Players Social launches free challenge zone The Box in Spitalfields

Players Social, the games bar in Spitalfields Market, has launched The Box, a free-to-play set of eight quick-fire challenges in which guests compete for points and prizes. The launch comes alongside new seasonal cocktail and food menus and a schedule of weekly offers at the East London venue.

The Box has no time limit and includes eight challenges: Draw a Staff Member, Build a Bridge, House of Cards, Coaster Flip, Push the Button, Letter in a Cup, Coin Drop and Hooky. Players who reach ten points become a Players Box Champion and win a free hour of gaming for two. The venue will also keep records for categories including the fastest bridge build, the tallest house of cards, the most coasters flipped and the most hooks landed in 60 seconds.

A Box Tournament will run every Friday from 6pm to 8pm, in which eight players will compete across four rounds. Prizes change weekly and range from Players Social merch to big-ticket items such as an air fryer or a robot vacuum.

Ben Hodges, co-owner of Players Social and a member of the founding team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience, said: “I’ve always loved creating experiences that get people involved, rather than just somewhere to sit and have a drink. The Box takes that a step further, with quick-fire challenges that anyone can have a go at.”

The bar’s existing games of course remain, among them interactive darts and shuffleboard, foosball and free Hooky. A £20 go on Push the Button costs offers players the chance to try and stop the timer at exactly 10.00 seconds to win two house drinks, and those who land on 9.99 or 10.01 seconds win two shots. And anyone who shares their attempt on Instagram and tags @players.social can claim a free go.

There’s an exciting range of weekly offers presented on a rolling schedule, from Players cocktails for £6 all day on Mondays to a pint or glass of house wine for just £2 for guests playing shuffleboard or interactive darts before 6pm on Sunday to Friday. A £12 Players Happy Meal is available on weekdays till 4pm (including a chicken or vegan burger, 30 minutes on any game and a Players toy), as well as Weekend All Day Sessions with a choice of a bottle of prosecco, four bottles of beer or two cocktails, plus games and 60 minutes of unlimited loaded fries at £38 per person on Sundays and £43 on Saturdays.

Alex Lewis, co-owner, said: “We’re really excited about our new drinks menu, with a great range of flavoured shots and spirits-based cocktails, alongside a beautiful new food menu packed with all the bar favourites and some brilliant sharing dishes.”

Many of the drinks use the bar’s own distilled spirits, including cherry, blueberry and mango-and-chilli flavours and a seasonal Panettone Vodka. Cocktails include a Cherry Margarita with homemade cherry liqueur, a Mango & Ginger Fiery Collins made with Bulleit Bourbon, and a Peach & Cinnamon Gimlet using Spitalfields Distillery gin. Spritzes, sangria and mocktails such as the Elderflower Sunrise and No Gin and Sin, made with Beefeater 0%, are also available.

The food menu, available all day alongside the games to keep players going, has finger-licking treats like brisket-loaded fries, flat iron steak, burgers, chicken schnitzel and chips, as well as mini burgers and crispy fish goujons for the little ones.

Players Social brings people together with a heady mix of friendly rivalry and delicious food and drinks. It’s a great destination for just an hour after work or an entire afternoon. As the team says, “Game on!”.

Food Desk

For further information or to book a table at Players Social, 1 Crispin Place, London E1 6DW, visit the venue’s website here.