Wednesday 30 April 2014

London Strikes Again, All Star Lanes : LOCAL LOVES

Oh gang, I’m sorry. I’ve been gone for yonks! Life just got a bit hectic and I’ve not sat down for long enough to write. I have of course sat down at times, I haven’t been standing for weeks on end, that would be bonkers.

BUT, I’m back and while I was away I continued to photograph all the fun London things I did so have lots to tell you about – hurrah!



Shall we start with bowling? Yes, let’s start with bowling. Hands down the best spot in London Town is All Star Lanes – a 1950s throw back of underground delight. Varnished lanes, scrummy cocktails, classic diner food and retro tunes. What more could you want? Well, you could want Prince Harry to have been there:


I went with some pals of mine to the Bayswater venue, but you can also find them in Brick Lane, Holborn and Westfield Stratford too. Depending on when you go, bowling costs £6.95 to £8.95. They’re open until 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The best way to make the most of the night though is to eat there too and they often have deals that combine a meal and a game. The food is classic diner grub and doesn’t break the bank. There’s burgers, hot dogs and macaroni cheese – YUM. 

We kind of went to town with dinner.....






But obviously it's the cocktails we all go for and we couldn't resist 'The Ball' because it comes served IN A BOWLING BALL!



 


And after getting our fill we hit the lanes. Feeling cocky we opted for no bumpers. Pah, we're not kids anymore, we don't need bumpers!! Oh but Abbie, when you've had cocktails you do.... Chaos ensued. It turns out we'd all completely forgotten how to bowl. Even getting the ball to roll smoothly on the lane was proving hard but we persevered and looked pretty dapper as we did so in our bowling shoes.




 


It was very thirsty work so I got another cocktail. To ease the game along and bring out my inner-sportsman you see. I plumped for a Gin & Elderflower Julep Jar - Bombay Sapphire, elderflower, mint and apple juice. Much better than lucozade.



And by some weird twist of fate I won! I was mighty chuffed and skipped off into the night waving the score sheet aloft. Cracking stuff. All Star Lanes really is shed loads of nostalgic fun so get yourself booked in.