Manchester's brand new adult-only ball pit bar has opened in the Printworks and I headed down there to check it out for myself to see if it would live up to its hype. Impressively branded as the first of its kind in the north, Bingo Balls gives revellers the chance to go out with friends for cocktails and music, before reliving their youth and diving into a ball pit.
Arriving at around 8pm, I instantly noticed how busy it was. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I saw a bar with quite so many merry people at such an early point of the evening. It appears it is already becoming a popular spot for people heading out into the city, despite only having opened its doors earlier this month.
The venue just screams 'hen do', probably due to the fact there were numerous booths of women wearing sashes and tiaras, and really lends itself to special occasions, with a separate small VIP ball pit area also available to be booked out. I was lucky enough to be seated in a booth, with staff always on hand to bring you drinks and ask which of the cocktails you wanted to try.
I think the novelty of the ball pit is fun, but at most, there were only ever a small handful of people throwing some of the plastic balls at one another for a few moments and I was surprised to see most people were actually enjoying the evening from the comfort of their tables.
People are also expected to leave their drinks at the side or on the tables as they cannot be taken in to the the ball pit, but there is a cushioned bench area that runs along the side for people to sit on. Raising that point with the manager Nicole, who is always present and available, and extremely passionate about the venue, she reassured me that the ball pit is cleaned regularly during the week before the doors open to customers.
In terms of ball pool 'etiquette' so to speak, there are plenty of security staff and bar staff on hand should anyone have a cocktail too many and lose their house keys or mobile phone amongst the thousands of plastic balls.
If you know what you are going for, and getting all dressed up to then go and jump into a ball pit is your thing, then I can see the appeal here. And it is still a fully functional bar like any other, so customers can still go to enjoy the food, music, and excellent choice of delicious cocktails without even needing to step foot in the ball pit.
Some of my favourites included the Bingo Ball cocktail, which came in a bright silver round cup with a straw, and was made with vodka, chambord and a secret ingredient named 'Disco Magic'. I would also recommend Dancing Queen, which came with a sour sweet on top, and So Fetch - a reference to mean girls, which was made with rum, lime and amaretto, and came with popcorn on top.
It also plays host to bingo, drag brunches and burlesque shows, alongside a lineup of Ibiza and Zante best DJs playing R&B, house and disco tracks. I think the various event nights and special booking opportunities are really what sets Bingo Balls above other bars in the city.
I got a small taste of this with two performances on Saturday night. Two women seemingly just appeared from nowhere and danced around the venue to music, but it really was quite entertaining - with one of the performers stripping down and even stapling bank notes to her body. Most tables and booths were full, and revellers only have to fork out a few pounds for their entry.
And while people can throw themselves head first into the ball pits, there’s also plenty of entertainment on offer. The DJ sets are five nights a week, and played a range of commercial tracks that everyone knows the words to, burlesque brunches and dancers who will take to the tables Coyote Ugly style - I think this is the real selling point to the business.
It is certainly a highly Instagrammable space, perfect for snaps with friends, and is designed as a nostalgia trip for those that grew up in the 90s and early 00s with iconic film quotes in neon signs, a Barbie v Bratz wall and a 3D burn book inspired by Mean Girls. It is a colourful and creative venue that is sure to get your night started with a bang.
Tickets to the Bingo Balls Opening Weekender start from £3; and there’s also standing, seated and VIP packages to choose from. You can get your tickets and find out more about Bingo Balls here.
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