Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar and Grill is a barcade tucked into the Quad Cities metro area, with its address listed in Milan, Illinois just across the Mississippi River from Davenport, Iowa. The name says a lot about the concept — it is a hybrid entertainment venue that pairs bowling lanes with a full bar and grill and a video arcade floor under one roof, aimed at groups that want variety in a single outing.
The venue sits in a competitive regional market. Davenport-area players can choose from national chains like Dave & Buster’s Davenport and Malibu Jack’s Quad Cities, family-focused spots like QC Family Entertainment, and neighborhood bowling-and-arcade combinations such as Big River Bowling. Backyard Bowl’s draw is its combination format: a few rounds of bowling, a beer at the bar, and time on the arcade floor without ever leaving the building, which makes it well-suited to mixed-age groups that cannot agree on a single activity.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | Milan, IL |
| Phone | +1 309-558-1515 |
| Hours | Mon, Wed, Thu 4–9 PM; Fri 4–10 PM; Sat 12–10 PM; Closed Tuesdays and Sundays |
| Rating | 4.2 out of 5 (211 reviews) |
| Best For | Barcade nights, group outings, and bowling with a side of arcade action |
The Scene
Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar and Grill is set up as a barcade — a hybrid where the bowling alley, the bar, and the arcade share one casual venue. The “Abides Bar and Grill” half of the name signals a relaxed, neighborhood-pub sensibility rather than a slick chain operation, and the limited weekly schedule reinforces that after-work-and-weekend rhythm: the doors are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only, with Tuesdays and Sundays dark. Visitors should plan their stop around that window rather than expect a daily drop-in destination.
For visitors browsing the interactive arcade map, this entry is best understood as a multi-purpose stop rather than a destination arcade. The 4.2 rating across 211 reviews points to a generally well-liked venue among those who have visited, though specific player commentary and aggregated review highlights were not available in the source record. Prospective visitors should check the venue’s own website for the most current picture of what is on the floor on any given night, since arcade lineups at barcades often rotate.
Games & Machines
The arcade half of a barcade like this is typically a smaller, curated selection of modern video arcade machines rather than a deep catalog of vintage cabinets or dedicated pinball. Players can usually expect approachable, group-friendly titles — racing games, light-gun shooters, classic-style redemption games, and a handful of newer arcade exclusives — meant to be sampled between bowling frames or while waiting on food. Specific games, manufacturers, and pricing at Backyard Bowl were not available in the directory record, so the arcade finder is the right tool for anyone hunting a specific cabinet before making the trip. As a barcade, the games lean toward social play rather than deep competitive scenes.
Visiting
Milan, Illinois is directly across the Mississippi from Davenport, Iowa — a short drive that makes Backyard Bowl an easy Quad Cities evening option for Iowa-side visitors. The listed address is in Milan, IL, while the venue’s directory city is Davenport, IA, a quirk that reflects the cross-state nature of the Quad Cities market and is worth keeping in mind when navigating there.
- Hours pattern. Afternoons and evenings only — 4 PM to 9 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 4 PM to 10 PM Friday; noon to 10 PM Saturday. Closed Tuesdays and Sundays.
- Phone. +1 309-558-1515 for reservations and group inquiries.
- Website. http://www.backyard-bowl.com/ for the most current hours, league schedules, food menu, and event bookings.
- Food & drink. The Abides Bar and Grill component signals a full bar and kitchen on site; menu specifics were not provided in the directory record.
- Age policy and party booking. Not listed in the source record — contact the venue directly for birthdays, leagues, and private events.
- Area alternatives. Nearby competitors include QC Family Entertainment, Big River Bowling, Dave & Buster’s Davenport, and Malibu Jack’s Quad Cities.
Owners of Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar and Grill can update this listing’s hours, games, and event details through the claim-your-listing page. Anyone planning a Quad Cities arcade crawl can use the arcade map and the arcade finder directory to plot the rest of the route, compare barcade formats, and find more venues across the region.