London | November 2026
Got a competitive streak? Players Social, the independent games bar tucked inside Spitalfields Market, has just launched The Box, a set of quick-fire, free-to-play challenges, alongside a fresh food and drinks menu. Co-owned by Ben Hodges, part of the founding team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience, and Alex Lewis, it is a fun pick for date nights, catch-ups and work Christmas parties alike. Here are five reasons to rally your team. Game on.
1. Darts, shuffleboard, foosball and more
There is something to suit every competitive streak here. Interactive darts and shuffleboard cost £10 per person for 55 minutes, while foosball is £10 per table for the same length of time. Hooky is free to play, so there is no excuse not to have a go. Then there is Push the Button: pay £20, stop the timer at exactly 10.00 seconds and you win two house drinks, or land on 9.99 or 10.01 for two shots. Share your attempt on Instagram, tag @players.social and show your receipt to earn a free go.
2. Think outside The Box
The newest addition, launched on Monday 2 November, puts eight quick-fire challenges at the heart of the action. Free to play with no time limit, they include Draw a Staff Member, Build a Bridge, House of Cards, Coaster Flip, Letter in a Cup and Coin Drop. Rack up 10 points and you become a Players Box Champion, winning a free hour of gaming for two. There are records to chase, too, from the tallest house of cards to the most coasters flipped. For serious contenders, the Friday Box Tournament runs from 6pm to 8pm, with eight players battling for prizes that have included an air fryer or a robot vacuum.
3. A new menu of cocktails and house-made spirits
The drinks list has had a shake-up, with many cocktails and flavoured shots built around Players Social’s own distilled spirits and in-house creations. Expect cherry, blueberry and mango and chilli flavours, plus a seasonal Panettone Vodka that feels made for December. Highlights include a Cherry Margarita, a Mango and Ginger Fiery Collins and a Peach and Cinnamon Gimlet, with cocktails at £13 each. Spritzes include Aperol, Hugo and Raspberry Garden, and non-drinkers are well looked after with mocktails such as the Elderflower Sunrise. Beers and wines are on offer too.
4. Food to keep you in the game
The new food menu is all about bar favourites and generous sharing dishes. Think loaded fries topped with beef brisket and melted cheese, juicy burgers, crispy fried chicken and golden chicken schnitzel and chips. There is also flat iron steak for something more substantial. Younger players are catered for with mini burgers and crispy fish goujons. It means you can easily turn a quick game into a proper night out.
5. Offers worth playing for, and Christmas parties
On Mondays, all Players cocktails are £6 all day. From Sunday to Friday, your first pint or glass of house wine is £2 when you play darts or shuffleboard before 6pm, and the Players Happy Meal offers a chicken or vegan burger, 30 minutes on any game and a Players toy for £12, Monday to Friday until 4pm. At weekends, All Day Sessions combine drinks, games and unlimited loaded fries for 60 minutes from £38pp on Sundays and £43pp on Saturdays. With DJs on Thursdays and Saturdays, live sport, a large heated terrace and private hire and Christmas packages available, it is a strong contender for your festive get-together.
Info
Where: Players Social, 1 Crispin Place, Spitalfields Market, London E1 6DW
Opening hours: Monday 12–8pm, Tuesday–Saturday 12–11pm, Sunday 12–8pm
Games: darts and shuffleboard £10pp for 55 minutes; foosball £10 per table; The Box free to play
Bookings: spitalfields@players-social.com