Celebrating your birthday at activity bars is truly unbeatable because:
A) It perfectly captures that nostalgic joy of playing party games from your youth, now with the added fun of drinks. And,
B) Everyone is obliged to let you win.
Here are the top activity bars in London to enjoy that experience…
Fair game | Canary Wharf
Pairing old-school fairground games with booze seems so natural that it’s surprising Fairgame is the first dedicated activity bar to combine them. Kudos to them for that! Challenge your friends in nine nostalgic games, from whack-a-mole to rifle ranges, and toast your inevitable victory with prosecco-infused candy floss.
As for the details, each game features around six lanes, and there are private hire areas available for groups of 20 or more.
Clays | Moorgate & Canary Wharf
Clays Moorgate and Clays Canary Wharf are two virtual clay shooting bars that use cutting-edge technology to simulate Olympic clay shooting, but with a fun twist and added competitive games. Plus, you can enjoy cocktails and bar food prepared by a former Ritz chef.
For group sizes, each shooting booth (or ‘peg’) accommodates up to 20 people, and you can book multiple booths for larger gatherings. They also offer food and drink packages.
All-Star Lanes | Shoreditch, Holborn, Westfield
Bowling is fantastic, especially when paired with cocktails, comfy shoes, a 1950s atmosphere, and an authentic American diner serving everything from Southern fried chicken with buffalo sauce to chargrilled prime beef steaks. Plus, there are private karaoke booths for those times you might want to let loose. All-Star Lanes, with four locations across the city, offers it all.
Each venue can accommodate groups of up to 21 people. For a similar retro vibe, check out Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, where you can book up to 8 lanes at once.
Whistle Punks | Oxford Circus
If regular darts aren’t thrilling enough for you, Whistle Punks is the answer. It’s where axe throwing meets alcohol. At their Oxford Circus venue—the largest axe-throwing bar in Europe—you’ll learn how to throw an axe like a pro and then put your skills to the test in a tournament with your friends, all while enjoying piña coladas.
Each private lane accommodates up to 10 players.
Sixes | Fitzrovia, Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, London Bridge
Introducing the cricket bar of the century: Sixes. Here, you’ll find high-tech batting cages with automatic scoring and five difficulty levels, plus pyrotechnic shot paddles. Enjoy BBQ-style fare, including whisky-glazed beef short ribs and burnt ends nuggets.
Each batting net accommodates up to 10 players.
Sandbox VR | Holborn
The term “immersive” is used frequently, but Sandbox VR truly lives up to it. The experience is fully engaging and incredibly fun, leaving you focused solely on your survival throughout the adventure. You might just have a moment to notice the robot bartender serving cocktails at the bar after your game.
Each game can accommodate up to 6 players.
Bar Kick | Shoreditch
Describing Bar Kick as “Shoreditch royalty” is fitting, but so is calling it “a lively, football-themed bar with a menu of burgers, fries, cocktails, craft beer, wine, and, most importantly, foosball tournaments.”
Groups of 10 to 35 can reserve areas with 1 or 2 foosball tables.
Baranis | Temple
Baranis is a basement cocktail bar offering a straightforward menu of traditional Provençal snacks and a wide selection of the region’s signature anise-flavored apéritif, pastis. They also feature an indoor pétanque court with gravel, where the aim is to toss hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball. It’s simple—until you’ve enjoyed a few of those anise-flavored drinks.
The court accommodates up to about 8 players, as there’s only one lane available for use at a time.
If the weather is favorable, consider booking an al fresco pétanque court at Boulebar in Waterloo.
Bounce | Farringdon, Old Street & Battersea
Located in a neon-lit basement designed by Russell Sage in Farringdon, with additional locations in Shoreditch and Battersea Power Station, Bounce boasts 17 ping-pong tables, a 40-foot bar serving Three Sheets cocktails, a DJ booth, and a raised restaurant with views of the action. If table tennis was already fun, Bounce has taken it to the next level by adding cocktails, music, and a lively atmosphere.
For group sizes, Bounce accommodates anywhere from 2 people to up to 500. You can book individual tables or even an entire room of tables.
Flight Club | Shoreditch, Islington, Bloomsbury, Victoria
Created by the team behind Bounce and All Star Lanes, London’s Flight Club bars feature lively, automatic dartboard scoring, virtual guides, a variety of fast-paced games, and an array of pizza boards and canapés. The touchscreen interfaces were designed by a rocket scientist. And, of course, there’s plenty of booze.
You can book for up to 400 people, though it’s generally best to keep your group under 40.
Karaoke | Across London
Karaoke is a serious sport, demanding skill, determination, perseverance, and, of course, alcohol. To combine all these elements, head to one of London’s top karaoke bars, where you can book a private booth, pay per person, and have a wide selection of drinks delivered right to your booth.
Many of these venues can accommodate up to 30 people.
Swingers | The City & West End
Swingers City and Swingers West End redefine crazy golf, much like comparing a Ferrari to a basic mode of transport. Each of these expansive, stylish activity bars features two or three expertly designed golf courses, three restaurants, and, in the City location, five bars—yes, five.
With ample space, they offer private rooms for groups ranging from 12 to 500 people.
Also, check out these other great spots for crazy golf in London.
Electric Shuffle | Canary Wharf & London Bridge
Flight Club clearly understands its audience. They’ve expanded their high-tech, cocktail-infused approach from darts to shuffleboard. Head to Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf or Electric Shuffle London Bridge, where you can enjoy three tech-enhanced versions of shuffleboard and then celebrate your win in a steampunk-art deco bar.
Each shuffleboard table accommodates a minimum of 6 people, with the capacity for up to 350 if you book the entire venue.
Four Thieves | Battersea
At first glance, Four Thieves may seem like just a pub where you can grab a drink. However, that’s only the beginning. Upstairs, you’ll discover a vibrant bar area featuring a range of retro arcade games, dance mats, VR experiences, karaoke, and even an exhilarating remote-controlled car racing game.
Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace | White City
You know that weird dream you had, where Usher opened a West London revival of a legendary L.A. 1970s roller rink? Well, it came true. It comes with DJ sets, a maze of neon lights, and a mezzanine lounge overlooking the action where you can refuel with a beer and a deep-fried PB & jelly sandwich. As long as the dream where all your teeth fell out doesn’t come true, you’ll have a great time.
Numbers? It’s vast, so you can invite anyone you’ve ever met. Or you can hire out the entire mezzanine for a group of 100.
Immersive Gamebox | Shoreditch, Southwark, Wandsworth
Visiting Immersive Gamebox feels like stepping into a vintage game console where you are the controller. You can challenge your friends in classic arcade games or dive into story-driven experiences like Squid Game (with far less peril than the TV show). If running around a projection-mapped room as Pacman wasn’t enough, the Teletubby-style motion capture visors will make you feel a bit silly. The rooms can accommodate up to 6 people.
Four Quarters | Elephant & Castle, Peckham & Hackney Wick
Four Quarters is a retro activity bar that brings your favorite classic arcade and video games back to life on authentic vintage machines. You can play timeless favorites like Pong, Asteroids, Tron, Pac-Man, and Street Fighter II. With locations in Peckham, Hackney Wick, and Elephant & Castle, it feels like stepping into an ’80s time machine. Peckham even offers a private room upstairs with 10 consoles, or you can enjoy the main bar with smaller groups. For more vintage fun, check out NQ64 in Soho, where you’ll find dozens of playable machines in a UV-lit, graffiti-covered bunker.
Queens Skate, Dine, Bowl | Queensway
Discover the expansive ice rink at Queens: Skate Dine Bowl, which spans nearly two football pitches. This venue offers a variety of activities, including a retro arcade, pool tables, bowling lanes, ice skating, ice hockey, curling, and karaoke. There’s even a rinkside bar where you can grab a drink while you skate. The number of participants varies by activity, but private bowling lanes are also available.
Strike | Wandsworth
Until now, South-West London has lacked a boutique bowling alley, a trendy darts bar, and a tech-infused shuffleboard. But Strike has brought all three together under one roof. Located in the country’s oldest brewery, Strike offers a range of games including duckpin bowling (smaller balls, shorter pins, and more ducks), along with classic diner fare, cocktails, and tank-fresh beer. Whether you’re aiming for regular bowling with up to 12 people or duckpin bowling for up to 18 across 3 lanes, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. For more duckpin fun, check out the bookable lanes at Brewdog Waterloo.
Urban Golf | Smithfield
Golf involves hitting a small ball with a tiny club into a far-off hole, and navigating obstacles like trees, water hazards, and sand traps. Urban Golf offers a similar experience, but with a modern twist: it’s virtual, indoors, and warm. You can play on 50 of the world’s top courses while enjoying a menu of bar food and drinks. According to them, you can host anywhere from 8 to 150 people, though realistically, not all 150 can play at once, so keep that in mind.
Draughts Board Game Café | Dalston, Waterloo
Draughts, with locations in an old Dalston pie & mash shop (Draughts Hackney) and beneath the arches of Waterloo station (Draughts Waterloo), is a pair of board game cafés that were partially crowd-funded. Each café features a collection of over 800 board games and a curated selection of local craft beers, ales, ciders, and wines. If you’re feeling hungry, you can enjoy homemade baked goods, burgers, and shareable snacks.
You can book a table for up to 8 people, which fits well around a good-sized board game. Draughts Hackney also offers a private room for up to 10, or you can rent out the entire venue for a larger gathering, like the world’s biggest game of sardines.
Frequently Asked Question
What types of activities can I find at London’s top activity bars?
London’s top activity bars offer a wide range of experiences including retro arcade games, bowling, ice skating, darts, shuffleboard, and immersive virtual reality games. Many venues also feature karaoke, pool tables, and unique game variations like duckpin bowling.
Can I make a reservation in advance?
Yes, many activity bars allow you to make reservations in advance, especially for larger groups or specific activities. It’s a good idea to check the venue’s website or contact them directly to secure your spot and ensure availability.
How many people can each activity bar accommodate?
The capacity varies by venue and activity. For example, some bars offer space for small groups of 6-10 people, while others can accommodate larger groups of up to 150 people, depending on the activity and the venue’s layout.
Are there any age restrictions at these bars?
Age restrictions can vary. Some venues may have age limits, especially for activities like bowling or VR games. It’s best to check the venue’s policy before visiting to ensure it’s suitable for all members of your group.
Do these bars offer food and drinks?
Yes, most top activity bars offer a range of food and drinks. You can typically find options like bar snacks, burgers, and homemade baked goods, as well as local craft beers, cocktails, and soft drinks.
Is there a dress code?
Dress codes are generally casual, but it’s always a good idea to check with the venue. Some activities, like ice skating or certain themed events, might have specific attire recommendations or requirements.
What are the pricing and booking options?
Pricing varies depending on the activity and the venue. Some bars charge per person or game, while others might offer package deals or hourly rates. Booking options can include individual reservations, group bookings, or private hires. Check the venue’s website for detailed pricing information and booking procedures.
Conclusion
London’s top activity bars offer a vibrant mix of entertainment options, from retro arcade games and immersive VR experiences to classic activities like bowling and ice skating. With diverse choices for food and drinks and flexible booking options for groups of various sizes, these venues provide a dynamic and enjoyable environment for any outing. Whether you’re looking to relive the nostalgia of classic games or try something new with friends, London’s activity bars have something for everyone. Always check specific venue details for reservations, age restrictions, and dress codes to ensure a seamless experience.