The concept of a games bar is nothing new – there are a fair few dotted not just around the capital, but the country. Which was why when I was invited down to try Rocket Room, I was intrigued how this would differentiate itself from the others. Located right in the centre of the city in Leicester Square, its location is certainly a real draw. You’re right in the thick of the action, it’s easy to get to, and there are plenty of places to go to before or after – not that you necessarily need to. Rocket Room is a fantastic venue in its own right and somewhere you can utilise as a place to let your hair down after a couple of drinks when you want to elevate your night, somewhere to get yourselves in the mood before heading out for dinner, or somewhere you can make your base for an entire afternoon or evening.
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The issue I tend to find with game bars is that they’re dark and a bit dingy. There are sticky floors and the whole thing feels a bit like manufactured fun. “We’re here so we must pay over the odds for a game of darts and really enjoy it!” Rocket Room is the opposite of that.
On the day of my visit I make my way through Market Place Food Hall – a great food hall that’s perfect for a bite to eat before or after your visit – on the ground floor and up to where Rocket Room is based. The first thing that hits me is how open and bright it feels. Sunlight streams in through flung-open windows and people are chilling with a cocktail simply soaking up the views. It feels relaxed and surprisingly spacious. It’s the perfect spot for people-watching over Leicester Square! The games on offer are axe throwing, beer pong, shuffleboard and interactive darts. Price wise, if you go off-peak, axes are £8 per person for a 60 minute booking, darts £8 per person, shuffleboard £18 per booking and beer pong £30 per booking. It’s very reasonable, particularly for its location and means you can easily get a few games in. When on-peak, prices increase by a few pounds, so nothing too excessive.
We make our way around the room, trying each of the games in-turn. They’re all done to a high spec, easy to use and it doesn’t feel cramped. The bar itself is also a real selling point, prioritising high quality drinks, from their cocktails to their beers, wines and soft drink options too.
@seeninthecity Save this for your next night out in London! room has just opened in Leicester Square, with games like Interactive darts, shuffleboard, beer pong and more! There’s great music, a bar with loads of choices and a view over the whole of Leicester Square too (do book as it can get busy!) #leicestersquare #londonsecretspots #london🇬🇧 #londonbars #thingstodoinlondon ♬ Ready – Official Sound Studio
Whether you’re organising a date night, birthday celebration, team social or simply looking for somewhere different to spend a Friday evening, Rocket Room ticks every box. The atmosphere is energetic without being overwhelming, and fun without being over-the-top. They accept both walk-ins and bookings, but it’s generally better to book to ensure you can get what you want at the time you need – especially if there will be a large group of you. Rocket Room redefines activity bars, keeping the best bits but improving the rest. To book your table, head to the link below.
https://www.rocket-room.com
2nd Floor, Market Place, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JX
