Photo: All Star Lanes
All Star Lanes Holborn Bloomsbury: Bowling in London
All Star Lanes Holborn is the original branch of the retro bowling chain, tucked into Victoria House on Bloomsbury Place a short walk from Holborn station. It pairs four diner-styled ten-pin lanes with a 90-seat American restaurant, a low-lit speakeasy cocktail bar and a row of classic arcade games, so it works as a full night out rather than just a quick game.
It suits groups, after-work crowds and date nights more than serious bowlers, given there are only four main lanes. The single most useful thing to know is to book ahead online: lanes go quickly here, especially on Friday and Saturday when the venue stays open until 1am. There is also a concealed VIP room with two extra lanes and a second bar if you want something more private.
The bowling setup
There are four retro ten-pin lanes on the main floor, each set up to take a group of around seven people, so it is built more for sociable rounds than league-style play. Behind the scenes there is a hidden VIP room with two more lanes and its own bar, handy if you want a private space for a party or a work do. Classic arcade games sit alongside the lanes if you want a break between frames. Lanes are booked by the hour rather than by single game, so plan for a session rather than one quick go.
Good to know
Book online before you come, particularly at weekends, as the four-lane setup fills fast. The venue leans late: Mondays to Wednesdays run to 11:30pm, Thursdays to midnight, and Fridays and Saturdays all the way to 1am, with Sunday winding down by 10:30pm. Beyond the bowling there is a proper 90-seat restaurant doing American food and a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, so you can easily turn a game into dinner and drinks. Exact bowling prices are not published on the site, so check the booking page for current rates.
Common questions
- What is All Star Lanes Holborn?
- It is the original All Star Lanes venue, a retro bowling alley in Bloomsbury with four ten-pin lanes, an American restaurant, a cocktail bar and arcade games, on Bloomsbury Place near Holborn station.
- Is bowling at All Star Lanes Holborn free?
- No. Bowling is paid and bookable per lane through the website. Exact prices are not published on the site, so check the booking page for current rates.
- Do I need to book or can I walk in?
- Booking ahead online is strongly recommended. There are only four main lanes, so they fill quickly, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
- How many bowling lanes does it have?
- Four retro lanes on the main floor, each taking around seven people, plus a concealed VIP room with two additional lanes and its own bar.
- What are the opening hours?
- Monday to Wednesday 3pm to 11:30pm, Thursday 3pm to midnight, Friday noon to 1am, Saturday 11am to 1am, and Sunday 11am to 10:30pm.
- What is the nearest station?
- Holborn station is a short walk away. The venue sits in Victoria House on Bloomsbury Place, WC1B 4DA.
Other bowling bars nearby
- All Star Lanes Stratford Westfield Stratford City Westfield Stratford City
- All Star Lanes White City White City
- Tenpin Croydon Croydon
- Tenpin Kingston Kingston upon Thames Kingston upon Thames
- Hollywood Bowl Finchley Finchley
- Hollywood Bowl Dagenham Dagenham