Saratoga Lanes

Doesn't Recommend

WhateverDude

Joined 2 years ago

Retro, but ruined by smoke. This bar is definately retro and reminds you of the good ole days of bowling, however, it is one of the few bowling alleys in the area to have not gone smoke free. There's another alley about 15 blocks away that is smoke free...apparently the owners only care about the 23% of the population that smoke.

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sluclarkinator

Joined 6 years ago

if you like old things, this might be for you. So, in response to the "butt-kickin' retro design" comment in the editorial review, it's really just old. They weren't so much trying to create a retro atmosphere as they didn't bother to update anything. It looks like my Uncle Buck's basement, if his basement were a bowling alley. That being said, it wasn't bad, and I kind of liked the older feel. As a rural Pennsylvanian going to college in St Louis, it reminded me of home. It is kind of hard to find because there's no huge sign and it's on the second floor of the building, but we found it easily enough with the aid of our GPS system. As a warning to people born after 1980, they don't have automatic scoring. Thankfully there was someone sitting next to us to explain how to score, which was a nice part of the experience. If you're one of those people that can't stand smoke, this might not be the place for you, but for normal people the smoke isn't any worse than a neighborhood bar, which is kind of the feel this place has. I don't know if I would rate it the best in St Louis, but I honestly can't say one that I think is better.

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ferrytd21

Joined 7 years ago

perfect place for group party. Great place to bowl and play pool and darts. reasonably priced drinks and bowling and pool prices. Very cold beer and friendly knowledgable employees. Most people know the other patrons and is kind of like a "cheers" type atmosphere for most. Some of the best pool tables in StL. and some good pool player are usually playing for a couple of bucks. overall great place. only bad thing is there is not a lot of younger people. although there are bowling leagues mon. tues. and thurs. nights, after 10 there are open lanes. no playing pool on monday nights due to pool league.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Bowling, beer, butt-kickin' retro design and a rock-and-roll clientele. Do you need anything else?. The Scene
Hidden away on the second floor of a nondescript building off Maplewood, Saratoga is an unlikely place for a "scene" to thrive. But word of mouth has brought in a crowd that frequently packs the eight-lane establishment.

Retro Appeal
Saratoga combines curvy space-age furniture, checkerboard lockers, multicolored balls and a wall of vintage bowling trophies into a cool '50s kitsch-fest.

Rock and Bowl
The place has also become quite a hangout for bands, particularly those of the country-rock variety, who are often found lounging in this classic space.

Snack Factor
Saratoga has a bar that's usually humming, even if the lanes are quiet. And when hunger strikes, Morgan's Diner is just a few paces around the corner on Maplewood. No doubt the path to Morgan's has been traced and retraced many times over the years.