Billed as a ‘modern social club’ the new Stockport bar features shuffleboard, petanque, disco curling and archery
Inside Loft Social in Stockport Town Centre which opens to the public this week (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
If you’re familiar with Stockport you’ll know it’s been having something of a renaissance in recent years.
Currently in the middle of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration, which is being dubbed Stockport’s £1bn decade, it’s come a long way and is now home to thriving independent streets and a cultural offer to rival Manchester city centre.
A new transport interchange, hundreds of new homes and the revitalisation of the high street earning it the title of “the new Berlin” are just some of the highlights, but it’s also the growing food and drink scene that has really got people talking.
Now a group of seasoned hospitality operators – all hailing from Stockport – have decided to join forces and open a first-of-its-kind games bar right at the heart of Stockport’s bustling high street.
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In the historic quarter, above the Sport’s Direct shop overlooking the Marketplace is a greenhouse-esque attic space which has been transformed over the last few months into Loft Social, a venue that’s been designed to bring old-school games to the new Stockport crowd.
Loft Social sits above Sports Direct in Stockport (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Mirroring the structure of Stockport Market, a historic institution in the town which sit just metres away, the venue, has been transformed from an empty storage unit into a contemporary bar kitted out with games spanning curling, petanque, shuffleboard, and archery.
A spokesperson for Loft Social said: “Gone are those days of people just going out for a drink, I think activity bars are important right now, and people need more of an incentive to come out, especially earlier and later in the day.
Loft Social has been created by four hospitality operators who all have experience in Stockport’s bar scene (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“As well as what you can currently see there will also be massive Jenga, cornholes and a few more games for people to try out because it is such a big site.”
As you enter the cavernous space the first thing you’re greeted with is a open-plan bar area with a terracotta bar front, tables and benches overlooking the market and plenty of foliage, creating a suntrap spot to watch the world go by.
The space features a number of old school games and activities (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Explore deeper into the space and you’ll find two curling lanes or bonspiel as it’s also known, as well as shuffle, or deck shuffle, the latter requiring players to use long cues to slide weighted discs across court into the scoring area.
A dazzling glitter backdrop with the words ‘hot Curl Summer’ light up the space in neon, while a vintage Photoautomat, which dates back many decades, is sure to be popular with visitors.
The new social club features deck shuffleboard and table shuffleboard (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Dotted amongst high chairs, seating nooks and tables, guests can also play shuffleboard, a game where players use a cue or their hand to slide he weighted discs or pucks down a long, smooth table. Beyond this, there’s a separate area for archery and also a petanque court.
Along the main wall, eagle-eyed visitors will spot a ‘Stockport isn’t s***’ mural, which nods to the ongoing campaign to shed old perceptions and opinions of the town.
Vistors to Loft Social can book on for a curling session (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“I don’t go into Manchester as much as I used to, and I used to feel very at home that way but it’s kind of been flipped on its head, and people are coming to Stockport.
“I would have loved something like this when I was 18 growing up in Stockport but I think back then it was a bowling alley and Laser Quest.”
The new Stockport bar also feels an archery area (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Over at the bar, which people are welcome to drop in at even if they’re not playing ones of the games, there will be a range of classic cocktails from £9.75 including cosmopolitan, old fashioned, negroni and espresso martini, as well as house favourites like their frozen pina colada, Thai Punch, Mezcal Paloma and Miami Vice.
Big groups are catered for too with Loft sharers which serve eight people, and there’s a curated martini menu, plus plenty of spritzes to choose from.
Visitors can also play Petanque (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
As well as its strong wine ans spirits list, beers and ciders on draught include Moretti, Cruzcampo, Beavertown Neck Oil, Amstel, Inches Cider, Guinness and their own ‘Stockport Isn’t S***’ lager, alongside a selection of non-alcoholic beverages.
In terms of entertainment, Friday from 7pm there will local DJs playing out the main bar area, and it’ll be the same again from 2pm on Saturdays.
Inside Loft Social in Stockport Town Centre(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
When it comes to playing the games, the prices are being finalised but those interested in heading down are advised to book ahead of time on the Instagram or website. Alternatively, you can turn up and ask at the Box Office and see when a game or lane becomes free.
In terms of prices, archery and table shuffleboard starts at £15, deck shuffleboard and petanque is priced between £25-35, and disco curling between £30 and £34 depending on peak and off peak.
The venue features two types of shuffleboard (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Loft Social opens to the public this Friday, 26 September and coincides with Foodie Friday. For now, it will be open Thursday through Sunday, but the team is also looking at extending hours in the run up to Christmas.
Loft Social is open Thursday 3:30pm until 11pm, Friday 3:30pm until midnight, Saturday 12pm until 1am, and Sunday 11:30am until 9pm.
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