Bay Area Smash Room — Local services in San Francisco

They deserve zero stars. I had a very unfortunate experience with the Bay Area Smash Room. I booked a Smash and Splatter party months in advance, paid a deposit when I booked the party, paid off the entire balance and confirmed the party several times before the date of the event, which was booked for a large group. When we arrived a few minutes early for the party, the Bay Area Smash Room was closed, gates locked, everything! We arrived in the afternoon around 1:30 and according to their website, they opened at 10am. I contacted the phone number on the website and guess what, no answer. A few minutes later, I received a text stating that the employees were “on lunch break”. I patiently waited until the time that the party was supposed to start. Guess what - no employees showed up. Mind you we were waiting and standing outside of the building on the sidewalk… guests are arriving for the party and still no employee shows up. I continue texting the number on the website and they deliberately misled me by stating that they need to call whichever employee was supposed to be managing the event - so the whole lunch break thing was completely untrue! 20 minutes after the event I am texting and calling the number to find out what the problem is with no answer, and finally, I receive a text that the staff is running another location. No apologies, no explanations, no nothing. Finally 30 minutes AFTER THE EVENT WAS SUPPOSED TO START a young man arrived and opened the doors. I asked him what the problem was and he said that this occurs frequently, employees don’t show up and the staffing is mismanaged. He was called to help at the last minute. We started the event and at least that part went well. I asked to get in contact with the manager, Miguel, to discuss this with them and was told they would call me. I have yet to receive a call or any offer of reimbursement for their...

Absolutely terrible experience at the Bay Area Smash Room. I booked a smash and axe-throwing event for 15 people. First, I called to confirm all the details, and they asked me to text everything over, including the date, time, number of people, and my email for the invoice. I received the invoice, paid the full balance, and even followed up the day before the event to confirm—but they never responded.

When we arrived at the venue, the staff had no record of our reservation. Despite me showing the text message thread confirming all the details, my follow-up the day before, and proof of full payment, the manager refused to believe them. It was beyond frustrating.

To make matters worse, we didn’t even get what we paid for. We had booked two smash rooms and four axe-throwing lanes but were only given one smash room and two axe-throwing lanes. This was a complete mess and ruined our group’s plans.

Save yourself the headache and avoid this place. They’re unprofessional, disorganized, and clearly don’t care about...

Miguel - the owner is the worst neighbor to have. He regularly has his staff litter all toxic electronic trash from his business in the alley behind, which is shared by hundreds of residents - primarily by the elderly home next door, but also a play space for kids and for some neighbors to walk their dogs. Most days it's so bad that the entire 1-way street is blocked and people have to go up the wrong way because he acts like he owns the street.

For anyone considering giving business to Miguel - imagine yourself living next to this toxic e-waste and a neighbor with total disregard for shared spaces. I’ve also seen him not pay his vendors on social media after providing him services - they had to take him to small claims court to get paid.

There are many ways to be a better business owner and a neighbor. Miguel chooses not to, and I hope anyone reading this review factors that in to their decision of giving them...