Frequently Asked Questions (and question-like comments)
Drop-in play
Do adults have to pay to get in?
No, but most (more than 80% of adults) choose to purchase a wristband for themselves, too. Our attractions are all for adults as well as kids, and we designed this place so that adults can play with their kids instead of just sitting around on a plastic bench. Also, your adult wristband gets you access to our massage chair, which is probably the best thing ever invented. Still, we understand if you need to just get some work done (or if you're just here for a drink or food), but that boring spreadsheet (or beer) is a lot more fun in the massage chair.
Wait, adults can go in the bouncy castles?
Well yes and no. Yes, you can go on all of our attractions, but no these are not the cheap little "bouncy castles" or "bounce houses" that you're used to seeing in backyards. These are bigger, cleaner, more durable, custom made for us, and a lot more fun. From epic games of volleyball (and boxing, after 9pm!) in the inflatable sports arena to our huge slide, feel free to let out that inner child.
You should be open late at night, just for adults to play!
We are. Every Saturday night, from 9pm to 1:30am, you're only allowed in if you're 21 or over. And the bar and kitchen are both open, as are our axe-throwing cages!
Will my __-year-old like it?
Almost certainly! Kids of all ages are always welcome (before 9pm), but if you're looking for awesome activities for younger kids specifically, check out toddler time on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Can I just leave my children there with you? You seem like nice people.
We are (and some of our staff are even certified teachers), but no, you can't. Exceptions are made if it's a booked birthday party (in which case a responsible host parent is staying), or if it's Parents' Night Out. Once they're nearly responsible adults, you can leave them with us in the hopes that we employ them, but please have them apply first. We're always hiring the right people.
No, but most (more than 80% of adults) choose to purchase a wristband for themselves, too. Our attractions are all for adults as well as kids, and we designed this place so that adults can play with their kids instead of just sitting around on a plastic bench. Also, your adult wristband gets you access to our massage chair, which is probably the best thing ever invented. Still, we understand if you need to just get some work done (or if you're just here for a drink or food), but that boring spreadsheet (or beer) is a lot more fun in the massage chair.
Wait, adults can go in the bouncy castles?
Well yes and no. Yes, you can go on all of our attractions, but no these are not the cheap little "bouncy castles" or "bounce houses" that you're used to seeing in backyards. These are bigger, cleaner, more durable, custom made for us, and a lot more fun. From epic games of volleyball (and boxing, after 9pm!) in the inflatable sports arena to our huge slide, feel free to let out that inner child.
You should be open late at night, just for adults to play!
We are. Every Saturday night, from 9pm to 1:30am, you're only allowed in if you're 21 or over. And the bar and kitchen are both open, as are our axe-throwing cages!
Will my __-year-old like it?
Almost certainly! Kids of all ages are always welcome (before 9pm), but if you're looking for awesome activities for younger kids specifically, check out toddler time on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Can I just leave my children there with you? You seem like nice people.
We are (and some of our staff are even certified teachers), but no, you can't. Exceptions are made if it's a booked birthday party (in which case a responsible host parent is staying), or if it's Parents' Night Out. Once they're nearly responsible adults, you can leave them with us in the hopes that we employ them, but please have them apply first. We're always hiring the right people.
Parties
Can I just do a drop-in party?
Yes, you can, but scheduling a party is generally a better idea. When you book your party with us, you get a lot more stuff, but the most important part is the dedicated party host: a highly-trained person (or, in the case of a large party, two people) there to make sure that you are able to relax and enjoy yourself instead of having to organize and look after your guests. You also get a private party room, priority access to the attractions, soft drinks with refills, the ability to bring in a cake or cupcakes, and for parents to drop off their children (although, frankly, most of them stay once they realize that we're fun for adults, too). It's a much better experience, and it also usually ends up costing less money, unless there's only a few people showing up.
That being said, if it's a last minute thing, you're welcome to stop in, and we'll do everything we can to make your party special. We always have Purple Door ice cream, and fresh-baked cookies and brownies available (and candles, too!)
This place is awesome. You should have parties for adults, too. That would be rad!
We do! We can throw everything from bachelor/bachelorette parties to adult birthdays - even axe-throwing parties! You can book them here. Yes, you can have beer/wine in your party room. And, yes, they are rad.
Is there a gratuity added to my bill? Should I be tipping my party host?
We do not automatically add a gratuity to your bill, regardless of the size of the party, and leave the amount of any tip up to you. Our hosts do appreciate tips when they provide you an excellent experience. Tips are a great way to show you appreciated the excellent service provided by your host. Hugs, an extra slice of cake, and high-fives are good, too (though they don't pay the bills... just sayin'). We also note on your permanent Bounce record if you didn't tip your party host, will know that the next time you come in, and will probably talk about you behind your back after you leave. Totally optional, though.
If you're sitting at a table, eating food that our dedicated servers brought to you, then, yes, you should tip, because that's the custom at full-service restaurants in the US.
Is my deposit refundable?
Nope: deposits are non-refundable. The deposit you put down reserves your specific time, and your host has already been scheduled and briefed on your party (and probably contacted you) well before the day of the event. Since we have a limited capacity and have probably turned down requests for your time slot, we don't do refunds. That having been said, in the event of an emergency or sickness, we can apply that same deposit to any other (available) date or time for no additional charge. Just please let us know as soon as you know, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Yes, you can, but scheduling a party is generally a better idea. When you book your party with us, you get a lot more stuff, but the most important part is the dedicated party host: a highly-trained person (or, in the case of a large party, two people) there to make sure that you are able to relax and enjoy yourself instead of having to organize and look after your guests. You also get a private party room, priority access to the attractions, soft drinks with refills, the ability to bring in a cake or cupcakes, and for parents to drop off their children (although, frankly, most of them stay once they realize that we're fun for adults, too). It's a much better experience, and it also usually ends up costing less money, unless there's only a few people showing up.
That being said, if it's a last minute thing, you're welcome to stop in, and we'll do everything we can to make your party special. We always have Purple Door ice cream, and fresh-baked cookies and brownies available (and candles, too!)
This place is awesome. You should have parties for adults, too. That would be rad!
We do! We can throw everything from bachelor/bachelorette parties to adult birthdays - even axe-throwing parties! You can book them here. Yes, you can have beer/wine in your party room. And, yes, they are rad.
Is there a gratuity added to my bill? Should I be tipping my party host?
We do not automatically add a gratuity to your bill, regardless of the size of the party, and leave the amount of any tip up to you. Our hosts do appreciate tips when they provide you an excellent experience. Tips are a great way to show you appreciated the excellent service provided by your host. Hugs, an extra slice of cake, and high-fives are good, too (though they don't pay the bills... just sayin'). We also note on your permanent Bounce record if you didn't tip your party host, will know that the next time you come in, and will probably talk about you behind your back after you leave. Totally optional, though.
If you're sitting at a table, eating food that our dedicated servers brought to you, then, yes, you should tip, because that's the custom at full-service restaurants in the US.
Is my deposit refundable?
Nope: deposits are non-refundable. The deposit you put down reserves your specific time, and your host has already been scheduled and briefed on your party (and probably contacted you) well before the day of the event. Since we have a limited capacity and have probably turned down requests for your time slot, we don't do refunds. That having been said, in the event of an emergency or sickness, we can apply that same deposit to any other (available) date or time for no additional charge. Just please let us know as soon as you know, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Food
You're doing full table service now? Awesome!
Yes! Our customers wanted it, and our staff are happy to oblige. It also makes it more feasible to use non-disposable cutlery and plates, which are better for the environment. It's a little more effort, but we want to make your visit as special as possible. Here's the thing, though: you should be tipping, even if you were used to ordering your food at the kitchen and not tipping. You have a server, and they take your order, bring you food, check on you, bring you your bill: if you don't tip, you're a mean jerkface.
Wait, what kind of person is not tipping your awesome staff?
Mean jerkfaces. Don't be like them.
Wait, I thought you were paying your staff more than the $2.33 that most servers make. Why should I tip them on top of that?
Because you're not a jerkface. Yes, we pay above the minimum wage, and we also pool tips. That's called "One Fair Wage", and it allows everyone who works at Bounce (front of house staff like servers and axe-throwing coaches as well as back of house staff like the guy doing your dishes and cleaning up that food your kid dropped) to make enough money to live on and to have exciting things like health insurance. If you don't want our employees to make enough to live comfortably, you're welcome to dine elsewhere.
If you'd like to know more about One Fair Wage issues, or want to join and support other restaurants that are looking out for their employees., check out www.thePRAWN.org. We're a member restaurant, and they're cool.
Can we carry in outside food or drinks?
Nope. We're a bar and restaurant (and, frankly, a really good one), so no. Check out our menu! The only exception to this is booked parties, which are allowed to bring in a (nut free) cake or cupcakes. Better yet, we have an arrangement which allows you to order Classy Girl Cupcakes through us (for the same price as if you picked them up), and have your amazing desserts waiting for you when you arrive.
I have an allergy / intolerance / food preference / etc. Can you accommodate me?
Yes - gladly! We have numerous food and beverage options that are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, even yeast-free, and can let you know the specific ingredients in every item that we serve. And there's never an additional charge for any toppings/crusts/special requests. We are also a nut free facility, so you can play and eat without fear of cross-contamination.
Why is my Budweiser the same price as that guy's craft beer?
We don't like your crappy beer. We price the majority of our beer list at five bucks (everything from bottles of Bud to excellent, locally-crafted pints) so that those of you who drink bad beer can subsidize those of us who drink good beer. Thanks in advance! (And thanks for supporting so many of our excellent local breweries!) If you'd like to make the switch to beer that tastes better, our bartenders can recommend several excellent local gateway beverages to help ease you on your way to enlightenment. Feel free to ask for a free sample one of our tap beers if you'd like to try something new (and less crappy).
Why can't I order a shot before 9pm?
You can order one, we just won't serve it to you in a way that looks like a shot until 9. We'll probably put it into a stemless wine glass. Although we do have a full bar, we prefer to keep it classy when there are kids present.
Can I vape?
No. Eww.
Yes! Our customers wanted it, and our staff are happy to oblige. It also makes it more feasible to use non-disposable cutlery and plates, which are better for the environment. It's a little more effort, but we want to make your visit as special as possible. Here's the thing, though: you should be tipping, even if you were used to ordering your food at the kitchen and not tipping. You have a server, and they take your order, bring you food, check on you, bring you your bill: if you don't tip, you're a mean jerkface.
Wait, what kind of person is not tipping your awesome staff?
Mean jerkfaces. Don't be like them.
Wait, I thought you were paying your staff more than the $2.33 that most servers make. Why should I tip them on top of that?
Because you're not a jerkface. Yes, we pay above the minimum wage, and we also pool tips. That's called "One Fair Wage", and it allows everyone who works at Bounce (front of house staff like servers and axe-throwing coaches as well as back of house staff like the guy doing your dishes and cleaning up that food your kid dropped) to make enough money to live on and to have exciting things like health insurance. If you don't want our employees to make enough to live comfortably, you're welcome to dine elsewhere.
If you'd like to know more about One Fair Wage issues, or want to join and support other restaurants that are looking out for their employees., check out www.thePRAWN.org. We're a member restaurant, and they're cool.
Can we carry in outside food or drinks?
Nope. We're a bar and restaurant (and, frankly, a really good one), so no. Check out our menu! The only exception to this is booked parties, which are allowed to bring in a (nut free) cake or cupcakes. Better yet, we have an arrangement which allows you to order Classy Girl Cupcakes through us (for the same price as if you picked them up), and have your amazing desserts waiting for you when you arrive.
I have an allergy / intolerance / food preference / etc. Can you accommodate me?
Yes - gladly! We have numerous food and beverage options that are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, even yeast-free, and can let you know the specific ingredients in every item that we serve. And there's never an additional charge for any toppings/crusts/special requests. We are also a nut free facility, so you can play and eat without fear of cross-contamination.
Why is my Budweiser the same price as that guy's craft beer?
We don't like your crappy beer. We price the majority of our beer list at five bucks (everything from bottles of Bud to excellent, locally-crafted pints) so that those of you who drink bad beer can subsidize those of us who drink good beer. Thanks in advance! (And thanks for supporting so many of our excellent local breweries!) If you'd like to make the switch to beer that tastes better, our bartenders can recommend several excellent local gateway beverages to help ease you on your way to enlightenment. Feel free to ask for a free sample one of our tap beers if you'd like to try something new (and less crappy).
Why can't I order a shot before 9pm?
You can order one, we just won't serve it to you in a way that looks like a shot until 9. We'll probably put it into a stemless wine glass. Although we do have a full bar, we prefer to keep it classy when there are kids present.
Can I vape?
No. Eww.
Other things
Are there other locations? / Is this a franchise? / Do you have plans to franchise it?
Nope. We're locally owned, and we have deep attachments to Milwaukee, which is frankly better than every other city which has ever existed. We have attachments to many other local businesses, and don't intend at this point to open other locations ourselves. However, we're big believers in economic and social mobility, and are in the process of working with our own employees to help them open new locations in other cities (starting with Chicago and Madison). If you'd like to learn more, and agree with our core values and mission, you can head to our intentionally-misleading "Franchise Opportunities" page. We would welcome investors who believe in our principles.
Nope. We're locally owned, and we have deep attachments to Milwaukee, which is frankly better than every other city which has ever existed. We have attachments to many other local businesses, and don't intend at this point to open other locations ourselves. However, we're big believers in economic and social mobility, and are in the process of working with our own employees to help them open new locations in other cities (starting with Chicago and Madison). If you'd like to learn more, and agree with our core values and mission, you can head to our intentionally-misleading "Franchise Opportunities" page. We would welcome investors who believe in our principles.
