On Birthdays, We Bowl

It's official. I'm 23. I can no longer share in Taylor Swift's appreciation of being old enough to call yourself mature, but still young enough to pretend you're a student. And if you're 23 and still a student - come on, time's time.

While this year's birthday wasn't the biggest milestone (I mean, the only pop culture reference I can think of is Taylor Swift), that's not to say I wasn't going to celebrate. So, with a few mates rounded up from around the country, I arranged a bit of a flatwarming and a trip into town. As part of the night's entertainment, we headed to Manchester's best boutique bowling alley, All Star Lanes.

When I told my mates that we were going bowling, they weren't particular impressed. Picture bowling balls stuffed with chewing gum and watered-down pints attached onto a shitty arcade. All Star Lanes is far classier and, as is my usual want in any place of interest, has a twist of Americana.

Whether you book ahead or not, there's usually a wait before you bowl. But the hostesses are great and there's a pretty impressive bar to keep you from going thirsty. As it was my birthday (did I mention that?), I was served up a mojito on the house and a delightfully retro card (see bottom).

Once you're on the lanes, you get your own little booth (no sticky benches a la Megabowl) and the waitresses, dressed in throwback diner attire, are always popping up to take your order. I should mention that there's also a restaurant - although I haven't had chance to try the food yet...

Up on the hall of fame board there are a number of local celebs - mostly Coronation Street fodder and a few footballers - as well as Rihanna, who was in after one of her tour dates in Manchester. It's all pretty reasonably priced too - I priced up a game at my local alley and it wasn't much cheaper than the £8.95 you pay per game at All Star, and the drinks are pretty standard fare for a cocktail bar in the city centre. 

They also put on weeknight offers, including a free round of drinks on a Friday if you bowl a strike when a red pin drops down. It's one of my favourite ways to start a night out and is great for a bit of after-work bonding. It's just a shame I work miles away.