Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

Bloomsbury Lanes have been bleeping on the London nightlife radar for years, only now it seems that the bowling plays second fiddle to the rest of the entertainment on offer (no mean feat). Located beneath a Russell Square hotel, the subterranean venue is one for those that like a bit of everything with their night out. Bowling you know about, but how about the karaoke booths, stellar DJs and TWENTY SIX INCH PIZZAS – so impressive that they had to be shout-typed about.

As venues go it’s rather charming. Descend the stairs - past flat screens playing suitably stylish movies – head down the carpeted corridor and you find yourself peering into transparent karaoke booths, filled with have-a-go crooners. A bar serves drinks at the back of the large space and a makeshift diner is tucked up alongside the bowling lanes themselves so you can watch and eat to your hearts content. Look around and it’s clear that Bloomsbury Lanes appeals to the students and with a supporting cast of workmates – carrying forth that straight from the office look – the atmosphere is refreshingly friendly. It must be the bowling, the sport of the people. And on the subject of bowling, Bloomsbury Lanes is owner of one of London’s only above ground ball returns – if that means anything to you.

DJs play to the dance floor behind the lanes and on this occasion it’s a heavy selection of accessible electro and hip-hop classics. Think big night rather than date night, with an n alternating selection of danceable club nights that appeal to the wild. The quietest area is the diner, and apart from those amazing pizzas, there is a good selection of burgers and other American snacks. A 26” pizza will cost you about £20.00 but it would easily feed a group of four. Wash your slices down with Bittburger, Camden Pale Ale or cocktails from the bar.

Part bowling alley, part karaoke room, part club – Bloomsbury Lane has all bases covered for an awesome time with a group of buds. Strike!

Has bowling gone cool? That seems to be what the people behind Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes are aiming for. Not only does the venue offer the tenpin sport on gleaming wooden lanes, but it has served as location for the shooting of the music video for Scouting for Girls’ ‘Heartbeat’, Rihanna celebrated her 20th birthday here, and even the subversive chaps at Vice Magazine seem to like it. Perhaps it’s got something to do with their calendar of events, which ranges from Japanese punk-pop nights to 1950s Hawaiian-themed burlesque.

Roll With It is the latest indie pop club night to take over Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes on the second Friday of every month. As the name suggests, expect a healthy dose of Oasis and other Britpop cohort anthems, current pop tunes and even the odd 50s rock and roll tune. It’s student-tastic and cheerful, and that’s before you wander into one of the colourful karaoke booths for a sing-song. Elsewhere, there is plenty of slouchy seating for eating and drinking if you don’t dare to take part in the bowling yourself, but if you do want to get those snazzy shoes on you’re advised to book well in advance as the lanes are very popular. One lane costs £39 per hour, but if you’re only here for the indie bopping it’s £7 to get in.

Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is fast becoming the venue of choice for all manner of corporate functions, office dos, dance lessons and club nights including most recently a DJ set from Razorlight.

They pride themselves on bringing a taste of 1950’s Americana to London, without being part of a chain. Situated in the basement of the Tavistock Hotel near Russell Square, the venue has 8 lanes which appear to fill up very quickly – it’s advisable to book in advance, particularly for weekends. On the Friday night I visited the crowds had already arrived by around 8pm, indicating this is clearly a popular after-work hangout.

The bar has a cocktail list that includes all the classics; bottled and draft beers and champagnes are also sold. The food menu is predictably a selection of burgers such as the Kingpin - with cheddar cheese and streaky bacon - pizzas, and snacks such as nachos and chicken wings. Their burgers have in fact twice been rated as being in the top three in London.

Prices for bowling vary depending on the day of the week, they go up to £5.50 on Friday and Saturday evenings per person per game. Alternatively to hire a lane for an hour is £36, however this price goes up according to season – it’s £42 at Xmas time, a hike that takes advantage of the number of work parties that will be hosted here throughout the season.

It’s clear that the punters at Bloomsbury Bowling have come as much for the dancing and drinking as for the bowling. By midnight the venue was in full swing with revellers swaying their hips to the sounds of ‘Disco Shed’, whilst much beer was swigged and cheers were uttered by the bowlers.

It’s no-frills, fun atmosphere is the reason why Bloomsbury Bowling is growing in popularity. Catering to both bowling fans and those who just want a good old boogie it’s no wonder.