room. We were allowed to bring our own cake in.

Great time to reset. Fun times for family.

Always a good time. Wish they a pro shop..beggars can't be choosers. Staff is always friendly and the prices are good.

Really nice place. I went to My best friend's wedding reception there and was surprised by the large and nice banquet space they have down stairs. Also the food and the staff was awesome.

Super friendly staff! Called in was able to make a reservation easily. You only have to wear a mask until you are ready to bowl. Reasonable prices. Highly recommended even for your little ones!

Enjoyed the restaurant so much. Quality service and great food. Enjoyed the day with my Mom and daughter. We also managed to have our third generation photographed under the iconic chandelier that will be removed soon. So grateful for that chance, 57 years later...??

An enjoyable afternoon at the bowling ?? alley. Fun games.

Staff is friendly. Outdated decor, low water pressure, food is ok.

Today is November 22,1964 and I had plans o come and bowl with friends for my birthday so I called ahead to see if I could bring cupcakes and Phil said that I could. When I get there the man at the counter told me that I couldn't bring any food any so I told him that Phil said I could so he said ok with an attitude they asked him if I could get two lanes to bowl in and he said that he didn't have any lanes available but clearly there were 8 lanes free. He said that he would not have any available until 7 I

No where does it advertise that you must be 21 past 9 pm to bowl. After calling to confirm there were open lanes me and my friends were denied bowling because we weren't 21 and it was 9:30. I would?ve liked to know before I made the drive out here. If I could leave 0/5 stars I would.

Place is a bit run down and they just raised prices to $6 a game. Doesn't include shoes. Beer prices no bargain either.

Bel Air Bowl in Belleville is hands down the perfect place for bowlers of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just out for a casual night of fun with family and friends, this bowling alley has everything you need. The lanes are top-notch, always well-oiled and maintained, providing a smooth and consistent game every time. They offer a great selection of balls, and the scoring systems are modern and easy to use. What really sets Bel Air Bowl apart is the welcoming atmosphere. The staff goes above a

I Enjoyed This Place! Never Bowl In My Life! Will Be Back! Great Customer Service!

Fun place gd food great rooms but drinks or high night club drink cheaper

Friendly atmosphere. Good food, excellent service

Very clean and good cheap food will be back

Good people and times during their New Year?s Eve extravaganza

We had a fun time. It was much cheaper than I expected.

friendly staff, alley and bar a little antiquated, typical Midwest bowling alley

Large bldg that offers pool table, pinball, adult gaming room, bowling, snack bar and bar drinks. There are two banquet rooms - one large and one small. The place is dated but functional. Very busy with bowling leagues and tournament play. The price of shoe rental is cheap, and bowling balls are available to use for free. They also have a large parking lot to accommodate patrons. Whether you're looking for family or adult fun, consider Bel-Aire Bowl for your next adventure.

I like bowling on the Friday night league. The staff is very friendly and make you feel welcome and at home. The downside is that the facility is showing its age. When it rains outside the roof leaks. The ball returns eat up bowling balls. Those need to serviced or be replaced. One of the leagues on Friday has a quirky 2 lane courtesy rule which is not even in the leagues bylaws. Other than the few issues, this is a great place to hang out with your bowling buddies.

Great place to bowl! Vintage and charming. They have free water, and they serve some traditional domestic beers. Food is good, pretty basic bar food like burgers and pizzas. The pricing for shoes and a lane is very, very affordable!

The staff was excellent and happy about helping us enjoy our bowling day. Birthday parties, retirement celebration, they got you covered.

Not expensive and not crowded. Loved it. Good food.

Visited on a late Saturday Afternoon with the family. The overall friendliness and helpfulness of the staff was great. The person at the front counter was super nice and even offered a more cost effective option for the whole family to bowl. The Bowling alley offers a great family environment and the lanes are up to date with the modern technologies. The cost for the whole family to bowl for 90 minutes was also a huge plus as it was super affordable. Only downside, which unfortunately for me is a big one, i

Fun place to bowl! Over the years you can see the visible signs of wear and tear on the bowling alley. But is has no impact on the fun family and friends can have at Bel-Air Bowl. I highly recommend this bowling alley!

Absolute worst experience ever! I just typed out a huge review and accidentally erased it. I'm not doing that again.The manager was the one being rude. He yelled at me 2 minutes after I arrived. I told him he had bad customer service skills and his reply was "well then leave".We were having a child's birthday party. If I had a way to contact the people who hadn't shown up, trust me I would have left. Here we are standing waiting for lane's 40 minutes after my schedule time because they don't have 1pm party

Bryce bowls here. He is one of the best bowlers in the country. Often there will be a crowd around his lane, but staff does a good job rotating people through. Check him out if you can, guy is an absolute legend.

Always a fun spot to bowl. Has many leagues available for kids and adults. Hosts many high school events. Bathrooms are ehhh but it's a bathroom, they work. Lanes in good shape. Bar tenders are great. And foods always good. We love bowling here

Nice atmosphere, laid back, small town alley. The rental shoes are actually decent. I was surprised, as this is an older business. If you don't have your own ball, that's okay too. They have plenty of nice balls, in many sizes.

Great food. Pleasant people working at this location. I went on a Saturday around 5. The place was not overcrowded, plenty of social distance between the bowlers in other alleys. My son's and I had a great time. Would have gave it a 5 but had a few glitches with the pins during our games which ate into our hour we paid for, but I chalk it up to the game. Great place other wise.

Was invited to come back from the new management this last week after we had a horrible experience before. Really appreciated them reaching out to fix what had been wrong. We decided to give them another try and was very pleased that we did. Great service. Anytime we had an issue it was taken care of promptly and with a smile. Well be back for sure, complete 180 from the last people who were running it. Keep up the good work!

It's always clean, and the facility is very accessible to the handicap. The banquet areas allow for private entertainment and celebrations. You don't hear the noise from the bowling alley, but if you want to bowl or play games, you can. They also have refreshments for purchase and a bar.

We had my son?s birthday here today and the staff were SO friendly. Every single person seemed thrilled to be there. Super welcoming and helpful.

Its a bowling alley...typical bowling alley. I didnt like when opening a tab my debit card sat on the register out in the open. Anyone could have grabbed it. Plus the drinks werent as expected, low level bartending, but hey, its a bowling alley. No high expectations walking in, no expectations not met when walking out. It served its purpose. Try the pizza, its delicious.

Lanes were good, enough oil for ball reaction. Service was helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. My sister didn't like it the lanes, but she can't bowl, so she don't count.

The set up for my Wife's 55 birthday was Amazing. The host really did a great job. Thank you for your hospitality. #1.

Great atmosphere, not overly crowded, had issues with lane but management handled it so well, by giving us a new lane and extra time, with no attitude at all, I would recommend them to anyone.

I enjoyed bowling but probably won't come back... Which is a shame really. I didn't realize they allowed you to vape and the person next to our lane had the vape in their mouth constantly.. It was so hard to breathe and so "smoky" I asked to trade lanes but they only had 10 lanes open so there was no place for us to go. Totally ruined our experience.

The facilities aren't the newest but the staff is very helpful. The restaurant has great food and is worth checking out but the food that the bar serves to bowlers is all standard fair greasy bar food. That isn't a bad thing, necessarily, but it is worth noting. There are bumpers, rails, and balls that only way 7 or 8 pounds for kids which is good but there are also bigger balls for adults.

I love this place. It's very chill. The staff is laid back but also attentive. They have a bar and food

Went for a wedding and reception. It was great! Lots of space. Was able to have a good visit with family. Banquet was extremely nice. DJ was experienced. Dance was fun!

Great time with the family. Especially on New Year's Eve.

Came here a week ago with a group of friends. The staff was friendly and all the bowlers seemed happy to be there. I used to come here as a kid so it was definitely fun for me. It costs $3.75 for shoes, and the more games you play the cheaper it is(per game). The food was okay. My friend got cold corn dogs but the employees quickly resolved the issue. OH yeah! So we paid for 3 games and decided to leave after 2. The bowling alley REFUNDED our last unplayed game! How cool is that!

Had us a good ol time. Didnt bowl this time played darts this time around. Not a bad establishment at all. I think your experience depends on what day of week and time you go. Alot of folks just don't know how to act in public so hopefully you go when it's a decent crowd.

It's good for the location, but you can tell they don't put money back into the alley, it's been the same since the 80's

Hands down, the best bowling alley in the area. One of the many nostalgic gems Belleville has. People are friendly, place is clean and the lanes are in great shape.

We had a very fun time. Joe was awesome and setting up the bowling lanes and getting the hall for us. Thank you so much Joe and I am happy to call you my brother. Keep up the good work.

I go to this place every Sunday with my brother Ernie KITTERMAN and a buddy on Sunday. Now I am starting to go on Wed. Good prices, friendly atmosphere, workers are all good PEOPLE. They will go out of their way to make sure yo are having a good time.

We had a small birthday party here. It was fantastic. My family will definitely be bowling here in the future.

It is a very homey place. The music playing is not too loud at all and the food is great! The prices are very reasonable too. Austin and Cameron were wonderful and patient with our group!

KUDOS to lovely & congenial Ms. S. Starr in upper management. She would be a Fantastic (even Superlative Asset to ANY business). She is Caring, Kind, & Conscientious. // And, no kidding, the Pot Roast was Perfect..... Meanwhile, a Styrofoam cup held my libation. Thankfully there were actual metal utinsels. // A stark diner atmosphere has replaced previous decor (full of ambience in years-gone-by). Yes, the Panorama days are long gone.....but Ms. Starr, with her heartfelt & pleasant hospitality, made m

This lil room was the perfect size for our group. Very versatile. But we didn't have a dedicated bartender and we had to put the table in a certain place once we were finished.

One of my mates had caused a malfunction on our lane and the employees were ready to help us out before we even noticed. On top of that, their deals, from two dollar Tuesdays to Happy Hour Bowling and their trademark $37.50 deal for larger groups are incredibly reasonable. The Group Fry Basket is a bit small, but you get what you get, ya know? All in all, this is a great bowling alley that I would recommend to anyone.

Came for a kids birthday party. Good spot to let kids run around like animals. Front desk employees aren't that cordial, but would you be handing out used shoes? Lanes are decent, but the facility/building itself isn't great. The ceiling tiles over our lane was wet and leaking gross water on our table/food/drinks. The bathrooms also look like something from a 70s horror film - they're legit scary. Had a decent selection of beers on the list but came to find out almost all weren't in stock. The bowling alle

Their food is too expensive

Decent bowling experience. They have a semi-wide variety of snack bar options. Vending machines and arcade. Floor is a little old and the place could use a lift up, but all in all had fun.

Fun time, got the 5 people hour and a half play package. Only complaint is that when that 1.5 hour hit, lane shut down and was not able to play our 10th frame, but the system gladly said 'Contact desk to start a new game', why would I want to do that when you cut us all off? Understand the time limit, but logic should at least let you finish the game you started. Never getting the time limit again, hard to finish on time with the kiddos, sticking to purchasing the games only so that it doesn't cut us off ag

For a bowling alley, i believe them to be alright! But the snack bar is serving gold with the prices so high, quantity isn't bad, just it comes out cold, most of the time. They do have a variety of foods which is good. With the workers and management, couldn't be much better( on my side of the fence). The place is old, but clean. Need people that want to work apparently in some spots. All in all, it's not abad place to go to just abit pricy on the food. On their side, they have quite a menu, which is prett

Excellent management (Ms Starr) is extremely solution-oriented and very compassionate. Her kindness and compassion show that she is a gem and a true asset to the owners of this establishment. ( plus the roast beef lunch is phenomenal ) ?????

Was never informed that they had birthday packages. Spent $125 for a room rental, employees kept coming in and out of the room. They attempted to tell me since I didnt have 15 people that i was unable to get the group rate. Ended up having to pay for all the children to bowl ($3/per child per game). When I reserved the room, I was told that they would be able to bowl. The staff had to "squeeze us in somewhere". My daughter was upset that she didnt get a bowling pin like the other kids did for their party. W

The food was really good and a great price, service was good, the lanes worked great, but the vaping smoke kept me from giving them a 5 star. I spoke to management and he was really nice and willing to ask the people who was vaping aggressively and blowing smoke all in my family lungs to be more considerate. I really appreciate him for that but elected to leave instead because I was just disgusted and my hair was With all the facts out regarding the health dangers of vaping and second hand smoke is just a

I really enjoy being able to go bowling. Yes, you do have to wear a mask but if it keeps us safe then I am ok with it. They do have shoes for rent and bowling balls that you can rent. You can also rent lanes for birthday parties. They hall that are super nice for renting out as well.

Always friendly and always relatively inexpensive. I come here often with my friends and love that they're open late. My only gripe would be maybe renovations?

Its a nice joint for bowling. Exactly what youd expect and good staff and clean and got a cool look to it.

Always has a fun environment! The prices are really good for bowling. I would say I bowl here around once a week. But it can vary. They normally have a lane or two open so you can go bowling with some friends. The only problem is there kitchen is quite slow! So if you are wanting a bite to eat make sure you order it as soon as you get there! My friend made the mistake of ordering after we started bowling and we waiting quite a long time just for his food and it wasn't even busy that day.

Same fun as when I was a kid. I love the new Icehouse ice machine and filtered water in the parking lot $2 for 16 pounds of ice. And .25 per gallon of water or $1.00 for 5 gallons great if you have a home dispenser

If your a decent bowler st. Clair has better shot holds up longer and could raise your average by 5-10 pins just my opinion. But Ive been bowling at Bel-Air for more than 30yrs but average better at st.clair..

I was on my school's bowling team and I plan to try out this year again. It is really fun to practice and they have coupons at El Gordito, a really good restaurant where each time you eat there, you will have you first game free. And the instructions are crystal clear. Have fun! ??

Had a blast. They had a family deal on Sunday so we took the 3 kids and bowled ate French fries and a pitcher of soda all for 1.5 hours 38$ well worth it.

Good family fun. I love the pin ball machines. Kids always have fun.

This is probably one of the best reviews that I could probably give a place nice clean area plenty room the bull are the nice big snack bar with a large variety of food and drinks snack machines clean bathrooms friendly employees. Love this place my granddaughter and I go every Saturday

Always a fun time at Bel-Air! Pay by the hour, and cheap pitchers of beer. Bring the kids for the arcade, and tasty food while you bowl. Got a wedding? You can reserve their banquet hall for any occasion.

I went for the New Year's eve event. The place is a little outdated , but the staff was polite and willing to accommodate my family's needs for a great experience. We had a wonderful time! I would definitely recommend Bel-Air Bowl to anyone!

Awesome friendly people But if you're going to clean your fryer grease,,do it the night before ,, Or hours before the next shift takes orders

Nice downstairs meeting hall, great for wedding reception or class reunion. We were served heavy appetizers and they were tasty and good variety. No noise from the upstairs bowling alley.

We bowl here every week for leagues. Good place to bowl most of the time.

Attended a Holiday Party. Nice plae. First time there. Staff was very vourteous and friendly.

Beautiful place for a reception, or any special celebration, and delicious food ??

The customer service is lackluster, and their soda tastes weak, which is unfortunate because 2 large costs $4.50. They're water is unpleasant as well. We won't buy drinks here during matches anymore.

Come see my Express dart team compete here, on Thursday evenings. Rosa tends bar. Service with a smile. Bowling, of course. Food, video gaming, what more could you ask for? An excellent place for good times. See for yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are pool tables in arcades still good in this modern age?

Yes, pool tables in arcades remain a fantastic draw in 2025! Games like 8-ball or 9-ball offer tactile, skill-based fun that blends strategy and precision. Modern tables feature smooth felt, responsive cues, and vibrant designs, enhancing the classic experience. Arcades foster a social vibe with casual matches or competitive tournaments, appealing to all skill levels. Unlike digital games, pool’s physicality—lining up shots, feeling the cue’s weight—keeps it timeless.

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.