ATOMIC Ballroom — Attraction in Irvine

This review is not for their actual dance instruction but moreso their customer service.

I had purchased a Groupon for their school for 10 dance classes. I have always been interested in taking lessons from this place since it was so close to my work. I had gone in one day for a beginner's salsa class, which was a lot of fun. At the end of the class, my friend and I noticed that they had a flyer at the front desk for an all-day hip hop workshop a month from that day. So I asked the person at the front desk whether or not they would accept my Groupon towards this class. The individual at the front desk wasn't 100% sure, so he asked his coworker also at the front desk whether that was ok, and she said yes. So my friend and I both signed up for the workshop right then and there. The front desk assistant told us we were good to go. I was so excited about this class (I'd been looking for something similar to this for a while now) that I told another friend to buy the Groupon as well and take the class with us. She called in later to reserve her spot. They provided her with a confirmation number and told her they'd see her at the workshop.

Fast forward a few weeks later, just 3 days before the actual workshop. (Mind you - there are 3 of us already who had been told that our Groupon would be honored as payment - one of which already had a confirmation number provided by the business provided via phone) My friend received an email from Atomic Ballroom because she was on their regular email subscription, and she happened to look at the email and the workshop we were attending in 3 days stated at the bottom that they did not take Groupon as payments for this workshop. I was very confused, as 3 of us were already told that Groupon were acceptable forms of payment. So I called Atomic Ballroom to confirm if we were still ok for the class.

When I called, the individual who picked up the phone told me that he did not see my name under the roster. So I explained my situation to him (that I had signed up weeks earlier and one of their employees took my name and told me that everything was good to go). He simply told me that they didn't accept the Groupon, so that's why my name wasn't listed under the class. I was so confused that I didn't ask any other questions.

Five minutes later, I called back because I wanted to explain in more detail to prove to them that their employee told us incorrect information. So I talked to another individual who picked up the phone and gave them exact details. I went to their 12:15 Beginner's Salsa class on February 9th. Unfortunately, I didn't remember the instructor's name, but he had a cool-looking hat. After the class had ended is when we signed up. Therefore, at around 1:15, a male and female worker were at the desk, and both individuals had told both my friend and myself that they would accept Groupon as payment.

The response I got from their worker upon giving them all this information was the following: "Oh. That was probably Raul who told you that. He only works here once a week, so he told you the wrong information. We never accept Groupon for workshops. If you want a refund, you can just go through Groupon."

I was appalled by their lack of customer service. And I feel that if they truly cared about their customers, they would have honored what their employees tell customers, whether it was correct or not.

Again - this is not a rating on their actual dance lessons. I had a very good time taking the one beginning salsa class I attended. However, I am deeply disappointed in their management and was extremely offended by their lack of customer service even after acknowledging that it was in fact their employee who made the mistake, not...

EDIT (8/6/22): I've updated my review from 1 star to 2 stars to reflect the fact that I have greatly enjoyed many nights at Atomic since I first began going, and also the fact that I was still able to enjoy the time spent upstairs in the fusion room last night. I appreciate the owner's response below, and while I wasn't asking for any compensation for my experience, I recognize the gesture and do accept it. I'm leaving the review at 2 stars because I do need it to be recognized as a negative review. I don't use social media and I don't regularly reference Atomic's website because, as a casual (experienced, but casual) social dancer, I'm not looking for information on events or classes. I come to Atomic on Friday nights to have fun and see friends, and I expect to hear about any special events from obvious signs or direct announcements by the DJ during the night. I don't go out of my way to look for info on what events might be coming up, since there usually aren't any and they're never the reason I choose to come. (If anything, in my case they are more likely to be the reason I choose not to come.) I also didn't know Atomic had an app prior to now. Thank you for that information, but these reasons are why I want to keep the review recognized as a negative one.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (8/5/22): It genuinely pains me to leave a review this negative. I have been dancing at Atomic for something like seven or eight years, and at some points twice a week. I have loved coming here regularly for a long time. But tonight... tonight shows something bad about how Atomic is run.

I showed up to dance tonight, expecting a typical Friday night with swing dancing downstairs and fusion dancing upstairs, as usual. I was greeted by live music and a cover charge twice as high as usual. Let me clarify that I was here just last Friday, and there was not one mention of live music coming the following week. That is already inexcusable. I fortunately have enough money available to me to cover the difference, but I know people who can't spontaneously do so. People drive from over an hour away to get here in some cases; you can't spring a double cost on them like that.

On top of that, the music is almost exclusively either too fast or too slow for a casual social dancing crowd--which is what Friday nights at Atomic ostensibly cater to. This is music suitable for a competition or exchange venue, not for your average Friday night.

As if all of that wasn't enough, there's another one of these nights in two weeks. Another night with a double cost for music I can't dance to--and even if I just want to dance fusion upstairs, I still have to pay the full extra cost, despite getting no additional benefit. That is unconscionable and inexcusable, and it is why, after years of loving this venue, I have to give it such a negative review. I will still be coming back here most weeks when things are actually normal, but I am not...

I've been to Atomic for the past 7 months and I'm still going. I have to say starting off first time at a dance studio is a bit intimidating, but once you get past that stage and meet some friends you'll feel this is the place to be to just dance the night away. My first class that I started in was Lindy Hop. It's natural to feel like you want to learn more so that you can really start dancing or feel comfortable on the dance floor, but honey, it's your first class and you're not going to know everything in your first class. Over a few classes, you'll eventually get better. I still suggest social dancing even when you're afraid that you may mess up and such. It's okay we're all out there to practice. I believe the beginners don't stay as long, especially the leads, because there isn't much move to do at first. I think just master what you learned for that night practice it out on the dance floor until you're comfortable, leave and be prepared for the next class.

I've also ventured out and started learning West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, Balboa, and Tap dancing. I just love them all! There are nice people in the social scenes, weird ones and there are also some cliques. Come by, dance and meet some cool peeps! Maybe you'll meet me and I'm not that "weird" person...