Where to drink and play: London's ultimate destinations for fun and more
Why settle for just having drinks when you can enjoy both beverages and fun activities with friends and family? Whether it's curling, ping pong, ice skating, playing Monopoly, or sipping on beer, discover our selection of establishments in the city where you can enjoy both fun activities and drinks.
Curling Club at King's Cross
Curling Club King’s Cross.
#FLODown: Prepare to embrace the nostalgia of the '90s this Christmas as Club Curling makes its triumphant return to King's Cross. This thrilling event promises weekly live DJ performances and a trendy pop-up cocktail haven. With six dynamic and eco-conscious curling lanes at your disposal, this is the perfect activity for the entire family during the holiday season. Secure your tickets and let the games commence, as we usher in the festive spirit!
Date: 10 November 2023 - 25 Feb 2024, Daily, 12 - 8pm (last play). Location: Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DQ. Price: from. £8 a person (children under 12 play for free when accompanied by an adult). Book now.
Jack & Boule
Jack & Boule Cocktails London South Bank.
#FLODown: Get into the Christmas spirit at Jack & Boule in London's South Bank.While you test your skills at boules, savour a delightful selection of refreshments from their bars, offering a wide range of beverages, from artisanal craft beers to signature cocktails. Don't miss the chance to try their tasty street food offerings from London's hottest vendors, including the mouthwatering creations of Rico Burrito and Jimmy's Burgers. On weekends, enjoy a bottomless brunch for just £30 per person. Jack & Boule's festive experience is the perfect setting for family outings, casual get-togethers with friends, or memorable Christmas team gatherings.
Location: 101 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PP. Price: £25 per court, teams of up to six can enjoy a 55-minute game of boules. The first 100 bookings using the code 'FREECOURT' play for free.Website: jackandboule.com
Bounce
Bounce Ping Pong. @bouncepingpong
#FLODown: Experience the ultimate Ping Pong adventure in London at Bounce, with locations in Farringdon, Old Street, and the iconic Battersea Power Station. Whether it's a casual after-work drink, a celebration, a team event, or even a meeting or conference, you'll discover a vibrant ambiance, food and beverages, Games Gurus, and renowned DJs, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience!
Locations: Farringdon, Old Street, Battersea. Price: from £6 from 55 mins. Website: bouncepingpong.com
Swingers
Swingers Crazy Golf
#FLODown: Founded in 2014 as a pop-up in a Shoreditch warehouse, Swingers Crazy Golf has become a popular place for socialising and fun. This unique venue offers crazy golf, along with great street food and cocktails, all in the setting of a 1920s English country golf club. Swingers is great fun for various occasions, such as birthday parties, team-building events, client entertaining, festive celebrations, or a casual night out with friends.
Location: West End and City. Price: 1 round of crazy golf (9 holes)£15. Off peak (All day Sunday & Monday - Tuesday before 5pm) £13.50. Website: swingers.club
Fight Club
Fight Club Bloomsbury. @flightclubdarts
#FLODown: Flight Club is the vibrant hub of Social Darts, a fast-paced game where you can enjoy cocktails and delicious sharing plates alongside some competitive fun. Founded in 2012 by Steve Moore and Paul Barham, Flight Club combines the charm of British pubs with modern entertainment. Whether you're a pro or a beginner, it's a welcoming space for all!
Location: Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Islington. Price: from £10 per person 60 minutes. Website: flightclubdarts.com.
Four thieves Battersea
#FLODown: The Four Thieves in Battersea offers a special kind of pub experience. In addition to the usual pub offerings, they feature weekly comedy nights, interactive quiz sessions, karaoke, and a variety of games, including remote control car racing and VR experiences. You can also enjoy freshly baked sourdough pizzas. It's a great place for a unique pub experience!
Location: The Four Thieves, 51 Lavender Gardens, London SW11 1DJ. Website: fourthieves.pub.
Platform
Image: Platform Canary Wharf. © MCohen
#FLODown: Platform is a a video game bar where you can reserve a private booth to play classic and modern games on a PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch while enjoying delicious cocktails and snacks. Whether you're a gaming pro or a newbie, Platform provides a social and competitive atmosphere for all skill levels, making it a perfect spot to have fun with friends and experience unique gaming, great food, and drinks!
Location: Canary Wharf and Shoretditch. Price: from £5 per game. Website: experienceplatform.co.uk
Ice Skating
#FLODown: Ice skating provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a blend of entertainment, delicious food, and beverages. With the arrival of the festive season, temporary ice rinks are sprouting up throughout London, offering a seasonal treat for all. Click here for our guide on the most atmospheric places to go ice skating during the Christmas.
Rouges Quarter
Rogues Quarter - Board Game Bar & Cafe. h@roguesquarter
#FLODown: Rogues Quarter is a Board Game Cafe located in Kentish Town, North London, known for hosting Magic The Gathering events and offering spacious 6x4' gaming tables for wargaming enthusiasts. They offer a diverse menu of food and drinks along with a wide selection of board games, including Kickstarter exclusives!
Location: 155-157 Queens Crescent, London NW5 4EA, England, UK. Website: roguesquarter.com.
London Shuffle Club
#FLODown: Located in Shoreditch, the London Shuffle Club is the ultimate destination for the fast-paced and competitive game of shuffleboard. The Club offers both traditional shuffleboard and table shuffle in its basement speakeasy, Crazy Eight, making it the only UK venue to provide both versions under one roof. You can enjoy a seasonal cocktail or a fresh sourdough pizza on their weatherproof outdoor terrace. They also offer indulgent bottomless brunch packages!
Location: 4 Ebor St, London E1 6AW. Price: from £25 per lane. Each lane can accommodate 2-8 players and are bookable by 55-minute sessions. Website: londonshuffle.com.
Draughts Waterloo
Draughts Waterloo. @@draughtslondon
#FLODown: Draughts, located in the heart of Waterloo, is a hidden gem nestled within the vibrant, graffiti-covered Leake Street tunnel. This establishment takes pride in its extensive collection of over 800 board games and offers food from Jones & Sons, along with a variety of inventive cocktails, craft beer, and an excellent wine selection, ensuring an unforgettable late-night experience. Draughts also has a location in Hackney.
Location: Waterloo and Hackney. Website: draughtslondon.com.
Bad Moon Café
Image: Bad Moon Cafe. @badmooncafe
#FLODown: Bad Moon Cafe in London is another great destination for board game and wargame enthusiasts. With over 3,000 square feet, it offers exceptional gaming experiences, a vast board game library, and ample space. This unique board game cafe also provides bespoke Warhammer tables, Magic: The Gathering, as well as food and drinks!
Location:159A Great Dover Street London SE1 4GZ. Website: badmooncafe.co.uk
DNA VR
Image: DNA VR. Image courtesy of DNA VR.
#FLODown: DNA VR in London's Battersea offers an engaging and immersive gaming experience for all ages. With a diverse selection of over 70 games, from rhythmic experiences like Ragnarock to creative options like Tilt Brush and challenging survival games like After the Fall, it's an ideal choice for a fun night out with friends, date nights, or team-building events. You can also explore educational opportunities with Google Earth VR and virtual safaris through Nature Treks VR. Plus, there's a VR Escape Room for up to six participants. DNA VR is a great destination for both gamers and newcomers to virtual reality.
Locations: Battersea, Camden and Hammersmith. Price: from £24 per person and vary according to experience and day of booking. Website: dnavr.co.uk. Instagram: @dna_vr
Go Boat London
#FLODown: GoBoat offers an exciting self-driven boating adventure where you take the helm and chart your own course in Canary Wharf, Paddington, and Kingston. You'll have the freedom to navigate picturesque locations, soak in stunning architectural sights, and pass by renowned landmarks. For extended 2 or 3-hour journeys, you can even moor and indulge in a leisurely picnic. No prior boating experience is necessary, as we provide training upon arrival along with a route map to guide your exploration.
Locations: Canary Wharf, Paddington, Kingston. Website: goboat.co.uk
Artists Anna Pianim and Adriana Wynne unveil their first collection, blending fine art and functional design with handcrafted sculptural light fixtures, in a dynamic, immersive event celebrating creativity and craftsmanship.