Play La La — Local services in New York

PLEASE LOOK FOR PART 2 for my response to Owner!!

PART 1: Hello, I went to a party at play lala and enjoyed it so I decided to throw my daughter’s first birthday there. I’d like to start by saying I wanted to resolve this before taking it here however the manager decided to laugh at me and accuse me of making things up. I advised her to check her footage and she told me she did. So if she did she would see I have nothing to lie about or to lose. She laughed and mocked me during this phone call. I am beyond livid .

1st- I got there around 5:25pm (My party was for 5:30) I was expecting the party to be set up , I was told all I have to do is arrive and they do the rest. That everything would be ready. Except for any additional decor that I brought which were bunnies from Michael’s that they were advised of prior. That was not the case when we got there . There was a previous party still at the venue and the place was a mess. The workers began to set up for our party while my guest are walking in! I had to waste the first 30 minutes helping set up. That was not what was advertised to me at all. it also took me away from my party . Which ironically I paid for an extra 30 minutes. I was not expecting to spend it setting up especially when they advise you can’t come much earlier due to them having other parties and needing time to break down and set up. 2- I turn the corner to see the tables and they were plain black tables with 2 silver runners & 1 pink runner, With a small balloon center piece. I asked if this was the table set up and they advised me yes. I had to ask them to put down table cloths since that’s what’s advertised on their site. This is kind of absurd to me because not only does the party package include the table linens & tableware but I also paid for the theme package and there was a lack of! Thankfully I brought the bunnies which made it pop. I couldn’t believe they put mix match runners on plain black tables and thought that would be suffice when I’ve sent emails on what I want (one random different table runner was not appealing at all) and I also paid a lot of money for this decor package. 3- $250 for a balloon arch. This one has me the angriest , if I’m paying this much money for a balloon arch I’m expecting it to be full and fully inflated . Instead I was met with balloons full of tape and a bunch of deflated balloons . Clearly this had been used and not even spruced up. When I advised the worker of this she grabbed a scissor and cut some of the tape which was full of hair and dirt and removed some of the deflated balloons. I had multiple guests point it out. This is so unacceptable. Especially for what I’m paying! One of my guests while in discussion follows their instagram page and saw this exact ballon arch was set up a couple days prior with ice cream cones exactly where the tape was . I didn’t pay for a used , Dirty balloon arch with a bunch of deflated balloons that had to be removed . Their workers response when I pointed it out to her was “oh we can just cut this off” and proceeded to remove a good amount of it . However I think she missed the point that I paid $250 for this. It’s also embarrassing to have members of your party point out the lack of care given. When I brought it to the owners attention she told me I’m lying and her staff never said any of this. She also said it wasn’t used and that it was big and beautiful. Yes it looked nice AFTER the majority of tape and dirt and deflated balloons were removed. Why would I need to lie?! Also I took photos of some of the tape and deflated balloons left over and sent it to her . Why not just take...

I’m beginning to think the positive reviews for Play La La is written by the owner or staff because there’s no way this is same place. We attended party this weekend and I have to say this is first, poorly run. The host of the party had to run around and help set up tables with staff because the decor was not what was promised. Tables had no table cloths, just mixed color runners. The balloon arch which I learned the host paid over $200 for was definitely reused as there were a number of balloons deflated that staff had to be TOLD was unacceptable and then removed with scisssors, not replaced and unsanitary hair and dirt showing on parts of tape cut. Disgusting! The most nastiest thing was one of workers was handling the food and had a runny nose, was overheard saying she was sick and somehow at least 10 people are now sick, including MYSELF, with some bug that we are all have been throwing up and have diarrhea. This is my 2nd day out of of work. This is just a number of things that were wrong with this place and I know the host was upset about number of more including staff throwing out food that was paid for and not used yet, without ASKING FIRST and then when confronted about it, to be so flippant and respond that there’s more. How about asking since it was paid for and maybe it would be given out or taken home. People have to judge for selves but after this experience, I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy. Risking health not worth it especially when dealing with kids. Then not providing the services that were promised and place is not cheap. I felt bad for the Host because she paid fully and was to deal with the owner later on but I would have demanded action that day! This behavior doesn’t seem like a one-off. This was too casual and normal like. I believe this is how this place is run from top down. There are too many other places to choose from than to risk health, money, aggrevation, and precious time you can’t get back for special events in your family’s life....

I wasn't going to leave a comment but couldn't help myself once I notice the recurring pattern of negative reviews swiftly followed by suspiciously positive ones, obviously from the owner's circle. My recent experiences at Play LaLa for two separate parties were disappointing. While it's a cute place for parties, the management leaves much to be desired. Both times the staff appeared distant and not well suited for a business that deals with children. On one occasion, a staff member was instructed to stop spraying cleaning chemicals while children were still eating at the same table but neglected the empty table. Additionally, while a parent was purchasing a drink, another adult intervened, telling the staff member to discard the cup and wash her hands first due to the fact she was just touching trash in the bin with bare hands. Due to the demeanor of the staff I felt obligated to watch them cut and plate the cake. It's quite amusing how the owner would rather be petty than address the real issues. Shame on you! Unfortunately, I cannot conscienously...