King Pinz was one stop of several on a triple-date night with some great friends. Â Â The location is easy to get to - lots of parking. Â One of the guys made reservations and I'm glad he did - we would've been waiting awhile otherwise. Â It was nice to head right in and get bowling. Â
The staff at the cashier were extremely friendly, especially one gal I wish I had the name of; she was very friendly and happy to be there. Â The wait staff was also very attentive and friendly though they were pushing the beverages very strongly - that obviously is their profit center. Â The TV projection behind the lanes was pretty sweet - having the Nats game live was more fun for me than the bowling itself.
The bowling itself was fine - plenty of clean new bowling balls, the return was unusually fast, the LCDs were new and bright. Â The deck was well cleaned, no scratches or dings. Â
The problem with King Pinz is that the seating areas are extremely compact - you have to step over each other just to get up to the lanes - makes for a tight experience. Â With 6 people, it was almost unenjoyable. Â If it weren't for the great company, we wouldn't have finished the round. Â As it was, we left after a single game opting for somewhere with more room and better food.
That's why I won't be back - the service was great, even very friendly, but the core part of the experience was no good.
I'm seeing some people complain about their bills being over $100... my story should make you feel a lot better.
Went in on a Sunday with 3 friends, and 4 kids between us (total of 8 people). Waited a while for a lane to open (we actually had 2 lanes, I think). Bowled 3 games, shoe rentals, got the kids some drinks, a pizza, and the cookie shooters (which are pretty cool). Also ordered one round of mixed drinks for the adults. I expected it to be a pretty high bill, but was shocked when the total was almost $500!!!
$500... for bowling. I paid $500... to bowl.
That one really hurt. It was our own fault for not grasping that we were being charged for 8 people per game. I'm not really complaining, just trying to make you guys who were shocked at $100 bills feel a little better about your outing.
Overall, it was fun- but not even remotely worth what we paid. The place is very clean, big TV screens above the lanes, and the food is average. It's a nice place... but very expensive. Have fun, but be mindful of what you're paying... to bowl.
I have been to King Pinz before with my friends and were always told what the price for each game was at the counter when checking in. Â This time, the front desk guy told us simply that it was "$8 a game". Â
WOW! Â On a Friday night it's going to be only "$8 a game"? Â We'll do two! Â Well, after finishing up our 2 games we asked our waiter (or bartender- not sure) how much an additional game would be. Â The waiter (or bartender) told us it would be "$8 a game". Â Awesome! Â
So we tacked on another game as well as another 100 Oz beer tube thing. Â After we finished our game and our drinks, we asked for the bill. Â ONE HUNDRED AN SIXTY DOLLARS LATER we came to the realization that it was "$8 a game" PER PERSON. Â
Not only did we ask twice the price for the price of the games, but we were intentionally duped into believe that the games were only $8. Â What was their response to my claim of highway robbery? Â "Well, it's kind of implied". Â Implied? Â That's the service & value of your dollar you get at King Pinz. Â Got to Dulles Golf Center and play putt-putt because at least you know there it's $8 a person per round. Â Ridiculous. Â Wont be back.