Fewer customers are heading to the pub for a drink and chat. Instead, people are seeking something different for entertainment. Latest figures suggest nearly a third of pub visits are alcohol-free, meaning pubs need to invent new ways to draw in punters. One answer is the reinvention of pub games in the form of fun activity bars.
The idea of playing pool or darts in a pub is a concept introduced before WWI. Dart brewery leagues first appeared and became a popular pub game, and 1936 saw the first pub league for bar billiards. In recent years, traditional pub games have received a facelift and a few new additions. Here is our guide to five of the best activity bars in London.
The Best Activity Bars in London
If you are ready to leap in and enjoy the thrill or relive your youth, we have discovered five of the best activity bars in London.
Moonshine Saloon – Bootleggers Hangout
Moonshine Salon is part of Inventive Productions, a company that arranges immersive storytelling scenarios using actors to bring the story to life.
Moonshine Saloon takes you back to the Wild West, when alcohol was banned and found only in illegal moonshine bars. You become part of the story when you step on the wrong side of old western law as a bootlegger.
If you find yourself intrigued and wish to join in on the event, you can book a ticket online for a session that lasts 1hr 45min. Please note that they do not accommodate walk-ins.
The show starts when you smuggle in spirits. The venue recommends 35cl for two guests and 70cl for four. The bottles must be unopened and sealed.
A mixologist will create four cocktails for you and your guests using your spirits. The entry fee includes mixers and juices.
Moonshine Saloon provides options for special occasions, such as hen, stag parties, and corporate events. Contact them via their contact page for information and groups above 30 guests. An add-on is the birthday boy, girl, hen, or stag can become a character in the spectacle, such as the Mayor or a Brothel Keeper.
Moonshine Saloon is highly rated from start to finish as a unique and memorable experience. It has to be on the must-visit list as one of the best activity bars in London.
Address: 28 – 30 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7DB
Telephone: 0203 1090491
Electric Shuffle – Electric Shuffleboards
Electric Shuffle has turbocharged the original game of shuffleboard, adding vision technology detecting the location of the pucks and automatically updating the scoreboard. Electric Shuffle has two venues in London, one at London Bridge and a second at Canary Wharf.
The classic shuffleboard experience can accommodate up to 32 people for a 90-minute session at a reasonable per-person rate. There is a minimum group size of two people. However, during peak times, it is six.
If you do not fancy playing, booking a two-hour slot to watch the fun or have a drink is possible.
Electric Shuffle caters to up to 320 guests for events. For corporate or social events, groups of 33 to 320 people are welcome. Menu packages designed for groups of 10 or more feature delightful combinations such as beer and pizza or wine and pizza.
Electric Shuffle bottomless brunch menu is available from Thursday to Sunday. It includes endless pizza, and each guest receives a bottle of Prosseco and an electric shuffleboard sampler for 2 hours of fun.
Food and drinks menus are available at other times with meat, vegetarian and vegan options. Examples include Jerk-spiced Chicken with chilli jam and bbq corn. Or a tomato bruschetta topped with guacamole.
From the drinks menu, try a classic cocktail, a Sweet Circuit, vodka, coconut rum, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon and grenadine.
Electric Shuffle is a fantastic option to play a competitive game in a games bar in London. There is a vibrant vibe, and the decor is bright and modern.
Address: 10 Cabot Square, North Colannade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4EY
Telephone: 0208 059 4163
Flight Club – Home of Social Darts
The Flight Club takes one of the oldest established pub games and modernises it for the 21st Century. The idea came when, in 2012, co-founders Steve Moore and Paul Barham visited a Devon pub and witnessed a group playing a noisy and fast-paced game of darts.
Today, Flight Club invites customers to go wild over their dartboard at several venues across the UK, with four in London, including a popular activity bar in Shoreditch.
Book a game of social darts online. Some time slots specify a minimum number of players, such as Saturdays and bank holidays, when it is six. On other days after 4 pm, the minimum is four.
From Thursday to Sunday, Flight Club has a two-hour bottomless brunch with Prosseco and bottomless pizza. The price also includes carafes of orange juice, water and, of course, darts.
Flight Club’s other menus include sharing platters of pizzas, fries, and burgers.
The sharing platters consist of items taken from the small plates menu, and the meat option is skewers of Korean beef and Chicken Satay, Jerk-spiced chicken, Chicken Katsu bites and squid.
The vegetarian version comes with Mushroom quesadillas, Mozzarella sticks, Hummus with flatbread and tortillas, and Aubergine Katsu and Padrón peppers.
Flight Club offers a quirky and unique experience. You do not have to be a darts fan to enjoy a game at Flight Club.
Address: 2a Worship Street, London, EC2A 2AH
Telephone: 0203 019 3093
Related: 5 London Pubs with Pool Tables – From Sports Bars to Trendy Lounges
Bounce – The Home of Ping Pong
Founded in 2012, Bounce provides an authentic, fun experience playing games like Ping Pong and Shuffleboard. In addition, Wonderball uses the ping pong table and electronics, images and ball tracking to create a new exciting variety of games projected onto the table.
Bounce has something for everyone, with a venue capable of holding up to 500 guests.
At Bounce, a range of games are available for your enjoyment:
- Test your reflexes with a round of Ping Pong.
- Experience the fun of Shuffleboard or Shuffle Rebound.
- Try your hand at the fascinating game of Wonderball.
Add a unique twist to your gaming experience by inviting a Games Guru. Your guru is a games coordinator who brings bundles of energy to the table to ensure you and your friends or family have a fantastic time.
Bounce has two bottomless brunch options with unlimited Prosecco, beer, pizza and Ping Pong for 90 min. The second option is for two hours of bottomless, plus a Drag Queen and DJ.
Bounce is a fun activity bar in London with a lively, upbeat atmosphere. It is ideal for hanging out with mates, enjoying a birthday party, or energising a conference meeting.
Address:
- 241 Old Sreet, London, EC1V 9EY
- 121 Holburn, London, EC1N 2DT
Telephone: 020 3657 6525
Roof East – Entertainment Taken To A New Level!
Roof East offers rooftop activities in London on a multi-storey car park roof in Stratford. The venue opens for the season from the 20th April to the end of September.
This unusual, vast, vibrant venue provides entertainment, bars, street food, and an outdoor cinema. There are some undercover areas for rainy days.
Tucked away in a quiet area ensures the cinemas’ enjoyment will not be affected by noise. Cinema tickets go on sale on 28th March.
Roof East is a vibrant hub of entertaining paid attractions, promising a variety of fun-filled experiences.
- Engage in a round of Birdies crazy golf, an excellent choice for both golf enthusiasts and beginners looking for a good laugh.
- Try your hand at a game of arrows, a fun twist on traditional archery that is sure to test your precision and coordination.
- Step into the baseball batting cages for a round of Sluggers. This high-energy activity will have you swinging for the fences in no time.
A fresh addition for 2023 is Glitter Bowls, an exuberant reimagining of bowling complete with a disco makeover.
Roof East provides loads of free games on a first-come basis. Tables are frequently available as there are plenty.
On offer are four menus for street food and drinks, including Burgers, Tacos and Burritos and Turkish pide.
Roof East is one of the best bars with games in London, with its spectacular location and view. It is an excellent place to chill out with friends and family, and plenty keeps you entertained.
Address: Floors 7 & 8, Stratford Multi-storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, London, E15 1XE
Email: [email protected]
Related: 5 Crazy Golf in London: Indoor, Outdoor Courses & Golf Bar
Fairgame – Modern Twist on Classic Fun
Fairgame in Canary Wharf beckons with its charming blend of nostalgic fairground games and modern tech. It’s a uniquely adult twist on cherished childhood memories that adds a new dimension to London’s entertainment scene.
Step right up to traditional fairground games cleverly tweaked for adult enjoyment. Try your hand at the Teddy Bear Challenge – a fan favourite – and, if you score right, walk away with a fluffy bear. You’ll also find competitive shooting challenges to test your mettle.
The Dirty Tots and Birria Tacos have won my heart, and the pizza’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Though on the higher end of the price scale, the Picante and Barbie cocktails are worth the splurge for their unique flavours.
But Fairgame isn’t just about games and grub. The service here is slick and courteous, enhancing the overall experience. However, watch out for potential wait times, especially for larger groups, due to the RFID system – arrive early to beat the queues.
Yes, you might end up spending a bit more than your average night out. But, trust me, Fairgame’s unique concept, variety of activities, and intriguing food and drink options make it a standout destination in Canary Wharf.
Address: 25 Fishermans Walk, London E14 4DH
NQ64 Soho – Retro Gaming Paradise
Take a trip back in time at NQ64 Soho, a buzzing gaming-themed bar smack-dab in the heart of London. Neon colours and gamer chic make for an electric atmosphere – the place positively thrums with energy.
Get lost in the impressive variety of games on offer. Retro arcade gems and classic consoles – all present and accounted for. It’s like taking a delightful detour into the gaming heyday of the 80s and 90s. The best part? Some consoles are even free of charge – bonus!
The cocktail menu is a real treat for the taste buds. They’ve got game-themed cocktails that are as creative as they are tasty. Trust me, I’ve tasted them. The bar staff truly know their way around a shaker. Pair these with the spot-on music selection, and you’ve got yourself the recipe for an incredible night out.
Conveniently located near Oxford Circus Station, the bar is a stone’s throw away from major transport links. However, take note: it can get quite busy, especially during peak times. Plus, some gamers have grumbled about token prices for certain games being on the pricey side.
But if you’re a gaming enthusiast or just in for some nostalgic fun, NQ64 Soho, with its amazing atmosphere, broad gaming selection, and out-of-this-world cocktails, might just be your next favourite spot in central London.
Address: 53 Berwick St, London W1F 8SP
Boom Battle Bar Oxford Street – Interactive Fun Galore
Get ready for a rambunctious night out at Boom Battle Bar Oxford Street. Packed to the rafters with an eclectic mix of games and a friendly, lively atmosphere, this spot is a guaranteed winner for some top-notch, interactive fun.
The selection of games is truly something else. Axe throwing, crazy golf, darts, shuffleboard – you name it, they’ve got it. I tried my hand at a round of augmented reality darts and let me tell you, it was absolutely cracking!
The staff here are just as impressive as the games, consistently earning top marks from visitors for their attentiveness and welcoming demeanour. You’ll find them always ready with a helping hand or a cheerful word – it’s really quite infectious.
What’s more, Boom Battle Bar is perfect for celebrating those special moments. Birthdays, team outings, you name it – they’ll make sure your day is memorable. But remember, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The food selection could do with a bit more variety and depending on the day or staff, your mileage may vary.
When it comes to libations, the cocktails are a must-try. They’re tasty and just the right price for the London scene. So, if you’re looking for a place bursting with fun games, friendly faces, and a bubbly atmosphere, Boom Battle Bar Oxford Street should be on your list. But do give the food menu a once-over before you dive in.
Address: Ground Floor 70, Basement and, 88 Oxford St, London W1D 1BP
Bad Moon Cafe – A Gamer’s Paradise in London
Bad Moon Cafe is a gamers’ sanctuary. Friendly and buzzing with life, it’s the perfect spot for board game and Warhammer aficionados. In my experience, you’ll feel as welcome as an old friend.
The selection of games is like a candy store for gamers, with everything from classic to contemporary. Warhammer players, you’re in for a treat – the table set-ups are seriously impressive. And all this for a mere £5 unlimited play fee!
The staff? Think of your most charming friend and then multiply that by ten. Plus, they host engaging events and MTG tournaments for those with a competitive streak. But be warned, the cafe can get noisy and a touch warm during peak times.
Don’t overlook their delicious pizza and great range of coffee and beer. With the vibrant atmosphere and friendly faces, Bad Moon Cafe is a knight in shining armour for gamers in London, ensuring a memorable experience, even if you don’t win your game. So why not roll the dice and give it a visit?
Address: 159a Great Dover St, London SE1 4GZ
Four Quarters, Peckham – A Retro Gaming Oasis
Four Quarters in Peckham is like stepping into a time machine, taking you back to the days of button-bashing on Street Fighter or manoeuvring that darn Pac-Man around its neon maze. Honestly, it’s as nostalgic as listening to a Spice Girls album.
Not only does it boast a bevy of retro arcade games, it also sports a diverse selection of craft beers and cocktails that will have you feeling merry quicker than you can say “Mario Kart”. It’s not all fun and games though – keep an eye out for the odd machine needing a bit of TLC.
DJ nights on Wednesdays? They’ve got it. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a basement club where the drum and bass beats hit harder than a Sonic Spin Attack. If you’re expecting a wide range of draft beers, though, you might be left feeling a bit flat.
One thing’s for sure: Four Quarters exudes a laid-back charm. It’s got an inviting atmosphere, making it a solid choice for a night out with pals. But here’s a tip: get in early to avoid the rush.
In short, Four Quarters is an arcade bar that ticks most of the right boxes, providing a unique blend of gaming nostalgia and lively social interaction. Fancy a cocktail named ‘Donatello’? Of course, you do. So, why not give Four Quarters a whirl?
Address: 187 Rye Ln, London SE15 4TW
Tips for Choosing an Activity Bar in London
1. Know Your Crowd: It’s essential to know the interests of your group. Some bars cater more to sports fans, while others are all about board games or live music. Make sure to choose a venue that aligns with everyone’s preferences.
2. Look for Special Events: Many activity bars host themed nights, quiz events, or live performances. Make a note of the event schedules of the bars you’re interested in. This can add an extra level of entertainment to your evening.
3. Check Age Restrictions: Some activity bars may have certain age restrictions, especially after a particular time. Ensure you’re aware of these before planning your visit.
FAQs
Q: What’s the dress code at activity bars in London?
A: Most activity bars in London have a casual dress code, but it’s always a good idea to check their website or call ahead if you’re unsure.
Q: Can we reserve a specific game or activity at these bars?
A: It varies from bar to bar. Some allow reservations for certain activities, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the bar directly for precise information.