Question 1

What is the space like?

Accepted Answer

Once a warehouse for the Bristol Press newspaper, the roughly 3,100 sq' space is now a bright, open, colorful, music-filled themed slingshot shooting gallery, more like a carnival midway than a shooting range, and filled with shouts of joy and celebration.

F+B is a small family-owned and operated business dedicated to offering personalized boutique services, free from pretense. We are proud to offer a welcoming and inclusive alcohol-free environment for a fun and unique experience that emphasizes authenticity, achievement, and social connection. We invite everyone to enjoy our offerings and appreciate the vibrant atmosphere we create together!

The space is accessible, and there is marked wheelchair vehicle parking near the rear entrance. The space has 2 accessible bathrooms, 2 water fountains, and water bottle filling station. Packaged snacks, sparkling and bottled water, sports drinks, softdrinks are available for purchase.

Fork+Band Slingshot boasts the nation's only brick-n-mortar retail shop dedicated to slingshot games and sports: The F+B SlingShop!  The SlingShop carries dozens of pro-quality slingshots and a wide variety of slingshot accessories and DIY supplies. Gift cards are available for purchase online and in-store and are good for both retail goods and gallery services.

The Party Area is centrally-located behind the Sport themed lanes with enough space for small to medium-sized private events with food or creative activities. The maximum number of players (and guests) during a private event is 35, with rotation through the Gallery, which accommodates  up to 18 players at a time.

There is a Media/Selfie Station area with photo backdrop where the safety and training video is shown and where a small stage and lighting are available for fun photo ops with your paper themed target poster after you've filled it with holes!

Fork Plus Band Slingshot is a must-see destination in central Connecticut, worthy of a day trip or adding to your larger travel itinerary. The space itself is wide open and fun and offers a stunning backdrop for your photo memories!

Read more about us here: https://www.forkplusbandslingshot.com/about-us

Question 2

What is the minimum age to play the F+B Slingshot Shooting Gallery?

Accepted Answer

While we do not impose a strict age minimum, children as young as 5 can play safely and successfully at our facility. We strive to create an environment that is enjoyable and accessible for young children. However, we encourage parents and guardians to assess their child's individual abilities, focus, and need for supervision. It is essential that parents provide appropriate supervision to ensure a safe and positive experience for their child.

Question 3

What does it mean to choose a "theme" in the Shooting Gallery?

Accepted Answer

The F+B Slingshot Shooting Gallery offers a variety of unique and fun themes to keep guests coming back for new experiences! Each theme offers different targets that will entertain and challenge you. Some examples include shooting apples in the Carnival, crystals in the Enchanted Forest, and bobbling bowling pins in our Sport themed lane!

Except during special sessions or events --for example, "Power Hour" or private parties -- you will stay in your reserved lane for the duration of your reservation. In a way, it likes going to the bowling alley where you wouldn't expect to throw your ball down all the lanes! But, it's different than the bowling alley because we have to manually reset our lanes between reservations. And, unlike the bowling alley, each lane has different targets!

At F+B, we are about good, clean fun --our targets don't have you shooting at representations of people, animals, vehicles, or buildings. Every lane has a specially-designed target poster for guests to take home after shooting holes in!

Book your spot now: https://www.forkplusbandslingshot.com/book-online

Question 4

Is this a safe activity for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We like to say that it is "easy to get started and fun to get good!" We have designed the F+B Slingshot Shooting Gallery experience with safety as our #1 priority! There are so many safety features built in --some are very obvious while others are "hiding" in the details! All guests wear provided safety glasses. We play with lightweight rubber rounds (ammo) and lightweight latex bands (matched in power to the ammo). We fit each player with a custom band-length that is important for both safe and accurate slingshot play. Targets and safety curtains throughout the Slingshot Shooting Gallery are also set up to handle the rubber rounds...although watching  balls fly is part of the fun!

Question 5

What types of parties can you host at Fork+Band Slingshot?

Accepted Answer

Fork+Band Slingshot is perfect for any celebration, from kids' birthdays to retirement parties! We also host holiday parties for work or family groups. Your private reservation includes exclusive access to our Slingshot Shooting Gallery and a party area with tables and chairs. We offer various add-ons like party favors to make your event special. We can accommodate up to 36 guests to ensure everyone has a great time. For more details, visit https://www.forkplusbandslingshot.com/parties or email us at forkplusbandslingshot@yahoo.com to check availability.

Question 6

Is Fork+Band Slingshot suitable for both kids and adults?

Accepted Answer

Fork+Band Slingshot is designed to be family-friendly and accessible for most ages and abilities. It's not a bar, and parents don't have to just watch their kids have fun—they can join in and often enjoy it even more! We see generational barriers break down as mixed-age groups cooperate, compete, and cheer each other on. It's perfect for multigenerational family outings!

Question 7

Do I book for each person or for a lane in the Slingshot Shooting Gallery?

Accepted Answer

Each person who will play slingshot during a visit must be booked and have a signed waiver. The F+B Slingshot Shooting Gallery is set up for two players per lane to maintain safe distancing. Every player needs a spot in the F+B Slingshot Shooting Gallery, a custom-length slingshot band (for safe and accurate play), and their own can of lightweight rubber balls (ammo). In a regular gallery session, each player also has a paper target poster that they will take home as a keepsake. To maintain the quality and usable life of our equipment,  as well as the comfort and safety of all guests, sharing equipment is not permitted.

Question 8

Why do you need to provide your height when booking?

Accepted Answer

We customize the slingshot band length based on your height to ensure the best experience. Think of it like getting the right shoe size at a bowling alley, but it takes a bit more precision!

Question 9

Can we bring in food and drink?

Accepted Answer

We offer a selection of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for guests to purchase and enjoy while they play. We allow outside food and drink for private parties, but we are a strictly alcohol-free facility.

Question 10

Can you bring your own safety glasses or slingshot?

Accepted Answer

All guests must use the safety glasses we provide to ensure consistent eye protection. We offer several styles, including options that fit over prescription eyewear. League players can use their own slingshots, but they must meet specific band requirements to protect our gallery. For the best experience, guests use our program slingshots with custom-fitted bands to maximize safety and accuracy.

Question 11

Can teenagers be dropped off if a parent makes a Slingshot Shooting Gallery reservation?

Accepted Answer

We require guests under 18 years of age to be accompanied by a responsible adult to maximize safety and provide a positive experience for all of our guests. (Note: limited exceptions apply only during special events such as F+B Summer Un-Camp.)

Question 12

How does the F+B Slingshot experience compare to other activities?

Accepted Answer

Slingshot is a competitive international target sport, similar to axe throwing or archery. However, the F+B Slingshot experience stands out due to several unique features: (1) Our targets react to your shots by falling down, making noise, lighting up, spinning, etc. We avoid targets that represent people, animals, buildings, or vehicles. (2) You can play continuously without waiting for your turn, taking approximately 300 shots in an hour. (3) It's accessible for most ages and abilities. Players need to grip a small ball and pull back about 6 pounds. (4) The atmosphere is bright, colorful, and clean, making it enjoyable for everyone from kids to grandparents. At F+B Slingshot, you're set up for fun and success! It's like bowling—easy to start, fun to get good at, and always exciting!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions