The Oracle: Issue #2

THE ORACLE - OCTOBER ISSUE - #02
“ Within five minutes,
all niceties and
non-competitive
behaviour go out
the window, and we
suddenly transform
into wannabe Team
GB sharp shooters! “
arena, several immersive dining
and theatre experiences, a cinema,
indoor trampolining, huge shopping
outlets, extensive food and drink
offerings to suit all tastes - and,
of course, incredible competitive
socialising venues.
Boom Battle Bar is our next
destination and - WOW, what a
place! The music, the vibration,
the high pitch chatter, cheering,
celebrations and noticeably
competitive banter hits all
senses as soon as we arrive.
Our first session is on the Shufl
shuffleboards - with half of the
group experienced and the other
half complete novices.
“ The music, the vibration,
the high pitch chatter,
cheering, celebrations and
noticeably competitive
banter hits all senses as
soon as we arrive. “
early check in and are immediately
escorted to the bar to enjoy drinks
before the games commence.
All notions of starting with a soft
drink disappear when The Oracle
is handed the cocktail menu
developed by mixologist Jon
Calabrese - and a round of Summer
cocktails are duly ordered.
We are led to our booth and taken
through the rules and techniques
for the next hour of civilised, yet
competitive, shooting. Photos are
taken, game names entered on
the big screen and it’s time to pull
the trigger! Within five minutes,
all niceties and non-competitive
behaviour go out the window,
and we suddenly transform into
wannabe Team GB sharp shooters!
By 12.30pm all booths are
occupied, and both cheers and
disgruntled moaning ricochet
throughout the venue. More drinks
are ordered and the tempting food
menu created by culinary director
of Clays and executive chef, Roger
Olsson (formerly from The Ritz and
The Dorchester) simply has to be
‘tested’. Immaculate service and
delivery to our booth ensures that
no session time is lost.
As the clock counts down - and
despite great efforts - The Oracle
lands at the bottom of our booth’s
league. We want to reload for more
action, but the waiting groups of
hens, birthday celebrators, families
and groups of friends means
no chance of an extended stay.
Instead, we make tracks across to
the O2 for our next experience.
The O2 is packed with visitors
enjoying the massive entertainment
hub that is home to the famous O2
The Oracle was way too nosey
to take in the instructions on
how to play as we were led to the
shuffleboard court, as they were
transfixed by the axe-throwing
arena. So much so, they had to be
dragged back to rejoin the group.
Shuffleboard is totally addictive
and, from a beginners perspective,
once you get it you are on a roll -
or should I say glide? At the end of
the hour the not so young newbies
reigned supreme.
What really made The Oracle beam
was, not only the Pina Colada
cocktail, but the diversity of ages
enjoying Boom Battle Bar. The
guests ranged from 5-100, with
generations laughing together,
getting involved and going into
battle. Hens, Stags, mates, couples,
young, old, in-betweener - Boom
Battle Bar really has something for
everyone.
The atmospheric room is huge and
encompasses everything sensetingling,
with ambient lighting,
huge TVs showing live sport,
upbeat music, and countless
arenas for different games - from
axe throwing and golf to interactive
darts and basketball. We settled on
a game of American pool.
As it turns out, The Oracle is about
as successful at shooting pool as
shooting at Clays. Perhaps joining
the beer pong groups next to the
American pool tables would have
been easier...
Distracted by the arrival of buffalo
mac and cheese bites and battered
‘prawn stars’, the session ended
with The Oracle having zero wins -
and one huge smile.
After a truly inspiring day with very
different experiences, our group
bounced out, still high on the
atmosphere.
Now we are busy deciding where to
go next!
Want to be
showcased next?
Get in touch today:
oracle@gamechangers.org.uk
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