Chicago Playpen

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 4:30pm

I must say my experience at Chicago Playpen was very frustrating. Originally I visted the place a week prior and meet the owner Anika and decided to book a birthday party for 15 children with a (discounted $40.00) bouncy house for about $425.00 with 2-3 extras just in case additional children showed up.



On Aug. 9th, 2014 my husband and I had our daughter’s themed Dora 3rd birthday party at Chicago Playpen and it was very displeasing. Upon arriving to the event 20 minutes prior we were not greeted. The two hostesses were very dry and displayed lack of enthusiasm. They didn’t say happy birthday to the birthday girl. They didn’t introduce themselves. They just stood there. After 20 minutes of awkward silence I requested for children’s music to be played since it was 2pm and our guests had started to arrive. Upon arrival our guests were not greeted by the hostesses! My husband and I greeted them, walked them around the different play areas, and got the kids involved in play. My husband and I were the hostesses.



After 15 minutes into the party my husband and I were called outside of the venue to discuss our refund request for cancellation of a bouncy house the day prior due to the condition the room where the bouncy would be located. The room for the bouncy house was terrible, with unfinished floors, lack of lighting and the appearance of being a storage room and not a room for children to play in. It looked unsafe and so we decided to cancel it. During this outside meeting we were told that we could not receive our refund due to having 18 children at the party. Mind you there were only 3 children at the party so far. After disagreeing and demanding a refund we were told not to worry about it and to go back into the party as the owner would be contacted. After another 10 minutes we were pulled outside again to discuss what the owner had to say via one the hostess due to her being out of town. Apparently the owner refused to honor the cancellation request due to 18 children. Of course my husband and I were furious with us only having a 2 hour widow for our daughter’s party and about 15 minutes being taken away due to finance questions that could have been taken place after the party was over.



Again my husband and I disagreed and still wanted our cancellation honored. Again we were directed back into the party and the owner was contacted. After another 5 minutes or so I was handed the phone by one of the hostess and told to go into the bathroom. On the other end was the owner Anika. I was disgusted at this point. During our discussion she explained that we had 18 children and we paid for 15 and that we had to pay for 3 extra children at 17.50 apiece and no refund would be given. I explained to Anika that there was not 18 children there and if there were we would have no problem paying. I also explained to her that we did actually pay for the bouncy house and cancelled it due to the condition of the room and would like a refund for the bouncy house. I also explained that 20 minutes or more had been wasted to discuss the matter and hung up. The owner was very rude, hostile, and even threaten to cancel the party during the party!



My overall experience was horrible. The establishment itself is awesome for children. The children loved the themed rooms and play areas but the professionalism absolutely sucked! I recommend that you rent the venue and host the event yourself.