Wairau Park Tenpin Bowling

This place was great once upon a nostalgic time, but man it’s gone to the dogs. I can’t even remember the number of times it’s been reconfigured over the years. It started out as a massive gaming arcade (it used to be called Galaxy), then it became a bowling alley, and now it’s a kinda half bowling alley, half pool table/​arcade thing. It’s like they can’t make up their mind on what the kids want these days.
Driving up the road and looking at the beaten up old neon sign and faded paint, the place just gives the distinct impression of the owner not giving a toss. The impression is reinforced when you go in and find fairly uninterested staff. Still, it’s cheap and Tenpin Bowling is undeniably fun — a man of simple pleasures can’t help but wallow in the bliss of throwing heavy balls around… I’m also quite good, not that you care…
However for a better bowling experience, go to Newmarket or Metrolanes in town. I would recommend my childhood home of Tenpin Takapuna, but it’s been demolished. I may have cried a bit…

Tenpin bowling isn’t quite what it was cracked up to be back in my day. I used to come here so often and every time I was thrilled to squeeze into those nasty old shoes and throw some balls around. Now I don’t get quite the same vibe. It could be because I’m older but I think it also has something to do with the standards at Wairau bowling.
My most recent trip was immediately met with some un-​satisfactory service. The help at the front desk was rather unhelpful and I got the feeling they had somewhere better to be. I’m pretty sure they attempted to charge me twice saying my transaction hadn’t gone through when it had, and there were no bowling shoes! Once we got the ball rolling (haha) and started our games our lane had a few hiccups, which left us waiting around for the thing to be re-​set.
So it certainly wasn’t the best of my recent outings. I would return simply because it’s my local bowling and every now and again I do get a craving but yes… hopefully next time will bring a more memorable experience.