We might not have the weather here in Glasgow but, in the words of Step Brothers, we've got room for activities.
If you fancy patch the pub and geein' the cinema a bye, you can go throw some axes, smash stuff up or head to a jungle-themed crazy golf instead.
And now, Scotland's first late-night bowling alley has rolled into Glasgow... And we reckon it's the ultimate one-stop shop for a Christmas night out.
From the team behind Hawaiian-themed cocktail den Tiki Bar on Bath Street, Bowlarama boasts a full food menu, mouth-watering cocktails and a shiny, boutique bowling alley with four lanes.
And, pun fully intended, we were bowled over by the place. Here's what you need to know.
What's it like?
It boasts four full-sized bowling lanes complete with top-notch Brunswick bowling kits, a cocktail bar and restaurant, a Tiki-themed bar and space to boogie around the corner.
Waiting your turn? They've got a collection of retro arcade game machines which include Street Fighter II and Maximum Tune, alongside air hockey, and the ultimate dunking challenge - a two-player NBA Basketball Hoops game.
Best of all? Bowlarama is open from noon until 3am.
Who's behind it?
Ian McColm, who launched Tiki Bar in 2010, has waited "a long time" to bring a boutique bowling alley to Glasgow – and hopes it offers something a "wee bit different" to the city's social scene.
He told Glasgow Live: "Loads of my bar staff and people in the city in general are wanting a different option for going out. It's something to do after dinner that isn't just drinking.
"We wanted to create a bold and fun space with a relaxed environment for Glasgow to enjoy.
"We’ve had a fantastic response from the city. A lot of bookings, enquiries and general excitement for the smashing of our bowling lanes.
"Whether you’re looking for somewhere new to go for a bite to eat after you finish work with your colleagues, a few cocktails and a bowl on a date, or for lounging in our arcade, Bowlarama offers something for everyone."
What's on the menu?
There's plenty to keep you fuelled at Bowlarama – from light bites to monster sharing plates. Top picks include their mouth-watering mac and cheese balls, BBQ wings with hot sauce and blue cheese dip and popcorn shrimp – all of which feature on their sharer platter.
Their gut-busting gourmet burgers pack serious punch, with a side salad , fries and an array of toppings to pick from.
If you're feeling extra fancy, check out their grill options: They've got steak, chargrilled chicken and a duck and waffle option, which we reckon is going to be a huge hit this Christmas.
For all you vegans and veggies, we'd recommend the cauliflower steak (Ordered well done, of course...). The humble veg is tarted up, hickory smoked and doused with tangy pineapple salsa, and topped with juicy mushrooms and tomatoes.
Alternatively, they've got a veggie-packed super salad to keep your energy levels high: Quinoa, avocado, pomegranate seeds and veggies with a balsamic dressing. With all the eating and drinking ahead of Christmas, you could do worse than some plant-based nourishment at this time of year.
Any stand-outs?
Boss man Ian was buzzing to bring The Miami Vice to Glasgow – describing it as the "ultimate" drink. This icy concoction iss made with half Pina Colada and half Strawberry Daquiri. Imagine a Solero ice lolly, put in a blender with rum and tequila: Basically, a beach holiday in a glass. We had a couple of these, purely for research purposes, and they went down an absolute treat. It's worth the trip to Bowlarama to skull a couple of these alone.
How did it go?
After getting our drinks, we were champing at the bit to get started on the state-of-the-art bowling alley
Our first game was humbling, to say the least. It's considerably less fun without bumpers. We watched, dispirited as the balls meandered down the gutter.
Our lack of bowling tekkers aside, the Bowlarama team have left no stone unturned when it comes to creating an impression. Neon lights, a state-of-the-art bowling kit, a mural of Bill Murray in Kingpin... They've pulled out all the stops.
Sore loser? Take a time out over in the Tiki bar. You'll have a hard time sulking in a straw chair, with a frozen Margarita and Ibiza tunes blaring over the speakers... You'll be back on your A-game in no time.
Round two: With the bumpers up, the Glasgow Live team had a new lease of life. We actually managed to make contact with the pins, if only because most of us were tactically flinging the ball and letting it ricochet off the sides before it smashed the skittles.
Reader, I'm happy to announce that *I* was the overall winner. Yes, the use of bumpers and the manager taking my turn while I was at the bar might make this a hollow victory, but I'm going to cling onto this ill-begotten glory until the next night out.
How much does it cost?
Bar snacks are priced between £5.50 and £6, burgers between £8 and £10, and grill dishes between £11 and £15. Steaks are between £24 and £27.
You can also grab a burger and fries with a game of bowling for 12.50 per person between 12 and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
Verdict?
When it comes to a night out, Bowlarama has got it all in spades. A jaw-dropping, neon-lit space, tasty scran, dangerously moreish cocktails, dance tunes aplenty and, of course, the bespoke bowling alley itself.
If you fancy upgrading your standard pub crawl with just the right amount of organised fun into the wee hours, you should definitely be ticking Bowlarama off your list this festive season. Time to get the ball rolling...
Anything else?
Bowlarama is giving out 100 free games to celebrate their launch next week.
Guests can strike it lucky on a first-come, first-served basis with one game of bowling available per person between 12 and 5pm from next Thursday, November 21.
Bowlarama is now open and is located at 20 Glassford St, Glasgow G1 1UL and open from 12 noon until 3 am seven nights a week.
Check out the website here to book. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
