Derby bar make-over scores big for footie fans

The new owners of a Derby Leisure venue have installed the city’s biggest permanent screen in readiness for England’s opening Euros fixture against Serbia on Sunday.

House of Holes, on Babington Lane, was recently taken over by the PAAL Group, which has since spent tens of thousands of pounds on upgrades to the popular adults-only leisure venue.

In addition to creating a new karaoke room in the 10,000 sq ft premises, an ultra-high-definition 4K projector has been installed in the main bar area to stream all of England’s Euros matches on a 22ft screen for up to 250 fans at a time.

It will provide one of the biggest ‘fan zone’ areas in the city for the group stages of the competition and, if England progress through the knock-out stages, further matches will be screened.

The reinvigorated House of Holes, which primarily began as an adult-themed crazy golf venue, is retaining its 18-hole, neon-lit indoor course while also branching out to include other sports, activities and games.

After the Euros, the venue, which is usually open from Wednesdays to Saturdays, plans to use the giant screen to stream other big sporting events, such as boxing, golf and Formula One.

Haley Shaw, assistant manager at House of Holes, said: “It’s so exciting. We can’t wait to see the place full of England fans when their Euros campaign kicks off on Sunday. The atmosphere will be amazing.

“With such a massive screen, elevated above the main bar area, everyone will have a great view of the action. And the newly installed surround-sound speakers will provide quality audio, as if they were listening live in the stadium.

“So, even though we’re expecting hundreds of people through the door, there will be no need to jostle for position like there is in most pubs on these occasions.”

The standard entry fee to House of Holes Euro 2024 fan zone is £5 per person either online, in advance, or on the door if available, and guests can gain entry to all three of England’s group stage matches for a discount price of £12.50.

All admission prices include a free drink on arrival, with other deals available on drinks and snacks at the bar.

Pre-booking online is recommended via  www.houseofholes.co.uk/bookings; and the first 50 fans to arrive to watch the match will receive a free pint of selected beer on them (T&C’s apply).

The venue also has three VIP booths, located on a balcony area overlooking the main bar area. These can be booked in advance at a cost of £50 for up to six people, or all three booths can be booked for £120 for parties of up to 20 people.

Single booth VIP parties of six receive either a free bottle of prosecco or six Budweisers, while bookings for the entire balcony are entitled to 20 pints of selected beers or three bottles of prosecco.

Fans in the VIP booths will benefit from table service on all drinks ordered using the venues new mobile friendly, online app.  Guests can simply scan a QR code, place their order and their drinks will be brought to their booths.

To boost the celebrations if England wins a match, any customer who watches the entire game at House of Holes will receive a free pint of beer.

House of Holes will open specially for England’s Euros fixture against Serbia at  6:00pm on Sunday, June 16. It will open at 3:00pm on Thursday, June 20, for England v Denmark, which is earlier than its usual 5pm opening time, and fans will be admitted from 6:00pm for England’s final group stage match against Slovenia on Tuesday, June 25.

The crazy golf game will not be operating while Euros matches are being screened.

Emma Mace, general manager of House of Holes, said: “The new owners are coming up with some fantastic and really inventive ways to make House of Holes so much more than just a crazy golf centre.

“We want to put some real focus on all big sporting events, to make this not only the best sports bar in Derby but also the best leisure venue for anyone over the age of 18.

“We’re so looking forward to welcoming all the football fans over the next three England games – and we’re really keeping our fingers crossed that they make it to the final!”

Emma added: “We’re fully stocked with beer, lager, spirits and soft drinks – so bring it on! Come on England!”

House of Holes is looking to recruit more staff members to work in the bar and the venue’s commercial-grade kitchen, which will soon be preparing a street food menu to serve to visitors.

For further information or to book tickets, visit www.houseofholes.co.uk. If you are interested in joining the team, initially contact Emma Mace on [email protected], ensuring to include a copy of your CV.