Sandpiper Lanes

I’ve been here three times in the last month. First, to reserve a time for my son’s birthday party. I filled out a form, paid my $ 25 deposit and was out the door within minutes. Second time was for the party. I love that they give the birthday kid their own full-​size bowling pin (friends get to autograph it with a provided Sharpie) as a gift! The party was a blast and didn’t break the bank. Third time was today. We started off ordering a basket of fries (so good). While there was league play going on, there were plenty of lanes available. My only suggestion for this alley would be to have more lower weight balls with bigger finger holes. I have issues with my arms and after one game with a 10# ball, they were hurting. I found a 9# ball but the thumb hole was too small.

Last Saturday (11÷21÷15) morning I took my boys (ages 2, 5, and 6) to go bowling. Website said they didn’t open until 10am, but we drove by about 9:30am and there were cars in the parking lot. So we walked up to the building and saw a sign that said they opened at 9am!
We went in and there were quite a few people there, but it wasn’t packed. I walked up to the counter and asked what the smallest size shoes they had were. The employee asked who they were for, I pointed to my boys. He asked if they were in a league. I said no, we’re just here to bowl. With no empathy just said, «Sorry, from 9 to 12:30 is league bowling only.»
I informed him that the sign on the front door just said «open at 9am» and it didn’t say anything about league bowling. I tried to be polite and asked if they could just spare one lane for us to play a couple games on. And without hesitation or empathy he just said again, «Sorry we can’t rent out any lanes during league bowling.»
I then had to explain to my three boys that we couldn’t bowl because the man behind the counter wouldn’t let us. So I left the bowling alley with my three crying and screaming sons.
Thanks Sandpiper Lanes for helping me teach my boys what bad customer service looks like. We won’t be back.

We’ve been here a few times now and it’s okay — they run specials often for bowling and the lanes are decent. This place is definitely not one of those «state of the art» bowling alleys though. I always have a hard time finding a ball (perhaps I’m too picky?) and I HATE that you can smoke indoors. Not cool at all (at least let smokers have one area and others have another — don’t mix them!!). Also, the bathroom floor is oddly wet most of the time, so that’s not so great…
A good day date, for sure when it’s cheap!

This might be one of my favorite bowling alleys in Charleston (that isn’t Downtown or Mt. Pleasant– those big fancy ones in those places are too expensive when you just want a quick few hours out!)
I work across the street from this bowling alley and never checked it out due to the location. I just assumed it would be sketchy. Well, news flash. It totally isn’t! It is super nice on the inside. Compared to other small/​traditional bowling alleys in the area, this one is practically new. The equipment is really nice, the technology is up to date and the staff is incredibly nice. Their prices are also perfect. They charge $ 3.50/shoes and then $ 2.50/game. So, for $ 11 you can play three games. (Which is usually my limit haha)
Their «café» had the basics– chicken fingers, sodas, fries, burgers, etc. All their prices look weird up on the board, but that is because they figure in tax already for you. They do also have a lounge/​bar, but I did not go into it. I will def check it out next time.
Bathrooms are clean, which is also a plus.
I would recommend this bowling alley for your fun time out.

Sandpiper Lanes
3291 Ashley Phosphate Rd North Charleston, SC
On Friday (November 9, 2012), evening co-​workers and I went to Sandpiper Lanes at 3291 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC. We enjoyed several games of bowling. This was not I first time to visit this location. Had been there several times. Never had an issue or encountered a manager like Dave Frye. Three black veterans that served this great country proudly. Two of them retired from the military. Charleston is a military area. I believe all people should be treated equally.
Upon us settling our bill, Dave Frye was working the register. We asked for a print out of the game scores. Than it, happen! A white customer walked up to the counter and started talking to Dave Frye (Manager). He stopped taking care of my co-​workers and me and started taking care of the white customer. I am standing right in front of Dave Frye when he quit waiting on me and started waiting on the white customer. My mouth just dropped open. I just looked at him. He asked a black employee to finish taking care of us as he continued to wait on the white customer. The black employee could not get to the register, because Dave Frye was using it. I am still in shock and just looking at him, because I could not believe my eyes. Why would he stop waiting on us and take care of the white customer? I believe he realized what he had done and I was looking at him in disbelief.
He turned to me and asked me why I was staring at him. I told him I could not believe what he was doing. He made it a point to let me and my co-​workers know he was the manager and he did not like me looking at him. Before I could tell him about his action, he spoke to me in a loud rude voice that he was the manager and I needed to leave his establishment. I said, «as soon as I pay my bill I’m out of here. I can’t believe in this day and age that people still see people as color.»
Dave Frye insisted on telling us that he was the manager. We were in disbelief. I just kept looking at Dave Frye with disbelief. He told me, he did not like me looking at him and I need to leave. I wanted to pay my bill and get out of there. Once our bill was settled and started walking out, Dave Frye came from behind the counter and followed us outside. A police officer (working security) was walking in. Dave Frye told the officer that I was no longer welcomed at Sandpiper Lanes at 3291 Ashley Phosphate Rd North Charleston, SC. The officer asked Dave Frye what I done. He stated that I was looking at him and wanted me to have a trespass notice placed on me. The officer looked at Dave Frye with disbelief on his face. Dave Frye stated that he was the manager and could put a trespass notice on anyone. Dave Frye signaled me out because I looked him. He stops waiting on my co-​workers and me and started waiting on a white customer. I thought money was green, but some people still see black and white. Maybe the election had him upset; maybe he was having a bad evening (I doubt it, because he laughing with his white customers). As I was getting my trespass, notice another black couple walked and stated they were going elsewhere to bowl. They could not believe what had happen.
Other customers saw Dave Frye actions with me. They too were in disbelief. Some left the bowling center. In this day and time, customer service is paramount. He could use some training on customer service and race relations. I view Dave Frye actions as racist. Had nothing to do with me looking at him. He wanted me to know that he was the manager and he was better than I was.
Well, Dave Frye has lost others and me as customers. We bowl when we travel to relax after a full day of work. I know his actions are not indicative of Sandpiper Lanes, because we used the facility many times before. However, he has caused Sandpiper Lanes to lose customers because of his actions with me and my co-​workers.

Eh, kind of a seedy bowling alley, not in the best part of town. Stuff seems kind of old and well used.

I tend to bowl every now and then, but the experience would be so much better if smoking was not allowed… who wants to bring their family to a smoky bowling alley? I sincerely hope the other bowling establishments in this city have a ban on smoking because this was not a good look.

I have been bowling at Sandpiper Lanes for the last two years on several Summer and Winter Leagues. This bowling center is a full featured center with archades, pro shop, lounge and a snack center.
Having been a customer there for several years I feel that I can give a fair review of how I have felt as a customer. The management team at Sandpiper Lanes have always been very professional and courteous. The folks at the pro shop are very helpful and knowledgeable. The prices in the Pro Shop are competetive with most retail prices for bowling gear. I eat often at the snack bar and for fast food it is not too bad. I do think that they need to offer other healthier alternatives to cheeseburgers, patty melts, nachos and hot dogs.
I have never experienced any problems during league bowling however I have heard several other people who have told me that after League bowling is over and the bowling center opens up the lanes for open bowling there have been several incidents regarding the locals in the area of the bowling center that have acted in such a manner that the police have to be called. I do not fault the bowling center for the actions of people who do not know how to handle themselves in public. However if this is becoming a regular occurence during open bowling late at night I would highly recommend that the bowling center consider hiring some sort of security personnel so that they can be visible and deter some of this type of activity. No one wants to feel unsafe or have to experience verbal or physical violence while they are trying to bowl.
The only other thing that I would say is sort of a negative is that during league bowling the bowling center allows for people to smoke. When I come home after bowling everything has to go into the wash because the bowling center stinks of ciggarrete smoke. Perhaps better ventilation could be put in place to help alleviate the stench from the smoke.