King Pins — Local services in Trafford

Firstly, the venue is quite new so it looks shiny and fancy. The layout of the bowling alley was good if you are booking 2 lanes as there is one table shared between the two lanes in the middle. Probably a bit weird if there are strangers on the other lane though.

Not a good venue for a children's birthday party though. My tip for booking at this place would be to underestimate the number that you need as you have to pay the full fee immediately on booking. Then add to the numbers closer to the date because if you reduce your numbers, you will get a voucher to use in their venue rather than a refund.

No specific person was overseeing the party so you had to keep going to different members of staff to ask them if they could get the food ready, and then to cut the pizza, and then to get the cake ready, and then to get the lighter for the birthday cake, and then to get the slushies, and then to get the voucher for the extra place that you didn't need.

The problem was that the different members of staff would then ask you to ask someone else and go through a chain of them until you eventually found the "right" person.

You are only allowed one candle due to "regulations."

The barriers were "broken" on the day so for a bunch of 7 years olds, that means using the guiding frame or having a lot of gutter balls (which still happened with the frame). They did offer the alternative of duck pin bowling but that is just a mini version without side barriers either so we opted to continue with the normal bowling.

The food was average with pizza and chips, and they did take into account the dietary requirements for the group. The slushies were mostly liquid unfortunately.

Overall, seems like an ok place for just going bowling with your family, and then plan to eat elsewhere. Not recommended for children's birthdays. The party package is mostly just a do-it-yourself bowling and meal combo. It cost £19 per child so too expensive for the...

Strike! A Perfect Night Out!

From the moment we stepped into King Pins in the Trafford Center, we knew we were in for a fantastic night. The atmosphere was electric, a perfect blend of lively energy and relaxed fun. We were a group of 20, celebrating a new store opening for our workplace, and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. The lanes were impeccably maintained, and the scoring system was seamless – no more arguments over who got what! The lighting and music created a vibrant, party-like ambiance, making it feel more than just a regular bowling alley; it was a full-on entertainment experience. We opted for one of the party packages, which included pepperoni pizza, cheese pizza, chicken strips and lots of chips. The food was surprisingly delicious – think gourmet versions of classic bowling alley snacks, and the drinks were flowing. What truly set this night apart was the exceptional service. Our server's (Fin, Molly & Jenni) was incredibly attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The team was friendly, efficient, and clearly passionate about ensuring everyone had a great time. The bowling itself was, of course, a blast. We had a mix of seasoned bowlers and complete novices, and everyone was able to join in the fun. The friendly competition, the cheers, and the occasional (hilarious) gutter ball made for a night filled with laughter and memorable moments. The venue also offered an Arcade, various mini games, mini golf, pool tables upstairs and a well-stocked bar, which added to the overall experience. Overall, our bowling night out at King Pins exceeded all expectations. It was a perfect blend of fun, food, and fantastic service. If you're looking for a memorable night out with friends, family, or colleagues, I highly recommend giving this place a try. We'll definitely be back for another...

Good Venue Poor management

We booked duck-pin bowling and karaoke for our daughter’s seventh birthday party.

The bowling was great; it’s perfect for children their age, and the duration is just enough for their attention spans.

The food and drink was good quality and the there was more than enough to go around.

The karaoke was easy to use and had a good variety of songs. We were a little bit squashed in the room, though, with the table we ate on taking up a lot of space. There certainly wasn’t any dancing space.

The real problem was communication. There were no party bags available, which we weren’t made aware of until we asked towards the end of the party. A member of staff offered a potential substitution of sweets but then ice cream was delivered. This was unwanted as they had all just eaten cake and I had not asked their parents whether any were allergic.

I had to go find the manager, who didn’t seem particularly interested or understanding of the situation. He did give some tubs of pick n mix but most guests had left.

It might seem like a small thing, but it mattered to the kids (the birthday girl was in tears) and it could easily have...