All Star Lanes, situated in chic Bloomsbury Place, is the UK ’s first boutique bowling alley, cocktail bar and diner. As well as hosting rock ‘n’ roll club nights and showcasing some of London’s hottest new bands; it is also home to the UK’s only private bowling room, complete with two lanes and a bar – the perfect place to entertain clients or party with friends.
After opening in January 2006, the bowling alley has become a firm favourite among young Londoners – especially with vintage-clothing aficionados, rock and rollers, and lovers of all things kitsch. As it’s so popular, it’s best to book a lane in advance, although they always have a waiting list lane every evening for those who haven’t. The price is £8.50 per person per game, or £7.50 before 5pm on Fridays and weekends. The lanes are now open all day on Friday and with the new ‘Bowl & Bite’ express system; you can bowl, eat and be back to work within the hour.
Having worked up an appetite on the lanes, visitors can tuck into some top quality food from head chef Wyatt Shevloff’s menu, which is a tribute to the classic American diner. Familiar favourites include the 100% prime Angus beef burger, slow roasted bourbon BBQ ribs and Texas chilli con carne; while more unique dishes like Louisiana crabcakes and grilled Canadian lobster are equally impressive. Visitors can enjoy the traditional American comfort food from diner-style booths whilst watching the action on the lanes.
For somewhere so relaxed and laid-back, it’s pleasantly surprising that the cocktails are as good as in any of the more pretentious bars in the surrounding area. Two of the best are their authentic house Julep – bourbon whisky, fresh mint, cane sugar syrup and crushed ice – and the Big Five – Havana Especial rum, vanilla syrup, pink grapefruit, tonic water and nutmeg. With a vast selection of wines, spirits, juices and irresistibly thick and creamy milkshakes – there is a beverage to suit every bowler.
The large dancefloor is put to good use when some at London’s best signed and unsigned bands take the stage on ‘Strike Night’ (Monday) and midweek ‘Wednesdays Are Blooming’. Every Friday and Saturday is ‘Jive Bowling’, with DJs spinning rock ‘n’ roll tunes from 9pm to 2am, and the first Saturday of every month is ‘Shake, Rattle & Bowl’ – a club night presented by Dollyrocker of ‘Buttoned Down Disco’ fame. The night combines bowling, cinema, dancing, karaoke and the best of 50s and 60s soul, rock, motown and girl groups to create a buzzing retro atmosphere. With entry costing only £6 and White Russian cocktails at £3 all night, it’s a bowl-o-rama bargain. Info about upcoming bands and clubs is available on www.bloomsburylive.com
All Star Lanes is only a short walk from Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Russell Square tube stations, as well as being serviced by a number of buses. If the diner menu doesn’t appeal, you can enjoy pancakes at My Old Dutch, Japanese food at Matsuri or sample some of the 60 different vodkas on offer at Bar Polski. Formerly Na Zdrowie, this bar also serves Polish food and beer to an eclectic and lively crowd. The Bloomsbury area is full of other great restaurants and bars, as well as being a bus ride away from the clubs, cinemas and theatres of Leicester Square and Soho, so you really are spoilt for choice!
