Queens: Skate, Dine and Bowl have transformed their rink into a go karting track.
There are many things that terrify me in life; in no particular order sharks, deep water, ghosts, finding grey hairs, mouldy food and people who don't cover their mouths when they sneeze on the tube. So when a colleague signed me up for ice karting without my knowledge, I was all kinds of 'absolutely not'. But as well as being a complete wimp, I also suffer from FOMO, and fortunately for me it was the FOMO that won this internal struggle.
Taking place at Queens: Skate, Dine, Bowl, ice karting is pretty much what it says on the tin: racing petrol go karts at speeds of up to 45kmph around an ice rink. After being kitted up, an instructor went through everything, from breaks to crashing, before letting us loose. For approximately a whole two minutes I carefully manoeuvred around the circular track, testing the steering wheel, breaks and gas. Then the adrenaline kicked in and for the next 38 minutes, we slid, spun and shoved our way around the ice, feeling like an F1 driver.
Once done karting, we headed into the bar and restaurant which has recently had a huge refurbishment, taking it from slightly worn family fun to Instagrammably cool. Neons light up walls, there's an arcade room and mural-style art features decorate exposed brick walls. Sustenance was provided by the formidable Meat Liquor (try the Mac 'n' cheese sticks and thank me later), while the bar serves variations on classic cocktails. Watch out Lewis Hamilton, I'm on your tail.
Go Ice Karting at Queens: Skate, Dine, Bowl, 17 Queensway, Bayswater, London W2 4QP. Sessions last for 40 minutes, cost £44 and can accommodate eight people.
