Superbowl UK Ipswich — Local services in Ipswich

Extremely upsetting experience at Superbowl UK Ipswich that left our family shocked and humiliated. My family and I decided to enjoy a simple day of bowling, but instead were met with disrespect and blatant discrimination.

My cousin, who is 21 and visiting from New Jersey, ordered a cider and was asked to show his ID. He presented his valid New Jersey driver’s license. What followed was appalling. A staff member (Rhi, the deputy centre manager – middle-aged with brown hair) came back insisting the ID was fake and that we were committing a crime. She said she would confiscate it and hand it over to the police.

We asked for clarification, and she claimed that according to “Google” and “a website,” New Jersey IDs must have a star and a specific hologram. First of all, not all NJ IDs have a star. Secondly, the ID had multiple holograms clearly visible. She refused to acknowledge this and seemed more focused on being right than actually understanding or verifying anything properly.

Even the security guards she called over looked uncomfortable. They quietly admitted they didn’t see anything obviously wrong with the ID, but Rhi doubled down. She had no training, no evidence, and no clear source for her so-called verification. Her tone was rude, accusatory, and confrontational from the start.

This felt like racial profiling, plain and simple. We are a Black family and were treated with suspicion and disrespect over something as basic as showing ID. Would a white visitor have been treated the same way? We honestly doubt it.

It’s unacceptable that a deputy centre manager would accuse someone of a crime based on vague assumptions and misinformation she found on Google. This is a bowling alley, not a border checkpoint. Her actions were over the top, intimidating, and racist.

Superbowl UK needs to do better. Train your staff. Understand that international IDs exist. And most of all, treat people with basic respect and dignity.

We will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others, especially, POC, before...

Sadly a very disappointing evening out for a birthday - when we arrived we had to wait 10 minutes to be served, in which we were greeted with a 'what do you want' - we booked on for 2 adults, 1 junior (which took 4 times explaining what we wanted over the loud music) - we went to ask for drinks but staff walked away to serve someone else before we had finished. After talking to the manager about the experience we were greeted with 'she's only been here 3 days, it's not her fault' and then he walked away. We arrived at our lane, bumpers up - another 5 minute wait to ask for them too be taken down, no one serving so we started with them still up. Half way into the game I bowled and the barrier for the pins came down, bouncing my ball back and ending my turn (this proceeded to happen again in a second game, when again talking to management were told 'you're bowling too early' despite the pins being down, no barrier, and everything indicating I could bowl, and again management walking away) At the end of our first game the screen would not change to start the second we'd paid for, despite following the buttons we were told to press - we waited again 5 minutes to ask for help, no one came. Eventually enough button mashing caused it to start. During the second game during a bowl the old pins cleared and then there was another 5 minute wait for the new pins to appear - another occurrence of trying to ask for help but no one serving. All in all a really bad night which lead to everyone leaving feeling deflated and frustrated - we were hoping for a good night in which could become a regular thing for the family, but we definitely will not...

Took my grandchildren aged 15 and 12 to try a couple of games of Ninja Tag today and had a great time. We arrived the required 20 minutes early only to he told we only need to come 5 minutes early for the tutorial but they really enjoyed their experience doubling their individual scores in the second game something they can build on each visit ( unfortunately my grandson lost his wrist band on the way home so will have to start again) we had a delicious lunch between the 2 games, my grandson had a veggie burger meal, Heather had the 21 day aged burger meal as did I but with the gluten free bun ( this was the first burger meal I have had for 30 years and it was yummy) and my granddaughter had cheesy chips and garlic bread. The crazy club looked fun and was surprised to be told that there's no upper age limit for the equipment, a real plus for families with 11-13 year olds who are still keen to scramble around the play area. Would have given 5 stars as the seating had a nice comfortable area as well as the usual chairs and tables but the flashing gaming machines in the eating area itself meant it was impossible to get away from the constant flashing lights wherever you looked. Since there were plenty of machines in the gaming area it would be nice to have a calmer eating area devoid of machines. Also there was no soap in the ladies toilet, a no no when you are...