New city centre ‘social darts’ club set to take flight
PLANS have been submitted for a new “social darts” bar in Cardiff city centre.
Bar chain Flight Club has applied for planning permission from Cardiff Council to open a new venue on St Mary Street, after enjoying success in London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Birmingham
The bar’s unique concept sees the classic pub game given a “supercharged” modern makeover and combined with food and free-flowing cocktails, with customers promised a “spectacular bar, electric atmosphere and mind-blowing experience”.
Groups of up to 20 can book out their own playing area equipped with a board with tracking technology and an instant scoring system. The games are designed with beginners in mind, so whether you’re an arrows expert or a complete novice, everyone has the chance to win.
The tournament technology can connect over 100 players within the venue, while instant scoring eliminates any need for counting and makes matches more fast-paced and exciting.
Each uniquely-designed playing area has a “call the waiter” button if you want to order drinks or a bite to eat, while there is also the option to book out a table instead if you don’t fancy stepping up to the oche.
If the plans for the new bar are approved, it will open on the 400 square metre site formerly occupied by Beanfreaks health food store and Creams dessert bar at 3-4 St Mary Street.
Situated between Greggs and the Myst Lounge bar and nightclub, the site faces onto bustling St Mary Street and runs behind Church Street pubs Head of Steam and Bubs.
The new venue would create up to 35 full-time jobs, while it would be open until 12.30am between Sunday and
Wednesday and until 1.30am between Thursday and Saturday.
The idea for “social darts” was first dreamed up by Flight Club co-founders Steve Moore and Paul Barham, who were sitting in a pub in Devon in 2012 when they saw a crowd going crazy over a game.
After trialling the concept in Steve’s shed and throwing over one million test darts, they opened their first venue in Shoreditch in 2017 and have since expanded across the country.
The Cardiff bar could also be used for larger events, with multiple oches combined to create hire spaces ideal for celebrations for between 40 and 250 people, with a “Flight Club Gamesmaster” on hand to run a tournament and present medals to the winners.
If groups are smaller than six customers, they are paired with another group to “give them a taster of what social darts has to offer”.
The application comes after footballer Gareth Bale announced plans to open a golf-themed bar on St Mary Street next spring.
The Wales and Real Madrid star is the partner in Par 59, a new bar, restaurant and mini-golf venue set take over the huge 23,000sq ft site of the former Liquid/Life nightclub.
Announcing the new bar, Bale said: “I’m delighted to be working with a group of independent Welsh businesses to finally bring Par 59 to Cardiff.
“For me, it’s all about creating safe, fun environments where people can enjoy something a bit different, play golf, and meet with friends.”