OPINION: I headed to Fairgame in Canary Wharf for an evening of nostalgic games, cocktails and seriously good food – and quickly discovered it’s the perfect spot for mates, dates or team nights
Walking through Canary Wharf, you simply can’t miss Fairgame. A giant yellow rubber duck sign towers outside, emblazoned with the playful words ‘big duck energy’, instantly setting the tone for the fun-filled experience waiting in
And honestly, the playful vibes continue the second you walk through the doors. Fairgame feels like an adult playground – but one where the games are competitive enough to bring out your inner child. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about being able to switch off from everyday life and simply concentrate on having a laugh.
It would be an obvious choice for an after-work team-building session, but I could equally see it working brilliantly for a date, a night out with friends or a family day like mine, when my mum was visiting.
The games are easy enough to get stuck into without needing to be particularly sporty or competitive, although things can get surprisingly serious once the scores start appearing.
My mum, bless her, wasn’t exactly a natural at every challenge – but that honestly made the whole experience even funnier. There was something very wholesome about watching us both get increasingly competitive while also laughing at ourselves.
The staff deserve a special mention too. Everyone we encountered was incredibly welcoming and friendly, helping to keep the atmosphere relaxed rather than making you feel like you need to be a games expert.
Of course, no fun-filled outing would be complete without a cocktail, and we opted for a piña colada and a June bug. They were delicious, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink – exactly what you want when you’re trying to convince yourself you’re having a sensible night.
Then came the food… Fairgame has a selection of food vendors, including Alby’s pizza and Burger and Beyond, but we went for Taco Collective, ordering their LA-style birria and chicken tinga tacos.
The birria was rich and packed with flavour, while the chicken tinga had its own smoky kick. But the real star for me was the consommé dip. Dipping those tacos into it was absolutely divine and added another level to an already brilliant spread.
What I loved most about Fairgame was how effortlessly it brings people together. You can arrive after a long day at work and, within minutes, you’re laughing, competing and behaving like a kid again.
With its giant duck announcing its presence outside, it certainly isn’t trying to be subtle – and that’s exactly the point. Fairgame is unapologetically playful, gloriously nostalgic and, above all, a lot of fun.
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