Buffaloe Lanes Mebane Family Bowling Center

Buffaloe Lanes Mebane Family Bowling Center

Reviews Summary

Most reviews highlight a friendly, family-friendly atmosphere with excellent staff service. Many praise the clean facilities, fun arcade, and bowling options with helpful features like bumpers and ramps for kids. Food receives mixed feedback, with some calling it great and others criticizing it as greasy or overpriced. A few mention minor issues like game maintenance or pricing concerns, but overall, the consensus is positive, emphasizing affordability, cleanliness, and a welcoming environment for parties and casual visits. One-star reviews cite rare incidents like safety concerns or dissatisfaction with time-based pricing.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Good for kids
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.*

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

103 S Fifth St

Mebane, North Carolina 27302

Hours

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

Customer Reviews

Since Burlington no longer has a bowling alley, we usually go to Greensboro, but this time we decided to try out this place in Mebane! I'm so glad we did! Much cleaner than other bowling alleys I've been to. The employees were all so courteous and helpful. They have coupons online and in the attractions book, so it's easy to find a good deal! The 30 minute for $10 arcade card was perfect for my boys that didn't care about tickets and just wanted to play air hockey and driving games! Very affordable fun for

Had a super fun time here with my family, but beyond that, AMAZING customer service!! I lost a card from my sister (it was important to me) somewhere between leaving there and getting home and I live pretty far out so I called them to see if they could look for it. My sister had given it to me in the parking lot so the worker that I was on the phone with literally went out and looked through the parking lot :,). It didn't get found but he even took my name and number in case it turned up there. I really wis

Hosted a great kids birthday party here this weekend. The staff was super friendly and helpful from start to finish (Dominic was our host and fantastic!), and the bowling and arcade facilities were very clean and well ran. No complaints, would highly recommend!

Great place for bowling fun for the whole family. Service was great and they have plenty of bowling balls to choose from. There's also an arcade inside incase the little ones don't wanna bowl.

So much to do and the bowling is terrific!! They have bumpers and assist racks. We always have a good time.

Great place for wholesome fun! The facility is very clean and inviting. The staff is extremely helpful. There are sanitizing stations and social distancing enforced. They also have an arcade with plenty of games.

Not only is the place clean, the employees are extra nice. They were so nice that both of my grandsons (ages 9 and 13) commented on just how kindly they were treated. We got in 2 and 1/2 games in our allotted hour. we used the gutter guards. When the internet went out and I couldn't use my credit card for the arcade area-they gave me a free 30 minute use card for our whole family. I tried to pay for it later on-when the internet returned-and the employee said our game time was on the house. This is my 5th t

Clean and fun time! Took my date and enjoyed it! Definitely worth going being the sole bowling in alamance county????

Friendly atmosphere like the options for the arcade. You can either do time limit or dollar amount.

We had such a great time at our son?s birthday. We had excellent service, great food, the staff were friendly and efficient. Brian, Tyler, McKenzie and Tanner made everything EASY - Exactly what you want with a kid?s birthday party! We had about an hour of bowling, we had pizza from the bowling alley restaurant, ( thanks to Chef Niya) we brought cupcakes, easy cleanup, then we played video games. The kids had a great time and there was lots to keep them occupied. We will definitely be back!

I love this place!! This past visit was my first and unfortunately my last. Although I did love the "Family Friendly" bowling experience they have created. It's a very clean, well organized and a fun place to bowl. There food was AMAZING and really good quality plus good portions for the price. I highly recommend this establishment from small families to big school groups and everything in-between. Thank you for the wonderful experience and I hope to be back soon!

I was honestly blown away by this place..I had a birthday party for my 6 yr old grandson Jackson. They have different packages all affordable. Mine had food drink, an hour of bowling, a 5$ card for the arcade for each child and a person that made sure we had everything we needed and we had a private room. We only had to bring the cake. The place was clean food was great. My wife and I will be back for some midnight bowling. I have been to some awful bowling alleys before and this was definitely the best one

Surprisingly clean, shoes were not all worn out and stinky. Very well kept. Only waited about 25 minutes for a lane but also went mid day on a rainy Sunday. Decent food area and game room for the kids. We will be back!

This was part 2 of my daughter's birthday party. They had changed their minds due to the heat outside and decided to go here. I called at 2pm and was able to reserve 2 lanes for 4pm. Great customer service. Offered to let us use their fridge for her cake. Huge arcade and great atmosphere! Great for a night out or for a birthday party. You have to do the "Typhoon" in the arcade. I was laughing or smiling the whole time.

Nice bowling lanes, nice game room and billards. Great for a birthday party or company outing. They have alot of flyers for stuff to do for kids like free bowling and leagues. There is also a restaurant on site that serves southern foods. I will definitely return.

What a lovely and well-maintained place!!! I was so impressed with the service and facility.

My son celebrated his 6th birthday here, and it was amazing. Everything was exactly what we expected: the service was awesome, the food and drinks were great, and the prices were affordable. What really set them apart from other places was the hospitality and service from our host. His name has slipped my mind, but I think he was the manager during our visit on August 17, 2024, from 12 to 2. He definitely deserves a raise or some recognition for his excellent service. This was our first time at this establi

We had a great birthday bowling party here. Was really fun and the staff and food was great

Had fun and it was cheap..Friday and Saturday are the best nights to go.

Really better than I expected it to be

This bowling alley is extremely busy everyday. You have to make an appointment just to be able to bowl. This stuff is friendly enough. The restaurant stuff is fast and friendly. The only mark against them is not all the arcade games function properly. Other than that, it's a great place for a good time.

Amazing arcade - games for adults and kids. Bowling has a retro vibe. Bumpers go up and down based on player preference. No beer sadly.

A very fun bowling experience! The arcade has too many machines that are out of service. Very clean and a great selection of food and drinks!

We love this bowling alley! We're here visiting family and had to stop and check this place out! We had a great time, everything was so clean! We'll be back again when we're in town!

It's always a fun time when coming here to bowl. The staff are very friendly and more than willing to help. I'll be interested to see what's done with the large open area next to the dining section.

Some of my family members went yesterday afternoon. I know prices have went up everywhere but in my opinion $36 for my fianc? and I is a little much. Free shoe rental. Shoes were nice and not worn. It's not needed but I was more so disappointed with the no alcohol & the restrooms NOT having a changing station for my 22 month old. I had to end up changing her on the floor near the pool tables. It's 2024. Please having changing tables in the men?s and woman?s restroom.

The staff was great and very accommodating. We had a great time with Cosmic bowling.

I've been working here for over 5 years. I Can't think of a better person to work for, my mentor Bryan has been amazing and the bowlers are the icing on the cake. Everyone is so wonderful!

I love this place, it's a great price and the staff is easy-going and friendly. Sadly, a little too easy-going. A friend and I have very few days where our schedules align and we always check the schedule online to make sure we get there at a time when leagues aren't taking it over the lanes. The leagues (or at least the one on Monday evenings) overstay their posted time by 30-50 minutes. This isn't a one time occurrence either. It's every Monday we come in. I'd appreciate either them reinforcing the posted

Fat Man and gis food. Potatoe salad was tasty, but the collards lack seasoning. I had the brisket and my son had the chopped pork BBQ...just needs more sauce/seasoning. Not a bad place to try from time to time fast service after ordering. They also offer free wifi

Place to have family fun

The kids have a blast here. I recommend it ??

This place is a decent place to have fun but it also could have more lanes and less arcade

The staff there are phenomenal and friendly. It was an all around great experience. Recommend everyone to go if you haven't been.

A little high priced, and I don't like that they charge by the half hour instead of by the game. We still had fun, though, and it's family-friendly. BBQ inside was good as well. We will be going back.

Overall we had a great experience. The staff were absolutely amazing, very helpful, always smiling and ready to help. The arcade was ton of fun for all who came to enjoy in on the celebration. I give the Arcade area a 5star rating. My only complaint would be the Food. I know the food area is separate from the actual bowling arcade area but the pizzas were Way Overly Greasy with it just sitting on top . The food definitely wasnt to our liking. So for food I'd have to give 1star rating and for the price I

I like that it's family friendly. Neat and organized. But there's some dated things that makes it a bit uncomfortable. We need thing to do in this town it be nice to feel modern vibes or up to date equipment. Over all its good

Great place, family friendly and awesome staff.

It's so fun when you get they are so nice and it's only 13.00 for 1 hour of bowling and there is different game mods if your bowling

Haven't been in like 5 years so it took a minute to get my groove back. Lol. It was a great time with my kids and a new friend. It's a fun time for family togetherness and getting back to normal. Prices weren't bad and the atmosphere was great! Didn't eat or play in the game area, maybe next time.

We really had a great time here for four of us to bowl. It was 48. We were able to get a pizza for 13.99 and pool was $8 an hour. I felt everything was clean and reasonably priced. We would definitely go back!

Fun family outing, other than a really heavy bowling ball clogging up the lane and taking 15 minutes to fix, good times.

Me and my friend and his wife had a great time there. The arcade had a lot of fun games. The bowling alley was very clean. The staff very friendly. The only thing I want to point out is is that the cafeteria sister full of soul that place is awful. The employees always have an attitude and seem very rude. When speaking to you and the food there isn't nothing to rant and rave about. If I was the owner Buffalo Lanes I would get a different business or buy it out and run it the way that buffalo lanes wants to

Awesome time...and with a groupon very affordable Friendly staff, great atmosphere for the whole family.

Great facility for good wholesome family fun. Little pricy.

We've had two visits with large groups. It is a nice family friendly place. They have plenty of food options and nice staff. When we were there, they were working on construction and I don't know what that will be. The staff was nice and patient for our group of 6 plus kids. They also have events there like trunk-or-treat. Very welcoming environment.

We spent some time here this afternoon on a whim and I am so glad we visited! We had the best time in the arcade, picking out prizes, and bowling! The young man working was SO kind and helpful, the space felt clean and organized- our entire experience was so pleasant and we will definitely be back!!

Please is not cheap. We did cosmic bowling from 8-10. For $50 for 5 people. There was 10 of us so we spent 100. We had to wait for a lane even when reserved ours. So we didn't start bowling until 8:20. They cut all bowling games off at 9:57. Wouldn't even let us finish our last frame. Not going back here anymore. Not worth it.

Great kid friendly bowling. Went here on a recent sat night with our 5 and 6 year old kids. The front staff was very friendly, explained the different packages that they offer, got us set with shoes quickly, and helped us save a few bucks by signing us up as members. One of the staff volunteered to find some light balls for the kids. The lanes have bumpers and you customize them at the computer menu at your lane who gets bumpers and who does not, which seemed like a nice feature. They also have ramps for ki

My first time here. I was impressed with the facility. It was nice and clean. Lots of fun games for all ages and all of the bowling lanes were full. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Lots of rooms for private parties. My only reason for not giving five stars was the fact that there was no food served. I guess due to Covid. Plenty of snack machines though. I would go back in the future.

BRIANN BRIAAANN!!!!! So sweet and memorable!!! He was very patient witn our ?Brookdale senior citizens? he made sure they felt at home and also was very WELCOMING!!!!!!! 5 STAR SERVICE !! Thanks MR. BRIAAAAANNNNNNNN

I had my sons 4th birthday party here and what a great time that we had!! Food was delicious, the bowling was fun & the arcade was the cherry on top! Tyler was more than accommodating when I got a little stressed out ?? . Highly recommend for an affordable family friendly atmosphere!!

My family's nee favorite place to be

Had a great time a couple weeks ago when I was there with some folks from work. The facility was very clean and all the games in the arcade were up and working well. The bowling lanes were in good condition and there were plenty of house balls to choose from if you don't have your own. This would also be a great place to have a kids birthday party, we big kids had a great time!

Nice staff! Clean and fun

This place was on the struggle bus and it was not the best experience with kids. They had no food. It looked like the kitchen was totally shut down. They had a 30 minute wait so we played in the arcade while we waited for them to call us. Half the games are our money but didn't work and after about an hour we went up to the front desk and they had been letting people in from the street and never called us to let us know we could play. So frustrating! While playing we had several ?technical errors? and our

As a former employee of this place, it never ceases to please me. Every time I walk in, whether there's New staff or the staff I worked with, they are always friendly and smiling. After the floor remodel, the place seems brighter and much roomier. Let's not forget about half priced arcade Wednesday's! I love bringing my nephew to play, he always has a ball here. Any place that can make a kid as happy as my nephew after leaving this place is A1 in my books! Keep it up Buffaloe Mebane!

Great facility with friendly staff and good food for the right price. This bowling alley is finishing a few renovations- there is still a roped off section in one of the seating areas, but most of the essentials are finished and are looking good. The bowling lanes are smooth and crisp- just like they should be! The arcade machines require a loadable card and are a decent price at $1 per play for most games. I would go back with a group, we had lots of fun.

I work with a person with special needs and we come here every Thursday. Mama Dee, Brian, AJ, Makenzie, and the staff are super friendly, polite, personable, and treat us like very important people! The customer service is awesome! Food is great, nice family friendly atmosphere here. The facilities are nice and clean. It is the ideal place to bring the family and kids. We always feel welcome and at home here! Thanks to the staff for all the great customer service you provide!

First one in an alley that charges by the time. Such a joke. Especially when you have kids that roll the ball slow. A pin got stuck in the gutter and they didn't pause the clock while the went to the back to remove. If you or your kids have to use the restroom, it eats at the clock. What a joke of a charging scheme. If they at least let you complete the game your on, when the timer runs out, it would be much better. Will not return unless this is fixed.

We have had a couple of my nephew's birthday parties here and are never disappointed. The staff are usually great about accommodating us with whatever we need and the kids (and adults) always seem to have fun. A good time for the whole family

We love coming here on a date night - we usually play pool. Bowling alley staff are very friendly and helpful, great place and close to home! Only suggestion I might have is to recover the pool table fabric, but still fun to play.

My family and I have been coming here for years. It has been one of our favorite places to go. Today, we were playing the basketball game and one of the basketball flew out and hit me in my left temple. It hurt so bad. Later, I asked for some ice and for my money back. Now, if I was another person I could have sued or asked for a lot of money because this was able to happen because of a lack of safety precautions taken by this business but I didn't do any of that, I simply asked for my money back. The manag

Lanes are in great condition and the bowling area is very clean. Each time a party left the crew would come in to put balls away and generally keep it tidy. The folks at check in are super friendly. Awesome time!

Very reasonable and clean. Great prices! They need more employees because we had to wait for someone to come over to the snack bar to order food and drinks which sometimes was a long wait. The snack bar looked abandoned. The game room was awesome!

Definitely enjoyed my impromptu walk-in visit. No concessions or dining options at the moment. Comfortable all around, and just genuinely enjoyable. I look forward to returning for a more in depth experience. ?

The lanes are clean and the machines worked fine. Several bowling balls were chipped and they don't offer as many sizes as I have seen elsewhere. Bathrooms aren't well stocked. Carpet in the arcade is stained and gross. Several games were totally messed up. Getting out of the parking lot is the hardest. Is located near a really busy intersection and you can't see around the bushes very well. Service is mediocre. The card processing fee is pretty crappy. Take cash. Wish you could play and then pay because I

Had a wonderful time at Buffaloe Lanes Mebane. They were so nice, sanitized the chairs again before we sat down, had sanitizer available for guests, and the bowling balls were a select amount at each lane. Smart! Friendly, clean, and still a wonderful family place to go. Thank you so much. My kids needed the outing.??

This was my first time here in a while. My partner and I decided to bring my daughter for an evening of bowling. Shoe rental went fine. We went to order food and was told that the pizza that's at the counter by the slice wasn't available (this was at 4:00 pm. They close at 11. The pizza was in the display cabinet but I was told that it had already been claimed. So I still said I wanted to order a slice and was told they weren't making any more for the evening. I went and spoke with the manager where they we

Fun and clean environment to go hang out with the kids. Staff has always been helpful.

I know that it's supposed to be family friendly, but my bowling has suffered since they went alcohol free. The kids love the arcade. I like to go on Wednesday's when it's 1/2 price. I wish they had a few better toy options in the ticket exchange. Overall, it's good fun that isn't too expensive.

Overall, it's a clean bowling alley. Employees are always nice and look for the best way for you to save money. I have tried pizza, hot dogs, fried pickles, and bacon and cheddar fries. Absolutely none of them were good and leave you wanting more food. The food is also way too expensive for what it is.

We went to Buffaloe Lanes for our little cousins birthday party and the kids had an absolute blast! The bowling area was very fun and well organized. They had a great game room with tons of different things for them to play for tickets and redeem for prizes. We used one of their party rooms which was the perfect size and very clean. We'd definitely recommend them for parties of any kind!

Hubby and I went for a morning date . The staff was great! There were no open lanes due to bowling league , but the gentleman up front called us once one was open. $12.00 to bowl and $4.00 for a game of pool. We will definitely be visiting again !

Fun for the family. Have been to many kids parties here and have come bowling with the family. Great place to bring everyone on a rainy or too cold day. Also a great place for soccer parties! I can't eat them anymore but they have great hot chips and cheese steaks. Wish people would smoke farther away from the door. ....... On our most recent visit they wanted to charge me $. 50 for a refill of iced tea, (not sure if policy changed or what) I told them nevermind I just won't get drinks here again.

Discourteous staff in food court. I asked for a cup of water from the female who was prepping pizza dough and I got an eye roll and huffing. When she came back she still had cornmeal on her hands from the dough which means she didn't wash first. I left the cup sitting there which is unfortunate since you can't bring outside drinks into the building. Lots of kids running around which causes the floor to vibrate...hard to bowl when floor is shaking. (Bad design in my opinion, to have the lanes on upper level

From moment we walked in we experienced unfriendly staff. First to bothered to help another family and I. No friendly words. Cashier neglected to give tokens dur from package deal. On the lane, polite curtousies were ignored by other patrons. Before last game we went to get food. On our return another family was playing in our assigned lane. Business personnel had switched us to a different lane with NO notice. Plus some of the arcade games were defective. Terrible experience.

Amazing center to take your family to. Wonderful atmosphere and super friendly staff. Highly recommend!

I competed in the North Carolina State Senior Bowling Tournament that they hosted. Good lanes, nice facility, and accommodating staff. Thank you for a great experience!

This was our 1st time here!! Great family fun. The bowling was fun and interactive for my kids. We also enjoyed the arcade!! Seemed like a great value for the time we spent. Staaff was super helpful as I was not experienced with bowling..lol! Clean and sanitizer all around!! we will be back!! glad to have some cool local options

We ordered a pizza and waited about an hour for it and then when the guy took it out it was black burnt and the lady that made it hasn't even come out of the cooking area and I think the lady was on her phone and we got our money back and then got something else but everything else was great. Even the people next to us are having problems

Had a great time wanting something to do in the middle of the day and it was perfect. I went with my best friend and he is a great bowler but unfortunately had a very bad day that day. But he is still my best friend so I let him win

Held a birthday party there. Food was just OK but everything else about the place was great. Staff was friendly and the kids had a lot of fun activities. Games, food, and bowling all for a nice price.

I started bowling again after a 14+ year layoff. Buffaloe Lanes' staff is superb. There is not a thing wrong with the "conditions" on the lanes. There is a shot, I am not making the shots In need to make. "All in good time, all in good time."

Love taking my grandson here. I do wish they would service the games. Ski ball is missing balls, air hockey doesn't keep good score.

If you want to enjoy a family time you should come here, I loved this place the amazing thing about here is that you pay by hour not per game. I played at least 5 games with my mom in 1 hour. I enjoyed a lot.

Good time with the family for a Sunday evening.

Kids got to your the back of the alley. Very cool.

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.”