Step into an ‘adult playground’ and release your inner child – as games bar Roxy Ball Room has its long awaited opening in York this week.
It was first announced in 2021 that the popular entertainment venue was looking to open in York, before it changed location to the Stonebow House in 2023.
Now, Roxy Ball Room York is finally ready to open this Friday, 23 February.
Founded by Matthew Jones and Ben Jones, Roxy Leisure opened their first Roxy Ball Room site on Leeds Boar Lane ten years ago in December 2013.
“Our mantra is booze and ball games,” Nadia Jackson, head of marketing at Roxy Leisure, told YorkMix. “There’s plenty of games all under one roof.”
Two floors of the Stonebow House has been transformed into a haven of arcade-like games. The full list of games available at the York venue are:
- Air Hockey
- Beer Pong
- Ice-Free Curling
- Shuffleboard
- Pool
- Crazy Pool
- Batting Cage
- Tech Darts
- Ping Pong
- Bastketball
- Duck Pin Bowling
- Karaoke Room
“The amount of games on offer we have here is fantastic,” said Nadia.
“In York there wasn’t really anywhere to go karaoke and here we’ve got two amazing karaoke rooms, and hopefully bringing something really unique to York that people are going to enjoy.”
Crazy Pool is a game unique to Roxy Ball Room venues, and is a mix between crazy golf and pool. “It doesn’t need much learning or skill – it’s just really fun!”
Roxy Ball Room York is for over-18s only, and is ideal for work groups, couples, mate dates, parties, and more.
You can pre-book your games online or you can simply turn up and book then and there at the games desk – however, Nadia highly recommends booking in advance so you’re not disappointed.
Each game or activity has an allocated time slot and price – either per person or for the whole group.
Beer Pong, Air Hockey and Basketball are the exceptions. Beer Pong you can only book in-venue, and Air Hockey and Basketball are unreserved and have a contactless tap point and cost £1.50 per go.
As well as the games, there is also a wide variety of food and drink on offer. There are two bars in the venue. In the drinks menu there is a large range of cocktails, including the Roxy Signatures which are inspired by rock and indie music. There’s also spritz, gin serves, shooters and shots.
They have a huge draught line on offer, including a local beer line from Brew York.
The food menu is American-style with pizzas, hotdogs, chicken wings, and small plates that are perfect for sharing. There are many order kiosk points around the venue so you can continue gaming while enjoying your refreshments!
Roxy Leisure have been aiming to expand their offering in Yorkshire. “We definitely felt that York would like something like this,” said Nadia.
“When this opportunity came up on the Stonebow it seemed like the perfect sort of venue for a Roxy Ball Room of this size.
“The response we’ve got from people in York has been fantastic – we feel like there’s a real desire for something like this in York, so we’re really excited to open.”
The venue did face some challenges at the start with objections to their premises license, including some surrounding residents and York Central MP Rachael Maskell.
“We had a meeting with the residents back in August to address some of their concerns,” said Nadia.
“We invited a number of the residents in yesterday (Monday) to have a tour round and a chat, and they all left very happy.”
Roxy Ball Room York has created 30 jobs. It will open from 12pm on Friday 23 February. Opening times will be seven days a week, Monday to Thursday 3pm-11pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-12am, and Sunday 12pm-10am.
To find out more and to book your visit, head to the Roxy Leisure website.
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