- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Brunswick Matador Bowl
Category: Active Life Bowling Bowling [Edit]
9118 Balboa BlvdNorthridge, CA 91325
Neighborhood: North Hills
(818) 892-8677
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
38 reviews for Brunswick Matador Bowl
38 reviews in English
-
Review from Dyeanna V.
North Hollywood, CA
12/23/2011
This is like mine and my boyfriend's place to chuck some balls. We like going during the week because it's SUPER dirt cheap and we get to play a good amount of games. We usually get 4 and 4, that usually comes up to be like $15.00 if I'm not mistaken. DO NOT GO ON A WEEKEND, IT IS NOT WORTH IT! We went on a weekend and we paid like $60.00. You serious? That's like a fucking pair of shoes. I'm straiiiight on that shit.
The balls are not in their best shape either. They do hurt the shit out of you. My extreme ass boyfriend uses the heaviest ones so his poor little finger began to grow a baby callus. So now he wears a band-aid on his index finger as to not make it worse. But then again, he tosses them and makes the entire building rattle.
Peep this, there's a chick that works at the 'bar' who has the bitchiest attitude. There are 2, I'm talking about the FAT one. She acts like her shit don't stink. She knows my boyfriend is of age and still tries to act brand new and asks to card him each time. Like, 'Bitch, we did the same shit the week before...and before that..and many more before that!'
Anyway, bottom line, it's a good cheap bowling alley in the valley! -
Review from Justin R.
Burbank, CA
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sign up online for deals!
I signed up...and I get coupons in the mail/email for cheap!
$25 for 6 people to bowl...including shoes!
Sometimes there can be a HUGE line to get lanes. Especially on Friday or Sat night because lots of High School/College kids go there. We usually play pool, or wait by the bar.
Matador has been newly remodeled so looks fresh and new!
Thanks & ENJOY! -
Review from Jaelynn D.
North Hills, CA
2/29/2012
I used to be in a kids league and I'm pretty sure the chick that ran it in '95 was racist because she would make me take off my baseball cap, yet the white kids got to have theirs on (backwards nonetheless). I was one in 3 females in the whole league and I wasn't invited to play in this one tournament even though I had the highest average and best handicap. The other two females did. And yes, they were white. Uh, coincidence?
The place was TOTALLY GHETTO before the earthquake and now that it's been remodeled I don't think it's that bad. I'd rather come here than get financially raped at Pinz. Honestly, I prefer the Vanowen Bowling Alley.
I mean, what? It's bowling. I wish I could do it more because it's fun to bullshit and throw up heavy shit, but then again that's why I Crossfit and do cooler things. -
Review from Jackie K.
2/9/2012
I ONLY COME HERE BECAUSE MY FRIENDS GO. I would not go out of my way to come here to bowl. In my honest opinion, it is really ghetto here. Came here on a Thursday night and the bowling was cheap. Per game it was only $1.25 and shoes were $3. The people who are working there are nice.
Try and park in the parking lot behind the bowling alley. There is limited parking especially at busy hours. DO NOT park on the street. It can be a bit dangerous. My friend's car got broken into. If anything, try and park somewhere where there is a lot of light if you really have to park on the street. Balboa and Nordhoff have very dark parts on their streets. DO NOT PARK WHERE IT IS DARK. -
Review from Max C.
Mission Hills, CA
5/26/2012
I'm never one to speak in proper etiquette so let me start off by saying this place sucks! What makes it suck is simple, customer service, it has none. The employee who goes by the name Rayneesha was so rude, all I asked for was the price for an individual game and I guess that was too much. Her tone of voice, body language, and attitude were the worst I've seen in quite some time. I understand it's not an ideal job but it's no excuse to treat people so poorly.
-
Review from Chandler M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Have I ever bowled here? I don't actually think so. However I have been here a lot to just hang out in the back restaurant and the little arcade that is there, and for being in the Valley, I guess options are limited.
As a bowling alley goes this one is really showing its age. Even the Cosmic Bowl special isn't as cool as say, Gable House or Round 1. This ain't even in the realm of Lucky Strike or Pinz...it's a straight up old-school bowling alley. I can appreciate that and understand these types of establishments should stay as long as leagues exist and people like to bowl.
So it's completely average head-to-toe. -
Review from Aven Nd Pat A.
Tujunga, CA
1/31/2012
My boyfriend and i love going here . It's really cheap on mondays and the longest we've waited here was an hour . what makes this place even funner is that they have a bar ! i highly recommend !!
-
Review from Samantha N.
San Diego, CA
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went for a round of late night bowling on Wednesday only to be pleasantly surprised about the lane and shoe deal!
TWO BUCKS FOR A GAME?! COUNT ME IN!
But it was a bit ghetto. -
Review from Karen D.
NORTH HILLS, CA
4/16/2012
Threw my sons 9th bday party there. Great service. Great fun. Great environment. Pretty great deal for a child's birthday. Definitely would recommend a party there.
-
Review from Sandy T.
Rosemead, CA
2/3/2012 31 Check-ins Here
Best place to chill and spend time with friends and family in Northridge. It's not that expensive to hit some pins with some balls! Music is great and the people are great.
-
Review from Jeremaine D.
Woodland Hills, CA
12/7/2011
I like bowling....I REALLY LIKE BOWLING, and I'm damn good at it. So no matter where I go I will have fun. So it's been some years since I had the chance to toss the old ball around when a good friend called me to come cover as a Sub in his league here on Tuesday nights. Excited, I loaded up the family and headed off. Once I got there thats when the hell began.......first off parking here should be against the law. The Parking lot is no bigger than a playground, and the parking spots are so close together you'r sure to ding up somebodies car getting in or getting out. Oh and don't bother parking in front of the Liquor store which is right next to it or you'll loose your ride.
If your able to find parking good luck with the lanes as well. I threw my first ball down the lane and when it came back there was some much oil on it I could fry chicken with it. I mean it was litterally dripping off my bowling ball. Not a fan of this place. -
Review from Crystal L.
Granada Hills, CA
1/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Beer & Bowling. Bowling & Beer. Bowl Beer. Beer BOWL?! Brunswick, you should invest in beer bowls! Maybe a bowling ball bowl filled with beer. Hey, say bowling ball beer bowl five times really fast. HAHAHAHAHAHA... (I'm so funny!)
Anyways, beer & bowling. I never know the prices, or when the specials are. Some nights it's really cheap, some nights it's not. Their website says the price ranges from $4-6 a game but the last time I went it was only $2.25 a game. I love a good cheap time! I love bowling and I'm not even good at it! :] -
Review from Jensen L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/18/2011 1 photo
Saturday night, no plans. What do you do with six people who are too lazy to head out of the valley? Drunken bowling. Perfect game for a group of people who aren't even really good at bowling.
It happened to be Cosmic Bowling night when we arrived at the Matador Bowl. I am one who is easily excited by simple things such as bright and colorful lights so coming here during Cosmic Bowling was a plus for me. The alley was crowded which wasn't a surprise because it was a weekend night in the valley. The wait was about an hour and my group passed the time by heading out to nearby Bounce Boba Loft to get some boba and chill until we were called.
After 11:30pm on Saturday nights, there is an $10.99 per person unlimited bowling until the bowling alley closes at 2pm. Shoes are included in the deal. There was enough time for my group of six to fit in nearly three games.
Service and maintenance was quick. Our lane had a glitch and the pins weren't placed back. The problem was addressed and fixed within five minutes. Also, one of my friends got a little too excited when she got a strike and knocked beer all over our table and a chair. The mess was cleaned up in no time by the workers.
Downsides, no pitchers of beer on Cosmic Bowling night and not all of the beer listed in the menu isn't readily available. There was only one bartender that night and he was little slow with getting drinks for everyone even though there weren't many people waiting in line.
My friends and I ended up having a good time here. By the end of the night, we had all become better bowlers. I can honestly say that alcohol has the magical effect of improving bowling skills. The Matador Bowl makes for a great place to get your beer and bowling on. -
Review from christine p.
Los Angeles, CA
3/8/2011
bar. BAR?! yea, that's not a bar. but then again, it's a family friendly place, right? right.
the seats. man, they are cramped together and not enough. i wouldn't eat there. BUT i did get free coffee from the person working there :) that was nice. haha they need some serious renovation. we were bowling, and had to wait for the ball to come back.. and after a while.. we started getting worried cuz my friend has his own and it wouldn't come back. and then ALL the sudden... 8 balls come ROLLLING up at once.
just cuz it's busy, doesn't mean it should be taking over a minute to get your bowling ball back. that's just.. not good maintenance, man. -
Review from Nancy M.
11/22/2010 4 Check-ins Here
So...I took some awesome kids I know here on Sat., Nov. 13 as a reward for all their hard work of studying & placing 3rd place out of 16 teams. (Starting to tear up. Must hold back! LOL) I was so proud of them.
Anyways we got here at 3pm and there we're plenty of lanes available. We got the family deal ($60 for up to 6 people - 2 hrs of bowling, shoes, and a free pitcher of soda) and didn't have to pay extra for cosmic bowl which normally starts at 5pm.
We got away with 2 1/2 games for each of us. Its well worth the price and the kids had fun, which is the most important thing. I haven't had the food here but its well worth it if you are a family trying to do something budget friendly. The pizza deals were under $20 dollars.
I've also come at night to bowl and they have plenty of deals on weekdays, including their afternoon specials. I need to try the afternoon deals. If anyone is in need of a budget friendly afternoon/evening...call me! Let's go bowling! ;) -
Review from Lauren F.
Oakland, CA
3/6/2007
For the longest time i was convinced that this was where the Big Lebowski was filmed. Not so much inside, but i was sooo sure that the parking lot scene was the same. I mean, I drove by this lot every day on the way to school, and came here at least a few times a month. I apparently was wrong. That fact however does not dissuade me from giving Matador Bowl its first review, and making it a 4 star one.
Leagues. good. I remember it like it was yesterday, playing the only team sport i ever played as a kid. (until i joined the swim team, and just sucked at that too) We came in third that year, losing in the very last game of the season. How were we so gifted as to come in third? We weren't. We had a handicap sooo high, that it ranked us up there with the best team too. We were doomed from the start, but at least we got a trophy!
Cosmic bowling with bumpers listening to your favorite Fergie song. corny, but good. Fergie was definitely not popular when i was coming here, but i imagine that they love it now. Even as an adult i find bumper bowling to be completely entertaining, and who doesn't like bowling in the black light where all of your friends teeth glow something fierce. I choose not to smile, seeing as though a few of my teeth don't glow, but I'm always smiling on the inside.Listed in: Growing up Valley...
-
Review from Amanda S.
Northridge, CA
6/5/2008 2 photos
I used to work here. haha eww.
I was a party hostess, so i did the little kids (or adult) birthday parties.
I also used to be in a league here, a lonngg time ago. God i was such a loser.
Anyway, this place used to be pretty ghetto looking, and it deffffffinitely looks alot better now after they re-did it. My brother and family still comes here every saturday for league, but i don't. I've spent more than enough time in that place, i do anything possible to not go.
Although they filmed My Name is Earl here a couple times and i got to have a beer with the cast. that was fun.
I probably should give it 3 stars, but there's nothing better than late night drunk cosmic bowling, i must say. full bar, and cheap, good drinks/pitchers. I'm a surprisingly good drunk bowler. Better than when i'm sober, actually haha, weird. -
Review from Cece H.
Pacoima, CA
6/30/2011
Great Bowling Alley! I think they play better music at there cosmic bowling then any club ! Great price for bowling a lil pricy for drinking. 4 stars because you can't buy a pitcher of beer.
-
Review from Abraham P.
Northridge, CA
12/24/2008
I haven't gone bowling here in a long time, but finally decided to give it a try when I was told that after 11, a game only cost 50 cents. I figured why not? I'm a sucker for cheapness. When I got here, I was surprised. They redid the place and it looks nice and they modernized everything. It was a very pleasant way to spend the evening.
One of the downsides though is that the machine had some glitches. It took forever for our balls to return sometimes, and at one point it stopped coming out altogether. This was quickly solved when we went to talk with the workers. About halfway through our third game, we were asked to switch over to the lane next to us because there were some problems with the one that we were using and they needed to go and fix it. -
Review from Brenda D.
6/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place reminds me of college, therefore it will always have some sentimental value attached to it. However, it hasn't changed much in the past few years and the "bar" serves pretty bad drinks. Can't go wrong with the bowling though. If you're just looking for a fun game of bowling, this is a good place. Especially in the Summertime because Brunswick hosts special deals every day in the Summer. Check out their website for the latest deals.
-
Review from Marc J.
Winnetka, CA
1/26/2010
If you are going to just drink beer, do cosmic bowl, and that sort of thing then this place is fine.
If you are a league bowler, not so much. The oil patterns are always bizzar and inconsistant, the foul lights have not worked in the 6 months that I've been bowling there, and when they remodled the place they put the tables so close to the lanes that it is awkward just getting to the line to take your shot half ot the time. Thank goodness they replaced the bartender who literally took 5 minutes to get you a beer and then another 5 to swipe the card with someone with a brain. Most of the staff looks like they just woke up from a 2 year slumber. Heck, when I complained about the foul lights being out to one staff member I had to explain to him what foul lights were. I'll look elsewhere for my next league, but hey, I'd show up at Matador to bowl on a lazy rainy day. -
Review from Sean G.
Granada Hills, CA
9/6/2011
I like this place the employed are chill even the bosses I don't bowl but I go there to play in there arcade.
-
Review from Nicole M.
North Hollywood, CA
2/5/2010
Sign up online for deals!
I signed up...and I get coupons in the mail/email for cheap!
$25 for 6 people to bowl...including shoes!
Sometimes there can be a HUGE line to get lanes. Especially on Friday or Sat night because lots of High School/College kids go there. We usually play pool, or wait by the bar.
Matador has been newly remodeled so looks fresh and new!
Thanks & ENJOY! -
Review from Rachel M.
Los Angeles, CA
8/31/2009
I went to this bowling alley this past Thursday for Matador bowl. I went because the Deaf Studies Association was having an event there to welcome the new semester. I had a blast. Alot of people went and it was fun signing in a relaxed out of class environment. If you know ASL and ever get a chance to go trust me you will have a good time. You can find the DSA on face-book and check out their other dates and activities if this interests you.
My other experience at this place has been pretty good. Their are about 20 or so lanes and plenty of balls and shoes. Its cheap to play here Ive heard 50 cents a game at certain times and on Tuesdays if have your bowling receipt a pitcher is cheaper. I have had some food and drinks and its decent enough I don't remember what I ate but I didn't hate it because I always remember that.
Anyway I recommend this place granted I don't go to alot of bowling alleys but its enjoyable enough. :) -
Review from Pamela M.
10/11/2007
Came here to celebrate a friend's bday (the only way you can get me in the valley), and had a great time, the pitchers of beer were cheap, bowling was cheap & the staff was awesome. I can't say I'll be back cause it's in the valley but I can say I had a damn good time here.
Listed in: Social Directions
-
Review from Gregg F.
Canoga Park, CA
11/5/2007
The Matador bowl is way too busy and not nearly well maintained enough to enjoy properly. I went here one night for $1 bowling with a bunch of college friends and the My Name is Earl crew was filming an episode here. We didn't get to bowl for a couple hours, but it was fun to see the show filming, not to mention a couple of the crew members took a liking to us and put us on the free bowling list and bought us a few pitchers of beer. So That's where the extra star comes from, but every other time I've ever been here, it's just not easy enough to get a lane and enjoy your evening of bowling.
-
Review from Johnny B.
Los Angeles, CA
12/29/2010
It's an okay bowling alley. Cosmo bowling is pretty cool. Their drinks at the bar are a bit on the pricey side. The size of the place is decent. I've seen better and bigger.
-
Review from John G.
Los Angeles, CA
12/26/2010 1 photo
Went to bowl here for the first time back in Nov. They've got awsome deals however its only on week night when the prices are low. The best one thats a must to do is NIFTY FIFTY 50 CENTS a game.
-
Review from Tricia M.
Pacoima, CA
1/28/2008
i hadn't been bowling for over two years...and now i know why. the cinco caballeros decided to round up the family & head on out to matador.
we arrive there on saturday and automatically know it's going to be packed...it's raining, movies being released suck...what else are people gonna do?
we settle in and FINALLY get a lane. and i'm off to buy a pitcher. the lady taking my order looked and acted like she was straight outta the 'don't be a menace..." movie. she couldn't be bothered to do her job, and probably didn't want to mess up her nols and her hair did.
my SIL decided to order some nachos...and couldn't figure out why the hell it took so long....to pour melted cheese on stale chips? the mind boggles at the complexity.
back on the lane: all the kids had a blast, the more we drank...the more we had a blast. and the crappy music that they played over the speakers didn't suck...the more we drank.
all in all, the hefeweizen was decent at best, the bowling was fun, the kids were thoroughly entertained. really...this place is a solid 2.5 stars, but the way it tired out the kids...a solid 3! -
Review from Liz M.
2/22/2010
Used to play in the league here on Wednesday nights years ago, just recently my friends and I started going again for College night Thursdays. Warning it definitely gets packed because the pricing is definitely a bargain. So if you plan to come for college night come early and sign up asap, they do have a bar w/ pool tables so that can help kill time. I think they also have earlly bowling specials for Sunday mornings.
-
Review from Leslie K.
Granada Hills, CA
7/20/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Nicest, cleanest and most kid friendly bowling alley I have seen!!!
-
Review from Heather H.
West Hills, Los Angeles, CA
4/28/2007
Last night was the first time I visited Matador. We came here with my son's school for family night. We had tons of people there and took about 8 lanes. Overall, the place was nice. I was extremely disappointed with the snack bar. I ordered a large pepperoni pizza for my family and it took at least 45 minutes to get the damn thing. Needless to say we were starving and the pizza wasn't good anyway. We all had a great time though and we will probably go back by ourselves when it's not so busy.
-
Review from Jenn T.
Los Angeles, CA
10/14/2007
The only time I am ever this far north from the west side is for someone else...this was one of those times. We were out celebrating a birthday and it was definitely fun, cheap drinks, apparently they have bowling here too :) we didn't stay long enough to get a good feel for the place and I doubt that I will ever be back, but a good time none the less. Good dive for hanging out (if you are into that sort of thing).
-
Review from Nikki I.
Los Angeles, CA
3/4/2010 7 photos
Been here a couple of times since I discovered it a few weeks ago. As a dance game fanatic, I'll probably never actually go bowling here. The arcade has a pretty nice In the Groove dedicab. It's hacked and in nice shape, though the left pad tends to stick. The arcade also gets really hot so they should stick a fan in there. The alley is open until 2 am every night (except Sundays and Mondays - learned the hard way). The parking lot is pretty shitty but I appreciate that there's a security guard out there all night.
Listed in: Dance Games
-
Review from Armando A.
Sylmar, CA
6/3/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I come to this bowling alley 'cause of the weeknight deals. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are super cheap. They also have cheap hot dogs and sodas. The pitchers of beer range in price so you should ask which is cheaper, they change it all the time. I have trouble understanding the liquor prices; one drink costs more than a pitcher of beer. So I'm not much of a bowler as u can probably tell by now. I have no idea how the ball should be or shoes or lanes but of course you can bring your own if you're hardcore like that. There's usually a pretty decent selection of balls. Only problem is when it's a college night, CSUN is down the street and sometimes the line gets ridiculously long so it's a good idea to call ahead of time and ask how long the wait is, though they won't reserve your spot until you come in person. As for the rest of the bowling alley, the pool table is expensive and the arcade is small so I don't normally do those activities. Anyway I always have a great time when I'm there and the music selection can be cool sometimes.
-
Review from Madeleine F.
Porter Ranch, CA
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
what?!!?!?!? $2 bowling on tuesdays!!!! need i say more?
-
Review from Martin D.
Sylmar, CA
5/27/2010 53 Check-ins Here
Bowling is bowling, the staff is what makes the experience worth while. Cosmic Bowling is the way to go but you have to get there early enough to a spot for a Friday or Saturday night. The Bartenders have a great personality but I do miss my buddy Dessaray.
-
Review from Cindy R.
Granada Hills, CA
5/2/2011
horrible service people here are rude!!!!
