Have a blast with the crew: fun group activities in London to try right now

Looking to keep a party entertained? London’s the host with the most. The city is packed with fun things to do, no matter your taste, age, or time preferences. Whether you’re seeking a birthday brunch with buddies, a family day out, an after-work bonding session, or an alternative stag/hen do, we’ve just the idea. Here’s our countdown to the best group activities in London to enjoy with the whole clan this autumn and beyond.

The best group activities in London

1. Be part of a TV game show with The Crystal Maze Live Experience

Ever wanted to be on the 90s TV game show, The Crystal Maze? Well, now you can. Bring a group and let your game master guide you through challenges of all sorts to win crystals. Of course, more crystals means more time in the giant Crystal Dome at the pinnacle.

Find out more about The Crystal Maze Live Experience

2. Experience racetrack thrill at F1 Arcade

F1 Arcade at St Paul’s (virtually) makes racetrack dreams come true. Using bespoke full-motion racing simulators, you and your fellow drivers will take the wheel and immerse in the game…as if you’re in Monaco. Go head to head, or form teams for a thrilling race. The venue’s Octane Bar is perfect for a celebratory cocktail and globally-inspired bites are also served. 

Find out more about F1 Arcade

3. Shuffleboard with Electric Shuffle

Challenge your mates to a supercharged version of shuffleboarding, complete with vision technology to total up your scores and shoot replay footage. Big pizzas, cocktails, and live DJ sounds turn up the competition. In summer, Canary Wharf’s outpost is transformed with a tropical terrace and lunch deals. You’ll want to stay beyond sundown.

Read our review of Electric Shuffle.

Find out more about Electric Shuffle

4. Let loose at an indoor fairground with Fairgame

British weather may be unpredictable, even in the summer, but you’re guaranteed a good (rain-free) time at Fairgame, Canary Wharf’s adult funfair. It features all the classics from basketball hoops to whack away, and for just £15, you can play them all within a 75-minute time frame. Stick around afterward to sample the street food or catch up with your mates at one of the three bars. 

Find out more about Fairgame

5. Become a footie champ at TOCA Social

Whether you’re a footie fanatic or have a Victoria Beckham level of interest, TOCA Social’s balls of fun. The O2 arena venue is the world’s first interactive football and dining experience, bringing you and your chums together for kicks that span beginner to advanced in 17 boxes. Bring comfy shoes because this is a workout! There are three bars for pre and post-game festivity, and bites include tasty burgers and baos.

Find out more about TOCA Social

6. Karaoke together with Lucky Voice

This one’s been around for yonks, and for good reason: Lucky Voice’s song list is extensive. Their collection spans over 13,000 tunes, including multiple languages, so K-Pop lovers can channel their inner Blackpink alongside the Spice Girls fanatics. There are now outposts in Soho, Islington, Holborn, Liverpool Street and a shiny new one in Waterloo.

Find out more about Lucky Voice

7. Have a house party at The Little Violet Door

Don’t rent in zone one? No problem. Y’all can still have a house party in Soho. The Little Violet Door just opened and it’s officially the hottest house in town. Expect kitchen discos, late-night catch-ups on the living room couch, and cocktails out on the terrace. There’s even a games room where you can Mario Kart together, and a very Instagrammble bathroom for further shenanigans (plus props!). 

Find out more about The Little Violet Door

8. Play pétanque at Boulebar Spitalfields

Get your mates together on the gravel for a game of pétanque, the quintessential French boules experience that’s now open in Spitalfields as well as Southwark. There are two teams per court, and the simple goal is to get to 13 points first. Teams can be as competitive as they like, either with full focus or with cocktails in hand (we prefer the latter).  Bistro-style bites are also available for a victory dinner.

Find out more about Boulebar Spitalfields

9. Complete (and compete on!) tasks in The Cube

The BAFTA-winning TV game show comes to life in Canary Wharf in an immersive gaming experience that drops you right on set. Teams of two are tested on balance, judgement, speed, and memory in concepts that have previously been featured on air.  Expect to play ball in ways you never knew how! Each cube is helmed by a staff member who’ll guide you through the process, and you’ll need to download the app which keeps point score and queues teams to the next round. Pizzas, smashed burgers, platters, and multiple bars are available on-site.

Find out more about The Cube

10. Play to win at Hijingo Bingo

Ready to experience the future of bingo? Hijingo is electric: you and your mates will partake in a fast-paced, futuristic, and exhilarating rollout of numbers to win actual prizes. These include cash prizes and holidays. It’s not just blobbing off paper either: all around you, an AI-fuelled show will keep the party entertained, as well as a range of floor fillers ranging from noughties to pumping drum & bass and chart-toppers, Dua Lipa to RAYE. Cocktails and a weekend bottomless brunch are available, and there’s a podium-style stage for winners to be showered with glory (i.e. a photo opp).

Find out more about Hijingo Bingo

11. Ping pong with Bounce

Competitive crew? Whack the ball at Bounce, aka London’s official home of ping pong. Smart AI tech has the table automatically track and score the game for you, so there’s no losing focus. Or maybe you’re happy to let go of the win: in which case, opt for Beer Pong instead. The rules are simple: toss the ball, eliminate rival cups, and if you sink them you drink them! Outposts are in Farringdon, Battersea Power Station, and Old Street, all with food and drink served to fuel each pop.

Find out more about Bounce

12. Experience the Wild West with Moonshine Saloon 

Step into an immersive Wild West experience in East London. Moonshine Saloon is the opportunity to say ‘Howdy Y’all’ with a cowboy hat on, and drink cocktails which you ‘smuggle’ in (basically, BYOB booze, and they handle the mixers). Live actors create a fantasy atmosphere and you can even pay a little extra to look the part. It’s £10 to rent full-on sheriff, mayor, and brothel keeper gear, though everyone gets to borrow a hat for free.

Find out more about Moonshine Saloon

13. Or step into another dimension with Avora

Fans of films like Avatar, your dreams will come to life at this hot spot. Avora is an immersive new-world cocktail adventure in London, from the creators of ‘Alcotraz’ and ‘Moonshine Saloon’ (so you know it’s going to be good). Guests get three potion-style cocktails included (non-alcoholic options are available) and interact with a cast of actors playing botanists and local Avorians against a beautifully theatrical backdrop. Avora’s good for the environment too: a tree is planted for every ticket sold.

Find out more about Avora

14.  Escape a zombie room with Bunker 51

An escape game with a bite. You and up to seven friends are locked in a room and have an hour to unearth clues to a key out of there. Every few minutes, the zombie’s chain is released a little further, and you’ll need to work together to keep it at bay. A brilliant twist on the group activity that’s fun beyond just Halloween, with award-deserving acting from resident ‘professor’ and ‘zombie’.

Find out more about Bunker 51

15. Dip in hot and cold together with ARC 

Get the glow with your gang at ARC, the UK’s very first contrast therapy site. This class-based wellness concept features two key elements, sauna and ice baths, and oscillating between them activates a multitude of benefits such as reducing inflammation and boosting mental clarity. Feedback universally credits the experience for working wonders! Sessions aside, the wellness journey at ARC is also a splash, thanks to sauna socials that add DJs to the hot ‘n’ cold party. Yep, that glow ain’t just body, but soul too.

Find out more about ARC

16. Become a pro-golfer at Pitch

Practice your swing like a pro: at Pitch you can round up mates of all abilities for games spanning Bullseye to Party Putt to Cannon Bowl. The high-tech golf arcade allows you to select rounds on a touch-screen, then mixes your mini-tournaments with upbeat music, great grub (say yes to duck spring rolls!), and cocktails for the perfect immersive evening out. Available in Soho and City, plus a new Canary Wharf opening.

Find out more about Pitch

17. Learn how to throw axes with Whistle Punks

Always wanted to try axe throwing? This Oxford Circus setting is the place to learn the art of axe throwing in London. A highly skilled expert will take you through a selection of grips and you’ll have a chance to practice before battling it out for supremacy with your crew. Perfect for groups of two and up, we had a ball here with their Quick Fling package that promises 40 minutes of fun at just £16 per person. We can vouch for the delicious pizzas and cocktails/mocktails too.

Discover more about Whistle Punks

18. Play (and party) in a theme park with Gravity Max

Gravity MAX isn’t just a games arcade, it’s an entire gaming theme park. The Westfield opening is spread over 67,000 square feet, with three floors packed with pure entertainment. Players will find here everything from golf to VR to karaoke, plus a  multi-track e-karting experience.  Completely indoors, Gravity MAX will turn up the party rain or shine and is ideal for alternative hen/stag dos, office socials, birthdays, and even date nights.

Find out more about Gravity Max Westfield

19. Swing in the trees with Go Ape

You don’t have to venture far for that forest feeling. At Go Ape in Battersea Park (as well as multiple other UK locations) you and the crew can monkey around high up in the trees with their signature Tree Top Adventure. The experience combines rope bridges, zip wires, and Tarzan swings, and the two to three hours are both exhilarating and a great workout. Suitable for all ages if you’re up for a physical and mental challenge. 

Find out more about Go Ape

20. Try (virtual) clay shooting with Clays Bar

This bar brings clay target shooting out of the countryside and right into the City. Check in to a shooting peg that features interactive screens for a thrilling selection of games fuelled by cocktails and delicious sharing platters. You can leave your phones in your pockets too: moments, photos, and game results from your session are emailed out afterward.

Find out more about Clays Bar

21. Roll your own dragon at Inamo

Inamo’s head sushi chef finally reveals the restaurant’s closely guarded secret—how to make their famed dragon roll. At the Soho branch, guests roll up their sleeves and follow masters in prep and roll, finishing with a colourful tube of crunchy tempura shrimp, creamy avocado and a touch of mayo. Vegetarian & vegan options are available too. 

For those who want dragon deliciousness without the effort, simply march over to an Inamo in Covent Garden or Soho, or an inamo sukoshi (aka a ‘little Inamo’) to sample the acclaimed signature dish. 

Find out more about Inamo

22. Attend wizard school with Wands & Wizard Exploratorium

Potter fans, are you ready to become a wizard? The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium in Soho gives fans the opportunity to don a cape and partake in their own wand-building session. Afterward, choose to enjoy a spellbinding wizard-themed afternoon tea, or adults can sign up to make cocktails in the style of potions.

Find out more about Wands & Wizard Exploratorium

23. Get bargain tickets for a show at Shakespeare’s Globe 

If you’re seeking culture on a budget, we recommend snagging £5 standing tickets for a show at Shakespeare’s Globe, especially now that the weather’s picked up (although seating seats with cushions are available if you’re feeling fancy). The world-famous theatre and Thameside landmark is a realistic and true-to-history reconstruction of the 1599 Globe Theatre, a playhouse for which William Shakespeare wrote his plays. 

Find out more about  Shakespeare’s Globe

24. Jump into a painting with Frameless

This permanent exhibit in Marble Arch has four multi-sensory galleries showcasing the world’s greatest art works. If your kids or spouse find traditional art galleries a snooze, this will perk them up. Plus, there are excellent photo opps for the gram.

Find out more about Frameless

25. Learn about wine with Humble Grape

Love wine? At Humble Grape you and your pals can sign up for a variety of wine-tasting experiences, ranging from beginner masterclasses to a supper club hosted by wine producers. The company only works with the world’s best independent winemakers, who are 100% sustainable, so it’s quality you can taste. Life’s too short to drink bad wine. 

Find out more about Humble Grape

26. Go behind the scenes of the London Underground with Hidden Tours

To discover a whole new world that is the tube system (which, literally is a world of its own), sign up for one of London Transport Museum’s Hidden London tours. They run throughout the year, exploring the most storied of stations.  And there’s more to the tube when you’re done underground: check out  The Museum Depot at Acton open days and step into an overground treasure trove of 320,000 objects.  You’ll have a newfound love for TFL.

Find out more about Hidden London

27. Cheer the boys on at Forbidden Nights

For a girl’s (and gays) night out to remember, how about a Forbidden Night in Clapham? The long-running show, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent, parks at Infernos every Saturday. Tickets include the show starring the raunchy all-male troupe, plus a photo opp with the cast. Upgrade with a stage pass and have your pal join the boys on stage, ideal for hen parties, birthdays, or any night out where cocktails and hunks are needed for a little tension release.

Find out more about Forbidden Nights

28. Compete in multi-games with Boom Battle Bar

Competitive streak? Boom’s your battle haven. Participate in games spanning axe-throwing, augmented reality darts, American pool, and crazier golf, and see who in your party comes out on top.  There are venues dotted throughout the city including Oxford Circus, Ealing, and The O2.

Find out more about Boom Battle Bar

29. Draw nudes in the dark with Neon Naked

Life drawing with a twist. Neon Naked dives you into psychedelic neons for the most unique art class. Models are beautifully painted, and supplies are all included. Who knew highlighters could be so fun?

Find out more about Neon Naked

But wait, there’s more…

• Check out these really great London restaurants we love
• Or if you’re a party of two, let our most romantic restaurants in London bring the magic
• Stay a litle longer with an overnight in London’s coolest four-star hotels