Did you know shuffleboard was once a favoured pastime of the notorious hedonist Henry VIII? However, half a millennium later, the game is still drawing in new fans, with shuffleboard spots popping up across the UK, including Manchester.
So what exactly is shuffleboard? Well, in layman’s terms, it involves sliding a disk – or a ‘biscuit’ as it is otherwise known – along a narrow lane (‘lane’ shuffle) or a table (‘table’ shuffle) in order to score points. Add in plenty of drinks, a gang of mates, and you’re promised one hell of a good time. So without further ado, here are the best spots in Manchester to enjoy a game of shuffleboard:
1. BOX
Deansgate sports bar BOX not only shows a wide selection of live sports on the big screen but you can also get stuck into some sport yourself. With two shuffleboard tables located behind the bar you can go up against a group of mates for the ultimate competition. Sip on steins of cocktails or beer whilst you play or why not follow your game of shuffleboard with a bottomless brunch? It’s thirsty work, after all. BOX, 125 Deansgate, M3 2BY.
2. Roxy Ball Room
Boasting two games-filled venues in Manchester as well as locations in the likes of Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham and Sheffield, Roxy Ball Room is a popular haunt if you’re looking to take on a challenge with mates. Both their Deansgate and Arndale venues have a number of shuffleboards for you to play on, as well as offering ping pong, American pool, basketball and more. Roxy Ball Room features both shuffleboard and bankshot shuffleboard – the latter being a table of two halves that is all about the angle of the slide and the rebound. Roxy Ball Room, Manchester Arndale, Unit R3, Withy Grove, M4 3AQ | 76-78 Deansgate, M3 2FN.
3. Northern Social
Located outside of the Manchester city centre in Whitefield, the newly-opened bar Northern Social is a great spot for those looking to play shuffleboard north of the city. Created by the owners behind Whitefield bar Northern Crafthouse, this gaming venue also serves up a range of pizzas topped with weird yet wonderful combinations. As for the drinks, Northern Social boasts three slushie machines serving boozy, icy drinks. Northern Social, 275 Bury New Rd, Whitefield, M45 8QP.
4. 7Sins
Located on the corner of Stevenson Square, 7Sins serves up pizza slices, loaded tots, wings, burgers and brightly-coloured cocktails, as well as shuffleboard tables waiting for you and your mates. Complete with graffiti décor and cosy booths, the bar is a great place for a chilled catch up over moreish bites and refreshing drinks topped with sweets, after a good game of shuffleboard. If you’re competitive streak hasn’t given up yet, there’s also pool tables and arcade games to challenge your friends to. 7Sins, 43-45 Lever St, M1 1FN.
5. Pong & Puck
If you’re looking for a retro games night then Pong & Puck is the place for you. Located at Great Northern Warehouse, this Manchester bar boasts beer pong, ping pong and shuffleboard tables for you to get your game on, alongside a banging playlist of 80s, 90s and 00s classics to soundtrack your wild games night. You’ll also find an outdoor, covered terrace to sit and sip on drinks and gorge on slices of pizza. Pong & Puck, Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN.
6. Boom Battle Bar
Tucked away inside The Printworks you’ll find Boom Battle Bar, which boasts two floors of gaming to take your pick from, meaning you could spend hours at this spot. At this Manchester venue you’ll find axe throwing, karaoke, basketball, prosecco or beer pong, augmented reality darts, pool, plus two forms of shuffleboard. Boom Battle Bar has shuffleboard bounce which is described as “a new way to play shuffleboard”, and played on a smaller table. Boom Battle Bar, Unit 2A, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, M4 2BS.
7. King Pins
A new addition to Trafford Palazzo, King Pins is not just about bowling. In addition to their 15 ten pin bowling lanes and four lanes of duck pin bowling, visitors can try their hand at American pool, ice-free curling, ping pong and shuffleboard. You can even blow off some steam in their batting cage and arcade area or belt out ballads in their karaoke rooms. Manchester pizza pros, PLY, and Asian street food favourites Little Bao Boy are also serving up tasty scran to fuel your shuffleboard game. King Pins, Trafford Palazzo, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8AS.
8. The Gas Works Brew Bar
Built on the site of the old Gaythorn Gas Works, The Gas Works Brew Bar located within the First Street redevelopment not only serves up top pints but also great games of shuffleboard. Sip on refreshing craft beers brewed on site, tuck into proper pub grub and slide the disc strategically on the shuffleboard table. Boasting quite the suntrap of an outdoor terrace during the summer months, it’s a great spot to chill pre or post shuffleboard as you talk tactics or debrief after the game. The Gas Works Brew Bar, 5 Jack Rosenthal Street, M15 4RA.
9. Lane7
Great Northern Warehouse is a prime location to get your game on and unleash your competitive side, whether it be beer pong, axe throwing, bowling, table tennis or of course, shuffleboard. Offering a host of games alongside it’s neon splattered bowling alley, you can slide on over Lane7’s shuffleboard tables and see who’s the best. Lane 7 is also home to Fat Hippo, which serves up unreal burgers and fries and tasty cocktails- the perfect refuel after a gruelling game of shuffleboard. Lane 7, Great Northern, Unit 3, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN.