“Sixes Social Cricket” is a cricket & dining concept popping up at venues across London and Manchester. We had a fantastic night when we were invited along this week and here’s how it works; simply book your net/ slot online (time dependent on the size of your party), download their app, order food & drinks, pick your skill level and get batting!

Sixes Social Cricket Review

Upon arrival at Sixes on Great Portland Road we were immediately struck by the size of it; spreading over two shop fronts and with a seating area outside, the place immediately catches your eye from the curb-side. As you step inside you’re in-between two large batting nets. The sound of balls hitting cricket bats from either side immediately reminds you that this will not be an ordinary night out.

We were cheerily greeted by a member of staff and shown into the middle section of the batting area which is a lovely bar and seating area, complete with booth-style tables, cricket memorabilia on every wall, live cricket matches on 3 plasma screens and a huge list of punny cocktails to satisfy traditional and adventurous tastes alike.

Photo by Joe Josland

I began the night with a cocktail of their own invention tea time and my partner went for an espresso martini. Both were delicious and went down far too easily on a hot summers evening! The drinks menu also included beer, cider, wine and soft drinks and a few other customers were seen sipping tankards of beer while watching their other group members batting their overs.

After a few sips and a quick app download (simple and fast to do), we were taken to the batting area and the staff member set us up so we were ready to take turns inside the batting nets. As a complete cricket novice I let my partner take the first swing at it and he chose ‘amateur’, the second out of the four levels available. I stuck firmly with beginner level for the entirety of the time but there is a chance to change levels with each over if you’d like to challenge yourself. It was enormous fun; the large screen showing the bowler taking the run up with the ball before it came flying out of the small hole in front of you added some realism and interest to the game. There were several overs each and although my technique did not improve, I was laughing and swinging my bat around thoroughly enjoying the entire experience – helped along nicely by the further drinks which were brought to the cages by the staff.

After much gloating over the scoreboard, and having worked up an appetite, we were led into the other half of the venue which contained a sizeable dining area with full bar. Similarly presented in green leather booths and white marble tables the restaurant had a relaxed and elegant feel; bringing the calmer side of cricket with the colour palette reminiscent of open fields and British cloudy hazy days. The staff were delightful as ever, being courteous, enthusiastic and attentive throughout the batting and meal. Now, onto the food…

Photo By Joe Josland

We shared a lemon fried chicken to start which was delicious. The chicken was piping hot and succulent covered in a light crumb and imbued with zingy lemon flavours. This was accompanied by a creamy burnt spring onion mayonnaise which complemented perfectly. For main course, I chose the Sixes burger with thick-cut chips. The burger was juicy, smokey and topped with a rich onion jam and melted cheese which held a mild flavour (unlike so many plastic cheese slices). Being quintessentially British, the burger was served with thick-cut chips which in my opinion always far out-rank the ‘french fries’, the chips were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside – just as they should be and in a generous portion.

Photo by Joe Josland

My partner opted for the Short Rib, which he spoke very highly of. The rib was slow-cooked giving the meat a tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture and served with an acidic coleslaw which cut through the richness of the meat very well.

To finish the meal, we shared the Cookie dough with milk ice cream. The dessert was served in a very hot skillet and was topped with milk ice cream which had a very subtle flavour reminiscent of milk and cookies which we all enjoyed as a child. The perfect way to round off the evening.

Book your night out at Sixes Cricket here.