Hollywood Bowl Lakeside — Attraction in Great Britain

Would leave zero stars if I could, as my experience was atrocious, I was yelled at by both employees and the manager and had to leave with my crying kid. It's honestly unbelievable how rude they were! Went to the arcade with my 4 year old child, all was good until we run into a couple machines that either did not work or did not pay out, we were disappointed to say the least. As a matter of fact, the machines we used did not have any out of order signs on them like they usually do. At this point, it was just a robbery as the coins weren't returned. When workers were questioned about this, they did absolutely nothing, going as far as ignoring me at all. We were disappointed, to say the least, but ok, we found another working machines and ended up winning some tickets. However, the problems didn't stop. When we approached the desk to get the prize my kid was saving for, they were out of it, ok, not a big deal, so we asked for another similar item, they were out of it too. This continued until I realised they were out of most items for our points but were still in the display case. How am I and I'm sure many others are supposed to explain to our children that they can't have a toy that is right there and logically should be available. Previous experiences told me that when this happens, the manager should come and unlock the display case, take the item on display out for the customer, this makes the customer happy with their prize and stops any other inconveniences with customers not receiving their wanted gifts, but in this case, we were blatantly told that they didn't open it, ultimately leading to my child crying. In the end, we were scammed out of a few pounds, which wouldn't have been that much of an issue if the machines actually worked and if the customer service wasn't as disgusting as it was today. Called customer service to report the issue and to ask what I'm supposed to do in this case, got told that it's supposed to be sorted out locally, my question is, why wasn't this sorted out locally?

Even my child, despite his young age, said that he never wants to come back. I'm never coming back there again and wouldn't recommend it to anyone if they're looking for a fun time! I came to the conclusion that hollywood bowl is just a scam as they don't care about customers who came to enjoy their day and have a good...

We go there with a group on Tuesday late morning. Not very busy at that time, so perfect for us. The venue is the last building on the lake front, past Vue Cinema. It is bright and vibrant. You pay for the games at the till located half way along on the left when you enter the venue. You wear your own flat shoes, so don't have to dish out extra for that. It is an enjoyable coupe of hours we spend there. The venue is wheel chair friendly and it has conveniently located rest rooms/ toilets just to the right of lane 22. Enjoyable convenient outing for all to enjoy

12 September 2023 update.

Children are back at school so it was very peaceful and quiet outing this time. We were a party of 13. The screens that show the score still have not been calibrated. The starting letters of people's names cannot be seen on the display. This really needs sorting out. Come on Hollywood Bowl, take note and get it done, it can't be that difficult. This display looks unprofessional, I am sure it is not a representation of you as a company.

Also during our 2 games across our 2 lanes, the screens froze in the middle of the game and asked us to start the game again. My colleagues had to go to reception and get them to get that sorted, not good. I have added 3 more photos of the areas surrounding the bowling

10th October 2023 update

I spoke to Andy, member of staff at Holywood bowl wearing black overalls, about poor screen calibration on the monitors where the First character of players names is always only partially visible. Andy got Henry who came and calibrated our monitor.

All is finally great after all those Years of asking multiple people to do this exact procedure, the display is correct, thanks to the professionalism of Andy and Terry 👏 So thank you both and Bravo.

I have attached an image which shows the correctly calibrated monitor on the left and the flawed right one, which will be corrected after the game has finished. I believe Andy will apply this fix to the other 23 monitors.

I have changed the experience rating of my Review from...

Booked kids birthday party +. Asked twice what is included and where will be food served. Been told will be special ROOM decorated with balloons. That I can bring cake if I want to but no knife.

On the day of the party we add extra kid. Been told it’s 10 min play for kid, but being only given 60 min means 1 person less? Game just cut off in the middle, kids very upset!

After game finished, been told to follow staff for our (!!!) table. Table? Been told would be decorated room ! And what we see? Simple table with paper drawing. Nothing like its birthday party! After 20 min brought “Hollywood balloons” 😡 if this is called decoration?!

Food was served in paper boxes! Firstly we thought there are no plates, but saw how they serving other tables with plates. No cutlery. Food was horrible, kids ain’t wanted to eat it at all. 2 kids needed to wait 10 min for their food and. Burgers with no cheese, no lettuce just bun and meet!

Cake part been given knife to cut but ain’t had idea how kids will it that cake? Asked for spoons, been given forks and big spoons ! (Kids age were 4-9 years old!!

Absolutely horrible service! Never again doing party there or even eaten. Birthday person so upset as was looking forward for something special.

Oh price! Funny how you can book game+burger for £8. But we paid £17.50 per kid for what? Squash which was horrible and non of the kid wanted...