Big Al’s in Meridian, Idaho is part of a growing regional entertainment chain that packs bowling lanes, an arcade floor, a sports bar, and a full kitchen into one multi-floor venue. Located on North Eagle Road, it sits in one of the Treasure Valley’s busiest commercial corridors, making it a convenient stop for families, date nights, and group outings from across the Boise metro area.
Meridian itself has become a notable stop for entertainment seekers in southwestern Idaho, with the city’s dining and recreation scene continuing to expand. Big Al’s fits squarely into that trend as a destination that pairs classic arcade entertainment with bowling and a full-service bar — a combination that has made it one of the most-visited amusement venues in the area, with more than 4,100 Google reviews logged to date.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 1900 N Eagle Rd, Meridian, Idaho |
| Phone | +1 208-780-6118 |
| Hours | Monday–Thursday and Sunday: 12 PM–11 PM; Friday–Saturday: 12 PM–12 AM |
| Rating | 4.1 out of 5 from 4,100 Google reviews |
| Best For | Bowling, arcade games, sports viewing, family outings, date nights, corporate events |
What Players Say
With more than 4,100 Google reviews averaging 4.1 stars, Big Al’s draws a steady stream of visitors who appreciate the multi-floor layout and the variety of activities on offer. The atmosphere and sports-viewing setup earn frequent praise, standout staff members are a recurring positive, and the venue is widely seen as a popular choice for families, date nights, and corporate events. That said, recurring complaints about broken arcade machines, unreliable bowling lanes, high prices, long wait times, and inconsistent management responses to issues are significant concerns that prospective visitors should weigh before going.
The strongest theme among reviewers is staff and service quality, with 32 mentions of employees going above and beyond. One guest noted that there was “not a dry glass in the house,” an easy nod to the attentive bar service — Google review. Families feel especially welcome; a parent shared that “my 7 year old likes it so much we’re talking about doing her bday party there” — Google review. The venue’s overall atmosphere also scores well, with visitors describing it as a “large venue, multiple floors of fun activities” — Google review, and the sports-viewing setup earning comments like “the TV screens are HUGE!!!” — Google review. Food and drink quality draws mixed reactions across 20 reviews, including one summary that called it “great food, fun games and even bowling” — Google review.
On the negative side, the most common complaint targets arcade machine condition, with 14 reviewers noting that “half the games are broken” — Google review. Bowling lane reliability is a close second, including one report that “none of the three lanes they put us on worked properly” — Google review. Crowds and wait times are another sticking point, with one guest calling “the multi-hour wait for bowling” a bummer — Google review. Management response is the most damaging theme: 10 reviewers mention frustration, including one who reported “no refunds and didnt do anything to fix the multiple mistakes” — Google review. Pricing draws mixed feelings across 18 reviewers who flagged it as steep, though one summed up the experience as “the price was crazy high but we had so much fun” — Google review — a useful reminder that the value equation varies sharply from one visit to the next.
Games & Machines
The arcade floor is a centerpiece of the Big Al’s experience, sitting alongside the bowling lanes and sports bar rather than standing alone. Without a published game list to draw from, visitors should expect a typical family-entertainment-center lineup of redemption, video, and ticket-based machines, and plan to test their favorites on arrival — multiple reviewers have reported games out of service, so calling ahead or scoping out the floor early is a reasonable move for arcade-first visitors.
Visiting
Big Al’s is located at 1900 N Eagle Rd in Meridian, Idaho, in the heart of the city’s retail and entertainment district. Doors open at noon every day, with weekday and Sunday hours running until 11 PM and Friday and Saturday hours stretching to midnight — a schedule that works for after-work outings, family afternoons, and late-night date nights alike. The on-site kitchen and full bar mean guests can stay through the evening without leaving the building, and the sports-viewing setup makes it a natural choice for big-game nights.
For visitors looking to plan a trip around the Meridian gaming scene, the arcade finder directory and the interactive arcade map are useful starting points. A second Big Al’s branch appears separately in our Meridian arcade directory, and venue operators can claim their listing to update hours, photos, and amenities directly.