We came to Lucky Strike as a family. Me, my wife, and our child. We just wanted to relax and play some bowling together. We paid for the game, started playing, and ordered drinks. I got a beer tower that comes with two glasses (that was the minimum), my wife ordered a cocktail, and we got a non-alcoholic drink for our kid.
The server checked our IDs, confirmed we're over 21, and took the order with no issue. Everything was going fine. But about five minutes later, a different server came back and said they couldn't serve the drinks. She claimed the beer tower is only allowed if two people drink from it. And since I was going to drink it alone, that was apparently not allowed. They even suggested canceling my wife's cocktail if I wanted to keep the beer.
I told her that made no sense. I can drink my beer, my wife can have her cocktail, and what's the problem? She insisted it wasn't allowed. I also explained that I've made this exact same order before, at this same location, and nobody ever said anything. Still, she refused to help, so I asked to speak with a manager.
The manager came and said the same thing. I asked to see the official rules that say this kind of order isn't allowed. While I waited, I checked the Lucky Strike website. There were no such rules listed. In fact, the site says it's a comfortable and fun place to enjoy drinks and hang out. I showed this to the manager. Her response was, "We don't care what the website says. I said no, so it's no."
Honestly, I expected a manager to try to solve the issue, not just shut us down like that. Everything had already been paid for. The beer, the cocktail, the bowling. We had only played for a couple of minutes. Just made a few throws. Our child had one sip of her drink.
When I said this was unfair and that they were violating our rights as paying guests, the manager told us if we didn't like it, we should leave. I said I was going to call the police and calmly did so. I didn't raise my voice or cause a scene. Then security came over and told me to leave the building. I said no and waited for the police outside.
When the police showed up, we explained everything. I got a partial refund. But they didn't refund the bowling, which we didn't even get to enjoy, or the kid's drink. And of course, no apology or compensation for how they treated us.
Later, I got a letter saying I was banned from the location for a year. For what? For being polite, calm, and standing up for myself and my family?
The manager even tried to block me from taking her photo for the complaint. She covered her face, pushed my hand, and physically tried to stop me. I told the police, but they didn't do anything.
I've come to this place many times before. I've spent money here and always had a good time. But what happened that night was a complete disaster. No respect, no logic, no professionalism. This is not how you treat loyal customers. And definitely not how you run a place that calls itself family-friendly. read more