Main Event Columbia — Restaurant in Columbia

I had a terrible experience having my daughters birthday party here. I arrived 20 minutes early and brought the cake inside but had to walk around to find someone who could help with the party. Once I found a staff member I went to park my car and came back. She introduced herself and one other staff member and told me they would be hosting the party. CJ walked me to the bowling desk and grabbed a couple pairs of shoes and she told me my lanes and then she disappeared. No one walked us over to the lanes. When I got to the lanes the tables were dirty, some of the bumpers did not work and there was no instruction on how the party would proceed. I had to ask the staff who were sitting around and talking to clean off the tables. THE PARTY WAS AT 11:30am, why would the space be dirty?? Marcus came over and was seemingly taking orders but I do not think he knew he was hosting a party. There were NO preparations made for us. I had to ask several times what was the process. Around the middle of bowling they started bringing food to the lanes which was supposed to go to the tables. They brought out styrofoam cups and a pitcher of water and set them down and left. We had to ask about drinks and the kids cups and at this point everyone was confused as to what was happening. This is when Marcus said he was going to get the contract. He was really respectful and trying his best but obviously struggling to keep up. We had to ask several times since arriving where we would be seated and if we could start getting that set up. We were at the end of bowling when we were told where we were going and the food was still not ready, the table was not ready, the children didn’t have cards and parents started buying their own cards for the arcade. The children were sitting at the table with no food and one server trying his best to keep up. There were supposed to be bowling pins for all of the children and we didn’t receive all 18 pins. We did not receive all of the ice cream we paid for and many of the children left without the goodies as the party was so unorganized. Myself and another parent at the party had to start helping with cutting the pizza and serving as well as cleaning up the party. We were then rushed out because after all of this they were running behind. We paid for a special bowling pin for the birthday girl which we did not receive. This was just a terrible and embarrassing experience all around. I wouldn’t even come back here if it was the last “fun” place around the DMV. They ran out of bowling shoes and the gentleman at the desk had an attitude. I went to find a manager and a young man led me to the back where the manager and quite a few staff members were chatting instead of helping their coworker who was drowning with this party. It wasn’t until I went to find the manager that Lina came out and started helping Marcus. She did give us a discount but the service was so atrocious for someones special day that even with the discount I am just in disbelief at the lack of service and hosting for my daughters birthday. Main Event in Columbia ruined my daughters birthday party and I DO NOT recommend anyone host...

This post is mainly to share how awesome one of your managers, Kyle, preformed

My overall experience was not great. We booked a last minute party for my 10 year old son (a little less than a week out) here because we were going to be rained out of our initial plans. We purchased The Main Event for about 10 kids. I was told that bowling wasn't available due to the last minute booking and we would need to chose other activities. We did this and were set for the party. The day of the party arrives, we get to Main Event about 40-50 minutes in advance to begin to decorate. There was no one at the door to share where we were supposed to go. After about 10-15 minutes I walk back to the business area so that I could find out, notice that the tables where we would be sitting were open and ask the staff if we are able to start preparing for the party. They shared that they did not see our party. One person stated that she saw us on a computer system, and would need to print our party information. It was also shared that they did not know where we would be placed for the party. They did allow us to begin preparing some decorations in the office. I asked if we could begin setting up decorations at the tables but was informed the tables would only be ready 5 mins before the party was to begin. I was introduced, for a moment, to one party host, but she left shortly after introductions. She shared that the party area was only available to us for an hour?!?! How would we be able to set up decorations, take them down, eat, sing happy bithday etc in that span of time? One of the people that were attending the party was seated at the party area, when we were allowed to begin decorations. When I asked her how she knew where we would be she was told that someone in the front told her that our party would be here, but that our family had not shown up yet. This was around 5:30, while we had been there 40-50 minutes prior. She also shared that she had been sitting there for about 20 minutes. We decorate and set things up. Kyle comes over to introduce himself. Shares that he is a manager and that he would take over. I felt at ease when began to assist with decorations and made sure that things that we needed were provided. I wanted to order additional pizza, which he was able to get out quickly. He gave us additional time in the party area, as we hand an elderly women in the party that needed a place to sit and so that we did not feel rushed during cake and eating. He made a situation that was not so great, amazing. He attempted to accommodate us and that made such a huge difference. Some of the other staff were not accommodating, and frankly were a bit rude. Overall, the party was decent. I would say that organization was lacking and customer service, before Kyle, was lacking as well. Pizza was good however the drink machine broke and we could not get anything to drink after the kids played 2 rounds of lazer tag. Big thanks to Kyle though! He was a superstar on this evening. I truly appreciated all that he did to make sure the evening ran as smoothly as...

This was a very unfortunate situation as this I believe has the potential to be an amazing location for birthday parties or school trips. However, today that was not the case. I chaperoned a field trip for over 100 kids and it was a horrible experience from start to finish. They clearly seemed to be caught off guard with our arrival, though this has been planned and paid for several weeks. Upon arrival we were given bowling lane assignments, but when we got to the lanes they were actually in use by another school. So imagine the lack of patience with over 100 kids from grades K-2 with nothing to do. Yet no sense of urgency whatsoever from staff. Game cards were not available for at least 20 min and we are obviously on a schedule so every minute counts. We then have to pack up everything and move to other bowling lanes that are now for our group. Again, lack of preparation. Kids start having a blast, now it’s time to eat. Pizzas are coming out 2 at a time for over 100 kids. Where is the preparation for a party this size. Drinks were the same, and we had to constantly ask for additional pitchers. With this many kids, should we really have to tell you that 4 pitchers is not enough. Also as mentioned before, another school was there. How are you or your staff not ready? This is basic logistics. Trying to get Icees for 50 kids may have been the most inefficient process I have ever seen in my life. The bartender had to walk to the station to make them, bring them back and collect payment, all from the BAR! So kids are lined up at the BAR because no one staffed the other side with kid beverages, yet multiple schools are here. All while I saw several staff members literally doing nothing while this poor bartender was running back and forth while also processing food orders for other patrons. When another employee was asked to help out to speed things up, as our trip was wrapping up, I was told “she has a system already and I cannot help her”. So 5 ppl waiting in line to order 20 Icees while you watch is a system? Our school had a group come a few days prior and they had a totally different experience, so I have no idea of the issue. But again, they clearly were not prepared or equipped to handle large groups today. Very unfortunate as the kids were very excited and had a great time, but the experience from a logistics perspective was...