Roxy Ball Room and Lane7 join the Printworks’ new Tenpin in a glut of gaming
In these doleful times, it’s a heartening sign of Manchester’s resilience that All Star Lanes in Great Northern Warehouse (which closed in August) is already set to be replaced by a new bowling venue this autumn in the form of Lane7.
Not only that, Lane7 is just one of THREE new bowling venues to announce launches of late: Tenpin opened on 18th September in the Printworks, while a new Roxy Ballroom is due to make its debut this Friday (2nd October) on nearby Withy Grove. Now that’s what you called ‘bowled over.’
Tenpin was the first to brave the COVID-19 chaos and has taken over the Printworks’ former Hard Rock Casino with its 46th UK venue - the first where all (twelve) bowling lanes are interactive. The two-storey entertainment centre also feature two bars and a ‘state-of-the-art’ arcade; as well as table tennis, American pool tables, beer pong, shuffleboard tables and a karaoke room.
Perhaps inevitably on the food front, diners can expect a US-style menu including burgers, hot dogs and sharers - all available with on-lane service. Guests can enjoy a game of bowling, food and a drink from £15pp, or a game of bowling and a drink from just £9pp.
Tenpin Manchester is currently open 10am-10pm daily.
Lane7 was the second to announce its opening, with a date to be confirmed this autumn. The brand - which calls itself ‘the UK’s largest independent late-night boutique alley’ - already includes several venues in Scotland and England, with Manchester’s set to feature the same ten-pin bowling and other gaming options as its sister sites.
And last to strike is Roxy Ball Room, which opens its second Manchester venue this Friday (2nd October) in what was previously Birdcage on Withy Grove. As well as six bowling lanes, the new offering also promises entertainment including American pool, shuffleboard, Olympic-standard ping pong tables, beer pong battle stations and arcade games galore; including multi-player donkey derby-style racing games and a basketball shooting machine.
The booze and ball games concept (over-18s-only like all Roxy’s ‘adult playgrounds’) will also feature twelve holes of the brand’s new game Crazy Pool; a mash-up of crazy golf and pool which sees players navigate a variety of obstacles to put the ball on the waist-high mini-golf course, using a golf ball and pool cues instead of golf putters. And another slant on a popular game, Bank Shot Shuffleboard, will debut at the venue later this year.
As for food and drink, expect Roxy’s signature American likes of loaded nachos, chicken wings, burgers and stone-baked pizzas (veggie and vegan options available) plus beer, cider and £7.50 cocktails.
The new Roxy will initially be open Wednesday to Sunday; from 3pm during the week or 12pm at the weekends, closing at 10pm each night.
Brand development manager Joel Mitchell said: "Our venue on Deansgate has proved hugely popular with the Manchester community and so we’re really excited to be expanding with a second site in the city centre. Our new venue features some of the games our existing customers have already come to know and love, with a few new additions that you won’t be able to get anywhere else.”
While Lane7 is yet to be announced, both Tenpin and Roxy have implemented strict COVID measures including enhanced cleaning, app-based food and drink ordering, table service-only and social distancing. Bubbles of up to six can pre-book on the websites; please note, masks must be worn unless exempt for medical reasons or consuming food or drink.
