Tipped

Bowling as it should be

April 25, 2009

Years ago I used to drink at the Elbow Room. It’s was unique, always busy and something special. The desire to create a group of hip pool halls killed it. Same for places such as Belgos. Only drones like chains and then it all over in terms of being unique and special to London.

Luckily, The Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is a one off still. I mean where else can you eat a 24inch pizza, bowl, down German Beers, play a politically incorrect shooting games where you hunt down deer, have a laugh without security throwing you out....dance on vintage carpet dance floor until 3am.

Being hidden away in BLoomsbury also keeps the riff raff away.

Tags: bowling, london, nighlife

Shake, rattle and bowl

January 20, 2009

The bimonthly retro 'Shake, Rattle and Bowl' Saturday night seems to be gathering pace in a big way (unlike my bowling technique). I've heard about this recently through various friends so we went along to check it out and had an awesome night.

It is a novel way to spend a Saturday night out in town - complete with American-style diner, bowling, karaoke, dancefloor boogie-ing to and film screenings.

My tips: Get there early if you want to bowl, eat or book a karaoke room for later; dress up fiftie-esque (we did but not enough people joined in the fun); expect it to be busy and there not to be any wine glasses

Tags: dance club, karaoke, bowling

make mine a caucasian

February 27, 2008

Anywhere that you can bowl while sipping on a white russian is going to be a hit with me. The laidback hipster attitude makes bowling here a pleasure, the decor is shabby chic so it doesn't feel too try hard. Perhaps one of these days my favourite sport will officially be cool.

Tags: bowling, cocktails

Candy shop for adults

October 31, 2007

You know the saying 'kid in a candy shop' well this is the adult equivalent.

Bowling: check
Karaoke: check
Bar with late licence: check
Pool: check
Arcade machines: check
Food: check
DJs: check
Live Bands: check (although check the website as its not every night)
Cinema screen: check

I've been to a bunch of indie disco nights here and they're really good, plenty of good bands and beautiful young people.

Bowling has never been so hip

October 19, 2007

What an interesting place Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is! The place, tucked underneath the Tavistock Hotel in the midst of Bloomsbury. You enter through a tiered movie theater of sorts, which is usually cycling through interesting, unknown or cult films (and is also, in my experience, often empty) before leading into the main rooms of the venue.
There are a lot of options, from the obvious bowling to pool and karaoke (in a couple rooms which can be reserved for groups) beyond the usual boozing. Indeed, if there is one major thing to criticize about Bloomsbury Bowl, it is that it lacks focus. Although there are of course the 8 lanes of bowling goodness (call in advance to book lanes, they tend to fill up before the night begins) other parts of the experience sometimes can feel as if they are tacked on as afterthoughts (like the attached "American diner").
Still, the place attracts a large crowd, especially on weekends, and it has booming music and a large, fully stocked bar. Bowling is fun, pool is good, karaoke is hilarous and drinking is drinking. The place even has a late license, so you don't have to worry about getting kicked out before you've had your fun. All in all, I'm a fan.

Tags: bowling, late license, karoke, American food, trendy