Dondee Lanes

Dondee Lanes

Reviews Summary

Most reviews praise the friendly staff, good food (especially burgers and pizza), and fun atmosphere for bowling and family outings. Many highlight excellent service and clean facilities. A few mention issues with drink service when busy, malfunctioning games, or occasional equipment problems. The majority of ratings are 5 stars, with positive experiences outweighing negative ones. Some note the venue's dual appeal for both family activities and bar-side socializing.

About This Listing

Has Tournaments
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
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 Virtual Reality in Arcades

Step into virtual reality for a breathtaking adventure! Arcade VR stations boast advanced headsets (like Oculus or HTC Vive), motion controllers, and sometimes full-body tracking or treadmills. You’ll dive into games like Beat Saber or VR shooters, swinging, dodging, or aiming in 360-degree worlds with vivid visuals and immersive sound. Gameplay spans solo quests to multiplayer battles, with intuitive controls for all levels. Arcades offer vibrant, social VR zones, delivering a thrilling, cutting-edge experience in 2025.

Features

Has Tournaments
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

3162 S Mackinac Trail

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783

Hours

Monday 11:30AM-10PM
Tuesday 11:30AM-10PM
Wednesday 11:30AM-10PM
Thursday 11:30AM-10PM
Friday 11:30AM-10PM
Saturday 11:30AM-10PM
Sunday 11:30AM-10PM

Customer Reviews

Good place drinks are cheap and bowling is cheap perfect for family events. Couldn't find any light bowling balls to play with. You're not able to set down your drink on a table next to the lanes. WHY HAVE A TABLE IN THR FIRST PLACE

Seemed like a nice bowling alley. The food that we ordered all came in a timely fashion and it was all good. Staff was friendly. Beer was cold! ??

My grandson had fun bowling! Good prices! Nice bowling alley with a friendly staff.

Super busy on a Sunday. Unfortunately lanes were reserved before people arrived so we couldn't bowl, but definitely a good spot!

It was overall a good experience and affordable, but the arcade could have been a bit better

The deli, lounge, arcade, and bowling always makes this a fun place to go. *food is always good here*?????

Stopped here for dinner with friends. Was informed they have a special not on the menu, Philly cheese fries. Let me tell you, these were amazing! Absolutely made my night. Definitely will be ordering them again.

Great bowling party on our visit 1/25/25. Excellent food, cold beer and great deli service and alley techs. Happy to go again soon! 3/25/25 as always, great evening of bowling and beverages ?? ?? ??

the pizza at this place was spectacular you could tell that they made it with love whoever came up with the recipe or cooks it should start a pizza joint it would get a lot of business but other than that the bowling was fun and the customer service was great I will consider coming here any time I want to watch a football game or just want to bowl

Helpful staff, great prices, clean,fun arcade games and good drinks.

Excellent customer service - the staff was amazing! We came for a hockey team outing and they made it super easy. The kids had a blast bowling and playing all the games. Food and drinks were fast and yummy! Would definitely come back :)

Great place, awesome staff and service

Staff is really friendly and accommodating

Regarding the food: WOW! The best Philly Cheesesteak I've ever had in my life. Ordered it with a side of ranch and beer cheese. The steak was tender throughout but still crisp at the edges. The bread was firm enough to hold it all but bouncy enough for balance in texture. For a bowling alley, it was totally unbelievable and instantly iconic at the same time. Whew!!!

It's really good food, but the service kinda sucked. They were a little busy, that's why I give them the benefit of the doubt with 4 stars. 2 nights earlier, the service was far better with less staff. We will visit again.

This is legitimately the best food in Sault Sainte Marie and beyond. The Philly? I felt like I was actually in Philly. The burgers were cooked to perfection and the flavors were flawless. There was a prime rib special and the prime rib was better than most high end steakhouses. The cooks are an amazing team and are completely slaying. This place is a hidden gem and these cooks are TALENT.

Fun place to catch up with friends

Change machine stole 10$ from me. The place did nothing about it. I had to leave my shoes at the front door. Not ideal. My shoes cost over 100$ Let along half the games didn't work. Complete joke.

I can only review the bar portion of this business as I do not bowl. The service is great. Everyone is friendly and quick to help. Pictured is the thin crust pizza. It was delicious. Crispy crust with lots of cheese and many options for toppings. We also had the onion rings and they were perfect. They were hot and crispy, and when you bite into it the whole onion did not slid out. They offer the BEST burgers made with meat from Nevilles. They are thick,juicy and delicious. The hubby likes the burbo

Took the wife to dinner there one night. They have great burgers

Always a good time, staff is very friendly and nice, bacon cheeseburgers are very good off of the menu. On the bar side I have always been taken care of in a timely manner. I highly recommend if your looking to bowl or have a few drinks in a good atmosphere.

I can truly say I love this place. I bowl here 3 times a year and I travel 5 hours to get here. What makes this place the best is the staff that works there and how smooth their tournaments run. Thanks Tammy and the girls for the great job you do. I always love seeing everyone when I come up there. Keep up your awesome work ??

Good times, good staff, good food and good prices. A great date night, youth group or family outing. Tonight was even better than the last time. AND they have steaks dinners on Thursdays ??

The guy who is there every weekend is extremely helpful. It looks like he's doing 90% of the work by himself. Had a great time!

Had a great first time experience. There is so much to do here. Bonus they have virtual golf!! Great food. Kid friendly as well. We will def be back. Thank you!!

Just stopped in for a late lunch. As I had heard the burgers are amazing. Great and Friendly service. Nice selection of beer on tap too...if you're so inclined.

My family loves this bowling alley! The food is absolutely wonderful, definitely not average "bowling alley food". There is a full menu of modern, delicious dishes, something everyone will like. The only negative thing I have to say is, Dondee is CLOSED for the summer(2021)! We are super disappointed??

Had a birthday party for my 11 year old. Had a great time! It has been updated and now has an arcade built in. Food is always good there too.

Great food and waitress was super nice. Honestly about the cheapest place around for food and beer.

Always a fun night. Glad it's still here.

Great atmosphere, The wait staff is absolutely amazing , tournament was ran amazingly. Great people

These guys have amazing burgers. Visit on lunch break get a drink an some good food

Had my sons birthday party there and the staff was so friendly and accommodating. We had pizzas and they were delicious

Bowling was fun, had some drinks at the bar before hand and snacked on appetizers. Friendly family atmosphere on one side and bar chill party in the bar side, perfect for everyone.

The gentleman at the counter was very sweet and helpful. They have an awesome arcade there with 2 virtual reality games that are fun!

Took the grandkids to bumper bowl. We all had a blast!

Some well needed family time With a pitch of soda n thin pizza. N two games. Under $30.00 for a family nite out. Not complaining by any means.

Went there to support a local charity to raise money to get a bus. Walked in waited over 10 minutes for someone to even come to the counter so we could get our bowling shoes and pay for our games. We were not approached by anyone the entire time we were there to be welcomed to the event nor offered any 50/50 tickets we heard at a little before 10 pm they would be drawing for. We played 3 1/2 games. We paid for 4 but every single game the lions got stuck and we had to go to the counter wait for someone to co

Great time with my kids and staff were friendly and helpful.

I love going here on Thursdays for $2 shoes, and $1 games night! Good food, although a little pricey, and a bar with a pool table! Fun for the family, or for a night out with friends!

Well I visited this place the bartender named Emma which I paid my bill as I went with cash calls the cops after I left saying I had a tab. Cops show up at my room saying. I owed $30 Well she got a go for tip lol

Very fun place .. but in the Soo it's almost the only fun place we have. Friendly staff all around great place

Harold and his staff have been hosting Special Olympics routinely for so many years. I enjoy having my son back in Special Olympics because I see so much generosity and kindness in all the people that are there working, the athletes, coaches, and parents.

Amazing burgers, great Lanes, decent arcade, 2 pool tables

Great staff, friendly and helpful...???? great food as well..????kudos to all the staff at Don Dees, you guys are great, thanks for making a great place outstanding..????

Good food, drinks, and bowl. Manager let us have glo bowl and music when asked, nice cheap fun night

Nice, came up for a tournament, approaches just a little sticky, but that's me on where I normally bowl at. Waitress very nice. Thank you for hosting the tournament.

24 lanes. Burgers and pizza are awesome. Oh and the fries, the fries are the best. The bar is a local hangout for the working class in town.

This place is awsome the best 3d games there is around and just the video games there in genral are really fun... the lanes well manicured and ready to roll the ball down.. would come here everyday if i lived closer.

The lane I had would often stop working and we wouldn't get our balls back till a turn or two later. Other then that the place is great

We come hete several times a year. Our waitresses are always on top of keeping drinks filled. Clean establishment.

Great friendly service with great prices and lanes

Had lots of fun with my family! Great place friendly staff.

Great place for a birthday party. I discovered that the pizza is delicious, but it has to be special ordered the day before.

I lived here all my life and its my fave place ever fun to hang and night time the black light come on its awesome

Good food, they have a bar if you like that crowd and I think they have 15 or so Bowling Lanes.

It was fun. But they gave the food we ordered to a different party.

Very nice remodel! Looks great and good prices

Great place to have a drink, or more, with friends. I won a kayak the last time I was there!

Fun place to break the winter blues.good food and great service

I was mostly in the bar area. Drinks were ok. Popcorn good. Just hate the loud music.

Very fun night, cheap bowling, cheap beer, good snacks. Excellent for a night out.

Need a bit more oil on the lanes but other than the small issue of that great place. 8/10

Excellent burger, service, and football on the big screen.

Nice place to take the family or just sneak away on your own to the bar.

Friendly staff good equipment and an awesome arcade! ??

Summer rates. Great deal. We had fun. Safe. Kid freely

Decent prices for lanes and shoes. My in-laws always like to take us here when we're in town.

The place is dirty and falling apart. They need to address the ceiling tiles, paint, carpet and much more.

Staff is awesome and bowling prices are cheap. Bowling alley is big and very clean.

I love the dondee lounge attached to the lanes. it has the most friendly servers in upper michigan!!!.

Had fun fries were awesome

Kids had a great time

Good place for some fun

Love the soo lock tournament they host every spring

It very nice and clean I will recommend this place ??

Nice pizza but one lane is a little bit weird

They're trying hard to open in September. Wish him all the luck to making that happen.

Had a lot of fun and great food was a fun birthday!

Great Burgers and other menu items, very reasonably priced.

Awesome lanes....come here once a year from Alpena and wouldn't miss it...great food and cold beer ...

Great family fun, food depends on whos cooking

Great burgers and wait staff and good bowling for the Soo tournament!

Great bowling. Great servers. Good drinks that are reasonably priced.

Was fun enjoyed myself

It was very busy. Hard to get drink service sitting at the bar.

Great people, very helpful

Good people..good food..great place to be!!

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 virtual reality games in arcades worth playing?

Yes, virtual reality (VR) games in arcades are a top attraction in 2025! Titles like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx deliver immersive thrills with cutting-edge headsets, motion tracking, and responsive controllers. High-resolution displays and spatial audio create heart-pounding experiences, from slashing rhythms to battling zombies. Arcades feature multiplayer VR zones and tournaments, fostering lively communities. VR booths are regularly packed, proving their captivating, next-level gameplay makes them a must-try arcade experience.