Start-up of the week: Virtual reality bar Otherworld set to open under Haggerston railway arch

A new virtual reality (VR) bar offering customers the chance to cut fruit like ninjas is to open in Haggerston next month.

Otherworld will open its doors this month in the Acton Mews railway arches.

It will have 14 immersion rooms where “adventurers” put on headsets to play sword-rhythm game Beat Saber, mountain climbing simulator Everest VR, slo-mo shooter Superhot, a virtual reality version of Google Earth and samurai fruit-cutting game Fruit Ninja.

There are 16 VR experiences, 360-degree art projections and lifelike effects of heat and wind (scent is still being worked on).

Marketing boss Joe Davies said: “This is totally brand new. There’s nothing else like it in London or across the country. If people are into their VR, food or drink they’ll love it.”

The bar will have Californian-themed street food from Lords of Poké and self-service beer.