Thunder Alley

Thunder Alley

Reviews Summary

Overall, reviews are mixed but lean positive. Many praise friendly staff, good food (especially fried mushrooms and wings), and a fun atmosphere with bowling and arcade games. However, frequent complaints include slow or inconsistent service, understaffing, long wait times for food, and occasional issues with lane availability or maintenance. Some report poor food quality (undercooked, stale) or cleanliness concerns. While many enjoy the experience, others face frustration with mismanagement or unmet expectations. The restaurant seems to shine when service is prompt but struggles during peak times.

About This Listing

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

Who Can Play?

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

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

First-Time Visitors

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

Common Restrictions:

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

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

What to Bring

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

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

Preparing for Your Visit

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

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

How to Get Started

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

Other Helpful Info

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

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

What to Expect from Pool Tables in Arcades

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

Features

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

Contact Information

Address

1011 MO-19

Owensville, Missouri 65066

Hours

Monday 11AM-9PM
Tuesday 11AM-9PM
Wednesday 11AM-9PM
Thursday 11AM-9PM
Friday 11AM-10PM
Saturday 11AM-12AM
Sunday 11AM-7PM

Customer Reviews

The food was fresh and delicious!! The service was excellent. The place was clean And nice

Love this bowling alley wonderful staff very friendly and all work very hard prices are cheap which is a plus in today's economy when trying to take loved ones and friends out to have a blast food is amazing and always fresh and hot lanes are in great condition this will be a spot I will call home for all my events and a good investment for my money I get my moneys worth everytime I come and play at there lanes and eat there food.

Nice place, good selection of games, great food....hard to actually be able to bowl though. We were told the wait time was 20-25 minutes to get an open lane. Well 25 minutes later my friend was told it would be at least an hour. I left once again without being able to bowl and definitely not a happy camper. I did enjoy their duck machine lol.

Stopped by for a quick lunch The fried mushrooms had a great taste and where hot at the table. The steak sandwich was good but a little on the dry side. The curly fries were cold not so good. The club sandwich was good just the right balance of flavors. The beer battered COD sandwich had more of a beer taste but under cooked very mushy in the center. The tots were perfect enjoyed them. The chef salad was great very tasty . The service was a little slow took too long to get refills. Some didn't get a refill.

Good place to bowl and have fun. Arcade games and a small place inside to eat too.

Speaking for the restaurant only, the food is always good. They sometimes lack the amount of servers needed but are very up-front on the timing and remain professional. We always have good servers and the food is above standard for "bar type" food. Good selection. Decent wings too. Update.....took 2 hours to get a to-go order. When we arrived they said "it is done but I don't have time to bag it up". Ridiculous!! Two other employees watching aimlessly at the struggling waitress. Loyal customer for years...

It's a decent place to bowl and not usually to crowded

Fun little bowling alley with a great staff and good food.

Great Facility All Around. No doubt the best entertainment spot in Owensville. The restaurant in the Bowling Alley (Twisters Bar and Grill) is actually the best restaurant in Owensville. We had Catfish, Buffalo Wings, Toasted Ravioli, Fried Mushrooms and Pizza, everything was perfect. Our server was Kirstin and she was awesome. We have been traveling for three weeks and have eaten many places and Kirstin was the best server out of them all by far. Great job Thunder Alley, you are a valuable asset to

Went for dinner. The dining area wasn't to busy but they did have a couple people in there. The food was actually really good. But I have to say the service was not great to say the least. It's been a long time since we visited the restaurant. We wanted to give it another try after having bad service a different time. It seems like every time we go in the service is just terrible. Which is really a shame because the food is pretty good. But it's just not worth going in to be treated poorly. It just seems s

Would give 5 stars because the food and staff are excellent, but the pizza isn't very good. So only 4 stars. If you go the wings,burgers and sandwiches are good in my opinion.

The absolute worst experience ever . Food was good but serverice sucked. The mid age server was so rude slammed our food down huffed rolled her eyes and would not get us any extra like ketchup or anything . Needless to say after spending what me and my family did we will not be back until there is better service and it feels more welcoming we honestly felt unwanted and as if we were bothering your server.

We love going to the bowling alley for Twister's Bar and Grill. Always good food, the ranch they have is SO good! We went this Sunday night, January 15th 2023, and had the best waitress we have ever had there. I'm sorry I didn't get her name but she had blonde hair in a high ponytail. We usually get good service there but her positive attitude made all the difference tonight. They were incredibly busy in both the bowling alley and the restaurant. She was incredibly friendly, accomodating, and didn't seem fl

Fun place kind employees helpful and accommodating. Groupon deal is good. It just needs to be able to use more.

We stop here on the way home from Wentzville every week . Foods awesome. Service has been going down hill. I truly understand the shortage of workers and all. It's a shame. Waitresses goof off a lot. The waiter is a good hard worker. We will not be stopping here anymore . Bummer . Kaitlyn is a very unfriendly waitress . She has her favorite customers and the rest of us suffer . I see her customers get up and get their own to go boxes and check because she's too busy with her favorites, chatting!! When WE h

Came to Thunder Alley for a special event. Everyone working was extremely gracious and attentive. We had a burger bar catered via their kitchen and it was delicious! Burgers in bulk can be a real challenge but the ones I had were cooked well and still juicy. Salad was a traditional Italian and very well made. Facilities were clean and in good working order. The only reason for docking a star is their scoring system crashed a few times while we were bowling.

Had a very bad experience. I got the salad & catfish fillet. The salad had alot of bad lettuce & bad cucumbers. No wonder know one eats it all & the catfish fillet was terrible. The menus & top of napkin holders where filthy along w/the salt & pepper shakers. Along w/the stinking filthy bath room. Why? Lazyness!! Won't ever be back.

Terrible service had to ask for refills took an hour and a half for 2 burgers and 6 piece boneless buffalo chicken. And only a hand full of people . I've had better service when it was much more crowded, not sure what issue was but shared my issues when paid bill not even a apology, just ignored . I will never go back.and it's a shame because usually eat there 4-5 times a month.

The waitress and alley workers were prompt and accommodating. The food is what you'd expect-- mostly fried but was good. The korean bbq eggrolls were a hit!

Son ordered a burger meal...didn't get many fries at all. Very busy and had to wait an extended period of time. Called in order and they said 35 minutes...got there and had to wait another 25 minutes. Need more help during busy hours.

Fist time here but my buddy has been here before. Place was very clean. Food was good. I had the cheeseburger with tots and my buddy had the french dip with baked potato. He said the sandwich was excellent. Next time back, I will get the double cheeseburger. Tots were very good. I will be back! ????

I've been eating here for over 6 years and have never received a bad meal or service....it's an excellent place to dine in our out. I truly have nothing negative to say, except the cheeseburgers are way to good! :)

Went there today ans we had the older blonde lady take our order and we didn't get so much as a Thank you. She is always this way everytime we are in there. I'm sorry but if you can't be friendly to the customer then you shouldn't be working in the service industry. If it was the first time I could probably blow it off as a bad day, but it's evertime she is working.

Fun birthday party! The kids had a great time! The food is delicious and the staff is helpful! I'm so happy we have a clean bowling alley in our community!

Great atmosphere, clean and open space. They are still adding fun games for people to play when not bowling. We had a catered party and the food was delicious. They truly are a hidden gem on the middle of our beautiful country and town.

The bowling was great. The food and drink experience was beyond terrible. The poor young lady that waited on us had no guidance (training). She asked us 4 times about what we ordered. Hour and half later we got our food. One steak was perfect The other was way under cooked (it was ordered well). When asked where the rest of our meal was the bartender/lead waitress got ignorant. No refills offered, drink that was ordered was made and sit on the counter for 20 mins before it was brought to the table.

Very slow, waited 30 mins for our food and still haven't gotten it, they told us it was going to be 15 more mins

Decent food, we got wings and they were a little dry but you could always ask for more sause. The waitress was also preoccupied talking to her boyfriend so that slowed things down as well

First time eating there and we were very pleased with the friendly service cleanliness of the establishment and the food tasted great. Their fried mushrooms were exceptional. We will definitely be going back.

Wednesday wing night for 50cent wings is fantastic but don't hold your breath waiting for good service. The delay on the food was unreasonably long at just under an hour for 4 adults and 1 child. Big crowd or not, scheduling enough staff for the dining side of the house is a must.

Decent service. They have some very quality staff in the kitchen but you won't always get to experience the best this place has to offer because of poor staffing and a lack of oversight. It's become very hit or miss

The waitress that catered to our table was very sweet and attentive and spoke to us often to make sure our needs were well met. Very good food and staff. :)

Service was slow and cold. If the Bosco sticks are home made then yall need to learn how to make bread. Not burn it. I spent 2 years watching home made bread get ruin and perfected. Thunder alley was questionable at best. Pro tip don't offer spaghetti when it taste slight better than cardboard.

Second time visiting this outstanding grill and it's impressive. Superior customer service from Emmy and the food was delicious. Prices are on point for great food. I'm a fan and will be back.

Went to bowl with the family. The place was very clean and we were able to get a lane quickly. The thing that was upsetting was they wouldn't allow us to use a pitcher for ice water. They only gave out pitchers for soda. When they asked me what size cups we wanted they were going to charge us. First of all.. reusable cups would have worked just fine with a pitcher. After spending money on food for everyone you would have thought it would not have been a big deal to allow us some water. SMH. Shameful. (My bf

Our waitress was super nice and friendly and came back and checked on us to make sure we were good and super helpful gave us recommendations on our food and really sweet.

Food is great. Service? Not so much. Servers did not want to be there and I don't blame them. But not the place to go if you don't want dead looking service.

Ate at the restaurant on Mother's Day. They had a special with coconut shrimp, fries and cole slaw that was very good and reasonably priced. Mothers got a free dessert and I choose the baked smores - it was great!

Employees seek bothered and annoyed if you are there just to play games, machines didn't pay out the points it promised, told us sorry and walked away. Should have had 6000 points only had about 3000. My kid was so sad.

We called ahead of time. We were told lanes would be open at 9 o clock. Its a Thursday night so the website and the sign on the door says closing time is 10 o clock. We went in at 9:15 p.m. and they told us they were closing up. We(group of 7) drove over 30 minutes to bowl 2 games. No one else was there, all lanes were open and they refused to let us bowl. Complete waste of our time to drive there. Complete dissapointment.

Was there with a group this afternoon. They were a bit short staffed, but Anthony Feldmann was phenomenal!!!! He was literally running to make sure we were served and alley was kept running. He needs a raise!!

Food is good. Leave it to a bowling alley to have a kick butt steak!?? Drinks are good and reasonably priced. The cosmic bowling is awesome, for any age.

We ordered bone in and bone out wings, they were delicious! The service was fast and our waitress was sweet and attentive. We'll be back!

Food was good. Service was very slow even with the resturant being borderline empty. Will give it another shot because the food is so good!

The food is great the manager was rood and not the way it always has been but the could use better waitresses

Great food and prices are very reasonable. We always have great service and food Jeana is our go to waitress and we always have the best service!!!

Food is good, place was packed so the service could have been quicker but the waitress could not have been any nicer

Bowling experience was 4 stars..ordering food was 1 star. Food was stale and took a very long time to order and recieve.

Food was great however we waited hour and 15 min for our food same person running the bowling alley was working the kitchen

I have eaten several times and had good service , and the food is.very good

Food was good, served hot and didn't take us long to get it...good service good food

Great place for family fun. Twisters bar and grill is here , too. I've never had a bad experience or a bad meal here.

Normally have a great time went tonight and sat in line for 10-15 mim while employees were talking to each other could not get them to help us

This place is pretty cool! The service is friendly, the food is great, and the bowling is really fun! They also have a few arcade games and claw machines!

Clean , best salads ,hamburgers , all there food is good fresh. Best service love this place

Food is good service good plenty of things for the kids arcade games bowling

This is a pretty nice spot in a relatively rural area without much around it. Smaller bowling alley, but clean, cheap, good food, and friendly service.

The staff has always been very friendly. Even when they are busy they still have quick service.

Not a bad place to eat from what I've tried

Great food and service and the people that work there are very nice

Took my step daughter and husband here for a fun night of bowling. We had a blast!!!!!

Great food. Awesome steak sandwiches. Jeana always does an awesome job serving.

Very disappointed in the bowling took the grandkids and the lane was not working right I asked about it and the kid at the counter said lane 5 has not been working right so we are the ony ones here and that's the one he put us on never again will we be back. They made things right as we walked out the door Thank you we will give them a try in a few months

Always get good food and it's a fun experience for parties. Definitely a reccomended hotspot

Good food , staff was friendly good afternoon of fun with the grandkids

Had a fantastic pizza (like Imo's) and a salad with homemade ranch dressing. So yummy!

Great place for wings and beer, especially on a Wednesday when wings are 50 cents each. Good burgers and sides, and, of course bowling!!

Good food. Try the Cajun chicken and shrimp plate. Very good and very filling

Service for food is extremely slow. It is hard to eat here and make it back to the office during a lunch hour.

I made a birthday party inquiry a few days ago online. It said that they'd contact me but nobody has yet.

Alongside a jukebox, a Sega Daytona racing cabinet, and great service, the bowling itself is great. Just don't question the electronic interface whenever you bowl.

Clean place, fun games, nice bowling alley, and the food was awesome! Will be back!

The food was great at the restaurant

Very good bowling alley had lots of fun wish I could have stayed all day lol

It's a nice place to spend your Saturday night. Bowling and pretty good food.

Great food, reasonable prices, good service.

Smallest bowling alley ever been in . very nice, clean , good food n drinks . staff very friendly

Great staff! Clean and smoke free location. Kid friendly

Best wings ever, and food is made fresh.. the service is always great

Very good food and excellent service!

Clean well managed. Has a pro shop, accessories, arcade and a restaurant. Good family fun or events.

Great place for family fun. Best food in town, Twisters????????

Sweet asian wings are my favorite. Daughter loves the Bosco sticks!!

A great place to bowl with great food too.

Great food friendly great service highly recommended

Great fun! Bowling and arcade, the kids were in heaven! Thanks to the great staff!

Awesome place awesome atmosphere. Great food and great service.

The cosmic bowl was awesome! Everyone had a great time! Definitely recommend

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

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

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

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

What should I bring to an arcade?

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

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

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

Can I meet new people at arcades?

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

Are arcades still just for kids?

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

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

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

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

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

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

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