Southport Lanes & Billiards
3.4
from - Neighborhood: Lakeview
- 3325 N. Southport Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60657
- 773-472-6600
- Price range: $ (Under $9)
This lively sports bar/pool hall/bowling alley is famous for live pin-setters instead of automatic re-set and ball return. "Don't bowl if you see legs" is your second-to-last instruction, followed by "To tip the pin-setters, stick your money into one of the finger holes in the ball and roll it down--softly." There are only four lanes, however, and the lanes are occupied much of the time, though use on weekend afternoons is lighter. (Cost: $20-$30 per hour) Behind the two wooden benches for the bowlers there are several tables, a couple of TVs for sports and a coin-operated pool table. The real pool tables ($15-$20 per hour) are the six regulation Brunswick tables in a rear room, which usually seems spacious after squeezing through the crowded main barroom. Southport Lanes & Billiards has a lengthy beer list, a great jukebox and a significant bar menu.
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- Southport Avenue and Henderson Street.
- Parking:
- Street
- Public Transportation:
- CTA Bus: #9 Ashland, #77 Belmont. Brown Line Train: Southport.
- Wheelchair Access:
- No
The Basics
- Hours:
- Noon-2 a.m. Monday-Friday; noon-3 a.m. Saturday; noon-1 a.m. Sunday.
- Cuisine:
- Bar Food
- Meals Served:
- Dinner and Lunch. Lunch: during baseball season.
- Price Range:
- $ (Under $9)
- Reservations:
- Accepted. Bowling reservations.
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Admission Price:
- Bowling: $20-$30 per hour per lane; billiards: $15-$20 per hour per table.
- Bar Style:
- Neighborhood and Pool Hall. Chicago classic.
- Audience:
- Families
- Recreation and Sports Activities:
- Billiards Pool and Bowling
Features
- Carryout:
- Yes
- Games:
- Pool Tables
- Food:
- Hamburgers, fries and sandwiches, including "The Honeymooner" (turkey, Swiss cheese, bacon and honey mustard on toasted sourdough bread); daily soup special.
- Features:
- On-site Merchandise. T-shirts, baby Ts. Parties for up to 75 can be accommodated in bowling room; call Spare Time Inc. (773-472-1601). Bar sponsors teams in coed and same-sex leagues in football, floor hockey, softball, volleyball and basketball.
- Facilities:
- Arcade, Private Party and Banquet Facilities, and Rentals Available. Golden Tee golf. 75 in room with bowling.
- Worth Noting:
- Chicago classic. Recommended.
- Specialties:
- Bowling lanes with human pin-setters; six regulation pool tables; "The Honeymooner"
- Payment Methods:
- American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, Mastercard, and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes. Sidewalk cafe seats 64
- Delivery:
- No
- Seating :
- For about 100
Write a review
Rate Southport Lanes & Bi...
"a break from the chains"
By f00die from streeterville, January 21, 2008
i first went to this place for a surprise birthday party. how quaint to have a bar with a bowling alley and not the other way around. the pin-boys ...
Report This Review
"Great Spot, Excellent Staff!!"
By Smellabacy from Lakeview, January 3, 2008
Southport Lanes has been my local bar since I moved to Lakeview and I love it!! The bar staff are friendly, helpful and hysterical! The waitresse...
Report This Review
"I love the historic aspect..."
By mike from Chicago, IL, June 11, 2007
I love the historic aspect of the building, but the service is rotten. The food is so overprice - $7.95 FOR CORNDOGS? That is hysterical.
Report This ReviewWhat's nearby?
Recent User Playlists
Out of Towner Three Day Tour
When I've got friends coming in for the weekend, here how I run them ragged through Chicago. Best bet is to do this car-less. Use the el or cabs to get around
