Between Lane 7, The Lanes and Roxy Lanes in the city centre, Bristol isn’t short on bowling alleys. Why do Bristolians love knocking down 10-pins? We’re not sure. But we can’t get enough it seems as another bowling alley, King Pins, could be moving into Cabot Circus.
Many feared the closure of Showcase would be the death knell of the shopping centre. Between this and the “world’s most advanced virtual reality experience”, Sandbox VR, planned for Cabot Circus, this couldn’t be further from the truth. With a licensing application dated December 21, it aims to open next to TGI Fridays by the end of the year.
King Pins already has a site in Manchester, and the Bristol location is likely to offer something similar to its Northern counterpart. Described as “a brand new bowling experience for all the family,” King Pins is home to state-of-the-art ten-pin bowling, as well as duckpin lanes, ice-free curling, shuffleboards, batting cages, air hockey, arcade games, karaoke booths and more.
So much more than a bowling alley, King Pins will be more akin to Roxy Lanes on Union Street – full of booze and ball games. The King Pins license seeks permission not only for the sale of alcohol but also for films, and live and recorded music. The Lanes on Nelson Street, another Bristol bowling alley with extras, also doubles as one of the city’s beloved music venues. So is the city big enough for all of them? Only time will tell.
King Pins also offers a range of food options, including Neapolitan pizza, chicken wings and burgers, soft-serve ice cream, and more. These are all served in partnership with some Manchester institutions, so we might see them teaming up with some Bristol favourites instead. You’ll also be able to book kids (and big kids) parties on-site. To learn more about King Pins head here.