London has some amazing nights out, and with new bars and different activities popping up everywhere, it can be hard to keep up. Aren’t we all glad to see the back of axe throwing? And who knew how sweaty you get playing ping pong? (Not what you want on a night out!)
It can feel a bit overwhelming trying to find the perfect night out. So here’s my top five of tried and tested activity bars across the capital, how they work, and how much they actually cost.
1. Flightclub – The home of social darts
A staple now of the London night scene with 4 locations spread across the capital and 13 across the country and with good reason. One could argue this was the catalyst for “activity bars in London”. Opening with their first branch in Shoreditch back in 2017, at the time it was a novelty and people flooded to it. Now 8 years later and they have the formula down to a tee.
How It Works?
Its an interactive darts board, but don’t let the whole darts thing put off. You do not need to be Luke Littler by any stretch to enjoy. The games are handicapped and more often than not it’s the people who have never thrown a darts before in their life that go home winners. Depending on your current success in the game its handicapped to make it easier for the players nearer the bottom. Think Mario Kart rules but for darts.
Booking Group Sizes?
Due to its popularity, this is a double date option only. From 4pm onwards it’s a minimum group size of 4, on Saturday nights this minimum requirement is 6 people. Prime time slots on Friday and Saturday nights do book up fast so if you wanted a night out ensure you plan ahead. Its be known to be booked up to a month in advance. It can be booked for two people outside of peak hours.
How Much Does It Cost?
60 mins – £11.00 each per person / 90 mins – £15.00 each per person
Cheapest Pint: £6.60
Cheapest Wine: £6.70
Cheapest Cocktail: £11.
Cheapest Main: £14
Where Is It?
Shoreditch
- Nearest Station: Old Street
- Underground Line: Northern Line
Bloomsbury
- Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
- Underground Lines: Central Line, Northern Line, Elizabeth Line
Angel (Islington)
- Nearest Station: Angel
- Underground Line: Northern Line
Victoria
- Nearest Station: Victoria
- Underground Lines: Victoria Line, Circle Line, District Line
2. Fairgame – fairground games with a competitive edge
A newer kids on the block comparatively with some of the others on this list but ever growing. First opening in 2022. I expect to see multiple other venues popping up soon.
How It Works?
You receive your wristband which logs your scores throughout the night. There are 9 different fairground games to choose from and you are given 75 minutes within the area to play (don’t worry you can bring your drinks in and have access to a bar within the area).
You are allowed to play each games twice. The space is shared with others so you may have to que slightly to get onto some of the games, we visited on a Saturday night when it was at its busiest, the most we had to wait was for one group to play their game. Joining in with other groups and cheering them on becomes part of the fun.
Booking Group Sizes?
Whilst popularity for this is still high with prime time Saturday night slots typically booking up weeks in advance. There is no minimum group booking. Due to the format of a shared communal fairground area. Making it perfect for a date night option. There is no actual limit on size of group, anything about 15 people however will be catered for by the events team not their online booking process.
How Much Does It Cost?
£19 per person for a games booking.
Cheapest Pint: £7.10
Cheapest Wine: £7.50
Cheapest Cocktail: £11.25 (Cocktails here are incredible).
Cheapest Main: £10.90
Where Is It?
Canary Wharf
- Nearest Tube Station: Canary Wharf
- Tube Lines: Jubilee Line and Elizabeth Line
3. Puttshack – Tech infused mini golf
Originally launching in 2019, there is now 2 locations across the capital and 4 overall. Whilst Puttshack was the first bar crossed with mini-gold on the scene they were the first to nail down the their unique track-a-ball technology required to make it a good night out.
How It Works?
With their trackerball technology, it was the first time you didn’t need little pencils and scorecards and could concentrate on socialising and drinking. There’s digital scoreboards in view as you move around and dynamic scoring is used where its not just based on number of shots but points can be earned for using supertubes. Each game is 9 holes. You are given your club and your ball and your course on arrival and off you go.
Booking Group Sizes?
Whilst walk-ins are technically accepted. We once attempted this and it was a 2 hour wait. Its popular for a reason, so to definitely required to book ahead on this one. Group sizes can be anything from 1-12 but be aware anything over 6 and the group will be split into 2 to ease the flow around the course. Just like the others prime time Saturday night slots book up weeks in advance.
How Much Does It Cost?
So prices here are dynamic, time and location matter as does how many games you are booking and there is also a range of special offers such as unlimited golf Sundays. For London venues you are typically looking at
Bank: £14 per person
White City: £13 per person.
Cheapest Pint : £6.30
Cheapest Wine: £7.50
Cheapest Cocktail: £10.50
Cheapest Main: £11.50
Where Is It?
Bank (Central London)
- Nearest Tube Station: Bank
- Tube Lines: Central, Northern, Waterloo & City, District, Circle
White City/Westfield
- Nearest Tube Station: White City / Wood Land / Shepherds Bush
- Tube Lines: Central, Northern, Waterloo & City, District, Circle
4. Clays – Virtual Clay Shooting
One of the newest activity bars on the block with the first location opening in Moorgate in 2021. There is now one other open branch in Canary Wharf with a further venue planned for opening in Autumn of 2025 and its easy to see why. It makes for a great night out.
How It Works?
Essentially it’s the same format at flight club but this time instead of throwing a dart, you are armed with virtual rifle in hand. Ready to take on 6 different games all with in game mechanics designed to give everyone a level playing field.
Booking Group Sizes?
Sections/areas or as they refer to them pegs, which is an old term for your designated shooting position, in real life clay shooting can hold between 2-22 people. Pegs can be booked for either 40, 60 or 90 minutes, players shoot on rotation. The 40 minute option is only there for smaller groups but I would advise a 60 minute minimum here even for a relatively small group, time flies when you are having fun and to have a chance at every game you’d need more than 40 mins.
How Much Does It Cost?
So the pricing structure here is dynamic as most of these are with busy times costing more. There does seem to be slightly more fluctuation here than any of the other bars on this list. You can get games here for as little as £8 pp.
However on a busy Saturday night you are looking at between £12-14pp.
Cheapest Pint : £6.30
Cheapest Wine: £6.50
Cheapest Cocktail: £10
Cheapest Main: £10
Where Is It?
Canary Wharf
- Nearest Tube Station: Canary Wharf
- Tube Lines: Jubilee Line
- Also Nearby: Heron Quays (DLR), South Quay (DLR)
Moorgate
- Nearest Tube Station: Moorgate
- Tube Lines: Northern, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan
- Also Nearby: Liverpool Street (Central, Overground, Elizabeth Line)
5. Sixes – Social Cricket
Possibly the most active of the bunch, Sixes takes the traditional British pastime and adds high-speed, high-tech fun into the mix. The first venue opened in Fulham in 2020 and the brand has quickly expanded with four locations now across London and 13 in total across the UK. If you’ve ever wanted to knock it for six without leaving your cocktail behind, this is your place.
How It Works?
Step into a private batting net, face a digital bowler on the screen, and try to smash a real ball as far as possible. The ball is fired from a machine, and your shot is instantly tracked with smart sensors. Scores go up on a live leaderboard, so everyone gets competitive fast. It’s like the fun of cricket without the long day in the sun.
Booking Group Sizes?
You can walk in for a quick go, but if you’re coming with a group or during peak times, booking ahead is a good idea. Nets are booked by the hour and can hold up to 12 players per session, although 6 to 8 people per net gives the best balance between waiting and playing.
For groups larger than 12, you can reserve multiple nets side by side, and there’s also the option to add a table for food and drinks. Corporate packages and private hire are available too, with the option to reserve part or all of the venue. Peak times have a minimum of 3 on the batting nets.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices vary depending on the time and location, but London peak time you are looking at £16 pp.
Cheapest Pint : £6.80
Cheapest Wine: £5.00
Cheapest Cocktail: £7.50
Cheapest Main: £10.50
Where Is It?
Fulham
- Nearest Tube Station: Fulham Broadway
- Tube Lines: District
Fitzrovia
- Nearest Tube Station: Great Portland Street
- Tube Lines: Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan
Shepherd’s Bush (Westfield)
- Nearest Tube Station: Shepherd’s Bush
- Tube Lines: Central
London Bridge
- Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
- Tube Lines: Northern
