Queens Skate Dine Bowl: London Ice Skating & Bowling Guide

QUEENS: Skate. Dine. Bowl. has been drawing crowds to Queensway since 1930 — a quirky combo of ice skating, ten-pin bowling, and MEATliquor burgers that remains London’s only all-year-round indoor ice rink, plus 17 bowling lanes within walking distance of Notting Hill.

Bowling Lanes: 17 · Ice Rink: Oldest all-year-round in London · Location: West London · Activities: Skate, dine, bowl · Student Nights: From £7.95

The table below consolidates the key specifications for QUEENS: Skate. Dine. Bowl. from official and verified sources.

What should I wear for ice skating?

Getting the gear right matters more than most people realise. A wrong outfit can turn an enjoyable session into an awkward one, especially for first-timers who haven’t thought through mobility and warmth.

What not to wear to ice skating?

• Street shoes or trainers with smooth soles: Ice skates need grip between boot and blade; smooth-soled shoes make mounting and dismounting dangerous.
• Long, flowy skirts or wide-leg trousers: These catch on skate blades and create tripping hazards on the ice.
• Heavy coats that restrict arm movement: You need full range to maintain balance, especially when learning to glide.
• Loose jewelry or dangling accessories: Can catch on skate guards or other skaters’ equipment.

The venue provides skate hire as part of your session ticket, so you don’t need to bring your own figure or hockey skates. Rental skates are maintained and sharpened regularly, according to Visit London official tourism authority.

Is it better to wear leggings or jeans ice skating?

Leggings win every time. They’re close-fitting, which means no fabric catching on blades, and they flex with your legs as you skate. Jeans, especially stiff new denim, restrict movement at the knee and can chafe during longer sessions. If you’re coming from work and haven’t packed a skating kit, opt for dark leggings or joggers — comfortable enough to move in, thin enough to fit inside skate boots.

The implication: show up in anything that moves with you, not against you. For children, avoid overstuffed puffer jackets — rent a locker for valuables instead and keep arms free.

How much does it cost to ice skate in London?

London’s ice skating prices vary wildly depending on whether you’re at a seasonal pop-up rink or a permanent venue like Queens. The city’s outdoor rinks (Somerset House, Winter Wonderland) often charge premium rates for short sessions, while year-round venues tend to offer better value for regular visitors.

At Queens, general admission skating starts from £10.00 per person, with skate hire included. Booking in advance consistently delivers the cheapest rates — walk-up prices tend to be higher, especially during peak times like weekend afternoons and school holidays.

Queens skate dine bowl prices

• Ice skating: From £10.00 (includes skate hire)
• Bowling: From £7.50 per game
• Student nights: Activities from £7.95 (evenings from 6pm)
• Private hire base fee: From £500, plus minimum spend requirements

What this means: if you’re planning a mixed-activity visit (say, skating then bowling), you can budget around £20–25 per person for two activities. Families should check weekday morning slots — several reviewers note that early sessions tend to be quieter and cheaper, with one Tripadvisor verified reviewer from Ireland praising a 10:30am visit as a “hidden gem” at reasonable cost for two people including skate hire.

How long is one session of ice skating?

Session lengths depend on the venue and time of day. At most London rinks, including Queens, a standard public session runs 90 minutes — enough time for beginners to find their footing and confident skaters to cover serious distance.

Skate times at Queens

The venue opens at 10:00 daily and runs sessions continuously. Public sessions are typically 90 minutes with a 10–15 minute changeover between groups. Peak times (weekend afternoons) may have larger crowds, while weekday mornings often offer nearly empty ice, according to multiple visitor reviews.

The catch: during school holidays, sessions can feel packed. If you’re a nervous beginner, aim for an early morning slot — the ice is smoother and you’ll have more room to fall without embarrassment. The venue operates nearly 14 hours daily, per Tripadvisor venue listing, so you have flexibility to choose quieter windows.

Which London bowling alley is the biggest?

London’s bowling scene has consolidated significantly over the past decade, with several historic alleys closing and new entertainment complexes taking their place. Queens stands out because it combines bowling with an ice rink — a pairing you won’t find at most other venues in the city.

Queens bowling lanes

Queens has 17 ten-pin bowling lanes, including 5 Ruby Lanes designed for private celebrations and smaller groups. According to DesignMyNight event space specialist, this makes it one of the better-equipped venues for groups wanting both bowling and other activities in a single visit.

The pattern: London’s largest bowling alleys tend to cluster around entertainment districts rather than standalone venues. Queens’ 17 lanes put it in the upper tier, though competing venues like All Star Lanes (multiple locations) and Queen’s Crystal Palace also offer double-digit lane counts. What sets Queens apart is the multi-activity offering — you can bowl, skate, and eat without leaving the building.

What is the 3 6 9 rule in bowling?

The 3-6-9 spare system is a popular approach for beginners and intermediate bowlers, especially in ten-pin where spare shots (knocking down remaining pins after a strike) make up roughly 60% of your total score. The system takes its name from the pin positions: the 3-pin (left-side pin), the 6-pin (center pin), and the 9-pin (right-side pin). If you’re looking for a bite to eat after your game, you can find ${restaurants near me open now}. restaurants near me open now

Basic spare system

The 3-6-9 system works like this: after your first ball, if you’ve left pins in specific positions, you know exactly where to aim for a guaranteed spare. The three reference pins (3, 6, 9) create three imaginary lines across the lane:

• 3-pin line: If you’ve left pins on the left side, aim at the 3-pin position and your ball trajectory covers the left half of the rack
• 6-pin line: Center pins remaining means aim at the 6 — your ball covers the middle and picks up whatever sits there
• 9-pin line: Right-side pins mean targeting the 9-pin, covering the right half of the lane

The actual aiming point in practice varies depending on your ball speed, hook potential, and lane oil patterns — but the 3-6-9 framework gives you a starting position that eliminates guesswork. At Queens, lanes are maintained to recreational standards, which means the oil patterns tend to be more forgiving than at professional tournament lanes, according to Tagvenue venue hire specialist.

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Wandering past 17 Queensway, you’ll spot London’s oldest ice rink where skaters haul gear year-round alongside bowling lanes.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone planning a group day out in West London, the choice is straightforward: book a weekday morning for skating (quieter ice, better prices), grab lunch at MEATliquor, then claim your bowling lane. Show up on a Saturday evening expecting fast service, and you’ll be disappointed. The venue delivers on activities and atmosphere — just time your visit to match the experience you’re after.