Shop Reviews

Most terrible experience at Sonic Bowl Tampines. Many lanes need servicing. I believe their lighter house balls might not have a problem, but do bowlers who play with their own, heavier balls need to push the first ball out rather than practicing with their main ball? First, with my only 15-pound ball, every throw required me to push the ball out because it got stuck (first photo, which has a "danger, no hand" sign). When I approached the staff (a heavier, young boy), he even suggested I pull it out. I told him I had a 1.5-hour session and shouldn't have to do that every throw. Then he changed the lane for me when I requested it. On the second lane, the ball took a long time to come out (first video). The same staff blamed it on my ball being oily. I had used a cloth to wipe it nearly every throw, and I mentioned that the mechanism pushing the ball out might not be strong enough because mine is 15 pounds (which is normal for bowlers). Their lanes probably have no problem with the house balls, which are 6-12 pounds. These two issues wasted a lot of my time walking to the staff for assistance when it took too long. Finally, I was changed to another lane, this time worse! Most balls didn't come out, and I needed to ask the staff to bring them up. He still asked me, "You don't have a spare ball? (thin, curly-haired young guy)." It seemed like they blamed my ball's oil and lack of a spare ball, rather than properly maintaining their lanes! I usually play 7 games in 1.5 hours, but I only played 4 due to the delay of the ball getting stuck and being slow to come out. When the time ended, I had to explain and request from the staff (heavier guy) that in 1.5 hours, I usually play 6-7 games; this delay meant I only played 4! I asked for ONE game and was REJECTED! The heavier guy said he could give me "a few minutes," not one game! Please, those few minutes are barely enough waiting time for one throw. Totally unacceptable. Instead of automatically giving me a game or two, because one game takes an average of 10-15 minutes, I played only 4 games, taking an hour. I paid for 1.5 hours, wasted 2-3 games, but was rejected for one game. So, reader, I suggest you buy per game, rather than by the hour, which might not even allow you to play one game if you have a group of 4. FYI, I was alone; if striving per throw, 7-8 games can be played in 1.5 hours.

Amazing experience. The staff was very polite and patient, and payments were smooth. I would definitely come again.

"I've been there a few times in the last two months. The lane mechanism is poor; it doesn't even rack properly, and we always need staff to rectify it, which wastes a lot of precious time. The staff are arrogant, especially the Singh and the dreadlock guy. Nope, I won't be visiting again. Sonic Bowl needs to review these conditions."

The ball return definitely needs servicing or an overhaul. It takes a few minutes of spinning inside the machine before it pushes my ball out. If you multiply that by ten games, that's a lot of time spent waiting. I gave up and left mid-game after telling the attendant, but I suspect they are already aware, as there are previous reviews mentioning this issue. I wouldn't go back.

"The ticket rates are cheaper, and they even give you popcorn with the tickets. The air conditioning also isn't too cold."

"You only need to book tickets about 30 minutes before the start time."

"Great place for a cinema, it's just a shame that it's so far into the actual Tampines Hub. Being next to the NLB Tampines Regional Library makes it a great place to kill time before your movie."

My favorite cinema. The movie ticket prices are very affordable, especially on weekdays with a Passion card. Free popcorn is sometimes given, while supplies last. The seats are spacious and have good legroom for tall people like me. Now I only bring my kids to this cinema.

"Festive Arts Theatre at OTH is great, but it's no different from a shopping centre cinema."

"Screens current movies. Definitely value for money, especially when discounted with a Passion Card. It's better to choose middle row seats as the theatre also functions as an arts theatre. It's also easier to walk through the library. Great experience."