Flaherty's Northfield Lanes

Flaherty's Northfield Lanes

Reviews Summary

Overall, reviews are mixed but lean positive, with many praising the friendly staff, great food (especially pizza), and fun atmosphere including the patio and activities. Service quality varies—some report excellent, attentive staff while others experience slow or rude service. Bowling lane maintenance and pricing receive criticism, with complaints about malfunctions and feeling overcharged. The venue is generally clean and updated, though some note occasional issues with food quality or delays. Despite some negative experiences, many customers recommend returning, highlighting it as a good spot for family outings or parties.

About This Listing

Has Food
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 Food
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

1700 MN-3

Northfield, Minnesota 55057

Hours

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

Customer Reviews

This is a great, old-school bowling alley. They have made a lot of updates to their restaurant and entertainment side, but the lanes are in great shape. If you like actual bowling, this is your spot. The food is good too. The arcade is on the smaller side, but fun enough for 20-30 minutes. I have not sat down to eat or been to the patio area, but I plan to!

I have been here a couple of times, and never had I had a bad experience until last night. My husband and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary, deciding to pick here to go. We ordered my husband a club sandwich and me fish basket. There were 4 people at the bar and a couple in the booth that shortly left. The girl behind the bar finally came over to take our drink order. We ordered our food with another waitress. After 35 minutes of waiting, my husband asked the waitress, "How's the food coming?" which she

Extremely friendly, and fun staff with a BEAUTIFUL patio with heaters, volleyball court, bags, and a fire pit for the colder weather. Absolutely loved the very thin crust on the brick oven pizza! Made it light and crispy with the toppings and cheese being the star of the show. Deep fried pickles were very tasty in spite of a few sticking together before frying. Was impressed by the amount of business for a Wednesday and the overall happiness of both the staff and patrons! Really enjoyed our visit and would

Lanes are good but the ball return is disgusting so make sure to either not bring your ball or clean it and your hands often. My hands came out like I played at a casino for hours. The food was great.

I went almost every day, however, I used to have problems with the line, which always got stuck. When I paid for the game and the food, they asked me if it would be all together or separate. I said separately, and the guy who helped us told us we were giving him too much trouble. He also charged us an extra order without having asked for it. We still had to pay for it, so as not to make it "difficult." Why do they give us the option to pay separately if the cashier is going to say we're giving him too much

Great family friendly place , there is a little something for everyone here ! Highly recommend!

I want to be very clear: I would give our server Marena 5 stars. She was attentive, friendly, and overall phenomenal. For what it is, I'd give the food 3 stars. The pizza hit the spot. They had War Pigs Foggy Geezer on tap (great). Updated to 3 here - while there were a couple good options on tap, most were disappointing and the crust of the pizza was burnt. So I'd say there is potential but it's overall an average experience for establishments like this. Unfortunately, the "atmosphere" due to the cliente

This bowling alley is always a great time no matter what. Staff is always working hard making the expiernce. Summer pass is a great deal to save money and bowl a lot

Bowling was 5 bucks per game or 25 per hour per lane shoes were a few extra per pair. The bowling lanes were not busy on a Wednesday afternoon. Very clean and organized smelled good, some lanes I've been to don't. Food is good and price is OK large pizza about 15. Best part was how it's all in one place. Bar, lanes, arcade, patio. Huge plus was the bowling cartoons, they actually use your photos in the short vids

Absolutely amazing bowling Alley lots of lanes ,amazing arcade, delicious food and drinks ,hifh recommended

I have had their BLT a number of times and it is always fantastic! They are very courteous and pleasant. Great service and great food.

I only sit at the bar, but love the food and drinks.

Great atmosphere inside and out. Has a great seating area outside and lots of it. Has a small fireplace and cozy chairs/couch surrounding it for this chilly nights. Volleyball, Cornhole and live music and bar outside. Restaurant, game room and bowling inside. The staff was terrific!! Definitely going back very soon!

Just had our sons 6th birthday party there. Staff was patient and awesome with the bunch of kids, which can be tough with a group of 5-6 year old boys. Pizza was good, pop was cold and we got the small banquet room which was clean and ready for us. Highly recommend.

Was the go to spot for my friends and I while visiting Northfield Minnesota., as we were there for the passing of a Friend. Place has a great atmosphere, staff is super friendly. Especially for putting up with my group, we closed the place down every night. Made a hard and emotionally charged trip a little more bearable. Cheers to those guys.

Wow! This place is unrecognizable from what it used to be. The food was wonderful and well priced, and the patio was gorgeous!

Awesome place with a fun patio! Great pizza!

We recently had a party on the banquet room and the staff was so amazing! They were so helpful, accommodating, and went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable! It was a beautiful day so we also got to enjoy the amazing patio, bags, and volleyball area while we were there. 10/10 would recommend having a party here! (We did not do the bowling party, just utilized the room, ordered pizzas and beverages) Thank you to all 3 of our wonderful ?party hosts?!

I went to Flaherty's Northfield Lanes recently, and I have to say, it was a great experience. The atmosphere was lively and the service was fast paced and the guy behind the counter working at the actual bowling alley part was extremely friendly and efficient. Clearly cleanliness was a priority to Flaherty's, and it showed. Whenever the bowling ball would get stuck in the back the guy who was working would go and fix it right away and not dilly dally. He seemed to take his job very seriously, which is good.

They have pretty great burgers and my son loves the arcade.

Food is good & the service is always awesome! Love the outdoor area & enjoy the live music. The inside bar area could use some sound absorbing panels, it's very hard to visit & when busy gets very loud!

Great variety on the menu. Has an arcade for the kids. Clean and bright. Excellent family environment.

Great place to go and have fun. Impressive facilities, too.

We went there for a birthday party on a Saturday afternoon. It was really noisy and crazy but that's to be expected. We had steak nachos and they were very good.

Flaherty's is amazing! We never visited before they took over the building, but the parking lot was always empty. I can tell you now, it is never empty. However, there is always room! There are a lot of events, Bingo on Wednesdays, seasonal events like bags, volleyball and of course bowling leagues which seems like all year long. Servers and management is amazing. We've never had bad food! Food and drinks are amazing!

The server Hailey was absolutely wonderful! She was so sweet and excellent service. Bar manager also came over and chatted. What a great establishment!!!!!

Very lively place to lose yourself. Good food, good drinks, bowling, and plenty of arcades to entertain all ages!

Super cool patio! Love the ambiance of the place and the food was awesome after a long day out on the lake. Our server Rilee was so fun and took great care of us. She was super attentive and always made sure our drinks were full. Would definitely come back here again!

service was good. pizza was a bit dry

We had a birthday a party in the party area. The help was fantastic and met all needs with food and beverages, pizzas were great. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Thank you for making this a special day. I will certainly recommend you.

Wow! Very nice remodel in the restaurant and bar area, plus the addition of a much needed patio. Good beers on tap. Good food. Good service. I had the chicken tender melt, which was good, but I still prefer the meatier Perkins rendition of this sandwich. My buddy had the chili with a side salad. He was impressed by the taste and value. I drive by this place frequently and they appear to be much busier than they have in the the past prior to the new ownership/remodel. Many people in the patio area enjoying

Great food and cold beer!

Bowling experience is great! Staff are helpful, there is a wide selection of weights and finger hole sizes on the bowling balls, and they keep a selection of very light balls for those who can't use regular weight. Bumpers are selectable for individual bowlers, alley is clean

Dudes are nice here and bowling prices seem more than fair

My friends and I had a very unpleasant experience at this bowling alley. The manger and waitress were extremely rude to us. From the moment we sat down the waitress had an attitude and seems like she did not want to serve our table. We placed our order and one of my friend unfortunately did not like what she order and when we asked kindly if it could be change the waitress reported to the manager, when he came he did not show any concern or understanding to the situation instead we were met with ? you have

The food here was amazing! The only thing that could have been better was the service time. We didn't get helped until 20 minutes after we sat down and didn't get our food until an hour and a half later on a Saturday with only two people but the food most definitely made up for the wait time!

The staff were super friendly. The pizza was outstanding. There outside patio was very nice. And bowling was fun!

We had dinner on the patio a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic! Emma was our server and she was probably the best server I've had in a very long time. My partner is a self proclaimed pizza aficionado and he said it was VERY VERY good. I had the chicken strips which also were tasty. This is exactly what Northfield needed. It's great to have a casual eatery with friendly staff and great food. Bravo

Had cocktails in the new outdoor seating area. Very nice. Interior of the building has all been recently done and looked very, very nice. We did not eat there but their cocktails were mixed well and priced accordingly for the area.

Food was very good. Ordered pizza and I think it was comparably priced with local competition. Service was quick and friendly. We sat in the pub and it wasn't crowded, but seemed very loud and that's the only reason for less than 5 stars. I guess we should have went to the patio. Overall, satisfied and will be back.

My kids planned a wonderful surprise birthday party for me here. The food was phnomenal, and the service was top notch.

A disappointing experience. I could tell from the time we were seated that things weren't quite right. Our server looked extremely irritated from the minute my group sat down. We waited well over an hour and a half for our food before it slowly started coming out. We then waited about 20 minutes between plates once the food started coming. My dad's fish was still frozen on the inside. Some of the party finished eating before everybody was served. I understand what it's like to work with a skeleton crew, but

We had a wonderful experience at Flaherty?s Northfield Lanes. Service was great. The outdoor patio area with its nice furniture, pergola and fire table was a great place to hang out and the corn hole boards were a huge plus. The bar and restaurant area was very clean and updated to have a more modern feel. The new arcade was a huge hit and enjoyed by all. Will definitely be coming back.

I love the renovations that have been done but both the food and service need lots of work. I've been there multiple times since the reopening and, unfortunately, I've had poor service and the food was not up to typical bar standards. Their menu has lots of choices that have been saying "coming soon". That has yet to change. I know the place is under new ownership and that good help is hard to find but unless things change soon, you will lose customers. Another thing that stood out to me were the liquo

Great food. We were served promptly and well attended to. Servers were hustling to keep up with the weekend crowd. Outdoor space was a major bonus to our evening. Good job Flahertys for the great improvements made this area. Will come back again!

If you haven't been here since the remodel you need to come check it out! So much more room. They did a beautiful job on the remodel also great food. Can't beat the prices.

I had planned on stopping at the L&M bar in Dundas. I saw the outdoor patio and thought I would give this place a try. I sat inside at the bar where I was one of maybe 8 or so people with plenty of waitresses on staff. Along with my first beer, I ordered a burger and fries. I was told they were out of french fries and onion rings and they listed several other items. They said they had some potato chips which I later found out appeared to be nothing more than the Lay's potato chips that you can buy at a groc

We had so much fun here. The staff were helpful and friendly, and the space was clean and inviting. We're looking forward to coming again.

Had the app of the month, jalapeno poppers with cream cheese inside, with a raspberry chipotle sauce, most delicious bar poppers I've had. It's the appetizer of the month for January, please come try some!!!

The place had cheerful staff. There was a lot of lane oil behind the line and on the rental shoes. The lane we got malfuntioned and we had to wait what felt like 10 min to have the staff fix it. The bar had good food though.

What a joke, they don't know what a Reuben is. The bartender is a joke. The only time we get good service is when zis there. Best bar tender and cook. Otherwise I'll not go there.

Great food, great atmosphere, so many activities for the whole family... best place in town to let the kids run around and have fun. The new patio with fireplace, bags, and volleyball is awesome.

Just the worst. My order came in less than 5 mins.. That should have been a clue. The bun was dry and cold. The meat was precooked with a slice of kraft American cheese and the fries seemed like they were dropped into the hot oil and then dumped into a basket. The whole website was a misleading bait and switch. My favorite was a can of Guiness beer (Ireland cried).. And all this for 36 bucks tip included. And I left a tip cuz the staff deserved it I like to give everyone a chance but this was pathe

If you get the fries, you better like salt. To salty to eat. First time there, good food & drinks, great atmosphere.

Nothing but the Grain Belt Blue was acceptable. Nachos were an absolute joke, Onion Rings were prepared from frozen, burgers were unflattering and the Rueben was sad. With a name like Flahertys, that should be the showcase item! If I were to recommend it, slap me

Worst service I've had in a long time. Ordered two drinks and appetizers and one burger. After sitting for 70 minutes with no burger or offer for another drink we finally left. They still charged me for the drinks and I had to hunt down the waitress to get my change back. Don't think I will ever go back again! Not even an apology out of the waitress.

We brought a party to Flahertys Northfield Lanes and everyone had such a great time!! The outdoor patio was so nice and just enjoyable to be at. The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We will certainly be going back!

Great new experience for Northfield! New ownership, new feel! Decent restaurant/bar, seats a lot of people! Food is smaller portions but ok for the price. Give it a try for something different in Northfield

Love this bowling alley!!! Amazing food, great staff, and al all around very friendly environment! I had thier Jalape?o Poppers and it's by far the best Poppers I've ever had!

Pizza was tasty and they had some unique games you could play instead of classic bowling. Some of the rental shoes could use TLC/replacement, my first pair was dangerously slippery, so I traded them for another and the older attendant just grumbled that 'they're bowling shoes, they're supposed to be slippery.' Yes, I'm aware, but I've never had a pair that I couldn't walk safely in, thanks.

Lanes are terrible and stop every time I have been. I feel it's over priced and they short you on time. We paid for an hour, but only got to bowl for 45 to 50 minutes at the most.

Nice place . I use to work there 40 years ago so it was nice to visit with my 85 yr old mother at Flahertys . Good food and easy on the wallet. I will return when in town

Great place to hang out. Service, food and ambiance is very good. Highly recommended.

Stopped by for a few games on Thanksgiving afternoon because my niece (special needs) wanted to bowl w her uncle (me). I hadn't bowled in more than 10 years. It was great! I gotta give BIG props to Adam, my niece's friend who she knows from visits with her group home. She was happy to see him and he was genuinely happy to see her too. They high-fived and she was all smiles when we left. THANKS Adam! And the other guy working..didn't catch your name, sorry, but props to you too for a very good visit.

I jokingly ordered a tall old fashioned after the bartender asked my brother if he wanted a short or tall beer and he delivered!

We had lots of fun. The bowling program has fun options that made everyone laugh. The kids absolutely loved the gameroom, so much that we had to come back the next week.

Nice, friendly environment to bowl with a group of friends. They also have food that's fairly priced and pretty good. They have a small arcade section for young kids, but it's a little mediocre. The staff is very amiable as well

If you want the smallest kids cheeseburger EVER on a Hawaiian roll for $7.49 go here! For $2 more you can get a 3rd pd. Ridiculous!! McDonald's has bigger burgers then this. Just a fyi parents, you will pay $7.50 for french fries only.

Excellent burger and fries with 2 cold draft Stella's Artois...300 yards ( walking distance) from tomorrow's delivery ! 18 hours early ..

Pleasant atmosphere, nice staff. Would like to see something new in the lane area but not a necessity. Perhaps a few more staff in the bowling area but again doable.

What a nice place to bowl. And the food is great. I will definitely be back!??

Usually busy -- but that is because it is a great set of lanes w/ nice bowling balls. The scoreboard videos are funny & keep the kids entertained. Don't forgot to order some fries!

The staff were great, the food was delicious and when the black lights came on and the 90's music it was just a fun place!! Definitely going to be going there more!

Windsor for a company party. The staff was amazing very clean environment. Would recommend

Food is always good and love the people. Just slower service for drinks. Might need some more help.

Place was ok but bartender probably the owner had an attitude about being polite and slow about serving customers.

Very clean place with fantastic updates! Great drinks and food, and the patio was fabulous!

Affordable bar prices. Plenty of lanes. I came here on St. Patrick's day. Atmosphere was laid back and friendly

The lanes were pretty good but the approaches were horrible. The approaches reminded most everybody that bowled on Sunday as if you were walking on ice. Waitress did a pretty good job on serving everyone

Newly opened so still working out some kinks but yummy thin crust pizza! The new patio is great!

Enjoyed the bowling and then ate in the bar. Food was great!

So accommodating for all 8 of us. Easy booking, super clean and fun and great food!

Good prices, excellent service and food. Wonderful menu choices.

Kids had a great time bowling! Great pizza, great club house wrap. Will be back for sure

This place is sort of in the middle of nowhere, and to get to the bowling lanes you walk through a winding set of hallways, but it honestly just adds to the charm. It's bowling, and despite a playlist that contains both solid music but also songs like "What does the fox say" and "Gangnam Style", it's a good time.

Food and service were great. Also reasonably priced. Clara did a great job!!!

If you have a family bigger than 4 be ready to spend some money. With food, 2 lanes spent over $200. The bartender said they are low staffed and she had to come into work while she has 102 fever and cough.

This was actually really fun and a good way to spend a Wednesday night with college folks! The drinks aren't crazy expensive either ;)

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.”