What is it?
In Covent Garden’s branch of, US-based, celebrity-backed (Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, and Will Smith are all investors) Sandbox VR, teams of two to six don helmets, haptic vests and shoulder rifles to step into a virtual world where they’re mostly charged with zapping one thing or other. The games skew towards aggressive shoot ’em ups with names like ‘Dragonfire’ and ‘Deadwood Valley’ or based on Netflix shows like ‘Squid Game’ or ‘Rebel Moon’. There are a couple of gentler games in the mix, like official Star Trek spin-off ‘Away Mission’ or the explicitly younger audiences-orientated ‘Curse of Davy Jones’.
The entire experience last around an hour, which includes ten minutes of instructions, half an hour of game, and ten minutes to grab a drink and watch highlights.
Why go?
To bond with family and friends fending off zombie attacks, battling dragons and protecting Earth against an alien army.
Don’t miss
Toni, the robot bartender. Built to mimic the movements of pro mixologists, the two automaton arms can apparently whip up as many as 80 drinks an hour.
When to visit
Mon-Fri 11am-11.30pm; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10.30am-11pm.
Ticket info
Sandbox VR experiences are £35-£60 per guest.
Time Out tip
If you’re in southwest London and don’t fancy the journey to Zone 1, Sandbox VR has a second venue in Wandsworth, which opened in 2024. You don’t miss out on anything, it’s got all the same games as its city centre counterpart.