We hosted my husband's 50th birthday party here last night, and unfortunately it was one of the…read moreworst event experiences I've ever had.
We booked a private event package that included catering, bowling, axe throwing, and soft drinks. From the moment we arrived, it felt like no one was actually managing the event. We spent most of the evening tracking down staff, asking for updates, requesting game repairs, and trying to figure out what was supposed to happen next.
One of the first issues involved the food. We were never informed where our buffet was located. I eventually had to ask someone, only to be directed to a buffet set up on the opposite side of the room from our group in a public area, nowhere near where we had been told to gather. I had to request that it be moved. Even after it was relocated, it was still placed far from our group despite there being available space much closer.
The food itself was disappointing. The fried pickles were so heavily battered that most of our guests couldn't even tell what they were supposed to be, and much of the appetizer went uneaten. We also ordered a quesadilla trio, but only cheese quesadillas appeared to be served.
Looking back at our contract, our package also included soft drinks. At no point were we informed of that, offered any, or told how to access them. The only beverage service we received was after I specifically requested water, at which point a pitcher of warm tap water with a metallic taste was brought to the table.
The games were equally frustrating. We experienced equipment issues, service interruptions, and long waits for assistance. When lanes stopped working, we pressed the call button and waited. No one came. We repeatedly had to leave our guests and go find staff ourselves.
The biggest issue was communication. We were later told that our axe-throwing time had already started, even though no one had informed us. We were then told our activities needed to be cut short because another group was coming in, despite the venue being largely empty and no replacement group ever appearing.
One of our guests also had an unpleasant interaction at the bar after requesting a drink that one bartender didn't know how to make and asked a fellow staff member for assistance with. According to our guest, the second bartender responded with profanity, loudly stating that she didn't give a f*** and was leaving, before grabbing her belongings and walking out. When our guest brought this interaction to management's attention, she was reportedly told to calm down and stop cursing, even though she was simply repeating the language that had been used by the employee.
The most disappointing part of the evening was the birthday cake. After requesting it, we waited about 30 minutes before having to track someone down again. When it finally arrived, there was no opportunity to gather guests or sing Happy Birthday. It was immediately cut and served. What should have been a special moment became another frustration.
The overall impression left on us and our guests was not simply that the evening was disorganized, but that management was largely indifferent to the problems we were experiencing. Issue after issue was brought forward, yet very little was done to address them in a meaningful way. The evening felt disorganized, chaotic, and poorly managed from start to finish.
This experience left us incredibly disappointed. Unfortunately, neither we nor any of our guests have any interest in returning.
