In less than two months since its opening, Urban Fun has quickly become one of Kingston’s go-to entertainment spots, especially for students looking for something new to do on a random day of the week.
From the moment me and a group of friends walked in, it immediately felt different to your average arcade, which usually screams chaos, with that distinctive smell and loud kids music. Instead, it felt grown-up; more like a place for adults or students who want to let loose and have a laugh.
Upon entry, we were warmly welcomed by the staff at the reception, who took the time to explain how everything works. Instead of rummaging around your pockets looking for coins, Urban Fun uses a card system that you can top up with credits and use across all the arcade machines. It’s simple, efficient, and honestly a relief, especially when you’re eager to get started.
However, we wouldn’t be students if we didn’t stop by the bar before jumping into the games, and this is where Urban Fun really earns its brownie points . The drinks were surprisingly cheap, and on Wednesdays they hold a student night, where drinks are even cheaper, making it an ideal spot for those spontaneous weekday plans with your friends when your bank account isn’t exactly loaded.
Once we got our drinks and started giving the arcade games a go, it became clear that Urban Fun isn’t designed to rinse your credits in fifteen minutes. The games didn’t cost us many credits per play, meaning you actually get a decent amount of time and fun in before needing to top up your card again. That alone makes the experience feel worth it, because I don’t think there’s anything worse than watching all your credits disappear after three games.
Moving onto the arcade selection itself, we found there is a solid mix of classic and unusual games. One that really stood out was the axe-throwing game: no real axes involved obviously, but was still competitive and thrilling, where you can get all your assignment stress out in just a few throws.
There was also a horse-riding game, which sounds odd to have in an arcade but it quickly became a group favourite, mostly because of how ridiculous it looks once everyone gets involved. Add in the basketball shooting game and a wide range of others, and there’s more than enough games to keep everyone entertained without even having to have a look at some of their stand-alone activities.
The main event of the night though, would definitely have to be the mini bowling. At just £9 per person, it really was one of the best-value activities on offer. Each game gives you ten rounds, with three goes per round, so it lasts far longer than you might expect, especially if you’re in a group of three and above. And because it’s mini bowling, it’s way more relaxed and playful than a traditional alley, making it the highlight of our night . It’s competitive enough to get everyone invested, but silly enough that no one takes it too seriously, especially after a drink or two.
What we found makes Urban Fun work so well is that it doesn’t try too hard. It’s not overly flashy with loud music or intimidating, and it doesn’t feel like it’s made for one type of crowd. Instead, it offers an easy, affordable night out that suits students who want something new and fun without the pressure of a full night out, (but if you want to make it a night out Circuit is just next door).
