Acme Bowl

10/18/09

Poor representation for parties; nice place overall

by wildavetti at Citysearch

This place is fun, big, and spacious. We thought it would be perfect for a birthday party for about 20 people, although we wanted to play pool more than bowl (they have a good number of pool tables). We called a few days before and they told us the pool tables were "first come, first served." When we got there, all the pool tables were reserved ... not a single one available ... for a large party. No one mentioned that to us when we called, so we complained, waited an hour, and they squeezed us into two lanes of bowling. NOT ACCEPTABLE RESERVATIONS MANAGEMENT!!

This was our second time there; several people in our group complained ... as did some friends from the first time we went there, and so did we ... that their drinks are very, very weak. We don't know how they're pouring, but a mixed drink there is no more than half of what it is at most typical bars in Seattle.

Finally, the food. Not the best quality although a pretty diverse menu. But worst of all, it took about an hour for it to arrive. Apparently the big party they had there got the kitchen backed-up. However, in a place as large as this, they need to be able to manage effectively the number of people that it is built to hold.

The staff was mixed ... the first manager with whom we complained (about the reservations) was a jerk and didn't seem to care. The second was a woman who tried to go out of her way to help us, and she was clearly overwhelmed by the chaos and how overcrowded they were that night.

Management, take heed! Improve your reservations process and how you inform people over the phone about parties! Also, have an independent bartender(s) test your drinks ...

• Pros: Great location, nicely appointed, spacious
• Cons: Very light drinks, misrepresents reservations

04/20/07

Great Service! Not too busy to get a lane

by l_wins at Citysearch

The other night was my first time at ACME and was impressed with the size of this venue. It was a week night and did not have to worry about getting a lane for open bowling - more often than not, when I've looked for bowling on a weeknight in the past and you have to worry about if there will be an open lane or not and usually hear the line "no open lanes because of leagues." Not here, at least from what I could tell. Also, the location is convenient... close to S. Center mall, so easy access from I 5 or I405 or even 509.

• Pros: Thumbs up. Clean. Good food.
• Cons: Don't get lost: Andover Park WEST is easy to mix up with Andover Park EAST

04/20/07

We're gonna score tonight...

by choirboy_lap at Citysearch

Can't talk about bowling without a Grease reference. I went this week with a group of 12 people, and I was shocked at the personal attention you can receive here. My drinks came lighting quick, and were litterally waiting for me when I turned around from my turn. At the end our waiter told us to leave our shoes and bowling-balls and he would take care of them. That's when I really like it. I didn't have to hoist all the bowling-balls back or shlep my shoes up to the counter. The entire atomsphere was clean and relaxed. Only con was my forarm hurting because we bowled and extra game!

• Pros: Large open feel, clean facility, good service, drinks & food
• Cons: Bathrooms seem far away since it's big