Review: King Pins Edinburgh – Arcade, golf and bowling hidden under Princes Street

King Pins has arrived at Waverley Market, and it is a massive, neon-soaked addition to Edinburgh’s city centre. Spread across two floors, this venue is a dizzying playground that feels like a hidden subterranean city tucked directly under Princes Street.

A Subterranean Party Hub

If you catch a glimpse of King Pins from the corridors of Waverley Market, you might mistake it for a standard arcade. The ground floor is packed with “High-tech Lo-Fi” – modern, top-of-the-range versions of classic carnival games. Think whacking moles with more LEDs and throwing basketballs through hoops with high-definition scoring.

However, the real magic happens when you descend. Beneath the arcade is a sprawling “party hub” in the basement. It’s dark, atmospheric, and surprisingly vast. Down here, you’ll find the ten-pin bowling lanes that give the venue its name, alongside pool and snooker tables.

The tech is impressive. The dartboards use real darts but feature smart interfaces that track your throw. The overhead screens are programmed with a sense of humour, flashing up memes to mock a poor shot or celebrate a bullseye.

Inside, there’s Marvin’s Pizza & Chicken and Royal Treats for dessert.

High Octane and Highly Organised

The variety of entertainment is King Pins’ greatest strength. Whether you want a casual game of mini-golf under the streets of the capital or a high-octane laser shooting match to outscore your friends, the venue caters to every speed. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a post-college wind-down as it does for a massive group celebration.

What is perhaps most impressive is how quickly King Pins has come to life. In a city where “Coming Soon” signs often linger for years, King Pins moved in and opened its doors with remarkable efficiency. That level of organisation bodes well for the customer experience; it feels like a venue that knows exactly what it’s doing.

Effortless Access in the Heart of Town

One of the biggest selling points for King Pins is its unbeatable location for anyone travelling into the city. Since it’s literally built into the roof of Waverley Station, you can hop off a ScotRail train and be at the bowling lanes in less than five minutes. It is the definition of “convenient.”

For locals, the transport links are just as strong. Every major Lothian Bus route along Princes Street stops right outside the door, and the St Andrew Square Tram Stop is just a short 3-minute walk away. If you’re planning a late-night session, being this close to the night bus hubs and the station taxi ranks makes getting home a breeze, even after a few pizzas and drinks.

Overall

King Pins is a powerful new attraction for Edinburgh. It’s a “party under Princes Street” that makes ingenious use of space most locals didn’t even realise existed. Whether you’re a grey-haired snooker fan or a youngster looking for neon-lit arcade action, this is a venue to watch. The venue is 18+ at certain hours.

Note: Girdy attended the King Pins opening party as part of the press pack, which meant free games and food.