The Palace Arcade — Restaurant in Perth

Rude staff, overpriced and mediocre food and drinks. Will happily never be back.

I booked a booth for my partner and friends for his birthday. We were running late due the activity prior going overtime but called to advise this and the person I spoke with seemed unfazed by it so we assumed it wouldn't be an issue. When we arrived shortly after we were refused entry due to venue capacity, I explained we had a booking and were soon permitted entry. When trying to find out which table was reserved for us we were told that they were all booked, I explained I had booked a booth for us for dinner etc. The staff advised that all tables were full and they could see if they can clear one if one becomes available.

The barmaid that served us was so rude, we waited ages to be served despite being sat at the bar. Not an ounce friendly manner or customer service skills at all. While we waited for our drinks we asked when she had a minute we were ready to order our food, her response was a very snappy ''Yeah, I'm a little busy if you can't see!''. We could see, hence us saying ''when you get a chance''.

At every turn the attitude from staff was that they were doing us a huge favour by getting us a table. I paid to have a table reserved I don't see how it was a stretch to be given our reserved table when we arrived. We were told they could see if they get us a table and then possibly move into a booth when that also became available. I said I don't understand why it wasn't reserved, they said that the people that are in the booths booked it for a function a month ago and I only emailed a few days ago.. they happily took my money and sent a booking confirmation though. I asked if that was the case then why was I given a reservation if you didn't actually have any available?!

We were first told we could move into a booth once a table had left. However when I asked to clear one of the now 2 booths available we were told that they still have that booking despite them having left the venue. We eventually did get a table probably 1hr after arriving and the booth that we had booked 1hr 20 mins after arriving.

After having dinner and playing all the games downstairs we moved upstairs and sat at the bar again, (admittedly we moved a stool slightly away from the bar which would have blocked a pathway which we hadn't noticed) but instead of just letting us know it was in the way, we got a very loud and passive aggressive ''Are you sitting at the bar?! Or are you planning to sit in the middle of the floor?! from a male staff member. We apologised and moved the stool and sat along the bar to which we then got abused for blocking the bar (there were only 4 of us seated at the bar mind you), we just gave up after that and thought if its such a huge inconvenience we'll just play some more games and leave!

From someone that works for a charity organisation and disability services and my partner who is an operations manager for a major retail chain, two industries where customer service is paramount. The attitude of the staff at this venue is just disgraceful and I would be mortified if this business had my name on...

Absolutely appalling service. We first uploaded $100 on a card. It was advertised on a board in the bar this would give us 20 free games. This was not the case and when we scanned the card on a game it would take more money off. When discussing this with a female staff member she snapped it wasn't actually taking the money it will stop at $80. As we continued on the games kept charging us aswell as when you would scan to play a game it would take the money but not start. This continued throughout the night until we gave up and decided to spend our remaining credits on cocktails.

Service was fine to begin with. When we received our cocktails we shared one another's. Our cocktails where in very small glasses. Hence we finished our first in 5/10 minutes as they were so delicious. We decided to order another each and take a seat. When we ordered we where told by a young male that we have to wait 5 minutes as we sculled our last drinks?! We said oh okay... and waited. Numerous staff tried to serve us in this time and we said we will wait. We where then forced into ordering by the same female who we originally dealt with when our game card was charging is incorrectly. We told her we will wait, she then said no it's okay order now. Once our cocktails where made and paid for the young lady then said very loudly across to us at the bar "by the way you can not order another drink for a while and if you scull them again I WONT BE AS NICE THIS TIME".

This is appalling service, even in the case (which it wasn't) of her following responsible service of alcohol there is NO reason to make sarcastic comments and belittle customers.

We will never...

Cool place to hang out, have some pizza and drinks, but don't set your expectations too high. The place is starting to feel a bit run down. Some of the machines are damaged, for example Time Crisis is only one-player as the second screen is out of service. The hunting adventure game screen needs a service the colours are all wrong and it's hard to see, and the gun isn't calibrated properly. Point Blank guns also need some calibration. I had to hold them so close to the screen. None of the guns had any recoil which is part of the charm. One of the driving games upstairs (perhaps Daytona) had a flickering damaged screen too. I played Daytona Rally and the sound was either off or so low that you couldn't hear the game, which is a big part of the experience. Actually, I think they have turned off or turned down the sound of all of the games. I played Bubble Bobble and it just wasn't the same without the music. Pizza was burnt (and a bit oily, but oily pizza may be what you like, so I won't judge). It's also annoying to have to wait in line at the bar to get more game credits, but that's how it always was as I recall, so, fair enough. I think that for $1 per game credit, you would at least keep the games functional and with all their charms, sounds, tactile effects such as gun recoils, etc, as that's the main point of coming to an Arcade. Hoping that they can step up their game (no pun intended). I'd like to see the place returned to its...