More fun than you can shake – or throw – a stick at!

More fun than you can shake – or throw – a stick at!

Boom Battle Bar, Coventry, axe-throwing, crazier golf, shuffleboard, cocktails, American pool, augmented reality darts, beer pong

LET battle commence – a new concept in leisure and entertainment has arrived in Coventry.

The city has become home to the latest in the UK’s only Battle Bar franchise – a venue that combines a premium bar, food offering and competitive games – the likes of which you won’t have seen all under one roof before.

From American Pool and Electronic Beer Pong to Shuffleboard and Augmented Reality Darts, there’s also the chance to take in a round of so-called ’Crazier Golf’ (more on this later) and even. . . a spot of axe-throwing!

If, like me, you’re instantly horrified by the concept of axes and alcohol co-existing in the same space, fear not. The axe-throwing lanes are segregated and only available to those not ‘under the influence.’ An hour’s hire includes personal supervision and instruction. – Not that this helped my technique much! Turns out, chucking axes into a target is not in my skillset. It’s harder than it looks.

Great fun though – and where else can you partake in some indoor axe-throwing as part of a night out with friends and family? Great pre-curser to a hen or stag night or ice-breaker on a works night out.

My personal favourite of the activities was the shuffleboard table – as deceptively tricky as it is competitive.

The great concept of Battle Bar is also its fresh take on traditional games, including the ‘Crazier’ Golf course which delivers what it says on the tin. This short set of compact and quirky holes will test even the most experienced of mini-golfers (I include myself in that). Or maybe it’s so named as it has the potential to drive you crazy? Either way, it’s a ‘hole’ lot of fun. (Pun very much intended!)

And forget any notion of darts as you know it. Battle Bar’s Augmented Reality version adds a new dimension to your game through a series of new dart-based team games. All the fun and none of the mental arithmetic!

Battle Bar is undoubtedly an exciting new offering for families and friendship groups but, I sense, is set to be a particular favourite among the university students upon their return, especially as it’s over 18s only after 7pm when, no doubt, the venue will really come into its own.

Every activity is available to hire, in most cases, by the hour, but those who just want to enjoy a cocktail – or two – from the menu and soak up the vibe, are also welcome.

It’s not a destination of choice for diners however – but in fairness, nor does it profess to be. It’s an extremely limited menu offering here (if chicken wings aren’t your thing you’ll be left wanting) but was always designed more as a complement to the fun – because that’s what Battle Bar is predominantly all about – competitive fun with a capital F!

There are clearly a couple of early minor technical hitches that needed smoothing out, including one of the golf holes being out of action when we visited, but Coventry is lucky to have Boom Battle Bar – one of just a handful in the country. And in these uncertain times for the hospitality and leisure industries, it is particularly great to see it open its doors in Broadgate this month.

Why not check it out in the New Year? The perfect way to go into good-natured battle with your family and friends – and still come out laughing. (Well, I certainly hope so!)

Visit: https://www.boombattlebar.co.uk/coventry

More fun than you can ‘throw’ a stick at!

More fun than you can ‘throw’ a stick at!

IN part two of my series of blogs about Adventure Sports Warwick, I review axe-throwing. . .

AS a mum of teenage sons I’ve not come across many sports and activities they haven’t at some time dabbled in – that is until recently.

‘Why don’t we go and throw some axes?’ one of them enthusiastically declared a few weeks ago.

Axe-throwing, Adventure Sports Warwick

Normally this request might have me worried if it weren’t for my familiarity with the nearby outdoor activity centre, Adventure Sports.

And it’s the only place in Warwickshire to offer axe-throwing – an activity incidentally that is rapidly growing in popularity.

How hard can it be? – I reasoned, with, if I’m honest, a slight sense of nervous anticipation. Well, who wouldn’t be nervous by the prospect of standing amidst flying axes hurled about by their over-zealous offspring? (Could this be an opportunity to put an end to mum’s nagging that’s just too good to resist?)

It was soon apparent that my concerns were misplaced. The session is extremely safe and well managed by the Adventure Sports team, who put us at our ease with their affable and reassuring manner. Everyone took on board the short safety talk and was then introduced to the session with a lesson on the basic techniques required to get the axe to hit and stick into the wooden roundel target.

Adventure Sports Warwick, axe-throwing

Lightweight 10-inch metal training axes called Angels are used while we perfect our throws from a distance of around three metres, before we’re then let loose on the larger Tomahawk axes. These are heavier and require more technique, although, for me, I found the axes easier to handle and are the ones I enjoyed more, (if limited!) success with.

The 60-minute session is suitable for groups of between two and 24 people aged over 10. – Yes, I was surprised to learn of such a low age limit too! But once you’ve experienced it, you soon realise how safe and accessible it is for all. As I was told by our instructor at the start of the session: “All you’ve got to be able to do is throw!”

And he’s right, of course. Trouble is, while throwing is the easy bit, turns out getting it to successfully stick into the target, not so much so – for me at least!

But we weren’t just left to it. We’re under constant supervision and instruction so are able to improve our methods – and our hit rate – fairly quickly.

Adventure Sports, Warwick

And there are some fun competitions thrown in as well, further motivating those us with a more competitive streak! (Not naming any names!)

I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable – and fascinating – experience and another ‘first’ ticked off the family’s adventures bucket list.

Interesting isn’t it, how, in today’s world of technology, gaming, artificial intelligence and so forth, we still find entertainment in an ancient skill once practiced in the Middle Ages! Go figure.

Axe-throwing as a coordinated activity is actually nothing to be worried about at all. It is a lot of fun for any size of group. Not as simple as it might look. . . but then where would be the challenge in that?

Further details on axe-throwing sessions as well as 50 other outdoor adventure activities can be found at. . . https://www.adventuresport.co.uk/

Adventure Sports Warwick, axe-throwing

WHO IS IT FOR?

All participants must be at least 10 years old and at least 147cm (58 inches) tall.

The activity is not suitable for anyone who has an existing medical condition that could be aggravated by the throwing action.

I can see why this is particularly popular with Stag and Hen parties as well as corporate groups. But great fun for friends and family groups too.

PRICE

Prices from £25 per person per session depending on the number of people in the party.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

https://www.adventuresport.co.uk/mud-mayhem

https://www.adventuresport.co.uk/off-road-targets

https://www.adventuresport.co.uk/karting

OTHER ACTIVITIES REVIEWED AT ADVENTURE SPORTS

http://chalmersnewspr.co.uk/review/get-stuck-in-to-some-real-adventure/

http://chalmersnewspr.co.uk/news/fuelling-excitement-for-first-outdoor-karting-circuit-in-warwickshire/

Look out for more blogs over the coming weeks and months – as well as the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend on an activity of your choice.