HarrisburgNightlife

I just chatted with someone from the Coliseum and they told me that they would remain open, despite the bankruptcy. Apparently they will just be restructuring the company. Things have certainly changed since I spoke with them last year, as they had plans to open additional coliseums in other locations and keep the camp hill branch as their corporate office and training center.

Personally I like the place, the $2 drafts were a big improvement and it’s nice that they have a lot of beers on draft. It is however expensive to bowl and play games and the food was just okay. I hope they take you up on your suggestions and get the company back on its feet.

Left by Brian Reilly on August 27th, 2008

You nailed that one right(with your 2 reasons) as to the problems. They must have had limited capital, I mean they only lasted a year!! You should have 2 to 3 years of capital to make it in the restaurant business. Fix the food!!

Left by Greg on August 29th, 2008

I could have predicted this from the start. Not because the Coliseum was a bad idea, but because it was too much of everything and not enough of anything. They tried to be all things to all people. Like any well run, successful business - do a few things well. A bar and kids don’t usually make a good mix. Adult that want to have a drink, don’t want to be surrounded by screaming kids. I’m a parent. Although I love my child and love for her to run around having a good time and know that noise is part of that, when I want to go have a drink with friends, I don’t want to do it with my child or anyone’s child.

In addition, there weren’t lots of things for kids under probably the age of seven to do. We took our young daughter for ice cream and looked around. She can’t bowl. She can’t play video games. She could ride the carousel and eat ice cream. As a kids play, they’ve locked onto a very small segment of the kid population.

The restaurant isn’t very kid friendly. Yes, they have kid friendly food and welcome kids, but take a look at those places that ‘do’ kid dining well - Red Robin, Chilis, Cheeseburger Cheeseburger….they are brightly colored, have balloons and fun for the kids - poppy music. They are hopping places. That is not the vibe put off by the Coliseum.

I love Maggie Moos….I want to see them stay. I would like the Coliseum to stay. But, they need to go with what sells…kids! Make the restaurant more kid friendly fun! More interactive games and excitement for kids of all ages and less aracade like. There is a reason why we love Wii. Take a lesson off the Japanese….music, games, body moving! Get rid of the bar. Bring in kids groups and maybe a kid friendly movie theater. Alternately, add a drop down screen so that the venue for live music and entertainment doubles as a movie theater for matinees.

Left by Heather on August 29th, 2008

I must add, after rereading my post (and all the typos…sorry) that they need to continue to offer drinks, just not take up all that space with a full fledged bar.

Left by Heather on August 29th, 2008

I took my partner, mother in law, and 8 yr old nephew here this past weekend.

I spent $100.00 on “chips” for the games. Spent $40.00 on bowling, $45.00 on “dinner, and another $20.00 on Maggie Moos ice cream.

Here is my review……please keep in mind that we have been there several times before too!(my nephew has been begging to go back ever since he was there in june of this year - even above Chuckee Cheese)

The food was “okay”. As good as anywhere else! They even “compt” the two meatball subs that were still frozen inside! They admitted that they had not cooked them long enough and apologized over and over again even after deducting $16.00 from my bill. I must say they were very sorry and knew they messed up! Also, for as busy as it was (raining all day) we got served quickly!

The bowling seemmed to be a bit too expensive, and the lanes were dirty(the approaches ect.)
Had fun with the bumpers, lights, and tv’s!

Then my nephew was totaly heart broken when we went upstairs to find that most of the games including the “roller coaster” were broke or turned off.

To top the night off we ate ice cream at Maggie Moos. This made it all worth it with free samples and endless toppings.

Would go back in a heartbeat! I hope they make it. They probably dont have any money but they need to advertise and have more kid friendly events to get the adults in there to drink and watch football!

Left by zig on September 8th, 2008

Well, I just heard that the Coliseum filed for bankruptcy a while back. I am actually surprised they lasted as long as they did. I had heard the spent $7 million on the facility. I am not sure if that was the real estate cost or if it includes the other property inside, but I knew from that cost there was no way to make it work in this area.

The first time I visited was two weeks after they opened with my kids. We ate in the dining room for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and it was dead. I figured then it would be a struggle.

I’ve been there a few times since, and the food is comparable to a Friday’s but a bit pricier. I think they get bigger crowds now, especially on weekends. Last time I was there, very slow service, and the dining room was not full.

One thing I never understood was the removal of the pool tables downstairs in favor of a private room. Never seen anyone in there since they took the tables out.

C’est la vie.

From what I gather, there are 14 partners in the property.

Left by Scott on January 14th, 2009

The private room is used for poker on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Around 50 people may play and most of those players spend money at the bar and/or on food. Pool tables are nice but tend to take up more space than a poker table with less money draw.

Left by Bill on March 18th, 2009