From ball pits and ping pong to electric shuffleboard, check out thrilling ways to test your sporting skills with these top indoor activities in London bars.
1. Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience
Don an orange jumpsuit, line up for your mug shot and put your stealth skills to the test at fun immersive cocktail bar Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience. Serving inmates are your bartenders, the guards are crooked, and you become a part of the immersive prison storyline by obtaining bespoke cocktails crafted with your successfully smuggled liquor.
Where: Hackney (Unit 3B, 127 Hackney Road, London E2 8GY)
Tickets: Ready to infiltrate a secret prison and get involved in multiple secret missions? Book your Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience now.
2. Moonshine Saloon Immersive Cocktail Experience
Get ready for one of the best activity bars in London! Experience life as an outlaw and be transported to the Wild West at the Moonshine Saloon Western Cocktail Experience. Visit the local tailor to be fitted with classic Western attire, rub shoulders with the local outlaws, try your luck at cards or dice games and experience a close-up inspection of Cassidy’s notorious Moonshine Distillery. Successfully smuggle in your chosen liquor for deliciously crafted cocktails crafted by the Saloon Barkeeps.
Where: City of London (28-30 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB)
Tickets: Join a covert bootlegging operation with the Moonshine Saloon Immersive Cocktail Experience.
3. Avora: A New World Cocktail Experience
Enter the enchanting realm of Avora: A New World Cocktail Experience through a newly discovered gateway, where theatrical sets, unique cocktails and a talented cast bring this magical land to life. Don your special jumpsuit, receive a briefing from Dr C Shelly and play a role in determining the fate of this newfound world.
Where: Hackney (Unit 5C, 127 Hackney Road, London E2 8GY)
Tickets: Journey into a world of wonder and immerse yourself in the Avora: immersive cocktail experience.
4. K1 Speed
Channel your inner Formula 1 champion as you compete for the fastest lap at London's indoor karting venue, K1 Speed, the perfect pit stop for group activities. Feel the adrenaline rush as you race through the twists and turns of multi-level tracks in a race to the podium.
Where: Canary Wharf (15 Cabot Square, London E14 4QS)
Tickets: Book your spot at K1 Speed for one of the best go-karting experiences in the world!
5. Bat & Ball
Check out one of the best games bars in London at Bat and Ball. It's packed with fun activities spread over two floors, including championship-sized ping pong tables, pool tables, interactive darts and a karaoke room to sing to your heart's content! Work up an appetite and tuck into Neapolitan-style pizzas, burgers and wings, along with craft beers and a selection of wines and an extensive cocktail menu.
Where: Stratford (Westfield Stratford, London E20 1EJ)
Tickets: Combine fun, food and entertainment at Bat and Ball London.
6. Ballie Ballerson
Dive into London’s most famous ball pit and relive all the fun of your childhood at Ballie Ballerson, the vivacious Shoreditch venue that tops everyone’s bucket list for activity bars in London. Be dazzled by an intoxicating mix of rainbow ball pits, neon lights and delicious retro cocktails. Take lots of photos as this one is fab for the gram.
Where: Shoreditch (97-113 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3BS)
Tickets: Jump into a fun-packed, unique ball pit experience at Ballie Ballerson.
7. F1 Arcade
Experience the excitement, glamour and thrills of the Formula 1 racing experience at F1 Arcade. Jump into the driver's seat and experience the heart-racing thrills of cutting-edge simulation racing. Don't forget to check out the delicious sharing plates including flatbreads and tacos, and sip on unique F1-inspired cocktails.
Where: St Paul's (1 New Change, London EC4M 9AF)
8. Fairgame
Indulge in nostalgic funfair-themed games at Fairgame in Canary Wharf, one of the best activity bars in London. Game options are guaranteed to transport you back to your youth, including Whac-A-Mole and Shoot The Clown. Keep yourself refuelled with street food and three bars serving cocktails and craft beer.
Where: Canary Wharf (25 Fisherman's Walk, London E14 4DH)
9. London Shuffle Club
Team up for one of the best games bars in London for groups. Shuffleboard has had a glitzy revamp from its 15th-century roots at London Shuffle Club. The new and improved competitive format can be booked on the indoor shuffleboard courts, with the team on hand to teach you the rules, tips and tricks to be a shuffleboard pro in no time at all.
Where: Shoreditch (19 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA)
10. Boulebar Spitalfields
Step into Boulebar Spitalfields, a hidden French park beneath London’s streets! Play the classic French sport pétanque on 10 courts, savour authentic French delicacies, tuck into charcuterie boards and sip on Parisian cocktails.
Where: Spitalfields (7 Frying Pan Alley, E1 7HS)
11. Bounce
Get your adrenaline fix with a fast-paced game of ping pong at Bounce in the lively locations of Old Street and Farringdon. Immerse yourself in the big-city pulse and enjoy a vibrant fusion of group activities in an electric atmosphere, while dancing up a storm or feasting on pizza.
Where: Old Street (241 Old Street, London EC1V 9EY), Farringdon (121 Holborn, London EC1N 2TD) and Battersea (Battersea Power Station, Hall B, London SW8 5BN)
12. The Cube
Inspired by the BAFTA-winning TV show The Cube, take part in seven challenging immersive activities that test your balance, speed and memory – all while against the clock in pairs or alone! Work up an appetite after competing in the exhilarating challenges and enjoy delicious food from The Butcher and Toni Loco, and refreshing drinks from a choice of six bars.
Where: Canary Wharf (14 Charter Street, London E14 5GZ)
13. Clays
Try your hand at virtual clay shooting at Clays, with venues in Moorgate and Canary Wharf. At these fun modern games bars, innovative tech is used to simulate Olympic clay shooting with the addition of new competitive games. Work up an appetite for cocktails and street food, courtesy of a former Ritz chef.
Where: Moorgate (55 Moorgate, London EC2R 6LL) and Canary Wharf (1 Cabot Square, London E14 4QJ)
14. Electric Shuffle
Enjoy a much-loved game of shuffleboard with a twist at Electric Shuffle. Mixing a centuries-old pastime with a supercharged gaming experience, this is shuffleboard revolutionised. Full of surprises and a variety of interactive games, this new concept in Canary Wharf and London Bridge is a lively addition to London’s activity bars scene and makes playing shuffle endless fun.
Where: Canary Wharf (10 Cabot Square, London E14 4EY) and London Bridge (10 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 2ER)
15. Flight Club
Enjoy the cosmopolitan vibe of the uber-cool Flight Club. Combining a friendly pub atmosphere with a Victorian-inspired fairground of fun, this high-tech social darts experience hits the bullseye. With a long, illustrious history, darts is a game everyone should try and now you can in Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Islington and Victoria.
Where: Shoreditch (2a Worship Street, London EC2A 2AH), Bloomsbury (55 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BS), Islington (56 Upper Street, London N1 0NY) and Victoria (6 Sir Simon Milton Square, London SW1E 5DJ)
16. Sixes Social Cricket
Sports lovers can join forces with pals for a lively game of cricket at Sixes Social Cricket clubhouses in Fitzrovia or Fulham. Combining cutting-edge technology with a high-energy atmosphere, you can test your batting skills at one of the best activity bars in London. Take your guard, swing hard and score some winning runs in the interactive batting net.
Where: Shepherd's Bush (Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7GA), Fitzrovia (170 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QB) and Fulham (18 Farm Lane, London SW6 1PP)
17. Bar Kick
Enjoy a pre- or post-match game of foosball at Bar Kick and get ready to get competitive. Play solo or double up with a friend to take on the opposition. Make sure to catch a range of sports in the bar, including Premier League, Formula 1 and rugby on one of the 12 screens set across two floors.
Where: Shoreditch (127 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JE)
18. Puttshack
Enjoy a game of mini golf on crazy courses at cool venue Puttshack in Bank and White City. From the creators behind Ping Pong and Bounce, Puttshack catapults the traditional game of mini golf into a cutting-edge phenomenon using groundbreaking technology. Experience high-tech electronic scoring and interactive ball tracking, and get your game face on as you whip the Wheel of Fortune and battle the Beer Pong.
Where: Bank (1 Poultry, Queen Victoria Street, EC2R 8EJ), White City (Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7HB)
19. All Star Lanes
Soak up the kitschy 1950s atmosphere as you enjoy plenty of vintage bowling fun at All Star Lanes. Choose from four branches in Holborn, Brick Lane, Stratford and White City and get bowling at one of the best activity bars in London! Grab a burger and a milkshake after a good game and stay on for karaoke.
Where: Holborn (Victoria House, Bloomsbury Place, London WC1B 4DA), Brick Lane (95 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL), Stratford (Westfield Stratford City, The Loft, London E20 1ET) and White City (Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7SL)
20. Pitch Canary Wharf
Experience Canary Wharf’s ultimate indoor golf and social hub at Pitch Canary Wharf. Play on 11 Trackman-powered bays, enjoy shuffleboard and sip craft cocktails at two stylish bars. With riverside views, modern Asian cuisine and a trendy golf concept store, it’s the perfect spot for fun, competition and unforgettable nights with friends.
Where: Canary Wharf (30 Churchill Place, E14 5RE)
21. Queens
Discover this hidden gem near Hyde Park and get bowling, rolling and gaming at Queens. Perfect for group activities and with 12 bowling lanes, you can bowl the night away, dance on ice at the indoor ice rink or play old-school games in the retro arcades.
Where: Queensway (17 Queensway, London W2 4QP)
22. Lane7 London Victoria
Check out the swanky Lane7 multi-activity bar in Victoria and feast your eyes on thrilling games including bowling, darts, crazy golf, batting cages, beer pong and more! Work up an appetite for the Patty&Bun loaded burgers and sides, and don't forget to try some killer cocktails – the perfect combo to round up a super cool activity bar experience in London.
Where: Victoria (Zig Zag, 70 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SQ)
23. The Four Quarters
Step back in time and indulge in retro arcade games at The Four Quarters in buzzing Peckham, one of the first arcade bars to open in London a decade ago. Quench your thirst with tasty craft ales on tap. Then, exchange £2 for the titular four (American) quarters and get ready to play some good old-school games like Street Fighter or Sega Rally. The upstairs area also hosts Mario Kart competitions during the week and DJs at the weekend.
Where: Peckham (187 Rye Lane, Peckham, London SE15 4TP), Hackney Wick (Unit 8, East Bay Lane, London E20 3BS) and Elephant and Castle (20 Ash Avenue, London SE17 1GQ)
24. Roller Nation
Glam up and get your groove on as you glide under the disco ball at retro-style roller disco Roller Nation. Open to all ages during the day, Roller Nation transforms into a dazzling London roller disco at night. Hire skates or bring your own and, if you’re feeling hungry, feast on delicious food and cocktails at the bar and diner.
Where: Tottenham (117 Bruce Grove, London N17 6UR)
25. Draughts
More into board games? With more than 1,000 games to choose from and two locations in Waterloo and Hackney, Draughts is a gamer's haven that will keep you coming back! Order a round of drinks and juicy burgers, and settle in for hours of fun at one of the best old-school activity bars in London.
Where: Hackney (41 Kingsland High Street, E8 2JS) and Waterloo (Arch 16, Leake Street, SE1 7NN)
26. The Piano Works
Sing your heart out to your favourite tunes in this cool live music bar, perfect for a night out with a twist, with two venues in London to choose from: The Piano Works Farringdon and The Piano Works West End. Here, you control what’s played as the house band and singers take song requests from the audience. With no set playlist, anything goes, so you’ll soon be up on your feet dancing all night long.
Where: Farringdon (113-117 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3BX) and the West End (47 Whitcomb Street, London WC2H 7DH)
Frequently asked questions
Which activity bars in London are best for groups?
The best activity bars in London for groups include immersive group experiences and quirky London drinking activities, such as the Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience and the Moonshine Saloon Western Cocktail Experience, as well as bars with fun team sports and games. Those include Bat & Ball, Ballie Ballerson, Electric Shuffle and F1 Arcade.
What activity bars are best for dates?
The best activity bars in London for dates have more intimate settings, music and fun or romantic activities that can enjoyed together. You could glide under the disco ball hand-in-hand at retro-style roller disco Roller Nation or find out about your date's music tastes at The Piano Works, where pianists only play songs requested by the audience.
Find more fun bars in London, including esports bars and venues full of gaming options, mini-golf and crazy golf, bowling alleys, arcades and unique quirky bars.
