WhirlyBall Vernon Hills is located in the northern suburbs of Chicago, just off Center Drive in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Where Bumper Cars Meet the Big Leagues
At the heart of this venue is the game that started it all — WhirlyBall. Imagine a sport that blends lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and a dash of demolition derby, all played from inside a nimble electric bumper car called a WhirlyBug. Players use handheld scoops to pass and shoot a wiffle ball at a raised circular goal, while a referee keeps score and ensures everyone plays safe. The court is roughly 4,000 square feet, and since the game is unlike anything most people have tried before, skill levels tend to even out quickly — which makes every match feel fair, chaotic, and genuinely fun. Each court rental accommodates up to ten players at a time, with groups averaging about five games per hour. Players can rotate in and out, so no one sits on the sidelines for long. The WhirlyBugs themselves are electric, quiet, and surprisingly agile — they can move forward, backward, and sideways, making every chase and block unpredictable.
Laser Tag That Takes You to Another Level
The laser tag arena at WhirlyBall Vernon Hills is a multi-level, LASERTRON-powered battleground that can host up to 30 players split between two teams. Each game lasts about six minutes, and the arena is designed with ramps, platforms, and plenty of cover to encourage both stealth and sprinting. The equipment is modern, the vests are fitted with sensors, and the atmosphere is immersive enough to make you forget you are in a strip mall in the suburbs. Laser tag sessions are available in half-hour or full-hour formats, and the arena is popular for both walk-in play and private events. The minimum height requirement is 42 inches, making it accessible for kids as young as six, depending on their size.
Bowling, Billiards, and Pop-Up Games Between Rounds
Beyond the signature attractions, the Vernon Hills location offers a full bowling alley, billiard tables, and a rotating selection of pop-up games that include ping pong, giant Jenga, connect four, and corn hole. These are available for hourly rental and can be set up courtside or in designated lounge areas, giving guests something to do while waiting for their next WhirlyBall or laser tag session. The variety of activities makes the venue feel less like a single-purpose arcade and more like a playground for adults and kids alike. It is the kind of place where a corporate team can start with laser tag, move to bowling, and finish with a WhirlyBall tournament — all without leaving the building.
A Place Built for Celebrations of All Kinds
WhirlyBall Vernon Hills is designed to host everything from kids’ birthday parties and bar and bat mitzvahs to corporate team-building events, wedding receptions, and fundraisers. The venue can accommodate up to 400 guests across multiple spaces, including two WhirlyBall courts, a private event room that seats up to 75, and a full-service restaurant and bar called The Pivot Room. The event specialists on staff have decades of combined experience coordinating group outings. They handle the logistics — from scheduling game rotations to customizing food and beverage packages — so hosts can focus on their guests. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, with exposed brick, open wood ceilings, and plenty of seating areas that encourage people to linger after the games are over.
Fuel Up at The Pivot Room
The Pivot Room is the venue’s in-house American eatery and craft beer bar, offering a chef-driven menu that includes craft pizzas, wings, sliders, salads, and heartier entrees. The beverage program features over 24 rotating draft beers with an emphasis on local and regional breweries, plus a full lineup of cocktails and wine. The space is open for walk-in dining during regular hours and can also be incorporated into private event packages. For groups that want to keep the energy going, the bar area is equipped with multiple televisions, pub tables, and a relaxed vibe that works just as well for post-game drinks as it does for a casual dinner before the fun begins.
El Monte
