Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Big Event

    3.2 (72 reviews)

    Services - The Big Event

    Venue rental

    The Big Event Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Big Event

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    a group of people holding drinks
    Cathy W.

    It's been sooo long since I bowled here. Last time I bowled at this location, it was still call Playdrom, before Big Event took over or renamed. First time here since they changed to Big Event and I already somewhat disappointed with them in this experience. I had a party of 7 and was assigned 2 lanes for one hour. The gentleman at the register was nice enough to extend the start time since my party was not all ready right away. According to him, the hour starts right from the moment you pay, which I think shouldn't you give like 10mins for the people to change their shoes, walk to their lane, look for bowling balls, and set up their lane, etc or start when they actually start the game to start counting. It's like you're automatically losing some mins right from the start even though you pay for a full hour. During our one hour bowling, one of the lanes had bowling ball stuck up there. One bowling ball stuck meaning the rest player's ball get stuck as well. This happens for at least 3x and we called the staff to fix up the problem at least twice! So majority of the balls were stuck there causing a delay while our hour play is still counting down. So the gentleman said he will add back 15mins for us. Fine fair enough. That happened again and while waiting for someone to fix that, our time is up. So i kindly ask the lady that was standing at the register if she can extend the time so we can at least finish that game due to all the delays and technical problems. With an attitude...! Yes, with a rude attitude she said we already extended 15mins. We cant extend more. So I kindly explained because the balls were stuck at the lane and we wasted time waited for the ball, waited to have your staff call someone to fix that problem in the back, waited for the balls to roll back, waited for the pins to reset. This lady, again continue to give me an attitude, said to me "Well, because you guys kept throwing all the balls down and getting the balls stuck at the lane." This time it really annoyed me. I argued back what do you mean we throw all the balls and getting them stuck? We just bowl when the screen told the player it's their turn. And she in return still insisted that she cant extend the time and they already extended 15mins already. Really?! That's how you talk to your customers. What kind of customer service is this? We played according to the screen signaling the player it is their turn. We ROLL the ball and not "throw" them down. This aint my first time playing now. Com'on! If customers never return back, this maybe be one of the big reasons, because you have employees that talks to their customers with a rude attitude! Ridiculous!

    Crap!
    Diane C.

    Came on a Sunday afternoon got a lane right away.$19.99 per person for 2 hours of unlimited bowling, includes shoe rental. Played 7 games through 'cause we're fast. As we approached the 2 hour mark, the pins got stuck and weren't cycling through so technician had to manually go fix in the back. They extended our time to finish the game. Nothing unusual. Although, the bowling shoes here were a little uncomfortable to me. I guess I'm used to the shoes at King Pin.

    Lucy P.

    Came here for my son's birthday and let's just say bad from the start. One hour of bowling for 5 people $69.95. Insane. When I asked about the $69.99 birthday special that comes with food, 2hrs and arcade $ , I was told that has to be reserved. Why? We settled into our lane and I go up to the bowling alley bar to place our food order. The one waitress they had only serves the bowling league that was there. Ordered my food and ask the bartender if she could make a strawberry mule and she said not at her bar(smaller limited bar) but try the restaurant, Erlton Social Club that is attached. I walk down and stop at the hostess stand where two workers are chatting and ignoring me until I asked which way was the bar as this was my first time at the establishment. I walk up to the bar that is not full and wait. The bartender is making drinks for tickets he has up. Again this restaurant is not busy. I ask if he can make a strawberry mule or anything close to that and he says no with a confused look on his face, as if I asked for some weird concoction....Singapore Slinger...I don't know. Any who. Get to my table and pulled up the drink menu and what do you know, one of their signature drinks is a mule. Food was bar food. Not special not bad. Other than the girls working the arcade room, I felt like I was bothering the employees. I am a former restaurant manager who now does HR for a living, service and good employees makes or breaks a place for me. I wont be back. There are other bowling/arcade places that are a better value.

    Club style backdrop
    Paul G.

    You know, I can't think of a single bad thing to say about this place. I really appreciate that the balance on the game card is shown in terms of dollars and cents, as are the prices for the games. I can't stand places that deal in points and fractions of points. I want to easily know what I'm paying to play a game. Big Event does just that. They have unique games and attractions I haven't seen at more popular chains. They've got a sticky wall jump that only costs $3, a game where you avoid laser beams, and a game I refer to as a beer pong simulator. Gotta get those kids ready for college!

    Angela H.

    A great family friendly place to hang out with friends for an affordable rounds of bowling or boardwalk style games. In the arcade area, it's pretty entertaining to play skeeball, beer pong (no beer though), a laser game...think kid version mission impossible...and arcade style just to name a few. Each game is clearly priced and the points you earn go on the money card. Simple! Cash out to collect your prize. They sell food and alcohol but I think you have to go to the food area and place your order. No wait staff came to us. The bowling area wasn't too busy but even on a Tues there were tons of people. I was surprised for a weeknight. My friend and I played 2 games at $12.50each. We really felt like we could chill out, weren't rushed and the seats, balls, the waxed floor and tv screens were in good shape. We had seats in the far end so no one would see us tossing gutter balls!

    Jojo T.

    This is friendly place for kids as long as you accommodate with them. The service is not on bar from my opinion, we are waiting for a long time for food even though it's a Friday night. Kids are hungry lol the food is horrible and chicken wings are very salty and spicy. Anyway, it's a okay experience to hangout and having fun.

    Entrance of The Big Event
    Terra B.

    I reserved the Friday Night Special $69.99. It included 2hours of unlimited bowling for up to 6 people, 1 large pizza, unlimited beverage, six 30min. Game cards. This was a great deal and so much fun. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The facility was clean and kept well. The restroom was also clean. My family and I had a great time. I definitely will return.

    See all

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ni K.
    279
    264
    203

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jasmin U.
    162
    13
    2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul G.
    219
    933
    2287

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jojo T.
    73
    10
    8

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ava G.
    0
    17
    7

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    $210 for 1 lane for 2 hours?!?! that is literally absurd !!! and thats even BEFORE tip, tax, and food/drinks...$200 JUST TO BOWL!!!!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Not a fan of the new management because limited drinks and prices are outrageous. No more unlimited bowling on Saturdays? What?!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hanna L.

    Hanna L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Visited last week. Had the worst experience ever. Racist manager refused us service. & Dirty bathrooms.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave H.
    1403
    919
    1268

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of N A.
    3
    223
    161

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    I was here Saturday and it's a cool place for a kids party and definitely cool for an adult to sit back watch the kids and have a few drinks

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa E.
    183
    25
    20

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Honestly the staff was just plain rude. No positives, there's a million other places to go.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike R.
    189
    19
    4

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Big Event

    Do they have pin ball machines?

    Didn't see any pinball machines. They have mostly electronic video games, basketball hoops, etc in the video arcade area. Another room has football, shuffleboard, pool tables & table-tennis/ping-pong. These games aren't cheap though - other places… Read more

    View All 2 Questions

    You might also consider

    Westbrook Lanes Family Bowling Center - Bowling fundraiser 2026!

    Westbrook Lanes Family Bowling Center

    (40 reviews)

    I just was sent pics from my Niece. Her 4 year old was having the time of her life, with a 1st game…read morescore of 91 and a strike. I have done a ton of work with bowling centers across the country. It is great to see a family owned and operated house, delivering on what matters. Growing the game from the young kids to ensure a viable future. Keep up the good work!! Chef Bill Sweet

    Is Westbrook going to wow you with food, drinks, atmosphere, and style? Highly unlikely for the…read moreInsta era crowd, but for people who are there to bowl, it's easily 5 stars, and one of our favorite places to frequent for league and practice. Since bowling is our primary reason for going, 5 stars it is! The equipment isn't the latest and greatest, but the lanes are taken care of and the staff are quick to fix any issues that come up, and it's a really affordable way to spend the time (especially if you have league bowler pricing...so feel free to join a league!). The front desk staff has always been outgoing and friendly; becoming even more so as the staff have quickly recognized us as repeat/regular customers. Leagues are great and run well. A far cry from how leagues are run at our previous bowling alleys in Philadelphia. There are leagues for bowlers of every level, from extremely serious sanctioned leagues to really fun beer leagues. I don't drink when I go to Westbrook because I'm typically driving, but they do have a full bar with TV's (as well as TV's near each lane). I've never eaten Big Swerve's BBQ but there's a pop-up there (with mixed reviews from those I know who've tried it). Otherwise, you're looking at soft drinks and snacks from the vending machines that are always available. Another big reason to check out Westbrook is Big Jim's Pro Shop. Jim is really friendly, and is highly respected. The shop is almost always busy, crowded with folks getting new balls or regulars just hanging out and talking. The prices are more than fair and the drilling is exceptional. Just beware that it's a legit bowling alley focused on the game. Which means that even if there are 42 lanes, you might want to check ahead of time for availability. It's not uncommon to show up and encounter leagues or high school teams competing on the weekdays or run into a tournament on the weekends. If you can slip in during the weekday hours, it's a nice chill place. We're just glad we finally found an alley that we really enjoy with a great pro shop, good conditions, friendly staff, and fair pricing. We definitely recommend it!

    The Big Event - bowling - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...