Tom Beattie strikes a pose at PINS Social Club, Liverpool city centre’s very first bowling alley.

IT’S HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT before arriving at a venue attempting to offer a new twist on the 10-pin bowling alley.

As someone whose experiences had previously been limited to birthday parties at Edge Lane’s Hollywood Bowl in the distant past, stepping into Duke Street’s newest addition, PINS Social Club, was almost otherworldly.

My own memories of Hollywood Bowl, for that matter, are decidedly faint and from the recollections still available to me, it’s fair to say comparisons of any form would be doing this most impressive of venues a rank disservice.

To say from the outside, PINS resembles something from LA as opposed to L1, would not be wide of the mark. What I found inside was even more impressive.

PINS Social Club is essentially everything one could want, in one. Its bespoke and, perhaps more importantly, well-stocked bar will undoubtedly prove a hit irrespective of the main draw to PINS – which of course will be its bowling alleys – and can feasibly rival the majority of bars in this area, in its own right.

The bowling areas are also high-end, with comfy leather sofas no-less, and will be ideal for both groups and couples.

Of further note was the upstairs bar which has a multitude of pool and table tennis tables as well as classic bar games, which were proving a real hit with those present during my time there.

The venue also houses Castle Street favourites Bacaro. For the reasonable price range of £9 to £12, one can expect a true taste of Naples pizza in all its wood-fired glory, maintaining their well-oiled reputation as one of the finest restaurants of its kind to be found on the banks of the Mersey.

For those with even heartier appetites, their menu also offers a wealth of side orders which were notable for their quality, all of which are available to be ordered to your lane.

It is easy to see how PINS could quite quickly become one of Liverpool’s most revered venues given its appeal on multiple fronts. I can particularly envisage the venue becoming a real hit with those looking for somewhere to begin their night before venturing on to Concert Square and nearby Seel Street, as well as being the ideal location for work nights out and bigger groups alike.

Following the opening of the nearby Duke Street Market, this part of town has experienced a true renaissance and its enviable location makes it perfectly placed to effectively serve as a go-between for those wanting to bridge the gap between a leisurely day spent window shopping and a night-out in the heart of the city’s after-hours scene.

It is hard to see how this venue would not prove a hit, in truth. It ticks all manner of boxes and has something for everyone. Liverpool’s newest venue may well be on its way to becoming one of the city’s most essential.

PINS Social Club is open daily from 12pm

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