Jillian's

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1000 Universal Studios Blvd
Universal City, CA 91608

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(818) 985-8234
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Bars, Pubs & Clubs

Related categories:

Food & Dining

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Jillian's - Universal City, CA
Jillian's - Universal City, CA
Reviews
( 4 )
( 1 )
( 3 )
( 1 )
( 5 )

Best

My friend wanted to celebrate his party at Jillian's we got together a bunch of buddies to meet up last weekend. I decided to call and make a reservation, but the lady told me I ...

Worst

The food was OK, the service was good but the crowd was not good. Once midnight hit, the dance floor turned into one big make-out session. The managers/staff didn't seem to keep t...

Absolutely awful - owners are asleep at the wheel. 12/31/2010

This place is truly awful! Bowling: Balls are all overly used / dented / scuffed. Chalk not is provided (bar tender laughed at me when I asked if any was available). DJ is non-existent - music is a bizarre mix playing off of someones iPod (GnR, Boy bands, 90s alternative, 90s R&B). Arcade: The arcade is easily the most depressing aspect of this forgotten and un-managed sh*t hole. Most games are either completely broken (forget about racing or shooting!!!) or so old that the screens are barely visible. Skee-ball works, however the young girl working the ticket counter is more interested in her cell phone than helping you. Adding injury to insult, all of the games are extremely expensive. To make matters worse, all games are a minimum of $1...! Food: Did not hate myself enough to try any of the items on the menu. Don't do it! It's painfully clear that the owners of this place could not care less about their patrons. Citywalk needs to shut this place down ASAP. more

Good Fun 6/1/2010

Jillian’s is the place to be if you are looking for simple fun. Came here over the weekend with some family and we really had a great time. more

Please Do Not Waiste Your Holiday TIme or Money with The Disapointing Establishment 12/12/2008

Went to the jullin establishment in Dec. 08 for a Christmas gathering, I am never one to complain, but the restaurant was terrible, the service was bad, the food was cold and took to long to be served. I have never in my life been to such a bad restaurant in my life. It just amazes me that a estalishment like yours is able to stay in business. Then we scheduled bowling...try to get a glass of water or a cup of coffee...they do not serve. more

v.i.p. treatment...too fun! 9/3/2008

My friend wanted to celebrate his party at Jillian's we got together a bunch of buddies to meet up last weekend. I decided to call and make a reservation, but the lady told me I had to book and "party" to reserve space. I didn't want to hassle with the details, so I had my girlfriend call back. I don't know what she did or who she talked to...but it was the GREATEST party EVER! We had our own waitresses, a private VIP Suite and we even got to play video games on a projector screen while we bowled! It was SOOO awesome! i would definitely recommend this place for a party! Pros: hot chicks Cons: can get crowded more

Never had a worse experience at a place like this. 12/1/2007

Did the people who gave this place glowing reviews work for the company? Because my recent experience with this place was the exact opposite. and RUDE, RUDE RUDE management. more

Great company outing! 5/31/2007

As an event consultant, I cannot say enough about the great experience we had at Jillian's! I recently booked a company outing at the Citywalk location and could not have been happier with the results. The event manager was very professional, the service and management staff during the party were more than helpful and the food, bowling and drinks exceeded my expectations. My staff had a great time, many of them saying it was the best party they had attended! I will definitely return with another group. Thanks Jililan's! Pros: professional staff and great bowling environment Cons: must plan early, space books fast more

HOSTESS OF THE YEAR!!! 1/2/2007

I recently had my child's 16th birthday party at Jillian's and all we can say is "WOW!" The service, atmosphere and energy that exists both at the bowling lanes and video arcade is UNBELIEVABLE! It's difficult to find a place for both kids and adults to enjoy themselves, but Jillian's had a little bit of everything for everyone! I can't believe the response I received! If you're looking for a great place to entertain a group, I HIGHLY recommend this place! Pros: everything Cons: n/a more

Very Dissapointed night out! 11/20/2006

As a business owner, I wanted to take my staff of 18 with their friends and family for a night of bowling and food as a 'Thank You" for all there hard work. How disspointing it was when we arrived and our 2 lanes were not ready, since there was another party finishing up. After 20 minutes, I mentioned to the manager if we can go ahead and take the other 2 lanes that were not occupied. He told me, they were RESERVED already. Once they left, food was pre ordered by phone prior to our arrival and all of us were starving, but they didn't have our food ready until 30 minutes after our set up. By this time, my staff were hungry and ready to bowl. We had two lanes and then the 2nd lane broke down again and then again... by the 3rd time, we had to move everyone to one bowling lane. How lame was that. After 20 minutes of fixing the lane, we finally were able to finish one round. I was frustrated and let the manager know. All he could say was I'm sorry and I'll let our Party Planner know about this so she can send you a certificate to come back. Not only have I never heard back from her, but by the time we left no one ever used the RESERVED LANES next to us. I would not plan another party here ever again! Pros: Cool, neon bowling lanes Cons: Broken bowling lanes constantly more

Do not even go downstairs!!! 6/19/2006

It sucked so much I created a citysearch account just to tell you about it. If you are going upstairs to the bowling alley it is okay. Downstairs, however, is beyond terrible. About two thirds of the games were broken. Maybe more. They work on a system that uses a card with credits. You will always end up with credits on the card but not enough to do anything with. Both the air hockey tables don't work. One kid was playing a game and the screen died in the middle of his game. The only reason we didn't throw our cards on the ground when we left was that the girl at the front desk was crying. Really. Though I can't blame her. After taking my husband to the suckiest place for his birthday I should have been crying too. more

Well worth it! 9/20/2005

I recently attended a company event at Jillian's at CityWalk and forgot how much fun bowling can be! The atmosphere was very cool in a fun retro sort of way, the service staff was very attentive and the food and drinks were great. This was a great place for our company party but I can see my kids loving it as well! Two thumbs up! We'll be back! Pros: bowling & games, atmosphere, staff Cons: busy more

Ghetto not fabulous 2/16/2005

If you wonder where the people in line at the DMV go, once it closes. Wonder no more, they are at Jillian's. The place is a pathetic attempt at trying to be hip in Hollywood. The food is bad, the lanes constantly break down, and the games hardly ever work. That being said the staff was good considering what they have to put up with. Why anyone would want to go there let alone work there is beyond me? The place was busy, maybe if they spent some of the money they are making on fixing things then maybe it wouldn't be such a bad place, but I doubt it. Pros: servers, bartenders Cons: broken lanes, management, broken games more

Let's just say "The Dude" wasn't there 1/1/2005

If you're looking for a location that is about as close to a club as it can get, go here! It's expensive, loud and you'll be lucky if your balls ever come back! We had 4 balls and finally they were all missing and we had to ask the guy to send them out to us. Um, hello? For the $6.00 a game I think we should get our balls shot back at us right quick. Then the fire alarm went off for (no joke) 15 minutes. It was really annoying but most people just thought it was some trance song w/ a strange strobe light. All in all, fun, but an expensive evening. Pros: interesting decor, good video screens, uptempo music Cons: , strange customers more

never again 6/12/2003

The food was OK, the service was good but the crowd was not good. Once midnight hit, the dance floor turned into one big make-out session. The managers/staff didn't seem to keep the crowd in control either. If it were a club, it wouldn't have been so bad, but for a restaurant, I found it slightly inappropriate. I wouldn't go back there on a weekend night at all. Cons: crowded more

The Cleanest Bowling Alley Ever 5/13/2002

I've been here several times, all of which for industry get togethers. It's a great place to get to know your co-workers, clients and even competitors. Jillian's is really good about working these sort of parties. They take care of many of the arrangements and check in with you to make sure everything is going OK. Maybe it's just the nights I've been on, but I think Jillian's offers regular promotions based on your bowling score or your ability to knock down a certain colored pin during special giveaway times. The prizes can be great. The prices all around are a little steep, but what else would you expect from Citywalk? The drinks are good, the food is decent (not the best, but points for imagination) and the atmosphere is funky fun (10 blacklit lanes and a DJ spinning pop). Pros: squeaky clean fun, fun hangout Cons: a little pricey, parking fee more
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Menu for Jillian's


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Editorial
  • In Short
    Jillian's is more for amusement than it is for serious bowling. With a mere 10 lanes, all of them black-lit, the only thing resembling a pure bowling experience is the massive bar. The gimmick: An American pastime goes flashy, with a handful of kitsch thrown in for kicks. Even the food maintains the kooky spin on Americana. What other bowling alley would dare offer duck as a pizza topping? While the roomful of state-of-the-art video games on the first floor might make you pine for Pong, remember this is CityWalk, where genuine retro is simply a thing of the past. Expect a varied crowd of tourists, Valley dwellers of all ages and courting couples. On weekends, the downstairs turns into a 21-and-over nightclub.

  • 10/29/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Master Card, Diner's Club, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Central LA, Hollywood Hills
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