Archie's Atomic

Name: Archie's Atomic
Address: Unit C1, Trafford Palazzo, Trafford City, Stretford, Manchester, M17 8AS, GB
Telephone: 0161 850 5705
Price range: From £8.50

ManchesterAges 6+

Courtesy of Archie's Atomic

BEST FOR

Ages 6+

ENTRY

from £8.50

WHERE

Manchester

What it’s like

A neon-lit roller rink with an arcade and free-to-enter shake bar, built for six-year-olds upwards who fancy a wobble on skates.

The rink is the whole point here, all neon lights and skates hired in, with the arcade next door for anyone who wants a breather from falling over. The shake bar and restaurant are free to enter, so you don't need to pay just to sit and watch with a milkshake while someone else's kid does laps.

It's for six and up on the skates, and anyone under 14 needs an adult with them in the venue the whole time, which is fair enough but worth knowing before you plan to drop the kids and wander off. Safety kit, knee pads, helmets, elbow pads, is free if you ask for it.

Walk-ins are fine for a general skate session, no booking needed, though they do nudge you to book ahead if you don't want to be turned away on a busy Saturday. Parties are a different story: Lil-Roller for ages 6-12 is £15pp, Hi-Roller for 12+ is £20pp, both get an hour on the rink, food, drinks, a host and decorations, but you have to book and pay three working days ahead and it's non-refundable if plans change. School party packages run from £8.50.

One genuine faff: no candles or sparklers on a birthday cake, even though you're welcome to bring your own cake in. Fine for a quiet blow-out moment, less fine if your kid was banking on sparklers.

Facilities

Birthday parties

Group bookings

Food on site

Party rooms

School visits

Need to know

Best for: 6 to 12, with a free-entry arcade for tagging-along siblings
Booking: Walk-ins accepted for general skate sessions, but advance booking recommended
Parties: Lil-Roller (ages 6-12) from £15pp or Hi-Roller (ages 12+) from £20pp, both include 1-hour skate session, food, drinks, seating area

Off-peak is Monday to Thursday and Friday before 4pm; peak covers Friday evenings, weekends, bank holidays and school holidays
You can't skate without hiring skates and having a valid ticket
Party menu and guest number changes need three working days' notice by 10am
The shake bar and arcade are free to enter even if nobody's skating

Plan your visit

How much does it cost?

General skate sessions don't have a listed walk-in price, but party packages start at £8.50pp for schools, £15pp for Lil-Roller (ages 6-12) and £20pp for Hi-Roller (12+).

Do we need to book?

Not for a general skate session, walk-ins are accepted, though they suggest booking ahead so you're not turned away. Parties need booking and paying for at least three working days in advance.