Friends: they’re nice to meet, but they’re much more fun to beat. If you love nothing more than the cut-and-thrust of high-drama, low-stakes competition, we’ve found some great ideas for activity-fuelled nights out in London. They’re perfect for drinks, laughs, and trying desperately hard to remain humble as you surge to victory*.
*Victory not guaranteed.
1. Fling some axes (and so much more) at Boom Battle Bar
Boom Battle Bar has five locations in London, with their Oxford Street branch serving as the flagship. The activities differ slightly between venues, but what they all have in common is an absolute treasure trove of things to do and games to play. Across their venues, you’ll find everything from axe-throwing to shuffleboard, darts, pool, crazy golf, karaoke and beer/prosecco pong. And of course, all offer a menu of street food-inspired bites and a variety of signature cocktails for celebratory (or commiseratory) refreshments.
Find out more here.
2. Have a kickabout at TOCA Social
If you’re looking for a unique night out, London’s immersive football and social dining spot is a sure-fire win. TOCA Social boasts two London locations (at the O2 and Westfield London) where you can work your way through a selection of interactive games. After which you’ll settle in for a burger and a Long Island Iced Tea in the venue’s dining area, of course.
TOCA Social is suitable for all ages (so long as under-18s are accompanied by an adult), so it ticks the box for both holiday entertainment and a Saturday night out with mates. And, no, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never kicked a ball in your life – it’s not that serious. Besides, there’s always the cocktails.
Find out more here.
3. Get crazy at mini golf
The traditional concept of mini-golf has only gotten wilder and crazier over the years. London offers neon courses, luxury adults-only venues with top-class cocktails, and even high-tech versions where cameras can track your ball and keep score. And with many of the courses entirely indoors, you can get putting no matter the season.
See our favourite crazy golf courses in London.
4. Throw some darts at Flight Club
If you prefer your targets smaller and your surroundings more luxurious, check out Flight Club in Bloomsbury, Shoreditch or Victoria. Each oche in these high-tech dart halls comes equipped with sensors and screens that track each dart’s position, keep score, and even create cute videos of winning throws. (Larger groups can go massively-multiplayer across multiple boards at once.)
Find out more here.
5. Play ping pong at Bounce
Play table tennis as you never have before at London’s Bounce venues, which are spread across the city. They have a ton of AI-powered tables for competitive thwacking, as well as a lively bar to keep the fun going in. On weekdays, it’s double the fun with 2-for-1 deals on cocktails, pints, wine, and even pizzas until 6pm. Head on down and check out “the future of ping pong”.
Find out more here.
6. Strike gold at a London bowling alley
Not just for awesome tween birthday parties, London is home to some truly grown-up bowling joints. Some venues even have private VIP lanes (with their very own bar) for groups to hire, promising an evening fit for Lebowski himself.
See our favourite bowling alleys in London here.
7. Get shufflin’ at Shuffle Club
Image: @shuffleclubuk, via IG
This vintage, floor-based pastime has a permanent home at Shuffle Club in Shoreditch. The venue spans three floors, with both deck and table shuffleboards, a rooftop terrace, and a bar and restaurant area for cocktails, pizzas and weekend bottomless brunches. Two teams play at a time, and they recommend a group size of six, four or eight.
Find out more here.
8. Escape from prison and have a drink to celebrate
North London is now home to Prison Island, a criminally good new escape-room concept. The goal is simple: make your way around the prison cells, solving as many tasks as you can within 60 minutes. How well do you think you’ll fare? Bonus points for the fact that, unlike a real prison, this venue has a bar.
🎟️ Get your tickets for Prison Island here.
9. Bowl erm… Boule as the French do
Image: @boulebar.uk, via IG
London’s Boulebar venues (of which there are two) take the beloved tradition of boule pétanque from the French city parks and drop it into the middle of London. Scoff all you might at this seemingly simple game, but once you start playing it’s impossible not to get invested! Oh, and naturally, there’s plenty of food and drink to enjoy all the while. Or you can even enjoy a boule-tastic bottomless brunch alongside your activity!
Find out more here.
10. Smuggle some booze into prison
This experiential cocktail bar is tucked away inside a prison – and if you want a drink, you’ll have to smuggle your own liquor in! As part of the immersive Aclotraz experience, you’ll have to decide whether to get involved in the bootlegging operation or keep your head down and follow orders. What – you didn’t think you were just coming to prison to drink, did you?
Find out more and grab tickets here.
11. Experience the ultimate arcade night out
Image: @nq64arcadebars, via IG
When it comes to arcade gaming and nights out in London, there’s one spot that rules them all: NQ64. These neon-lit, graffiti-strewn bars are open LATE and feature moreish game-themed drinks, competitive arcade games, and retro consoles. If you want your night out to feature plenty of healthy competition, this is the spot to go. There’s sure to be a game for everyone in your group, so there are no sore losers around.
Grab a ticket for their weekly arcade nights at your local NQ64 here.
12. Go karting at Gravity MAX
NEEEEEEEEEOWNG! Enjoy some high-octane thrills at Wandsworth’s epic indoor go-kart track, as you go head-to-head against your squad to see who can get the quickest lap time. Gravity MAX also offers other activities like shuffleboard, AR bowling and digital darts. Oh, and once you’re done being competitive, make sure to head to the top floor for drinks.
Find out more here.
13. Go on a treasure hunt around Soho in 80 days minutes
This cocktail-fuelled treasure hunt takes participants around the vibrant streets of Soho as they solve riddles and challenges along the way. Step into the world of the eponymous adventurer immortalised in Mr Fogg’s group of cocktail bars with the madcap Mr Fogg’s Treasure Hunt cocktail experience. It’s a veritable race against time through London as you attempt to journey ‘Around Soho in 80 Minutes’.
You’ll need some libations along the way, of course, with two cocktails included to fuel your adventure. And if you do well, you might just win the grand prize: a £75 bar tab at Mr Fogg’s for the winning team!
Find out more and grab your tickets here.
14. Stave off boredom at a board game cafe
For a more relaxed (but no less competitive) afternoon out, pay a visit to one of London’s brilliant board game cafés. They offer hundreds of board games, from nostalgic classics to more obscure offerings, so there’s always a new way to torment your companion. Some of our favourites include Draughts in Waterloo and Stratford, as well as the Badger Badger board game pubs.
See our favourite board game cafés in London.
15. Explore another planet – drink in hand
London’s Avora experience takes you away from bustling London – away from Earth in fact – to a whole new world for a jaw-dropping immersive experience. Meet with the locals, explore the otherworldly flora and fauna (and even scavenge for cocktail ingredients), and sip on the 3 cocktails that are included with your ticket. You’ll be telling everyone about your trip when you return!
Find out more and grab tickets here.