LONDON | #BallieBallerson presents GlowyMcGlow

I feel like I’ve missed out on years of fun. Adults are constantly reverting back to childhood favourite experiences these days, with children’s play areas opening to elders and bouncy castle’s at nightclubs, but although the idea of a ball pit in/with a bar is a simple one, it’s so much more fun than you could ever imagine.

BallieBallerson has become increasingly popular for this idea alone in recent months but up until recently, I’d never had the chance to experience it myself. So I was really, really excited to receive an invite for their press/opening night of their newest venture – GlowyMcGlow.

GlowyMcGlow is similar to what the uber cool company is known for – it’s still a giant ball pit, it’s still a DJ playing some awesome tunes so you can dance in said ball pit, and there’s still an elusive and tempting cocktail list on offer – only now, it’s all a new theme.

The multi-coloured balls have instead been replaced with clear ones – 250k to be exact – and LED lights have been added beneath to essentially make the balls glow. Mirrored walls surround the ball pit area to instead offer a really surreal experience, and adds a more grown up rave twist to the night.

The cocktail menu now offers a bunch of drinks themed around space, too. You can order fire, helium and dry ice cocktails which makes the upstairs area of the venue just as fun as the ball pit downstairs.

Director Wenny explained to me on the night that although the previous theme had been a success, the company is always looking for something new and unique to try and found the cocktail menu in particular had nowhere further to go. Despite being filled with retro cocktails with added sweets, the lure of clear balls and a glow theme made room for more experimental fun, and thus a space themed cocktail menu was launched using impressive fire and ice elements.

Before we headed downstairs to dive into the actual pit, we explored the drinks menu, spoilt for choice.

I tried Uranus, which was presented with a pill designed to turn my tastebuds upside down. Basically, the idea was to try the sharp drink and then eat the pill, which would then in turn make the drink delicious. The drink was a lot sweeter afterwards and the experience of trying this cocktail was unique in itself.

I must include a shoutout to the bar staff here too. They were super friendly and really impressive to watch as they created each cocktail. They were easy to talk to too, and a real laugh. Also, if you do ever pop down, keep an eye out for one of the bar staff members who is a spitting image of Josh Dun of twenty one pilots…

After experiencing a bunch of delicious cocktails, we headed downstairs through the bold and bright graffiti’d venue, handed our belongings into a cloak room (it’s so easy to lose things in the ball pit. My friend lost her shoe, and I have a Snapchat video of her screaming ‘Abort mission!’ in a panic. It was hilarious) and jumped in.

And, I mean, we literally jumped in. This wasn’t some half-assed attempt of a ball pit where you can just wade in through really shallow balls. No. You could actually jump in and like, not hit the floor. It was an amazing feeling. 

We waded a little though. We swam. We burrowed to the bottom and hid. We partook in ball fights with the venue staff and we attempted to dance. I will tell you this – it’s so much fun, but there’s no way to act ladylike when trying to stand up again. 

Every half hour or so, the lights dimmed and a UV rave began, with the balls changing colour even quicker.

Overall, it was so much fun and such a unique concept. I’ve already planned to go back. Even though the idea of just a giant ball pit sounds like it may get tired quickly, it really doesn’t. You don’t get bored at all and of course, if you do need a break, you can always nip upstairs for an impressive cocktail adjourned with glowsticks, dry ice or whatever else (I am slightly sad I did not get a chance to see them all!).

Plus, it’s affordable too. A £15 ticket will get you entry into the venue/bar/ball pit for two hours, or you can choose to splurge £35 for a Bottomless Brunch weekend ticket, which includes bottomless spaghetti meatballs, bottomless punch, bottomless prosecco and of course, entry into the ballpit. I think this will be our next shout…!

However, I really cannot begin to explain how much fun it is. You just have to experience it for yourself. Oh, and if you do, give my number to the Josh Dun look-a-like will you…?

Would you fancy channeling your inner child and visiting GlowlyMcGlow? Let me know with a comment!

You can also find me on

Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Tumblr | Instagram