Week Twenty Two: Bloomsbury Lanes and The Marquis of Granby

Week Twenty Two

  
  This week had something a bit different to the normal.  No burgers, a couple of Aussies, Ten pin bowling and no Becks Vier.  Will Matthew's very close friend from Australia, Leon, was back over to the UK to visit again so it meant a night out in London was called for.  Leon came with a few other Aussie friends Will knew from his time out in Aus called Hume and Jos.  Anyway it turned out to be a cracking night.


Special guests include: Will Matthews, Leon Simon, Daisy Munro, Tom Hume, Jos Tarr, Jos Lester and Tom Wright.

Summary of Bloomsbury Lanes

Name: Bloomsbury Lanes

Type: Ten pin bowling

Location: Lower Level, Tavistock hotel, Bedford Way, London, WC1H 9EU

Website: http://bloomsburybowling.com

Date Visited: 04/06/14

Price: Phenomenal value

Rating: 4.35/5

Answer to the Question: Forgot to ask the question sorry 

Review

  This place, without trying to sound like a 13 year old, is well cool.   The venue is situated underground(ish) and in my humble opinion is a hell of a lot better than All Star Lanes.  I think it might also be cheaper.

  We were here because Will's Australian's friends friends friend were getting married....it was all a bit confusing but they were a good bunch and had booked out two lanes for the gang....tidy.  Now why I like this joint is because it doesn't mess about, it's just like Ronseal (it does exactly what it says on the tin).  Sorry about that, I was paid for that plug so if you need to protect your garden furniture then look no further than Ronseal.

  Right back to the bowling....this place has got it spot on.  It's all very chilled and more importantly there is a pizza diner rather than the overpriced restaurant you get in Allstar lanes or the rubbish little Wimpy you get at Megabowl.  The bar was right next to the lanes as well which made everything very convenient.

  I of course opened the bowling with a strike (and what?!) but my game unfortunately deteriorated dramatically from there.  One man (his name escapes me....apologies to this hero) got 6 strikes in a row to open...cue hysteria.  

  One of the real strengths of this place is the ease of it all.  It has karaoke rooms for post bowling if you fancy it, I'm told good live music is regularly on and you have the smoking area, bar and toilets all surrounding the bowling lanes so everything is only a short walk away.  Perfect.  Not too sure if I explained that too well.

Good photo

Got to rate this place up high and a big thanks to the Aussies for organising it and congratulations are you'll now be husband and wife.  Cute.  

Would 100% come back here but be warned folks, if your planning a big night here....book well in advance as slots go quick.  To sum this place up its like All Star Lanes without all the gimmicks....its the alternative edgier brother. Very East.  

Summary of Marquis of Granby

Name: Marquis of Granby

Type: Pub

Location: 2 Rathbone Street, London, W1T 1NR

Website: http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/themarquisofgranbyrathbonestreetlondon/

Date Visited: 04/06/14

Price: Ask Leon

Rating: 3/5

Answer to the Question: Annoyingly I can't remember the answer

Review

 We finished bowling and were about to catch the tube home when we received a call from Lefty and Jos who fancied a few more drinks.  They were only just round the corner so I told them to pick a pub (new of course) and we would all walk over.  Now this is slightly controversial as I had forgotten the name of this place and unfortunately so had all the other people in attendance apart from Jos who is fairly convinced that this is the right place.

  I am still not 100% sure it is and don't really want to criticise a place in case of mistaken identity.  Well whatever this place is called, we caught it at it's worst as it was edging towards 11pm on a Wednesday.  Not great for trade at this pub and I think the bar staff were just wiping down the tables and preparing to shut up shop when we arrived. To be fair to all of them, bar one (no pun intended) who got grumpy with me for asking her to retake the photo again, they were all very pleasant.

The Marquis of Granby?!? Maybe...

  I decided to opt for the Guinness which I quickly regretted and even more so the following day.  It wasn't the time for the Guinness and so I went for the Rum and Coke for the second drink.   I regretted that as well.   No complaints  about this place....there just wasn't anybody here.   It wasn't overly special as I couldn't remember the name but still ok.

Might have to go back again to ensure it is the right place.

If anyone can confirm from the photo whether it is the Marquis of Granby...it would be greatly appreciated.

Couldn't tell you the price as Leon sneaked off to the bar and paid for everyones drinks without telling us. As he would say in his Aussie accent: 'Absolutely Outstanding!'

Special Shoutout

Winner: Leon Simon

Will Matthew's best friend from Australia.  One of the funniest guys I've met and deserves a special shoutout after visiting the UK if only for a few days.  He's the sort of chap you 100% would want to go for a beer with as he's got the stories to back up the perm.   Buying the round of drinks at the final place really cemented his slot this week for the special shoutout.  Congratulations.

Poem Advice

Consider yourself a bowler
Susceptible to a strike
Wanting a cool fun place
Then Bloomsbury Lanes you'll like

Want a standard average pub,
Not trying to be clever or quirky,
Then go to the Marquis of Granby,
Where the mood is far from perky



Another week ticked off and it's getting tougher.   I will keep on going as I feel I owe it to the fans.  As always many thanks, don't forget to subscribe and any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

See you next week fans

X

Follow me on Twitter @jackgravestock