Sk8house & Sk8shop — Local services in Melbourne

We have visited sk8house in the past for birthday parties and always had a great time before our youngest was born who has multiple disabilities, and our eldest with asd related sensory considerations and it has become tricky in recent years so we haven’t been for a while. However we went along to their sensory session today and both of my children LOVED it. My youngest child uses a wheelchair and loved getting to join in on the rink and my eldest has never skated before but really loved the quiet environment and slower pace to have a good try at it, and ended up loving it and can’t wait to come back. All the attendees were really enjoying themselves and all abilities were really welcomed. Was such a wonderful, accessible experience today and we look forward to getting to come back. The staff were absolutely excellent with making sure everyone’s needs were catered to, they were extremely helpful and kind and polite- they always have been but today they really went that extra mile to ensure everyone had a good time and was safe and supported, from adjusting skates to asking if anyone needed anything. No one was staring or being condescending; they were truly happy to be there and to help when needed, engaging with the attendees when appropriate and giving space when needed, including everyone and really stepping up that extra time. If you have children with any kind of disability or additional needs you are absolutely going to love their sensory/accessible sessions. Thank you Sk8house it’s so so so appreciated to have the wider community considered and have these sessions so everyone can have a go. We can’t wait...

It’s a nice rink but there doesn’t need to be 3 workers/ coaches on there and a student who’s clearly one of there’s. The rink was near empty there didn’t need to be more than one staff on with a child who was clearly rlly talented popping out tricks infront of, next to and passing everyone. It’s especially inconvenient when all 4 are lined up next to eachother taking up the track talking. I just don’t understand why during a public session it was necessary. Everytime they randomly busted a leg up passing people who are obviously inexperienced the people would freak out and stumble. Apart from that the only other thing that rlly ruined the experience was people one rollerblades zooming at crazy speeds not knowing how to stop but it’s not like this place can control that. They can control their staff though. Definitely more staff than necessary on the rink. The music being changed halfway through each song rlly spiced things up because the staff couldn’t decide whose playlist they wanted.

Edit to reply: my mistake for assuming they were staff, I didn’t know clubs/ groups hosted games during public sessions or had control over the music. I assumed they were staff as they were handing out prizes/ choosing winners/ and telling people to be careful. They came off as staff to me and yes the uniform did look similar to the staff don’t rlly remember if it was the same now though because it was like a week ago🤷🏻‍♀️ thanks for...

I went down with my daughter and her friend. Drive a considerable distance to find the whole place hired out to a group.. on a Saturday. When I got there I was unaware of this. We walked in. Two women (staff) both aggressively shouted that I wasn’t supposed to be there “there’s a private group you can’t come in here!!!! Blah blah blah” I literally had to tell one of them to be quiet just so I could hear the other drama queen. They were carrying on like I may not leave. Told me I didn’t read the sign in a tone (I didn’t read it.. a girl out the front when I got there said I had to use the other door so I did. Missed a sign- but big deal. Wasn’t there to rob the joint) I was there for all the right reasons. All they needed to say was “excuse me sir, sorry for the inconvenience but we have a group of people here today and it is a private function” I would’ve said okay and left. No DRAMA. I’d love to know how I can tell if it’s booked out before I leave the house with two excited girls though. I was not a happy man when I left. It would be fair to say they gave me two vouchers because they knew I was pissed. Unfortunately I was so angry I threw them in...