SOMETIMES you have to put the upstarts in their place. You get these two sixteen year olds and a twelve year old and they think they can beat the old man at sport.

Ha. 

Not a chance of it.

Wise parenting is of course to rid them of any such notions very very quickly. Competition is everything.

Although...

Er...

I wasn't really thinking like that until the magic started to happen at All Star Lanes.

I was last to go. I'd chosen an easily manipulated 10 ball, I could have thrown it fifty yards it was so light. 

Strike first go. My turn again. And Strike. Third time up. Strike.

Apparently three strikes in a row is called a turkey

Jonathon (sic) gets three strikesJonathon (sic) gets three strikes

A turkey will never happen to me again but it felt good. I finished with a score over 160 which I'm told is just dandy. The boys didn't get anywhere near.

Perhaps the food had helped me. 

The All Star Lanes menu is a filler with flavour.

The food is massively enjoyable, finger-licking, Americana; optimistic and packed with satisfying bite and goo (descriptions with the pictures below).

For a family, the meal and the game, the whole occasion was a tremendous laugh; a grand day out despite the competitive dad. As we've said before at Confidential, All Star Lanes increases the attractiveness of the city to visitors and locals, gives tourism a boost. 

And come on folks. A turkey.

Read it and weep, bowler boys.

Drinks: rich, heavy, shakes, and a spicy as hell but invigorating Virgin MaryAll Star Lanes drinks: rich, heavy, shakes, and a spicy as hell but invigorating Virgin Mary

Eggs Florentine (£7.5) delicious and vigorousAll Star Lanes: Eggs Florentine (£7.5) delicious and vigorous

Bacon topped hamburger (£12) monster mealBacon topped hamburger (£12) monster meal

All Star Lanes: fried chicken with a weirdly effective maple syrup (£10) that turned out to an absolute revelationAll Star Lanes: fried chicken with a weirdly effective maple syrup (£10) that turned out to an absolute revelation

All Star Lanes: I will eat it all and go on to get a 'turkey' on the lanesAll Star Lanes: I will eat it all and go on to get a 'turkey' on the lanes

All Star Lanes menuAll Star Lanes menu

All Star LanesAll Star Lanes

You can follow Jonathan Schofield on Twitter here @JonathSchofield or connect via Google+

Prices and details (per person, per game)

All prices include shoe hire

PEAK £8.95

Thursday to Saturday: 6pm – Close

OFF-PEAK £6.95

Sunday to Wednesday: All Day
Thursday to Saturday: Open – 5pm

STUDENT £5.95

(Only with a valid NUS card)

Sunday to Wednesday: All Day

KIDS’ BOWLING £5.95*

(Per child,per game – 12 and under)

*Please note we can only accommodate under 18s on the lanes until 6pm, after which they are welcome to dine in our restaurant.

KIDS’ BOWLING PRICE*

£5.95 per child, per game
(Under 12s bowling) 

KIDS DEAL £15

Any kids main & side, soft drink with one refill, choice of a dessert or shake and one game of bowling for £15 per child. View the menu here.

*Please note we can only accommodate under 18s on the lanes until 6pm, after which they are welcome to dine in our restaurant.

All Star Lanes is taking bookings now at Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN. 0161 871 3600. Manchester@allstarlanes.co.uk