River City Extreme

River City Extreme

Reviews Summary

River City Extreme receives overwhelmingly positive reviews for its fun atmosphere, excellent service, and family-friendly environment. Guests consistently praise the attentive, friendly staff who enhance their experience, especially during celebrations. The bowling lanes, arcade, and food are frequently highlighted as top-notch. While most reviews are glowing, one critic noted poor service during their visit. The venue is celebrated for its cleanliness, modern amenities, and ability to accommodate large groups seamlessly. Many visitors plan to return, citing memorable experiences and exceptional service.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
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.*

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 Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

3875 School Blvd

Monticello, Minnesota 55362

Hours

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

Customer Reviews

I've been going to this place for so so long, and oh my gosh. I absolutely love bowling so much. Bowling has been a passion of mine for like ever. Thank you so much for being such an amazing place with such great people. Shoutout to Gavin at the front desk! Your hair looks super stylish. I hope you can make a basket.

Kids and I LOVE coming here. Food is always good, bowling is fun, the arcade is fun, and our server Dylan was amazing! Attentive, informative, and seems to enjoy his job! We will definitely be back again :)

Excellent customer service from the bar to the shoe rental service. Everyone is friendly and respectful. That only are the staff the best but the people who patronize this business are also wonderful. Great place to bring your family. Yes, I think the arcade is closed.

There is great staff and a very clean place. Dakota was a great server and always made sure we had what we needed!

I had a good time at River City Extreme. Its an awesome place to bowl and the new lighting makes it a very calm place to be!

I am here from Chicago. I had the most beautiful time. The GM was a real gem. The waitress the utmost respect. The cashier was very attentive if I can give this place a hundred Stars I would.

I drove from out of town to spend time with friends and Heather was a perfect waitress, really kept the fun going. Would love to come back in the near future!

In town for the weekend to celebrate my son?s birthday and he really wanted to go bowling. Josh greeted us and got us all set us for our fun. We had a blast bowling and trying out some of the fun versions of bowling on the interactive scoreboards (video pix, angry birds, etc.). We had so much family fun and the kids were excited to beat mom and dad too! We ordered pizza and some appetizers which came out quickly and were yummy. Josh checked in on us and gave us an arcade card with some credits. At the end

We had a blast! Super clean, friendly staff and great service. The family had so much fun!

Heather was a phenomenal server. She made sure to come visit our lane frequently and made sure we always had what we needed. She was very friendly and visited with us . River city is the best bowling alley around. Always exceeds expectations.

This was a last minute v-day date with my wife and it ended up being one of the best date nights we had. They let us play with the bumpers for half the games brought us chocolate covered strawberries when we were playing and gave us $20 in credit for the arcade. The food oddly enough is probably the best in Monticello. 5/5

We had an amazing time tonight for my nieces birthday. Our waitress, Lauryn, was amazing, she made our nieces night with her kindness and astounding service!!! The rest of the staff was great as well.

I love this place! I had my over night graduation party here. The chipotle chicken salad is very good and the staff here are so nice! I did however get stuck in the bathroom stall. Haha

Our son wanted to celebrate his 13th and go bowling! We had so much fun and Josh was the best. Extremely helpful and made our experience better. Can't wait to come back!

Well our server Heather has been absolutely amazing bowling lanes have been clean shoes were clean balls were clean everything was very nice and fun all of our kids had fun the wife and I both had fun

Heather was awesome! Would definitely recommend going later at night, when it's less busy. Super fun valentines day! Josh was so kind and fun, they made us feel comfortable and we had so much fun genuinely. Thank you guys!! Keep working hard ??

Our servers were awesome! Evan took great care of us while were in the restaurant having dinner. Dylan took great care of us while we were bowling. Both were super friendly, we enjoyed how pleasant they were to visit with.

We had a great experience and Dillon was our server. Very family friendly.

So much fun tonight!! Dinner was delicious and the first night of bingo was a hit. The power went out just before bingo was over. The staff (Lauren and Dylan) did an AMAZING job to finish it off by using cell phone lights???? Thank you River Extreme for a fun night?see you next week!!

River city extreme is easily my favorite spot in the suburbs of the twin city?s. The atmosphere in here is always perfect. the workers are so genuine and nice. Gavin provides amazing service and he is so kind.

This place is not worth the money. The prices are outrageous for what you get. When playing in the arcade we had issues with almost all of the games. Laser tag was not great either. A child?s vest didn't work and went to find an attendant but no one was there, he still was charged for the game even though he couldn't play. Staff were not friendly and the place was not clean. Definitely will not be coming here again.

The venue is nice! We ate at the restaurant and waited and waited for service. I hate drinking menus where there are no prices listed. It's a guess to what anything costs. We went to see a concert here. Walked in, and it was standing room only. I asked about ADA seating, and she said, "Sorry, standing room only." After explaining it was law, she finally contacted her manager and found a chair. The bartender was the life saver of that event. He brought out a bunch of chairs( as many were older people), and

Dylan was our server while we attended a kids birthday party. He was quick to take our orders and to serve us. He was personable and kind and made our visit easy and fun!

This place is the best with friends. Always have a blast with the bowling and arcade. I recommend coming here if you're out of town visiting. LAUREN IS THE GOAT ??

Heather was a W waitress fr. She was on top if it and she did a good job. Also River City is an awesome place and its such a vibe. 5/5 would recommend to all.

The bowling is so much fun! They have so many good deals! Went for bowling and ended up getting an unlimited deal for bowling, laser tag and the arcade! Didn't do laser tag but the bowling and arcade were so fun!! Heather was our server, she checked on us often and made sure we had everything we wanted! Definitely will be back for some more fun!!

Came here for a birthday party and it was tons of fun!! Heather was our server and she was awesome!! We will definitely be coming back to see her again.

Dylan was the best!! He is so friendly and we were all so happy with the service. I came to celebrate my birthday and he made sure it was a special one!! Thank you so much Dylan ??

Kid's Club is Wednesdays and Sundays at River City Extreme from 4-8pm. Unlimited bowling, laser tag and games for $19.99 per child. (Points for prizes are not accumulated with the kid's club purchase) Awesome deal!! Laser tag is so fun with a small group or a large one. Bowling is a blast too! The arcade has some fun games. We really enjoy the air hockey, piano tiles, basketball, Jurassic Park, buck hunter and my older boys like to see how strong they are by punching or kicking. They have over 50 games to c

One of my work friends recommended this place. We've did both of my kids birthday parties here. WEReally enjoyed , it would came back both the time sunken between.

River City Extreme is such a good place for kids and teens to get together, even family! Their arcade, laser tag and bowling is all high quality and this place is very upkept and clean. More high tech as well! Most of the staff here is so kind and respectful. We will continue coming here!

Been here a few times, the food is great. This time everything was decorated festively for Christmas and they have pull tabs now. The music was pretty loud this time and made it hard to talk would be the only complaint. Wait staff is typically super responsive, this time despite being slow no one refilled our waters or helped seat us. We will be back for sure because the food and arcade is great for the little ones

Heather was awesome, as was our food and experience. Went bowling for Valentine?s Day, got cute lil complimentary chocolate covered strawberries. Everyone we came across tonight was just fantastic.

my husband and i came here for the first time over the weekend with our friends. I kid you not, the bartender/server spilled an entire gallon of soda (mind you this wasn't even something we ordered. this was someone else?s order) all over my husband and my belongings. My shoes, jacket and entire bag were soaked in soda. The server didn't even apologize, simply said ?oh i feel bad? and proceeded to make us clean up the mess she made. we received absolutely no compensation and when my husband made a comment a

Our server, Heather, did an exceptional job managing our large group of 40 with efficiency and professionalism. She was attentive to everyone?s needs, ensuring drinks were refilled and orders arrived, all while maintaining a friendly and positive attitude. We are grateful for her hard work!

Had our hockey party here and it was great! Heather was our server and she was so helpful and kind. The bowling alley was so nice and clean! We had so much fun!!

Heather was absolutely amazing, she brought our food/drinks to us. She checked on us to make sure we didn't need anything, she was very well mannered. Thank you Heather also thanks to River City Extreme, good place for food/bowling

This is the greatest bowling alley of all time, I met my fiancee here. We've been together for 10 years with six kids, there's no other place I'd want to be than here. I might have my wedding here. They have such a great venue and a loving staff. Their pizza must have some special sauce in it cuz it's the greatest pizza I've ever had. If this place ever shut down, I don't know what I do with my life. I love this place. I love River City extreme. I love it.

Dylan was absolutely amazing!! We can't wait to come back. He is super efficient and made our experience tonight so fun!

Brought my nephews here and I kid you not, over half of the games were broken. The bowling was extremely overpriced. And you get good service at the bar but poor service if you're bowling.

It was phenomenal it was so clean and Josh was so nice .

This place was terrible, our server Jada couldn't stop flirting with the bartender. She was just standing around, she visited are table twice in 2 hours. It took an hour for us to order our food but our food did come out very fast, our food runner Chevy was very nice. Overall experiences, service bad, food was good.

Our family had so much fun we started out with 1 hour of bowling which was a great price. Our waitress was prompt. Then we went to the arcade lots of cool games and choices. The staff at the arcade rocks especially Chris he made our experience top notch his patience with my down syndrome daughter. Our family will be returning.!

Kids had so much fun! Nice, big, clean facility with great staff! Dylan was our server and was great! Would definitely come again! Used the bowling and arcade!

This venue has an arcade, event room, plus a great alley. There's even a pro shop for customizations. I went for the $2.22 Tuesday deal that is available all year except for Winter break. That's a good deal per game. I hope they never end this promotion.

Fun arcade with a good selection of games. Food is convenient, we like the pizza and prices are reasonable. Service is excellent. Dylan is very polite and always takes good care of us!

Had a great time with the family. Our server Heather was phenomenal. She saw our 3 year old struggling with a 7lb ball and she went to get him a smaller ball from behind the desk, unprompted.

We come here often and have done a birthday party here, too. The food is amazing, the kids love the arcade and laser tag, and bowling is always great. Great spot for a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon!

Great times. Here for a birthday party. Had Dillon as our server and he was prompt and professional. Arcade was a blast as well.

We came to River City Extreme with our kids and some friends. Heather was extra accommodating to make sure we could all be together and was on top of making sure we had the best service! Definitely will be back!

Heather was a phenomenal host and waiter and made our experience at the river city extreme wonderful. The laser tag was very enjoyable, will be coming back again!

A+++, Lauryn is the best waitress ever! Big smile and two thumbs up! Brady is the best too!

Came in on New Year?s Day they had 9 call ins and the staff was overwhelmed and who could blame them! The service we got was amazing even with the short staffing issue. Heather was wonderful and always had a smile on her face even though she was taking EVERYONES orders! Kuddos to her wonderful Employee!

Went to River city extreme on Saturday with my three kids. Heather was amazing in getting our orders ASAP. We had a fabulous time. Thanks Heather!

I had a great experience in my time at River City Extreme. The bowling was a lot of fun and the arcade had a lot of cool games

I love River city extreme! The bowling alley is so cool and the food is delicious!The arcade is super fun too!

We came just for a fun day, and our server Dylan was super awesome. Kept checking up on us, and getting us refills! One of our fave bowling spots!

The one star rating applies to the arcade only, not the bowling alley. I recently went here for the arcade and I would not recommend. Half the machines don't work or were shut off, so your options on arcade games were extremely limited. One game we used even accepted our card swipe and took credits off the arcade card but the machine wouldn't function so that was a waste. It's a very small arcade area especially when most the games don't work. I'd drive to Dave and Busters any day over going back to this ar

Dylan gave extremely good service. Every time I approached the counter he was coming toward me already. Excellence. Pure excellence. Strong aura??

Heather was a phenomenal server- she was so kind to my kids and helped me manage the situation with them when I was feeling overwhelmed- we ended up having a lot of fun !!! 5 stars all the way

Our server Jada and our Bartender (didn't catch the name) were amazing. Thank you for your service. Mom's night out, total success. Cool menu for special Christmas drinks and food and decorations. Couldn't have asked for anything more! Will be back. Thank you! ??

We came as a family of 6 and had a blast! My seven year old had a great time celebrating his birthday. The lights on the lanes were fun and the pizza tasted great!

Skyler helped us get set up with our shoes and lane. He was personable and nice!!! Amy took great care of us!!

Dylan was our server today while we enjoyed a family event bowling. Super respectful always checking on us to see if we needed anything. Highly recommend him as your server!!

Great place for family fun. Staff is friendly and helpful, clean updated facilities, good food.

Loved the people that served me today, super nice and chill and funny :). The vip room slaps and I suck at bowling but I keep coming back lol :3 perfect date night too? plus the food is good annnnddd the arcade is fun too! Heather is a slay :3

River City Extreme is such a fun and welcoming place. My friends and I go there often and have so much fun. They get you to your lanes fast, the food tastes good, and the atmosphere is just full of positivity. I especially want to give a shout out to Heather Rachelle (hopefully I spelt that right) who was our server on multiple occasions at River City. She is so fun and has a super welcoming vibe. Definitely give this place a try!

I enjoy the experience I had, the staff are always friendly and ready to help the customers. I enjoy the bowling here because of all the different bowling activities on the lanes, our server heather has been an amazing staff member

Here for my birthday party.. soooomuch fun. My sister thinks Gavin is cute

My kids and I had an amazing experience. Heather, our server did an extremely great job; Our food was fresh and was very prompt. We Will be back again????????

Love this place! Been going here when visiting for about 4 years ago. I may be an adult, but there's nothing like winning a cool prize with tickets you earned!! My BF and I just finished up The Walking Dead game together (he doesn't get half that far with with his 27 year old male cousin), so, as my favorite staff member said, "oh, don't give that girl a real gun!" Hahahaha! Won a huge inflatable gummy bear! Sweet victory!

We had a blast! The balls were rolling, pins were falling, and family was having fun! Heather was super attentive and did awesome! Definitely will be back!

Had a blast here on a cold Saturday afternoon! Dylan was a great waiter. Definitely coming back, great atmosphere fun place even have pool tables!

I'm not surprised that every time I come here, it's the deadest restaurant in town. They must hire every single server and bartender that applies with zero experience and their lack of training truly shows. I rarely come here, but the Christmas decorations were so cute, they got me in the door. Maybe I'll see ya again in a few years if I feel like I don't want service at a restaurant. The food was alright though after our server stopped flirting with the bartender and actually took our order after 45 minute

Extremely god service. Josh was awesome! He did a great job! Give this man a raise!

It was really upsetting to see over half the arcade games not working. My son won the 1,000 tickets on the hammer game, the lights flashed and everything but they were never loaded onto the card unfortunately. The arcade area definitely could use some improvements.

Bowling and arcade was super fun! Heather was quick with service here and made sure we were taken care of! We will definitely be returning!!

I would give this place a negative stars if I could. The menu is ridiculously lacking...and absurdly overpriced for the garbage that it is. Thank the Good Lord it took more than 45 min for someone to revisit the table...with only 4 other patrons...mind you I had 2 autistic children that just wanted to eat...2 craptastic appetizers later for a reasonable $50...my family (6) ended up at Culver's. NEVER AGAIN!

Lauryn is so sweet, friendly, and kind! Very knowledgeable and was able to help me with menu items and suggest fun activities for me and kids. I'd return just to see her again! :)

Our server Heather was incredibly kind and gave great service. The manager also gave us extra time for no extra cost to finish our game!

this place is a great place to go to a place with your friends, i had a lot of fun with my friends and went bowling. this place is super awesome.

I got there about an hour before they closed, and they were still super nice and let my girlfriend and I bowl after Buffalo rejected us, Dylan was our server super chill guy and I can't wait to be back for some more fun thank you guys

Had a great time there for a work holiday party. The VIP room with an exclusive bar, bar tender, and private lanes! 5 stars for the staff as well.

Extreme is right. This place has everything and it is HUGE. The arcade is a blast when you are done tossing balls and the food is reasonably priced and very good for a bowling alley. Lots of options and large portions. I've been taking the kids here for years and we always have a great time.

Great place to meet with a group. Lots of space and with bowling, arcade, and laser tag there is lots to do. Dylan took care of us and was super friendly.

Recommend going here for a fun time with friends. The staff is very nice and Heather our server was the sweetest. Me and my friends had a great time!

We've been coming here for years and the food is always great, and shout out to Dylan our server he was amazing!

2nd time coming here! So much fun for the adults and kids. Our server, Dylan, was super friendly and checked in often! Thank you!

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.”

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.