Boom Battle Bar Manchester Printworks
BEST FOR
Ages 0-18
ENTRY
from £3
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Manchester
What it’s like
Axe throwing, crazy golf and shuffleboard under one roof, but the clock ticks fast once you're under 18 after 7pm.
This is a games bar first and a family spot second, and it shows. Kids can have a go at AR darts, the crazy golf lane, shuffleboard, beer pong and the karaoke booths, all sat inside Printworks. Axe throwing's the one everyone eyes up, but that's 18 and over only, so it's a spectator sport for anyone younger.
The catch that actually matters is the clock. Under-18s are welcome, but only until 7pm, and even then an adult needs to be with them the whole time, under-16s especially so. Get there for an afternoon session and you're fine. Turn up at half six with a nine-year-old expecting a couple of hours and you'll be packing up just as you get going.
Money-wise, games start from £3 for shuffleboard and £5 for the rest, which sounds cheap until you've paid for three or four different ones and a round of food on top. The bundle at £27.50 a head bakes in games, drinks and food together, and if you know you want more than one activity it works out fairer than paying per game. There's a £10 meal deal too, chicken tenders and fries, which does the job for a hungry kid without ordering off a full menu.
Walk-ins are fine for food and drink, and you can turn up without booking a thing. Games are the bit to sort ahead though, they won't hold a slot for you on the day and weekends fill up. It's card only, so leave the coins at home, and bookings don't get refunded if you need to cancel, only rebooked if you give them enough notice.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- School-age kids and teens, before the 7pm 18+ cutoff
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome for entry and food/drinks
- Food
- Street food menu with small plates, sides and burgers
- Getting there by bus or train
- 15 mins walk from Manchester Piccadilly or 3 mins walk from Manchester Victoria
- Parties
- Birthday, hen, stag and corporate packages available
- Under-18s are out by 7pm, and under-16s need an adult with them the whole visit
- Card payments only, no cash
- Pre-book the games if you can, walk-in slots aren't guaranteed
- Axe throwing is 18+ only
- Bookings can't be refunded, only rebooked with 24 hours' notice
Plan your visit
What time do kids need to leave by?
It's strictly 18 and over after 7pm. Before that, under-18s are fine but need an adult with them, and under-16s all the time regardless.
How much does it cost?
Games start from £3 for shuffleboard and £5 for most others, or £27.50 a head for a bundle with games, drinks and food included.
Do we need to book?
Walking in works for food and drinks. For games, book ahead, especially evenings and weekends, because they can't promise a slot on the day.
Can a toddler come along?
There's no minimum age listed, but this is a bar with games bolted on, not a soft play, so it suits older kids more than babies.
Is axe throwing OK for kids?
No, that one's 18 and over only. Younger ones can watch but not have a go.
What's there to eat?
A street food menu with small plates, sides and burgers, plus a £10 meal deal of chicken tenders, fries and a soft drink.
Can we pay by cash?
Card only, no cash taken.
What if we need to cancel a booking?
Bookings are non-refundable. Email at least 24 hours ahead and they'll try to rebook you instead.
Do you do birthday parties?
Birthday, hen and stag packages are available from £27.50 a head, and the birthday person goes free.
How do we get there?
It's about 15 minutes' walk from Manchester Piccadilly, or 3 minutes from Manchester Victoria, with light rail stopping right outside.
Is there ID needed?
If you look under 25 you'll be asked for ID under their Challenge 25 policy, and without it they won't serve you.
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