It was decent. Perhaps a little updating is needed and I felt it was a bit cramped. Over all we had a positive experience. The kids had fun. Its a little off the beaten path and behind some other buildings so it was a little hard to find. They have walkers to rent for the unsteady, which was nice. Their snack bar is decent with plenty of options and fair prices. There are a few cubbies and lockers to store your items while your out skating. Over all it was a fun place to take the kids.

Ive been going to this roller rink since I was maybe 6 years old. While yes, it did look a bit old fashioned and yes, the walls did start to tear away, the place was overall clean and a wonderful environment. The owner was very kind and the staff were very willing to help. The party room was painted beautifully and the music was great. Its a shame they closed, Empire will always hold a special place in my heart.

Great place to have some family fun. The only reason I dont give it 5 stars is because it could use some love, some areas are showing heavy signs of use. It doesnt seem like a security issue by any means, but something that can be improved. In any case, we love to go there as often as possible :)

Ive spent hundreds of hours here with my daughter, and spent (literally) thousands of dollars here over the years. I will be honest and say that I agree with everything said by the one star reviewers (lack of updates and maintenance despite rising prices, burdensome rules affecting folks with special diets, etc, etc) but I also agree with whats been said by the 5 star reviews. Skating is fun. Like, really fun. Id be overjoyed if Empire would really invest in itself and bring everything up to the level I know they can based on the amount they are making at the door. Ive skated at other rinks in other cities, and Im disappointed to say that my local rink is easily the worst by every metric I can think of. Its the smallest, dirtiest, most expensive and most crowded rink Ive ever been to. That said, skating is fun. Like, really fun. You should skate here and have fun, too. Just dont expect a five star experience! Lower or freeze prices, get new carpet, refinish the floor, have healthy options at the snack bar, and for goodness sake get a second or third credit card machine that isnt on *dial up* and then we can talk about 4 stars.

I gave this place a four because they do really well with a business where it is hard to turn a profit. The place is out dated but as clean as thirty year old surfaces can be. The staff is knowledgeable about the sport and very helpful. Some of the skates are better than others but whenever we have had problems they switched them with no issues. Our kids always have fun. Empire is also very supportive of community programs like Kids on Track.

Used to be a wonderful place to sk8... Its permanently closed for business. Habitat for Humanity bought the building and property and are moving in

If youre kiddo hasnt skated before, give the shoe guy $2 for a skating walker. Its a game changer! The place is exactly how you remember your local rundown skating rink. I swear, even the brown leather rental skates are the same! They play the classic games during public skate times by (e.g. Limbo). Check their schedule out... They are only open in random two-hour windows and you dont want to show up and have to wait. Wash up those hands early and often.

My daughter loves it! My son doesnt always want to skate though, but one of the many rules at Empire is if a child is of a certain age, they HAVE to skate. My child shouldnt be forced to skate. Also, no outside food or drink allowed??? I have a VERY restricted diet, so that doesnt work well with me. If a place is going to be THAT restrictive, then they should provide snacks of all sorts, plus truly and honestly labeled gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, etc. Or just abolish the rule. You also have to pay to use the lockers. I realize there needs to be safety rules of course, Im not referring to those. They are very much necessary and Im glad they are there.

I love the atmosphere, friendly staff, and variety of patron. Concession prices are good too.

Only place in town for fun and pizza. Wednesday nights are pizza nights admission pays for a pizza, small drinks, and skates. You can have birthday parties,or private parties. Saturdays morning for kids 9 and under, and lessons on Saturdays.

Very fun and entertaining but walls are peeling off nothing major though

I found the staff very nice. They have encouraged us to get better and are always friendly. The rink is nice and the people make you feel right at home. We love it.

Ive been here a number of times - I would recommend it. I think they do a good job of keeping the place updated and in good condition. Ive attended a couple parties there and several roller derbies. Nice crew.

Cool rollerrink but located in the semi sketchy, borderline ghetto part of Columbia

Little old, but the staff is great and has many open skating times.

It is a shame that it is closing (closes on January 6th, 2019), but I had a great experience there skating with my family.

I love this place it’s clom

The place is frequently dirty. Everything looks like its been a decade or more from the last refurbishment. Prices frequently go up and the snack bar is almost always slow, even with small crowds. The toilets and bathrooms look like they are never cleaned. Mens bathroom smelled terrible last time I was there because of all the dried urine on the walls and the inside of the urinals. About 10 years ago the place used to be awesome after they opened the new building. Its a shame theyve let it go down-hill.

Great family place with a kind and fun staff of people. Great history. Great place for kids birthday parties and family fun

Wow after reading these very mixed and varied reviews, I am honestly not sure what to think of this place. It sounds like a very shanty run down place. Ive been there once but it was about 6 years ago. It sounds like both parents and the owners/staff have some issues they need to work on. Everyone take a deep breath and relax. How dare someone how owns the roller rink building act like they own the roller rink building. How dare a parent act overly defensive and protective of their child. It’s just a competition! It’s like going to a little league game and seeing the parents get all worked up and in the umpires face due to a call they don’t agree with. The children are usually the ones who don’t care they are just there to play ball and have fun, but some adults take it too far. Take a chill pill, your child will have to face rejection, disappointment, and not take home a trophy every time at some point in his life. Roller rinks in generally dont bring in that much money so its not going to look like an upscale Las Vegas hotel. IF it did, you prob couldnt afford to go there. There isn’t always a consolation door prize, people will always be there to stab you in the back and that is life. Welcome to the real world. Not every place of business will be a favorite. Roller rinks hit their prime back in the 1950s and stayed popular through the disco days of the 1970s & since they they have been on the decline. Its a roller rink not a spa, what did you expect?Yours Truly,- Rolling my eyes and sighing heavily

The parking isnt ideal, but the rink is a great time for kids and parents alike. They have a fun music selection and run a clean operation.

Closed their door tonight. After being open for over 70 year.

Great fun activity for youth birthday party. All enjoy themselves.

My brother and I grew up skating at Empire Roller Rink and have continued to skate there on a regular basis in our adult lives. Skating is fun, great exercise, and the new adult night is a great way for adults to meet new people and have a good time without tripping over the younger skaters!

Parents skate for free. Enjoyable

Family friendly fun for all ages. They have a variety of daytime and evening skating sessions throughout the week, and pickup hockey on Tuesday nights.

The cops got called, kids were smoking weed in the bathrooms, and they kicked us out for not wearing skates. Terrible place to go

Great place for kids parties

Costly, Crowded, worn out skates and time cut into skate time with their silly little games which I think were boring, except for limbo.

Fun place to take the kids. Recommended.

Friendly staff. Clean safe

Too bad theyre closing, wed go again...

Its fun i like it there

Fun nice place !

Always a good time!

It was fun.

Fun for family

Been here since I was a kid

Great place!

It is family oriented

Fun!

Affordable lessons for kids.

Small, unorganized

Oliver~

Good time to go round and round

Empire Roller Rink is a great place to chill with friends and skate.