Bowling and Billiards
Please call ahead to check the availability of lanes and pool tables as this may vary dependent on times for bowling classes and event bookings.
Looking for something different to do?
Come bowling at the Huskie Den! With 16 lanes, music and TVs for entertainment, billiards and a nearby bar and grill, it's the perfect place to hang out with friends or have your next group event. You can even join our league or participate in a tournament.
New pricing for the Huskie Den begins July 1, 2026
- $4 - NIU students – students must present their OneCard to receive student pricing
- NIU students may bring one guest and receive the NIU student price
- $5 – non-NIU college students - students must present a valid student ID to receive student pricing
- $4 – NIU faculty and staff – employees must present their OneCard to receive employee pricing
- $5 – NIU alums and community members
- $3 – children 7 to 14 years old
- $2 – children 6 years old and under
Time Cost Per Lane
To reserve multiple lanes. please contact Mike Newman, Huskie Den Event Coordinator, at mnewman6@niu.edu.Additional Services
Shoe Rental
Shoe rental is free with the purchase of games.Locker Rental
- $10 for an entire semester or summer session.
- $15 for an entire year
For current locker prices, please contact Mike Newman at mnewman6@niu.edu.
Pool
- Free for all NIU students
- $5 an hour for all other groups
Friday Glow Bowl
- Every Friday of the month
- Black lights and colored pins start at 7 p.m.
- $2 games (includes the price of shoe rentals) the last Friday of the month and the Friday of finals week.
Additional special pop-ups and discounts will be announced throughout the semester. Be sure to check out our events page for more information.
If you're a current undergraduate or graduate student, consider joining our bowling league. You'll enjoy three free games once a week.
Format and Guidelines
Leagues are open to all students. A meeting will be held at the start of each semester to establish teams, confirm handicap percentage and when the league will meet (day of week and time).
Huskie League
For all NIU students.
- Wednesday evenings, from 5 to 6 p.m.
- Leagues play from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Members are encouraged to arrive around 4:30 p.m. to be ready to start at 5 p.m.
- Mixed league - team size is voted on at the start of the semester
- Handicapped (75% of 210)
- Each bowler is required to pay $6 for the games they bowl each week
- A cross-league challenge pizza night at the end of the semester
Tournaments are open to students, faculty and staff. Register for any or all the tournaments. A minimum of six bowlers are needed to run each tournament. Where there are enough entries (four bowlers minimum), there will be divisions based on gender. There will be prizes for each tournament and for the overall series high in each division.
Huskie Shuffle
- Competitive format
- Open to NIU students and NIU employees
- Bowlers need to arrive and register an hour before the tournament starts
- Handicap is 90% of 200 limited to 50 pins game
- If possible, bowlers will move lanes each game except for doubles segment
- All tournaments will be bowled on Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
- Entries to be paid in cash
Lebowski Games
- Fun, non-sanctioned formats- no tap, low ball, score your game
- Open to NIU students and NIU employees
- Bowlers need to arrive and register 30 minutes before the tournament starts.
- All tournaments will be on Monday evenings; bowling starting at 6:00 p.m.
