Top 5

Snipe Top 5: Indoor sports to play in London this winter

Mike Pollitt | Tuesday 12 October, 2010 11:41

Mile End Climbing Wall

Snipe used to think climbing was kind of gimpy. But then we saw the opening credits to Mission Impossible II and we thought it was actually pretty cool. Snipe is fickle sometimes. Mile End Climbing Wall has enough space and variety to satisfy both embarassingly rank amateurs and irritatingly competent mountain goats.

Streatham Ice Rink

“You could be the next ‘Star on Ice’” says the website for Streatham Ice Arena, which suggests they’ve got a bit confused between Dancing on Ice and Dancing with the Stars. Still, a Star on Ice sounds a fine thing to be. The rink is well served by overground trains at least and what’s this?…there’s a section on the website promising mysteriously undefined DISCO NIGHTS. On ice?! In a multi-coloured rainbow font? Dare you miss out?

Darts

A sport? Possibly. A fun way to spend a rainy autumn evening, get the competitive juices flowing and still be able to drink away the darkness? Definitely. This is a very useful run down of central London pubs with dart boards. So pick a nickname, make sure the calculator on your phone is in full working order, and start knocking back the doubles.

Badminton

Snipe has always had a soft spot for badminton, which is shit to watch but fun to play. Too many council leisure centres to mention have courts, which is a good thing. Check with your local for details Then spend your whole hour on court trying not to laugh at the word shuttlecock. You won’t manage.

10 Pin Bowling

All Star Lanes have spots in Brick Lane, Holborn and Bayswater. Their website carries the simple motto: Eat Drink Bowl – which sounds like it would make a much better film than the Julia Roberts simperfest Eat Pray Love. Bowling sessions are cheaper off peak (check for details), but never more than £8.75 per person per game. That may be more than you paid to go bowling on that date when you were fifteen but hey, you’re a grown up now. If anyone turns up already wearing bowling shoes because they think it’s cool, propel them headfirst down the first available lane.

Final Thought

When oh when is someone going to build an indoor crazy golf course in this godforsaken town?

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