From shuffleboard to karaoke: 12 of the best activity bars in London

From crazy golf and karaoke to immersive gaming and ping pong, the best activity bars in London are redefining what a night out in the capital looks like. Whether you’re planning after-work drinks, a first date, birthday celebration or a full-scale party, London’s growing collection of bars with entertainment offers far more than just great cocktails (although you'll definitely find plenty of those here, too).

Across the city, discover venues where competitive socialising takes centre stage, combining inventive drinks menus with interactive games, live performances and maybe even a game of UNO or two. 

From high-energy shuffleboard battles at Shoreditch hotspots to Formula 1 simulators, football challenges and retro arcade games, these fun-fuelled activity bars in London will bring high-octane energy to your next night out. Fancy belting out power ballads in a private karaoke booth? Looking for somewhere to challenge friends to crazy golf or ping pong while sipping Margaritas? Or perhaps you want immersive cabaret alongside dinner and drinks? Whatever your vibe, there’s an activity-led spot to match.

This guide rounds up the very best activity bars in London, including iconic names like Swingers and F1 Arcade, alongside newer openings that are changing the game. We’ve also included versatile venues ideal for everything from birthdays to your next office work party, making this a useful resource for anyone searching for activity bars for hire in London. Many of these venues offer exclusive hire options, private rooms and group packages, making party planning that little bit easier.

Whether you want competitive games, live entertainment or simply somewhere more exciting than the average pub, these bars with entertainment in London guarantee a memorable night out. Explore our pick of the capital’s top activity bars and discover where to eat, drink, play and party all under one roof.

Platform Shoreditch, Shoreditch

What: Combining cocktails, street food and immersive gaming, Platform Shoreditch is one of the best activity bars in London for competitive nights out. Guests can choose from a huge library of multiplayer games while enjoying burgers, loaded fries and drinks delivered straight to their gaming booth. Choose your console - PS5, Nintendo Switch or PC - and battle your mates at a host of classic games. Mario Kart anyone? 
Where: 2b Worship Street, EC2A 2AH
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at Platform Shoreditch
Book now: Platform Shoreditch

Fairgame, City of London and Canary Wharf

What: The clue's in the name with this one. Fairgame is essentially a larger-than-life, grown-up playground, where neon lights, fairground games and delicious cocktails offer endless merriment. Play against your mates with 12 exclusive games - from indoor hook-a-duck to adrenaline-fuelled scooter racing - before tucking into food from the likes of Burger & Beyond, Le Bab and Alby's. Birthday Bumper Booths, DJ sets and affordable games 'happy hours' ensure there's always a reason to pay a visit. 
Where: One New Change, EC4M 9AF; 30 Churchill Place, E14 5RE
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at Fairgame City; Or Fairgame Canary Wharf
Book now: Fairgame City; Fairgame Canary Wharf

Boom Battle Bar at The O2, North Greenwich

What: Boom Battle Bar is an all-action restaurant and bar for grown-ups, where street food eats and epic bevvies come with a side of axe-throwing, shuffleboard, augmented reality darts, pool, crazy golf and beer pong. You're guaranteed to find a game you love, with online bookings available for up to 12. Got a big group with you? These guys know how to host a party - get in touch with the team for package and private hire options. 
Where: 23 Entertainment Avenue, SE10 0DY
Book now: Boom Battle Bar at the O2

Shoreditch Balls, Shoreditch

What: Neon lights, cocktails and crazy golf come together at Shoreditch Balls, one of East London’s most playful activity bars. Expect glow-in-the-dark courses, DJs and high-energy party vibes, plus delicious drinks and pizza to keep spirits high. But that's not all. Shuffleboard, darts and pool tables offer endless fun, if crazy golf isn't your vibe. 
Where: 333 Old Street, EC1V 9LE
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at Shoreditch Balls
Book now: Shoreditch Balls

F1 Arcade, St Paul’s

What: F1 Arcade brings the excitement of Formula 1 racing to central London with state-of-the-art simulators, giant screens and a wow-worthy bar and restaurant serving vibrant sharing dishes and cocktails. Single sessions are 45 minutes, or you can book a team racing experience for up to 12 drivers. Want to make it a proper event? Group bookings are available for 13+ guests, and include your own private space in a tournament style setting.
Where: One New Change, St Paul’s, EC4M 9AF
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at F1 Arcade
Book now: F1 Arcade

And Then, Tooting

What: Looking for a fun night out in Tooting? And Then is one of our favourites. This rooftop restaurant and bar isn’t just a spot for cocktails – it’s an IRL social. Not only does it boast a killer happy hour, fantastic views and creative cocktails, but you can also get stuck into a game of pool, shuffleboard or board games (think UNO or chess) for something more chill. 
Where: 54a Tooting High Street, SW17 0RN
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at And Then
Book now: And Then

Lucky Voice, Various London locations

What: Private karaoke booths, cocktails on demand and thousands of songs to choose from have made Lucky Voice Soho one of London’s most iconic karaoke bars. Cocktail masterclasses, quiz nights and bottomless brunches are available to turn your occasion up a notch, while themed cocktails add to the fun (think The Life of a Showgirl and Left My Heart in Tokyo). Whether you’re planning a birthday or a spontaneous singalong, this one's a hoot. 
Where: 52 Poland Street, W1F 7NQ
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at Lucky Voice Holborn
Book now: Lucky Voice Soho, Lucky Voice Holborn, Lucky Voice Waterloo, Lucky Voice Liverpool Street, Lucky Voice Islington

Swingers West End, Oxford Circus

What: Crazy golf, beautiful interiors and street food vendors make Swingers West End one of London’s most popular competitive socialising destinations. These guys are placed right in the heart of London, next to Oxford Circus, while stylish courses and properly delicious food make it one of the more premium destinations in this list. We love it.
Where: 15 John Prince's Street, W1G 0AB
Want to make it a party? Discover private hire options at Swingers West End
Book now: Swingers West End

TOCA Social at The O2, Greenwich

What: Calling all football fans! It doesn't get much better than TOCA Social, where football-inspired gaming comes with cocktails and American-style fare, for a social experience unlike anywhere else in London. Guests can compete in interactive football challenges before settling in for drinks and sharing plates. Not football crazy? There are plenty more games to tickle your fancy, like Angry Birds, Striker and Zombie Attack.
Where: The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
Book now: TOCA Social at The O2

Bunga 90, Covent Garden

What: Bunga 90 is a retro 90s interactive cocktail bar in Covent Garden, and it's as weird and wonderful as it looks. This venue is designed to overload the senses: think neon-soaked bathrooms, shelves of VHS tapes and 90s themed sets. Battle your mates on free-play jumbo arcade games and pinball machines, or there's always good old fashioned karaoke to keep the good times flowing. Booking a birthday bash? Keep an eye out for its bottomless brunch events every Saturday. 
Where: 167 Drury Lane, WC2B 5PG
Book now: Bunga 90

Ballie Ballerson, Shoreditch

What: Famous for its giant adult ball pits, Ballie Ballerson is all about nostalgic fun and late-night partying. DJs, themed brunches and colourful interiors make this one of the capital’s most recognisable activity bars for groups looking to let loose. You'll also find private karaoke rooms to keep the fun going post-ballpit experience, with dedicated packages for parties and groups. 
Where: 97-113 Curtain Road, EC2A 3BS
Book now: Ballie Ballerson

Flight Club Shoreditch, Shoreditch

What: Flight Club transformed darts into one of London’s biggest nightlife trends, pairing interactive gameplay with cocktails, pizza paddles and fairground-inspired interiors. Perfect for birthdays, team socials and casual nights out, it remains one of the city’s most iconic activity bars.
Where: 2A Worship Street, EC2A 2AH
Book now: Flight Club Shoreditch

Looking for more fun spots to celebrate a birthday? We've got the best birthday restaurants in London for a knees-up celebration, or go exclusive with one of these birthday-ready private dining rooms.