No idea, myself. This is why I’ve been hesitant to take this organization on. I’m going on faith that MikeG wouldn’t steer us wrong. He’s usually pretty good at this, I think.
Anyway, I’d sure appreciate it if someone from the area would step in, but if no one from there will, I will do the best I can for having never been there.
Their website is here: http://www.habetlerbowl.com/default.asp
The Bar page suggests a separate menu for that area, and plenty of assortment including beer, wine and liquor.
Contact info:
Habetler Bowl
5250 Northwest Hwy
Chicago, Il 60630
773-774-0500
also an email address: dave@habetlerbowl.com
Looks good to me so long as I don’t actually have to bowl.
Hate 'em back.
It works for me. 
So, I’m looking forward to hating you all at the Bowling Alley.
A Google seach shows 3 hotels within 2 mailes:
The Esquire, 6145 N Elston Ave, 773-774-2700
Chameleon Marival, 4103 N Dickinson Ave, 773-685-3927
Irving Hotel, 4849 W Irving Park Rd, 773-283-2300
Can anyone in the area provide any insight into any of these, or any other choices?
Blue, I’m dropping out - son has his surprise Birthday party/Graduation party on the 31st.
Have fun everyone!!! Take many pictures!! 
Aw, nuts!
Any chance he’d like a Bowling birthday/graduation party? 
It was a surprise to YOU? 
Wow, I haven’t been bowling in ages. They have beer there right?
Yes, according to their web site, a pretty full bar.
I’m hoping there is seating other than in groups of four at the head of a bowling lane.
Will there be actual bowling?
Not by me. Presumably, others could. I dunno if we would have to reserve a lane, or what. I’m hoping someone more locally situated can figure out the details.
I really hope there will be bowling! I suck at it but it’s a fun way to get people moving around and talking. There’s a good bit of room at the tables at each lane last time I was there to see my friend play there were 15 of us around and it wasn’t too crowded. The bar has decent seating as well.
Pizza is what I recommend for food.
Pizza there or elsewhere, MikeG?
So, for the out of towners, a friend of mine recommended checking out the reviews here. She says she’s used Trip Advisor before and it’s been very helpful. The above should go to hotels in the area, but if the link doesn’t work, just go to www.tripadvisor.com, and put in the hotel address you’re curious about or the bowling alley address.
Barb says the pizza there is perfectly adequate Chicago thin crust. There’s Paterno’s across the street which is ok but the median age at their bar is 70. Also across the street is American Science and Surplus; a MUST SEE place if we get there early. It’s chock full of wierdness.
Since the reservation at the bowling alley is (tentatively) 7pm, Dopers who plan on arriving early can definitely amuse themselves and bump into each other at American Science & Surplus. If someone wants to organize anything else prior to bowling, feel free to step up.
Since I’m mainly in it for the social aspects, I’m perfectly happy with adequate pizza at the bowling alley, plus we can always form a plan B once we’re all gathered if there’s a consensus about going elsewhere.
Not trying to stomp on anyone’s parade, just trying to be specific as to what bits I’m planning. I’m already bogged down packing and moving for the summer and don’t want to take on too much.
The hotel search is… interesting.
Personally, I’m ruling out the Irving Hotel. I could find 3 reviews, with comments like:
“Absolutely deplorable conditions. Today, while I was sitting in my car at the stoplight at Lamon, I witnessed an old man naked and playing with himself in front of his room window… That place is a stain on an otherwise adorable neighborhood.”
“…I’m sure all those homeless dudes begging your $ at the 6 corners intersection live here. And according to www.familywatchdog.us, rooms 206, 217, 221 and 301 each contain a separate registered sex offender- …”
“youll get crabs just staying here…”
I could find absolutely no information at all, after repeated searches, for the Chameleon Marival.
It’s looking like the Esquire Motel for me. Decidedly mixed reviews, but cheap and convenient. At least I can find more than one source of evidence that it exists.
Okay, so I just talked to Habetler Bowl. They say for ~20 people they do have lanes available (they’re predicting we’ll need 4 lanes) at 7pm on Saturday. I know we have at least one non-bowler in the group, but it’s not clear to me who is coming.
I figured on, at this point, bowling and ordering pizza there.
Bob Habetler did say that once we’re done bowling we’re totally welcome to hang out in the bar. However, they do NOT have rooms available (like party rooms, was my impression) for that evening. So we will be bowling or in the bar.
It’s a $50 deposit, and so before I make that kind of commitment, I really need to know what’s going on and who is coming.
If we want to change the plan, that’s totally alright with me too, but again, people need to speak up.
I’m still on the fence - sorry, but I’m leaving the country in less than a month, so everything’s a bit chaotic at the moment.
If we do go bowling, count me as a non-bowler. I can’t bowl to save my life. I’d probably end up killing someone. Probably myself.
I’m out, unfortunately; wish I could make the trip. Next time…
GT
I’m still in.