06/10/08

Unless you're in a league, forget about bowling here

by lalocalsince86

After 4 years of coming here, and bringing several of my friends (for 4 years we came almost every Tuesday, having between 7-15 and sometimes up to 20 bowlers meet here every Tuesday) I have just returned from my very last attempt at bowling there. Seems they've moved their focus from the regular "Joe" bowler to leagues only. We bowl during mid week to avoid crowds, but now they have two leagues every night of the week. One that ends at 9 PM (if they are on time and usually they are not) and another that starts at 9:45. So that means, forget about getting a lane if you and your chums just want to hang out.

Also, they recently hired a guy who is sharp as a spoon. Instead of taking suggestions from me and my friends to start a waiting list when people arrive, he does whatever he feels like and puts whoever he feels like on a lane in no particular order. So it doesn't matter if you wait an hour like we did, you will still not get a lane and you and all of your friends will leave disappointed.

Where oh where were the people that recognized us and called us by name and gave us hints on how to bowl better.... they've moved on to better things I guess.

If I could give this place zero stars, I would.

• Pros: Clean
• Cons: Bad counter people (evenings), horrible bartender who's slower than molasses in winter named Eileen

Cosmic decor and fantastic specials make these bowling lanes a stellar choice.

by Contributor

In Short
Other alleys might flirt with the idea of cosmic bowling, but Mar Vista Bowl lives it. Psychedelic, galaxy-themed carpeting that would be out of place anywhere but a "Jetsons" episode ties in horrifyingly well with the "big bang" bowling art above each lane. Ignore the rotting ceiling tiles overhead. Maintenance is focused where it really counts: on the highly waxed lanes.

07/31/06

Needs to improve, could be better!

by jdtheman

Havent been here since the 1980's, but when we returned it felt as if we were back in that year. I noticed the upgrade bowling machine system they have; which is not that user friendly. We had to have a worker show us how to use the machine and later found out it was not properly set for our area "their fault". We ate some food at the coffee shop called Pepy's. Now this so called restaurant food was no better than having your own bar-b-que at home. I ordered some chicken strips which were so greasy and full of fat that I had them replace it for a cheese burger. When they returned, the burger was over cooked and the cheese fell right off the bun.

After eating we went to bowl some more. I don't know if it was "Soul Night" but they kept playing R&B - Soul mixes it seems as if one of the workers brought in their customized CD to play so that everyone could hear. In fact, when we first entered the establishment it was almost full, but no later than 2 hours the place was empty. Now I don't know if it was the food or music, maybe both!

The price paid for shoes was $4.50 per person and for bowling was $5.00 per person per play. All this time we thought AMF was a well known business name which turned out to be quite the opposite.

• Pros: people, availability, price to bowl
• Cons: type of music played, resturant food, staff

04/19/06

Great local place

by strade

I've had my birthday party here two years in a row now, and I haven't been disappointed yet. The atmosphere is exactly what I would expect for a bowling alley. I'll definitely keep coming back.

• Pros: atmosphere, helpful staff
• Cons: none

09/11/03

Lunchtime Fun

by svantico

A group I work with came here for a lunch-time bowling league. Lane fees were very inexpensive and we had a great time.

Lanes are super slick and the pins aren't always in great condition, but this beats the super sterile atmosphere of many newer places.

Staff was great and actually recommended league status for us which saved us big bucks. It's a fun place to go!

• Pros: Inexpensive Bowling, Fun Atmosphere
• Cons: Older Equipment

08/01/03

Time warp

by chreed

But don't get me wrong--I'm saying that in a good way. I think bowling alleys should be reminiscent of the '50s and this one definitely is. For interesting, late-night, subculture fun, stick around until closing to watch the employees and other die-hards bowl for SERIOUS money (called Pot Games). If you want slick, pretty, clean and modern, skip Mar Vista.

• Pros: free parking, last remaining Pepy's, some staff are great
• Cons: so-so neighborhood

11/26/02

yeah,baby!

by rgonzoca

bowling machines[pin spotters,bowl returns]in dire need of upgrading. there were too many stuck balls and the computer scorekeeper was difficult to use

11/18/02

Not what your expecting

by cassidyB

We went last night (11/19/02), no longer $5 and 25cent games, $10 unlimited bowling from 8.30 till 11.30. Staff was VERY rude, telling us "slow down, Woman" when we spoke or just ignoring us completly, preferance being given to regulars. We arrive early as suggested yet bowling began 25 minutes late! Not sure where the Party music was, more a mix of a dukebox playing when some one payed a quarter. The lanes were TOO oiled causing slippy floors all around. Not what we expected after such great reviews, and we will certainly not be going again.

• Cons: RUDE staff, Oiled floors & Lanes