An Aspiring Soccer Star's Birthday Party Dream Come True

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Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city, and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more kids' birthday party recommendations from us.

Last weekend, we were invited to 曼联梦剧场 (Mànlián mèng jùchǎng) Theatre of Dreams in 前门 (Qiánmén, Dongcheng district) for a 7-year-old soccer lover’s birthday party. A must-visit for fans of the game, this club is an all-around hangout spot with exhibition space on the second floor full of Manchester United memorabilia, a merchandise store, restaurant, and the clincher – a virtual reality (VR) soccer game arcade in the basement, which is perfect for any aspiring soccer star's birthday party!

Right at the entrance, you're greeted with two possible routes – up “The United Way” that leads to the exhibition space, or down the “Red Devil Experience.” The fun is all the way down in basement three, where you’ll find 15 individual VR rooms ready for you to kick the soccer ball at the highest scoring target for points. It sounds simple, and it is. It’s also very addictive, as I witnessed people play in one room for almost an hour. A ticket to play (6 rounds) will cost you RMB158, whereas an all-access pass to both the exhibition (including a guided tour in Mandarin) and the VR games will cost RMB288 for adults and RMB208 for kids.

There’s also a spacious VIP room reserved for private events, complete with a bar, sofa chairs, and also one VR room in it, though you get access to the adjacent VR room as well which is great for larger groups. On top of the two VR rooms, there are two foosball tables for more hands-on entertainment. This was where the party was held that weekend, and it just about fit 100 adults and children. Because the space had been cordoned off and the whole play space was so isolated from the rest of the public areas, we felt completely safe letting our kids “off-leash.”

While you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks, you have to order main entrees from the attached restaurant upstairs. The good news is, if you order RMB 3,000 worth of F&B, you get to use the VIP room for free! Otherwise, the room costs RMB 3,000 to rent for up to four hours. Included within the price is a ballooon-shaping, trick-performing clown, an appearance by a mascot that I can only assume is the “Red Devil,” and support from the staff. Decorations are available at additional cost.

SCENES FROM THE PARTY

Pizzas were served as the main feast for the party and they were delicious. Not your run-of-the-mill pizza in-the-box type of party fare but an almost gourmet-looking rectangular pizza topped with rocket! It’s all a la carte ordering off the menu at the Theatre of Dreams restaurant, which you can glimpse below.

If you want to book Theatre of Dreams for your kid’s upcoming birthday party, contact the manager Norah by scanning her QR code below.

Images: Dianping, Ray Wu, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

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