A fun, busy, noisy night of ten-pin bowling
5
5
Date of visit: January 2024
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets, moving around and understanding.
I use or have experience of: autism, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, learning disability, mobility scooter, pmld (profound and multiple learning disabilities), powerchair, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Excellent
We went to Lane 7 for bowling. It is in the St James Centre with elevator access to the top floor. Automatic doors and behind those a set of heavy doors. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who held the heavy doors open for us when we arrived and when we left. We arrived at 5pm on a Saturday in January to a busy pub atmosphere. Lane 7 has a bar, bar food, ten pin bowling (with bumpers and ramps to help make it fun), arcade games, axe throwing, mini-golf and more. The music is quite loud, there are flashy lights everywhere and and a lot of younger adult revellers having a few drinks and noisy fun with friends. Be ready for a sensory overload! Previously I had been with my son's teenage friend who is a wheelchair user and we had no problems with the wide ramps to get to the bowling lanes. Make sure you specify when you book if you need to use the ramps, as there are an additional two bowling lanes in the venue that have steps. There was a good ramp leading to the accessible toilet. For seating there is a mix of tables and tall tables. Overall - this place is good to go if you want to have noisy fun and enjoy a busy atmosphere.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Lots of space but when it gets busy there are lots of people! We only did the bowling so I can't comment on how accessible all the arcade games are. But the ramps to bowling are pretty good.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
There is parking in St James Quarter but I've not used it. The Picardy Place and St Andrew Square tram stops are close by. Bus stops too. There is a lift to the top floor where Lane 7 is situated.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
Staff
Excellent
It was a nice touch to have a staff member hold the doors open for us. One seemed to be stationed by the door the whole time we were there.
