Want a fun night out in Manchester with friends? You need to book a night at All Star lanes on Deansgate. From the moment we walked through the door, we were greeted by smiles and as we were waited for the other half of our double date to join (my sister and her hubby), we had a seat on the comfy couches by the front desk. So comfy in fact that if I wasn’t so excited for dinner, I could have easily had a kip on it.
The menu at All Star Lanes isn't massive but has more than enough choice for a burger lover like me. I went for the Maple Bacon Cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and then used the complimentary Barbecue sauce to mix things up a bit. I do like a bit of brioche too.
So, go, relive your youth. Throw balls around and eat stack loads of food with someone you love spending time with (and can comfortably kick their arse without causing a ruckus). And whilst I wouldn’t recommend this very grown up fun emporium to families, it’s definitely the place to relive your teenage years. Just make sure it’s with someone you don’t mind flashing your arse too, especially after a 1970’s Presley inspired shake.
When it comes to bowling alleys, this brings back memories of fun and arcade machines with monochrome blue pac man style graphics from the television screens displaying the scores. Balls and pins would regularly get stuck requiring someone to retrieve errant balls and lodged pins. Food and drink were simple affairs yet satisfying to the young like slush puppies and hot dogs and fries. How things have changes since the good old days. Technology has moved on and punters expectations have risen exponentially. Despite only being in my twenties I still found the razzmatazz of the Manchester branch of All Star Lanes took some getting used to for this 80s child. Flat screens with cartoon animations now replace the big chunky blue screens of the past with Catchphrase type graphics of turkeys following a series of strikes. One thing that hasn’t changed though is that I’m still awful at bowling, starting off with three gutters and with only one strike all game. Growing out of hush puppies
Offering home-cooked food, freshly made cocktails from the bar, and none of the tacky fruit machines, it promised to be a more grown up experience.
Victoria “Mrs” Petticoat
+4.5
Sport is bad enough on its own. When you factor in a uniform, quite frankly I’m out. I went through a brief spell of fashioning sportswear in my early teens (I call those dark times, ‘the chav years’). Tracksuit bottoms were considered trendy AND comfortable, I was rarely seen without an ADIDAS jacket and once owned a pair of trainers so orange, they used to upset air traffic control signals. It is since this pair of footwear, that I made a promise to myself to never again wear a set of ugly shoes. This rule means it is simply impossible for me to go bowling. However, when the chaps at All Star Lanes sent me an invite to visit them for food and cocktails, I wrote a list to help me make the decision. It looked like this: Negatives: Breaking my ugly shoes rule. Positives: Food. Cocktails. Always trust a list, so I booked us in. All Star Lanes is already an established brand in London. They’ve moved to Deansgate to try and spread a little bit of the magic that is doing so well for the
We had a great time at All Star Lanes. The new menu is fantastic, the service was attentive and the drinks were pretty special too. I don't think either of us will be topping the bowling leader board any time soon though...
We went down to All Star Lanes as guest of head chef Ashley Clarke last week to check out some of the new menu. Here's a preview of our evening.
*New menu item; BBQ Baby Back ribs.
From the current menu; Blackened Salmon crushed cajun sweet potatoes & chipotle sour cream.
*New menu item; King Pin Burger. Bacon cheeseburger with a mac & cheese croquette.
*New menu item; Salt Beef Croquettes, dill pickle & deli mustard.
*New menu item; Blueberry Cheesecake jar, oreo cookie crumble.
All Star Lanes offer a better family bowling experience and their food is really good. If I was on a night out with friends I think I’d choose Dog Bowl before hitting a club, if I was planning a more sedate evening of bowling fun and some good food/drink, it’d be All Star Lanes. AND All Star has a private room with private bowling lanes. Perfect for crap bowlers like me to suffer in silence.
A quality patty made from chuck steak & rib – cooked just slightly pink – was topped with taco shards, nacho cheese, guacamole and jalapeños. I’m generally going to get on with anything containing guacamole and jalapeños but I wondered whether the taco shards were just a gimmick, in fact they added a great texture to a really good burger. Eating it was actually reminiscent of chomping on a bowl of nachos.
Nice Set up, well organised. People seem to know there jobs and guide you. Had a great family day here. Decor is very good, and makes a change. Food was also nice. Only thing what to complain about it the prices. Far too easy to knock up a massive bill here with a family.
We had hired the "jungle" function room. Which was quite a slick place. Private toilets. Private bowling alley. Private bar. Was really nicely spaced out and was a good space. Drinks selection was good. Food... Amazing. We had this incredible bits size food buffet. Was A++. Just look for my photos!
Would recommend this place .. if you can afford it.
We went here for our works Christmas Party. Love the place! They do some great drinks and nibbles as well as great bowling of course.
Great spot for city centre bowling (one of only a few). The atmosphere is cool and vibey. The lanes are well maintained and the staff are nice.
You do pay a premium for bowling here but you have to remember it's city centre and it's a really cool place inside. Plus, if you are looking for cheaper bowling, this place always offers deals especially for families.
Also... Some super famous people have bowled here. I'm happy I beat lady Gaga at bowling ;)
A fantastic evening spent bowling with a few gorgeous cocktails. Great customer service. I would highly recommend booking more than one game in advance...though we are competitive. There's also a resteraunt but we didn't have time.
Anthony Preston-Ratcliff
+5
Came here for a mid-afternoon date with the other half, place was very quiet but the manager Ramone was extremely friendly and helpful 🙂 The visual style is retro but very comfortable, there's a vintage-style photo booth too! Drinks service is directly from your lane (no walking to the bar!) and the selection of beers and cocktails is well above average for a bowling alley. Highly recommended.
Held a corporate christmas party here in December in the green room. We all absolutely loved it and had a great time. The staff were attentive and helpful. The food was great, though some in our party which there had been more.
What a place. Changes the rules for bowling alleys. Excellent food and fantastic cocktails. If this was a bar alone it would be wonderful, but to have the bowling alley as well, it just makes this place truly special.
Waiter service at your lane, with all drinks brought to you in good time. Recommend the Billionaire’s Old Fashioned cocktail and the Pretty Fly for a Mai Tai. Also I’d say it’s a good idea to book a lane in advance as this place can get super busy as it’s so popular, and for good reason!!
Great drinks menu although can be expensive the cocktail ls are strong.
Bowling lanes kept in good condition and they are okay with bringing own ball and shoes. Friendly staff, although you can only book one game online they will try to fit in a second for you if it's not too busy
Awesome place to Bowl. Staff is friendly and takes well care of your drinks on table. bowling lane is in good condition, however bowling balls are a bit old. This place is in at a very good location, very close to the city center. Drinks are reasonable.
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