For our ‘Five Minutes With…’, we sat down with Sam, general manager at Lane7, and discovered how the boutique bowling venue has become one of the city’s most popular late-night destinations.

How long have you been general manager at Lane7 at The Cube?
I’ve been general manager here in Birmingham for five months. I actually moved from the Lane7 up in Newcastle, so it was really exciting to relocate to a new city.

What previous job roles have you had?
I started out working at my local pub and then worked in bars and restaurants to help fund my undergraduate studies. I’ve worked in hospitality for pretty much most of my working life – I can’t imagine doing anything else.

For those who haven’t visited yet, can you give your top three reasons why people should come to Lane7?
That’s easy. Lane7 offers bowling, amazing drinks and good vibes – all in the same place. What more could you want from a menu?!

What makes Lane7 different to any other bowling venue?
It’s definitely more adult-focused, although we do allow kids in throughout the day. Ultimately, Lane7 is somewhere you can go with your friends, colleagues or a date and have a night out with a difference. Forget dull work socials or standing around crowded bars, with Lane7 there’s so many fun things to do.

People may not be aware that they can do karaoke and play beer pong at Lane7 – do you need to book these out in advance, or can you just turn up?
100% book in advance – we get incredibly busy, especially on the weekends. Of course, if we can fit you in on the day, we’ll be more than happy to do this.

Do you have to do bowling to do karaoke?
Not at all – you can do whatever you fancy! Some people love to come for a few drinks and games on the arcade machines. That’s the benefit of having such a diverse venue; it offers something for everyone. Plus, you can experience something new every time you visit.

What’s your favourite retro arcade game and why?
There are so many classics to choose from. I love Pacman and Donkey Kong, but my absolute favourite has to be Space Invaders. It just takes me back to playing on my computer at home when I was young.

What’s the best drink on the menu and why?
Personally, I’m a fan of Lawless, which is the draught beer we have from Purity Brewery. However, if you have a bit of a sweeter tooth, our alcoholic slushies go down a treat.

Is there anything weird and wonderful you can tell us about Lane7 that people may not know?
Lane7 has an exciting future ahead. We’re part of a growing company, with sites in Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Aberdeen and Liverpool. There’s more on the way too, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled while you’re out and about!

For more information and to find out how to book, click here.