Smoky Barrels shoots on in at Mac & Wild with their festive pop up

For a limited time Smoky Barrels has shot on into Mac & Wild to bring to London it’s the very first virtual shooting range and whisky bar.

I was invited along with some other members of Love Pop Ups London to take on the challenge on hunting game, tasting Scottish Highland food and enjoying a Scottish whisky or two.

Smoky Barrels

Popping up in Mac & Wild 1 Devonshire Square until 21 December gamers will have a chance to feel like what it is like to hunt for game within the World’s first Virtual Hunting & Bar.

This temporary pop up will emulate the magic of a cosy weekend in the Scottish Highlands with friends, fine whisky, Scottish food and a healthy dose of competition!

Using cutting-edge Swedish technology Smoky Barrels transforms the traditional sport of hunting into a never seen before simulation game. There are three Hunting Range huts, each kitted out with state of the art virtual hunting systems and replica shotguns, transporting you and your guests to a shoot in the Scottish Highlands!

Whilst hunting you can also enjoy an array of Scottish inspired dishes from haggis to deep fried Mars bar plus Scottish Whisky.

Hunting within London

Smoky Barrels has popped up for a limited time bringing diners of Mac & Wild the opportunity to hunt for their own game meat, OK not quite as this is London’s first virtual reality hunting game to come to London.

Question is, how do you think you will fair in hunting down your supper if you lived in the Highlands? Are you a survivalist like Bear Grylls or more like Mr Bean and need a bear for comfort?

Upon entering Smoky Barrels within 1 Devonshire Square it was like entering a forest, had I been transported to the Highlands?

There was three huts in total all with screens and guns taking us adventures on a hunting experience. Upon entering the hut we got suited and booted looking the part of a huntsmen.

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It was then time to get our game face on and fingers on the trigger as this was competition time.

The hunt is on

Before starting our hunt we got to choose from a selection of targets (birds, deer, boar, bears) to hunt and set up team play. We split ourselves into two teams girls vs boys then it was on with the challenge after a quick briefing of how to hunt.

The screen was clear and guns looked and felt like a real gun. However when it came to shooting the calibration kept having to be redone which made our competition come to a halt. So we changed to single player mode and this seemed to resolve the issue as seemed to run more smoothly.

However even though we had technical issues with the game play for teams we did all enjoy it and loved the feel of hunting in the Highlands but I am so glad it was virtual as I would never do this in real life as I love animals too much.

Time to eat

After some hunting from their fully stocked bar we were given an array of Scottish food to try with food catered by Mac & Wild. We enjoyed Venison Scotch Eggs, Haggis Pops, Mac & Cheese, and their award-winning Veni-Moo Burger and much more.

Fish Bites with homemade tartare sauce & dill delicious full of fish with a nice crunchy coating.

Santa’s Scotch Egg stuffed with venison black pudding & haggis with mustard which was different to your normal Scottish egg giving it that much gamer meat taste.

The Big Sleigh Dog wrapped in streaky bacon, cranberry ketchup, cheesy sprouts, Baconnaise, Frenchies mustard, caramelised onions, crispy straw fries, brioche bun making it a real delight with each bite.

Haggis Mac & Cheese which was a take on the classic with Haggis. Was meaty and cheesy all at the same time.

Deep Fried Mars Bar provided a sweet sensation from sweetness of the caramel, the oozing melting chocolate to the crunch of the batter a chocolate lovers must.

Toffee Pudding was sweet, soft sponge and was loaded with caramel sauce making it one of my favourite toffee puddings of all time.

Plus we were also treated to a range of Scottish craft beer, whisky, gin and Mac & Wild cocktails all which tasted equally as good and quenching our thirst for more and more.

I’m game are you game?

Despite the technical issues in game play I do highly recommend Smoky Barrels virtual hunting pop up especially if you love games, competition and food as this game concept really does get everyone competitive and brings a lot of fun to everyone. Also by having your own hut made the whole night feel that extra special as you can enjoy the night surrounded just by your friends, family or colleagues. Plus the food and drink served at Mac & Wild is great and certainly different with such dishes as Haggis Mac n Cheese and Deep Fried Mars Bar.

Shoot on down to Smoky Barrels

1 Devonshire Square
London
EC2M 4YN

Prices start from £70 per hour, Monday to Saturday (note there is a minimum reservation number of 6 guests)

Each hut is equipped with two guns, so you can shoot in pairs, and a wardrobe of dress-up shooting attire and tweed, so you and your team can really look the part.

Opening times:
Monday – Tuesday: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Wednesday – Friday: 12:00pm – 1:00am
Saturday: 11:00pm – 1:00am
Sunday: Closed

Discover more and book via clicking here.

Thank you to Smoky Barrels for the invite. All views are of my own honest opinion.

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Smoky Barrels pop up at Mac and Wild