SkyCity Hamilton Guide and Review
SkyCity Hamilton, located in Hamilton city, New Zealand, is primarily known for its casino. However, user reviews suggest it's a versatile entertainment complex offering dining, event spaces, and other leisure activities. It aims to be a comprehensive destination for locals and visitors alike.
What We Loved ✨
- Excellent Event Venue: The Marble Bar consistently receives high praise as a fabulous venue for special occasions like 21st birthdays. Reviewers highlight the great catering, the awesome duty manager, and the flexibility to decorate before opening. The fact that there's no deposit for room hire and it offers good value for money makes it a strong contender for private functions.
- Late-Night Dining Option: For those late-night cravings, SkyCity Hamilton provides a welcome alternative to typical fast-food options. It's noted for being a convenient spot to grab a "feed" even at 3 AM.
- Fun for Everyone: Beyond the gaming floor, the venue offers additional entertainment. Bowling, in particular, is mentioned as a source of great fun for groups, suggesting a family-friendly aspect to the complex.
- General Appeal: Many visitors appreciate the overall combination of "food and games," indicating a generally positive atmosphere for a night out or a casual visit.
Areas for Improvement 🚧
- Food Quality Inconsistencies: While some food items are enjoyed (e.g., Waikato burger), there are notable concerns regarding consistency. One reviewer experienced a very chewy lamb shoulder pasta and a roast lamb that was also problematic. Another found their favorite pork belly to be not as good on a second visit, with hard vegetables and tough pork.
- Inflexible Takeaway Policy: A significant point of frustration for some is the strict no-takeaway policy for food. This policy, with staff citing vague health concerns, is seen as a "pack of lies" and leads to unnecessary food waste, contrasting with practices at most other restaurants.
- Overly Loud Live Music: While the presence of a live band is generally appreciated, the volume can be excessive. Reviewers noted that the music was "way too loud," making conversation difficult without yelling.
- Casino Experience & Win Ratios: For those visiting specifically for the casino, some patrons express disappointment with the perceived win ratio. Comments suggest that "not many people were winning" unless spending significant amounts, and that the "standard of the win ratio seems to have gone down" compared to past experiences or other SkyCity casinos.
- Security Interactions: One visitor reported an uncomfortable interaction with security, being questioned about taking a break from games when their companions were not, which negatively impacted their enjoyment.
- Size & Comparison: When compared to its larger counterpart, SkyCity Auckland, the Hamilton venue is described as being "below average" and "way smaller," which might manage expectations for those familiar with bigger casino complexes.
Overall Impression
SkyCity Hamilton offers a mixed but generally engaging entertainment experience in the heart of Hamilton. It truly excels as an event venue, providing excellent service and value for special occasions, and serves as a convenient late-night dining option. However, visitors should be aware of potential inconsistencies in food quality, an inflexible takeaway policy, and potentially loud live music. The casino experience itself, particularly regarding win frequency, may not meet everyone's expectations. Despite these points, additional offerings like bowling contribute to its appeal, making it a multifaceted spot for various leisure activities.
The Marble bar is a fabulous venue to have your special occasions at. We had my nephew's 21st birthday party there. The catering was great, the duty manager was awesome. We were allowed to decorate before opening. And it was good value for your money. No deposit for the room hire. Thank you skycity
We ordered the lamb shoulder pasta and the roast of the day which was lamb also. The lamb on the pasta was very chewy and could not finish it. The most let down part is that they don’t offer the food to takeaway which I usually do, in this instance we had to waste food. Speaking to the staff, we were told it’s incase you get sick when you takeaway, seemed like a pack of lies when we can takeaway from any other restaurant.The live band were good but it was way too loud we couldn’t talk without yelling at each other.Unless your spending thousands of dollars at the casino, not many people were winning. The standard of the win ratio seems to have gone down. Have noticed this around the other sky city casinos too.Compared to the Auckland Sky City, this one was below average and way smaller. I don’t think I’d return here.
Love the food , and games .The 2nd time my favorite pork belly wasn't as nice as the photo, the veges were hard, and the pork a tad tough.And the security approached me , after being there a while, asking if I took a break from the games , I was with 2 others who didn't get asked . That was sad . There to have fun and enjoy ,
If you’re hungry at 3 am in the morning and you’re sick of McDonald’s or you’re sick of kebabs in Hammilton come to sky city casino they have a feed at 3 am
We went to Hamilton skycity on Sunday what a lovely time we all had we very much enjoyed playing bowling there so much fun and my daughter had to buy me a pair of shocks because I wasn't wearing any then we sat down to meal I had Waikato burger I really enjoyed it and thank you when I got home I told all my friends and send them lots of photos that I took.