I tried the enormous new bowling and games bar that’s just opened in Leeds - and it was chaotic fun
The new bowling and games bar has just landed in Leeds - here’s our reviewer’s verdict
Stepping into Lane7, it was hard to believe that the last time I was in the venue, I was grabbing pick-and-mix, vitamins and cleaning supplies.
The enormous space, which has taken over the former Wilko on Albion Street (RIP), has been transformed beyond recognition. Billed as an ‘entertainment playground’, Lane7 offers a host of games and activities.
There are 12 bowling lanes spread across the ground floor, alongside a huge arcade area and The Playground, an immersive gaming experience that encourages players to get moving.
Downstairs, you'll find electronic darts, shuffleboard, pool tables, beer pong stations and golf simulators.
With graffiti-clad walls, neon lights and ruby red curtains, it's a feast for the senses and a far cry from the stark aisles that once occupied the space.
We'd pre-booked two games of bowling for two people, which came to £26 and included an extra free game of our choice. Even without the free game thrown in, it's around half the price of a nearby competitor.
We were checked in by friendly staff at the bar, who advised us that drinks would be served while we played our first game of bowling. There was a bit of a wait to order, but the menu offers a decent spread of sugary-sweet cocktails, beer, shot racks, wine and fizz. There's also a small food menu featuring pizzas, nachos and hot dogs.
We ordered two large glasses of the Bello Tramonto Pinot Grigio, which is usually light-bodied and smooth, but we found it overly acidic - perhaps due to the way it had been stored.
But a place like Lane7 is about the experience rather than carefully crafted drinks, and the bowling was excellent. There were plenty of little touches that added to the fun, including a smoke machine that bursts into action whenever someone scores a strike.
For our free game, we chose Big Putts Golf, a fast-paced mini-golf experience featuring giant touchscreens and automatic scoring. It was chaotic, competitive and good fun.
There were some teething issues with the service, and a technical problem with the golf simulator could have been handled better. Our server disappeared without explanation, leaving us wondering what was happening until a manager eventually stepped in and fixed the issue.
But on the second night of opening, those niggles were to be expected and weren't enough to dampen the evening.
For a fun night out with plenty to get stuck into, Lane7 is a welcome addition to Leeds city centre.
Factfile
Address: 6 Albion St, Leeds, LS1 6HX
Telephone: 0113 467 0346
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs, 10am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 10am-1am
Website: www.lane7.com
Scores
Drinks: 5/10
Value: 7/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Service: 6/10