I’ve just had the pleasure of attending the winter menu tasting at Flight Club and Electric Shuffle Leeds.
This was a great experience, leaving me with not only a full stomach and plenty of laughs, but also a whole new appreciation for the combination of food, drinks and classic games with an interactive twist.
The night began at Flight Club, a bar that cleverly blends a variety of darts games with eating, drinking and socialising. The atmosphere was vibrant yet cosy, with festive decorations that set the mood for a fun evening ahead. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a glass of prosecco, and it wasn’t too long before we were introduced to the interactive dartboards. Flight Club take it to the next level with their game selection, ranging from rookie to pro style games, there was something for everyone. My personal favourite was the twist on the classic snakes and ladders, where instead of moving pieces around a board, you use your dart throws to climb ladders and dodge snakes. It added an element of light-hearted competition and was great for getting everyone involved.
The festive cocktails were definitely a highlight. The Red Velvet Martini was first to come out – a rich and indulgent treat of a drink. It was smooth, creamy and overall a perfect winter cocktail. However, it was the Mistletoe and Pear* cocktail that was my personal favourite, the perfect mixture of refreshing with a subtle warmth that complemented the flavourful cocktail.
Whilst busy playing games and enjoying the festive cocktails, the dishes from the limited time winter menu started to roll out. The variety of freshly baked pizzas were the perfect comfort food, with something for everyone as there was a choice of vegetable, pepperoni or simply margarita. To me, the star of the show was the sticky, sweet and tender pork belly. The food at Flight Club really catered to a variety of tastes, and I was also impressed with how well they balanced the dishes with options for vegetarians.
After a few more games of darts and plenty of food, we headed over to Electric Shuffle for round two of the winter cocktail tasting. The standout feature at Electric Shuffle was the interactive shuffleboard, again something you don’t see at many venues, which made it all the more unique and fun. The game itself added a playful, yet competitive, twist to the night. It’s one of those games where the friendly rivalry really brings out the fun in everyone, especially after a few cocktails! The wide choice of games available meant you could perfect your technique of shuffleboard in a variety of ways, as this one was definitely harder to get the hang of than it looks.
Electric Shuffle is a bit of a hidden gem in the world of interactive entertainment venues and this one certainly stood out compared with other bars I have been to in Leeds. Something I also noticed was the funky photo booth, which I think was perfect for the venue, giving people somewhere to capture some silly moments with friends in between drinking cocktails and playing shuffleboard.
The cocktails we had did not disappoint. I started with a Winter Hugo Spritz, which was crisp and refreshing and had a perfect balance of prosecco, elderflower, and a hint of winter spices. Next up was the Sleigh My Margarita – a festive twist on the classic margarita, with the perfect amount of sweetness with a festive edge to it. The Electric Press food offering includes bar bites such as crispy brie and cranberry sauce (very popular amongst our group) and pigs in blankets with honey mustard, combinations that perfectly complement the festive beverages.
Throughout the month of December, Electric Shuffle Leeds will host its two-hour Festive Brunch Social on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. From £30 per person, expect a sprinkling of Christmas party tunes from the resident DJ, a cocktail on arrival from the limited-edition winter menu, followed by a bottle of prosecco for every guest, lip-smackingly good bottomless pizza paddles and an hour at the shuffleboard.
Show up dressed in an outrageous Christmas jumper and be in with a chance to score some goodies! The Winter menu will be available at Electric Shuffle Leeds from 18th November to the first week of January. The Festive Brunch will be available on weekends through December. Book a space at Electric Shuffle Leeds this Christmas here: https://flightclubdarts.com/christmas
Both Flight Club and Electric Shuffle offer something more than just a traditional night out at the bar. If you’re after a fun, immersive experience that pairs great food, festive drinks and a touch of playfulness, these venues will be perfect over the Christmas period. They both bring a new side to drinking with friends, creating the perfect balance of entertainment and a bit of friendly competition. The food is top-notch, catering to all tastes, with options for both meat lovers and vegetarians, while the drinks menu is perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.
I highly recommend trying out both of these interactive bars and indulging in some of the tasty nibbles and tempting tipples!
* Pear vodka, elderflower liqueur and apple, ginger ale and a hint of spiced berry cordial.
Photography by Daisy Shortt unless otherwise captioned. Main image: Play in progress at Electric Shuffle Leeds.
