Hidden Gem: Seven Ten Lanes in Elmhurst

Seven Ten Lanes in downtown Elmhurst can be deceiving from the outside.

Walking past the spot along York Street, the most a person can see through the window is the bar, pool tables and maybe the bowling lanes if they look hard enough. But the entertainment the facility offers doesn’t stop there, says general manager Mike Sutter.

Allison Foleno of Westchester bowls at Seven Ten Bowling alley in Elmhurst Thursday August 27, 2009. Seven Ten has a variety of entertainment including bowling, video games, dueling pianos, food and a bar. STAFF PHOTOS BY ERICA BENSON

While six bowling lanes and a bar occupy the upstairs of Seven Ten Lanes, the downstairs portion of the facility is just as hopping with eight more bowling lanes, a bar, a full-service kitchen and a dance floor. The upstairs also includes a piano room with a stage where Dueling Pianos, an evening of piano playing by audience members, is a popular event every Friday and Saturday night.

“People don’t realize how far we extend back,” Sutter says. “It’s a big operation. Logistically, there’s just so many rooms and so much space.”

Seven Ten Lanes in Elmhurst, which was previously owned by a corporation with bowling alleys in Chicago, was bought out in April by Brendan Fitzharris who also owns Fitz’s Pub in Elmhurst. Sutter says Fitzharris is breaking away from the corporate way of running the business. 

“We’re doing a complete overhaul,” Sutter says. “We’ve even lowered the prices on everything when we took over.”

To bowl, the cost is $20 per hour per lane after 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Fridays; $10 per hour per lane on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; and $5 for unlimited bowling on Tuesdays. Shoe rental is $2. 

With a capacity of up to 500 people, upstairs and downstairs combined, Seven Ten Lanes is a hot spot for parties and fundraisers.

“On one occasion, we had an 8 year old’s birthday party on the bowling lanes and a 40-year wedding anniversary in the piano room,” Sutter says. “We feel we create an environment for all ages.”

Seven Ten Lanes is currently preparing for a lot of changes, Sutter says, including a remodel of the decor, new menu items, a Web site, more live entertainment and even a name change. “We’re taking baby steps,” he says.

Vi Meyer of Elmhurst visits Seven Ten Lanes almost everyday and has never found it messy. She’s constantly impressed by the upkeep and cleanliness of the facility.

“The place is always spotless. You couldn’t find a cleaner place,” she says. “The service is friendly. The basement is nice. It’s great to have this in the neighborhood.”
 

Food served at Seven Ten Bowling alley includes hummus and burgers (sold separately).

Seven Ten Lanes
WHERE 119 N. York St., Elmhurst
PHONE (630) 379-5007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO Seven Ten Lanes has a restaurant and bar to feed your hunger, but there’s also a variety of entertainment to feed your appetite for fun, including bowling, pool and music on occasion.
CLAIM TO FAME Seven Ten Lanes is widely known for its bowling, but the new owner is working to make other highlights of the facility stand out to the community.