Midway Pro Bowl

Great spring lottery league they have here. That is the only reason I bowl here with my friends. The people that work here are nice, and the service is good. Nothing wrong there. Also, I have never tasted the food, but it looks and smells awesome, the people I have been with have all enjoyed it. Beer specials thumbs up. BAD — : — The lanes are just too old and the equipment needs fixing. Real good fixing. For real… The outside location is interesting. Doesn’t bother me too much, but some people may find themselves scared.

This place is just «okay». The neighborhood is not as bad as people act like it is. It’s St. Paul, not South Central. The games are relatively inexpensive. They have a bar area and we had fun last time we went.

There’s a bowling alley in Midway? Apparently so!
After opting out of an outdoor carnival on a cold winter afternoon, the thought of bowling crossed our minds. But where could we go? We found Midway Pro Bowl online and decided to give it a try.
The store front is… well, there is no storefront. It’s a door leading underground to a about 30 lanes of fun, plus a bar and small arcade. Prices were very reasonable and it was one of the least crowded alleys I’ve ever seen.
The bar only served pizza (I think we were too early for the evening menu) but it was much better than a cheap frozen one like we were expecting.
Overall, nice place to bring a date or group of friends for an hour or two of casual fun.

This place sucks. Avoid this place if you can. When a place’s only selling points are that it’s cheap and not completely dilapidated, it’s probably not the best place to go. This turned out to be the case for Midway Pro Bowl.
The bowling itself was fine. It was like any bowling place. But the reason why the place is so terrible is because of A) the people it attracts and B) the absolutely terrible service.
A friend of my cousin left his wallet and keys on the table when it was his turn to bowl. Before we even know it, the wallet and keys are gone. His car was then ransacked and the thief then apparently used the address on the drivers license to find the house and ransack the place too. The rat-​faced fuck was clearly a pro.
A wallet can be taken anywhere. Casual pickpockets and thieves? Whatever. But home invaders? Fuck. That. Noise.
Granted, you should be aware of your possessions and surroundings at all times. But some places you’re allowed to be more relaxed than others.
That’s why I would never go to this place ever again. It doesn’t give me peace of mind and when I go bowling I go to enjoy myself. Not to glance over my shoulders every 10 minutes. Find a place that gives you that peace of mind instead.
Finally, the service is just terrible. There’s an old lady missing a couple teeth here and there manning the register. Nothing but attitude from her. She’s rude. She’s snarky. She’s unhelpful.
Either find a better bowling alley or find something else to do.

After a several-​year hiatus from this place, I returned Saturday evening to roll a few games. We had been unable to get onto a lane at Ran-​Ham on a fanciful whim.
There were plenty open lanes here. I noted that they changed their bowling deck area — the seating is now padded bar stools along a counter rail.
The guy behind the counter is Expert at his customer processing. Attentive, clear-​spoken, precise, efficient, and pleasant. His method had us with proper-​fitting shoes and a lane within a few minutes.
Lanes are well lit, well maintained, and in full working order throughout our 3 games.
All sorts of people were there to play: families, couples, groups of youngsters.
All sorts of older music is piped through their sound system and was fun to hear.
Ladies room was clean and in fine working order.

Update: Twin Cities Pro Bowl has overhauled their facilities in the past year. Brand new seating, new flooring, new flat-​screen TVs. Everything looks great. Service remains helpful but not overbearing.
Unfortunately, the light rail construction has made it very inconvenient to get to the location, but they still offer competitive prices and it remains a good experience. We still come here regularly to bowl.
Here’s hoping the business survives the light rail project, because this is a gem in the otherwise sketchy Midway neighborhood.

Looking at this place from the parking lot you’d think it would be totally sketchy and unsafe. You would also be wrong.
Walk downstairs to find many lanes, all in excellent repair. The whole place is clean and tidy. Enjoy totally automated computer scoring. Lots of friendly staff. Decent bar specials, including a 2−4−1 happy hour during the week.
I’m awarding a coveted 5^th star for their sponsorship of Special Olympic athletes.
Lets go BOWLING!

Update!
Midway Pro Bowl did some remodeling over the summer. They’ve recently changed the set up down by the scoring machine. The seating area is much improved a very roomy as well.
Much to delight, they’ve changed to Coke products! I can now get my DC fix at bowling without sneaking a can in!
Thanks Midway! You’re getting better each season, now only if my average improved as well…

I’ve been going to Midway for years — before there were gangs and after all the gang bangers have become OGs. Yes, I’ve seen a fight or two, but it’s never scared me away. Its exterior doesn’t frighten me — it’s just a reflection of the state of the environment that we all are part of creating.
Besides I’ve gone to other more glowing and pristine alleys but they were way overpriced. Midway offers deals if you go often enough to purchase their book coupons that end up being about $ 2/​game. The also have 2 for 1 drinks on most nights. We have gone with groups of friends and families and have always had a good time.

OK, I understand that Midway has a larger proportion of black clientele than what others consider comfortable. But you know what? IT’S A BOWLING ALLEY. We’re all here to bowl. And to drink beer from frighteningly large dispensers (it was like 5 liters or something ridiculous for $ 26). Stay in your lane, observe proper bowling etiquette, and you’ll be ok.

If you’re looking for trouble, don’t go here.
This place has the potential to become an Asian gangland.
Bowling is always fun here and cheap. They have good deals at the bar too.

Serious sketchland.
This is were the frogtown bangers go to hang out and bowl with their peeps.
I used to play video games here pretty frequently. People would go up to you and ask if you wanted to buy stolen goods out of their trunk.
I got the impression that you wouldn’t be returning with any money or loot from this proposed transaction.
Open late for drinking and bowling! Not for the meek!