Allstars Battle Bar to open in Colchester next month

Karl Zabroski, 38, is working to transform the former Argos shop in Long Wyre Street into an activity-led bar with axe throwing, table tennis and shuffleboard.

The exciting new venue has been named Allstars Battle Bar and is expected to open early next month.

Mr Zabroski, who was a manager at Rollerworld for 14 years, claimed his focus on encouraging socialising among customers will help to set it aside from its rivals.

Vacant - Allstars is set to breathe a new lease of life into the vacant Argos store (Image: Newsquest)

Construction - inside the vacant Argos shop (Image: Karl Zabroski)

It will also offer crazy golf, augmented reality darts and a karaoke room to those willing to have a go.

Blueprints submitted to Colchester Council reveal a bar, kitchen, toilets, office and store room will also be installed as the site is kitted out.

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“I am very passionate about getting people out having fun again, especially in light of all the problems with people not being able to socialise during Covid,” said the boss of the new venue.

“People now realise that going out for drinks is not really enough these days. They want to go out and have proper fun and engaging activities.”

Excited - Karl Zabroski will be Allstars Battle Bar's general manager (Image: Karl Zabroski)

Project - the bar is coming together (Image: Karl Zabroski)

The building has been empty since it was axed by Sainsbury’s, which owns Argos, in October 2020 as it cut up to 70 shops from its portfolio across the UK.

Allstars will be unique in Colchester but could face stiff competition if plans for a Boom Battle Bar in the vacant Debenhams site come to fruition.

Mr Zabroski, who works at Boom Battle Bar in Ipswich, said he is not fazed by the possibility, adding: “Allstars is going to be an evolutionary step as a social, competitive gaming bar.

First look - behind the soon-to-be bar in the venue (Image: Karl Zabroski)

“It is something that on paper would be very similar to Boom Battle Bar but we are looking to evolve the whole experience which, for our customers, will be completely different.

“It won’t be a place for people to just get drunk. It will be a place that encourages people to have fun and meet new people.”

He continued: “People see these places with axe throwing as a man cave but it is not. We are very welcoming to all genders.”

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