Jillian's at Universal City

12/02/2007 Posted by osirisioux

Did the people who gave this place glowing reviews work for the company? Because my recent experience with this place was the exact opposite. and RUDE, RUDE RUDE management.

06/01/2007 Posted by eventconsultant

As an event consultant, I cannot say enough about the great experience we had at Jillian's! I recently booked a company outing at the Citywalk location and could not have been happier with the results. The event manager was very professional, the service and management staff during the party were more than helpful and the food, bowling and drinks exceeded my expectations. My staff had a great time, many of them saying it was the best party they had attended! I will definitely return with another group. Thanks Jililan's!

Pros: professional staff and great bowling environment

Cons: must plan early, space books fast

01/03/2007 Posted by zrp_323

I recently had my child's 16th birthday party at Jillian's and all we can say is "WOW!" The service, atmosphere and energy that exists both at the bowling lanes and video arcade is UNBELIEVABLE! It's difficult to find a place for both kids and adults to enjoy themselves, but Jillian's had a little bit of everything for everyone! I can't believe the response I received! If you're looking for a great place to entertain a group, I HIGHLY recommend this place!

Pros: everything

Cons: n/a

11/21/2006 Posted by akoskas

As a business owner, I wanted to take my staff of 18 with their friends and family for a night of bowling and food as a 'Thank You" for all there hard work. How disspointing it was when we arrived and our 2 lanes were not ready, since there was another party finishing up. After 20 minutes, I mentioned to the manager if we can go ahead and take the other 2 lanes that were not occupied. He told me, they were RESERVED already. Once they left, food was pre ordered by phone prior to our arrival and all of us were starving, but they didn't have our food ready until 30 minutes after our set up. By this time, my staff were hungry and ready to bowl. We had two lanes and then the 2nd lane broke down again and then again... by the 3rd time, we had to move everyone to one bowling lane. How lame was that. After 20 minutes of fixing the lane, we finally were able to finish one round. I was frustrated and let the manager know. All he could say was I'm sorry and I'll let our Party Planner know about this so she can send you a certificate to come back. Not only have I never heard back from her, but by the time we left no one ever used the RESERVED LANES next to us. I would not plan another party here ever again!

Pros: Cool, neon bowling lanes

Cons: Broken bowling lanes constantly

06/20/2006 Posted by cwikoff

It sucked so much I created a citysearch account just to tell you about it. If you are going upstairs to the bowling alley it is okay. Downstairs, however, is beyond terrible. About two thirds of the games were broken. Maybe more. They work on a system that uses a card with credits. You will always end up with credits on the card but not enough to do anything with. Both the air hockey tables don't work. One kid was playing a game and the screen died in the middle of his game. The only reason we didn't throw our cards on the ground when we left was that the girl at the front desk was crying. Really. Though I can't blame her. After taking my husband to the suckiest place for his birthday I should have been crying too.

09/21/2005 Posted by bws1

I recently attended a company event at Jillian's at CityWalk and forgot how much fun bowling can be! The atmosphere was very cool in a fun retro sort of way, the service staff was very attentive and the food and drinks were great. This was a great place for our company party but I can see my kids loving it as well! Two thumbs up! We'll be back!

Pros: bowling & games, atmosphere, staff

Cons: busy

02/17/2005 Posted by harry21

If you wonder where the people in line at the DMV go, once it closes. Wonder no more, they are at Jillian's. The place is a pathetic attempt at trying to be hip in Hollywood. The food is bad, the lanes constantly break down, and the games hardly ever work. That being said the staff was good considering what they have to put up with. Why anyone would want to go there let alone work there is beyond me? The place was busy, maybe if they spent some of the money they are making on fixing things then maybe it wouldn't be such a bad place, but I doubt it.

Pros: servers, bartenders

Cons: broken lanes, management, broken games

01/02/2005 Posted by emilysinclair

If you're looking for a location that is about as close to a club as it can get, go here! It's expensive, loud and you'll be lucky if your balls ever come back! We had 4 balls and finally they were all missing and we had to ask the guy to send them out to us. Um, hello? For the $6.00 a game I think we should get our balls shot back at us right quick. Then the fire alarm went off for (no joke) 15 minutes. It was really annoying but most people just thought it was some trance song w/ a strange strobe light. All in all, fun, but an expensive evening.

Pros: interesting decor, good video screens, uptempo music

Cons: , strange customers

06/13/2003 Posted by bepper55

The food was OK, the service was good but the crowd was not good. Once midnight hit, the dance floor turned into one big make-out session. The managers/staff didn't seem to keep the crowd in control either. If it were a club, it wouldn't have been so bad, but for a restaurant, I found it slightly inappropriate. I wouldn't go back there on a weekend night at all.

Cons: crowded

05/14/2002 Posted by taradelis_citysearch

I've been here several times, all of which for industry get togethers. It's a great place to get to know your co-workers, clients and even competitors. Jillian's is really good about working these sort of parties. They take care of many of the arrangements and check in with you to make sure everything is going OK. Maybe it's just the nights I've been on, but I think Jillian's offers regular promotions based on your bowling score or your ability to knock down a certain colored pin during special giveaway times. The prizes can be great. The prices all around are a little steep, but what else would you expect from Citywalk? The drinks are good, the food is decent (not the best, but points for imagination) and the atmosphere is funky fun (10 blacklit lanes and a DJ spinning pop).

Pros: squeaky clean fun, fun hangout

Cons: a little pricey, parking fee