Island Rock gets two stars because it's a rock climbing gym on Long Island, where the only other routes are at Dick's, currently being scaled by toddlers, and the only boulder(s) are in little patches on the North Shore (I hesitate to even make that a plural for fear of misrepresenting the topography of LI, which is, to say the least, flat). I've been here a bunch of times over the last year, because at the end of the day, climbing is fun. However, the general consensus is that this place is just kind of okay. It has okay routes, okay bouldering areas, okay staff (who will come over and bitch at you if you try to refresh your belaying skills, even if you're not belaying anyone. Then an 80 lb preteen in Uggs will come over and do your belay certification test with you. That's after ignoring you when you want to check in because they're absorbed in conversation. Okay, the staff sucks; I thought climbers were happy people?), and okay location. That's sort of being generous. For what it is, it's SO overpriced. They have ONE deal each month: members bring a guest on the first Monday of each month for $5. Oh wait, my socks just got knocked off. Rates are otherwise $60/month for student members, a couple bucks more if you're not, and a one day pass is $17 for adults, $15 if you're a student. Yup, you save two enourmous dollars. Then it's another $5 for shoes, and $5 for a harness. In other words, you're spending a buttload of money for a day pass on a meh gym, when meanwhile our buddies in SoCal are climbing in like freakin indoor-rock-universes for less than that. I'm not jealous, really. Hey, Cali? Can you send some of your gyms this way, please? Edit: Went to Brooklyn Boulders for the first time the other day. It is incredible. If you're equidistant from these two gyms (well, even if you're distant from Brooklyn), choose BKB. A few dollars pricier, but you'll see why when you go there. read more

1 star is to nice for this place in my opinion but unfortunately they won't let me give it zero. So let's begin with the atmosphere. The very first thing you notice when you come in is how big the location is. Almost looks promising, until you take the tour. The whole gym is absolutely covered in dust the bathroom showers have been broken and now used as storage the sauna is now used to dry their holds you go upstairs to what looks like an awesome training facility but again you will be shutdown there too. They have all this equipment that have been there since they probably opened and does not work. Rope thrown around the floor waiting for people to get hurt and trip gigantic holes in the wall that looks to me like someone was just furious with how crappy their campus area is and decided to just give back a physical review. You go back downstairs and the holds them selves are ancient. Now I've been climbing for three years and I am also a USA certified climbing coach and a route setter at another gym, I typically climb v10 inside and out and I've always enjoyed gyms that sandbag their climbs. However this gym is not one of those gyms. This gym claims to be more like outside but in my opinion who has been all over the east coast west coast and south for climbing on some of the best rock out there this place is the farthest from outside. Their climbs are ridiculous and lack expertise in setting. The route setting staff at the gym are pretty cool people but as far as the rest of the staff it seems they just hire anyone who could care less about climbing or even being there. The Manager of the gym MARC is seen walking around drinking coffee and completely oblivious on how to run the place. The few times I've been there I would always catch him watching Netflix in his office. The one time I addressed some of these issues he responded in such an unprofessional tone told me he didn't want my money when I expressed how the training area was a dangerous place and should be changed. He told me he thought the gym was the best gym in NY because they make so much money off of kid parties. Kids who know no better. Which if you end up going on a day where there is a birthday Party be prepared for kids running around screaming while you are trying to climb and not fall on them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people's safety in jeopardy and not staff or MARC assist or advise anyone. In my experience with every single other gym in NY this gym deserves to be ripped down and built back up. Starting with a new manager. Luckily for you long islanders there is a new gym opening up about five mins away that is known for there exceptional climbing facilities. Look out for it, you won't be disappointed. read more

Island Rock ROCKS! Great fun for kids and adults. A very unique place, whether you're looking for a new hobby or just a something different than going to the movies. read more

I joined Island Rock after coming home from school for the summer, its a huge gym with enough routes to keep me climbing all day. The staffs helpful and the other climbers are always looking to give tips to one another. Great gym with a great atmosphere. read more

For all mom's and beginners who want to try rock climbing, this place sucks!!! Big time!!! The staff who runs this place are so RUDE and obnoxious! This is not a place I would recommend after being so rudely treated and really is not a safe place for children! The place smells, looks run down and small. We were planning to hold my children's birthday party there but after the experience we had visiting for the first time, they lost my business! Again, for all mom's and beginners read the reviews about this place. It was my mistake, that I didn't read the reviews but after experiencing it in person the reviews were right on point. read more

This is a fantastic rock climbing gym! The staff are all very friendly. There are plenty of different levels of top-rope climbing, lead climbing and bouldering to keep it new and challenging every time I go. Its a fun environment with good motivating music. I recommend this place to all of my friends. read more

This place is awaome for rock climbers!!! Lots to do so much fun plus it's a great workout and it is fun to watch yourself progress.

I came here and started taking private instruction with the head manager on how to climb. My abilities skyrocketed in only a few short weeks. The instructor really took a lot of time to hone in on my weakness and work them out. He kept track of my progress and it feels really great to get stronger and have good form. It makes all the difference. I wouldn't otherwise be able to know all the terminology, hand holds etc. The experience also really helped me to break through a lot of fear I was having surrounding heights. It taught me to trust a little better. They are incredibly focused on safety and injury prevention. They make sure the instructors lead you through everything on the list and really understand how to bilet safely, I've brought a bunch of friends who took the lesson they offer at the beginning. I LOVE THAT. I've been to other gyms where they just kind of let you on the rock and I've always been freaked that a friend could possibly let me fall not knowing what they were doing. I am a yoga practitioner so it was good for me to cross train and helped my practice to get much stronger where I needed it most! (upper body) I also like the rest of the staff a lot, they feel like a family and are all interesting characters who have climbed the world! If you take the time to get to know them they are very good company. It's not a stuffy impersonal atmosphere like other gyms I've been to (upstate) there is way more of a community feel. read more

I love climbing here , and employee/friends discounts are nice !. Plus the energy drink machine is a nice touch

Awesome girls birthday party - Ryan and Ryan were fantastic with the kids - lots of laughs and happy kids filled with self confidence. No experience needed with these 2 staff instructors. The kids had a blast. read more

Island rock is my first gym climbing experience. I had fun and look forward to coming again. If you are studying at Stony Brook, it is a 40 minute drive, but it is the closest climbing gym. read more

I had my son's birthday party at Island Rock today. It was an amazing experience. There were two young woman assigned to our group and they were so awesome with the kids. The coordinator was equally as nice. They included the parents for free and to our surprise most of them climbed along with their kids. It turned into a great family experience too. Even though they closed at 6pm, our guests were still milling around. We didn't feel rushed out. I would definitely recommend this place for a party. I read some of the negative reviews and was a bit nervous. I guess every place can have a bad day but that was not our experience. read more

Went here for the first time with my nephew. Loads of fun in a low-pressure environment. Noam was super helpful. I'm terrified of heights, so the fact that I'll be coming back is saying something. read more

This is a nice smaller facility for Rock Climbing. The staff is young, and friendly not the most knowledgeable staff but enough to give basic safety advice. I have belay certification from Brooklyn Boulders but took there class so i could belay here as well. Good place for kids parties and families. If you live local this can be a good option for mid-week and weekend climbs as it is for me. When you really feel like climbing indoors go to BB or try there new Queens bridge location. Watch for Groupons, they frequently offer them. read more

Island Rock has a good variety of boulder problems, top-roping and lead routes. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, and always willing to give some advice. It's a great environment for training and getting stronger. I definitely recommend this place for people of all ages who want to climb and train and just have a great time! read more

great climbing gym and in fact the only climbing gym on long island. The bouldering area is really big and is reset enough that their is always new and fun routes to try. The two cracks and dimensions of the top roping walls only add to a great indoor rock climbing experience. read more

This place is great! The walls are awesome and the staff is very friendly. Climbing is such a great work-out. You have fun, but you are definitely sore the next day. The only minor complaints I have is that some of the trails aren't updated, and occasionally you have a loose hand holds. Nothing too bothersome. All in all a fun place to get your exercise on! read more

I used to climb here years ago, but it was all that I knew. Now that I've been to other gyms I find it disappointing. The routes are rarely changed, and the tape has come off, so you don't know what pieces are on. The holds are old and quite slippery. read more

.Island Rock is fantastic. A great place to learn how to climb at any age. The staff is wonderful. Kevin was my belay instructor and he is awesome. Great teacher and cool person. He belayed for me once and was very encouraging. Danielle was good too. I wanted to add something different to my workouts, and I got more than I expected. Better than just the typical treadmill and weights. Mark, the manager, is amazing. I signed up for a few training sessions, and he was great. I learned a lot from him. He always pushed me to go past what I thought I could do. It was challenging and so much fun. The staff is helpful and the place is clean. I always have a great experience when I visit. Great job Island Rock! read more

Highly recommend this place! Staff were amazing, your safety is their priority! It was my first time wall climbing and I appreciate that they took their time to teach us all of the tricks of the trade. I came here with one of my friends and both of us had a blast. Definitely coming back this place again! They offer groupons as well in case you are interested. read more

This place was awesome. I went with my wife and my 6 year old son and we had a blast. Im 53 and tried this out and will definitly be going back. Your never too old or too young for this. Its a work out and a rush. read more

We had such a great time there my grand daughters had time of there life from starting of as beginners and now look like pros and thank you to Chris for being a great mentor and helping them! read more

This was my first rock climbing experience and I am so sorry that it was here. I jumped on the Living Social deal and encouraged my friends to do so also. When we arrived, we were greeted with the horrible smell of old shoes and feet. Gross. Following the smell was the aloof front desk staff who was not welcoming at all. We were them prompted to complete and sign an electronic waiver. The computer we were promted to do so offered no privacy so anyone standing in line behind me could see all of the personal information I was entering. As for climbing itself, the belaying lesson was good and given by the lovely Jenna but when we got to the wall to do the actual belaying it was very hard to hear because it was so noisy. From there, it was hard to get a lot of the instructor's time because she was busy helping everyone else. Our lack of help resulted in my partner and I only climbing once each. My other friends who joined later had missed the belaying lesson but wanted to use their voucher for the day pass. They were told they could not do that and had to purchase a separate day pass. I had called twice prior to arriving and was not told that this could happen. Further, when my friends bought their pass, they were told it was only for 1/2 an hour. Again, this is not what I was told when I called in to inquire. When I brought this to the attention of the most senior person at the front desk, again, the answers I received were aloof and noncommittal. I do not recommend this place AT ALL. Go elsewhere, please. read more

I've been climbing at Island Rock for a while now and its a great gym. First I'd like to say that just because a lot of the staff is young does not mean they are inexperienced. I'm not sure why people automatically draw that conclusion. Everybody who works there knows what they are doing and are very friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have. I also think that the setters are great. There's always new and interesting routes and the grading is fairly consistent, although in general climbing grades tend to be subjective. I have noticed island Rock grades are more true to outdoor grades, more so then other gyms with softer grading. I do suggest they leave the setting to the more experienced climbers,as you can tell that the routes set by the staff who aren't as experienced aren't usually that great (not naming any names), However I do like the setting of the climbers who are more experienced and there's many different types of routes and problems for any style of climbing. The gym is good for beginners and advanced climbers alike with walls and routes suitable for both. I do think the prices are a bit steep but as are any other gym memberships; the difference is IR offers a different and unique way of working out. Speaking of working out, there are a lot of complaints about the upstairs gym but they have made some improvements since those reviews were written. People also complain about the location which I don't understand because where else are you supposed to find a warehouse big enough for a climbing gym?? Another thing is people keep saying its dirty and is a little bit but people have to understand that the "dust" is really just chalk which stays in the air and gets on everything. It's just a part of climbing. I don't know what these people are seeing but I rarely see people making belaying mistakes and when I do, Someone usually points it out and corrects it. Climbing is obviously inherently a dangerous sport so they do everything they can to mitigate that risk. With auto locking grigris it would actually be difficult to make a fatal belaying error. Generally I think that the reviews here don't really do IR justice. read more

Island Rock in Plainview is a fun place to learn a new sport and celebrate a birthday !My son had his 11 year-old birthday party here with 7 guests. The group of eight kids was manageable and there wasn't too much down time between their turns to climb. The party was 2 hours long - 1 1/2 hours of climbing and 1/2 hour for pizza and cake. The actual climbing was easy to learn and the kids felt like they had really accomplished something when they made it to the top. The kids had time to climb 6 walls of varying difficulties. The 2 hosts did a great job of instructing and supervising the kids, and they did a good job of setting up, serving and cleaning up the party food. We elected to bring in our own paper goods, tablecloths, cake, snacks and drinks. They supplied plenty of ice and were accommodating. Overall the boys really had a great time here and it had a strong "cool" factor as it was the first time many had tried rock climbing. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who lives on the island and wants to try something new! read more

I brought a friend here first before deciding to bring my wife and kid, and I was completely embarrased to be a rock climber. This place is an embarrassment to the sport of rock climbing. If you ever bring a first timer to the sport to this place, expect them to never come back. The staff, when they do decide to come to the desk and help you, are very unhelpful. The guys working the floor also made it clear that kids can only be allowed in the roped area. The bouldering area is a tiny dark corner of the room, which is small itself. Everything is very dirty. Lots of footholds missing, lots of handholds loose, very inconsistent and puzzling rating systems with tape/labels peeling off or missing...dirty bathroom, broken sinks, the sauna was being used as a storage room (??) the rental shoes were absolutely horrible, soles slippery and separating from the uppers. Crash Pads on the bouldering section were scant at best, and very worn out. And to top it all off, it was more expensive than average. Needless to say I will never spend my money here again. I'd rather go climb a tree. It's free, and more fun than this place. read more