You’ve heard of darts, right? That game where people toss tiny missiles at a circular target on the wall, usually while trying to look cool in front of their mates. It’s been a pub staple for ages, but here in 2024, darts has had a bit of a glow-up. Operators can now use it to attract a much broader crowd and (let’s be honest) make a lot more money.
But when we say "darts" today, we’re not talking about your granddad’s Friday night league. We’re talking about a tech-powered, interactive version that tracks scores, personalises gameplay, and offers game modes for all skill levels—from first-time throwers to seasoned pros. It’s darts, but smarter.
A Quick History Lesson
Believe it or not, darts isn’t the first pub game to go through a tech revolution. Remember bowling? In the 80s, it was on its way out. Then came automatic scoring in the 90s, and suddenly, everyone could play without needing a PhD in scorekeeping. Bowling went from niche to mainstream practically overnight. Add in some stylish venues and fancy cocktails, and boom—you’ve got boutique bowling. (Round of applause for All Star Lanes).
The Birth of Smart Darts
Fast forward to 2015. The geniuses at Flight Club did the same thing for darts that automatic scoring did for bowling. They took the traditional game, threw in some clever tech, and reinvented it alongside their broader guest experience – “Social Darts®.” It became the go-to date night or team-building activity, especially in their trendy, adults-only bars. The catch? Flight Club wasn’t about to share their fancy new technology. So, the rest of the market had to wait until more affordable, user-friendly systems came along. And now they have.
This marked the start of what we now call interactive darts. At the core, these systems read your score, tell you whose turn it is, and automatically update leaderboards. No need to learn complicated rules or do maths in your head (phew!). It’s darts for everyone, except maybe the kids—this version still leans heavily into the adult, bar-driven experience.
Widening the Opportunity
But that didn’t last long. Family entertainment centres wanted in on the action, and so Augmented Reality Darts was born. This version takes things up a notch, projecting games onto the board and walking players through every step. No need to aim for specific numbers—just throw the dart at the part of the board that’s glowing. It’s like bowling bumpers for darts, making it fun and accessible for all ages and skill levels.
So, What is Darts?
It’s a choice. Darts is no longer one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re running a pub, a family entertainment centre, or a high-end cocktail bar, there’s a darts setup for you. From the classic dartboard to interactive systems and full-on augmented reality experiences, operators can pick the product that fits their venue. And your guests? They can pick the experience that fits their vibe—whether they want a casual game with mates or a more competitive showdown.
The beauty of modern darts is that there really is something for everyone. So, the real question isn’t what is darts—it’s which version of darts is right for you?
When Interactive Darts Won’t Work for You… And When It Will
So you’re thinking of adding interactive darts to your venue because, obviously, darts with tech is the latest thing. Fun, engaging, profitable—it sounds like a slam dunk (or bullseye, if you will). But before you start picking out dartboard designs, let’s hit pause for a second. Here’s what you need to know before diving headfirst into the darting world.
(For the purposes of this article, we’re using interactive darts to refer to all auto-scoring dart systems. Fancy term, same idea.)
Why Interactive Darts is Such a Winner
Point of Difference
You might think interactive darts is popping up everywhere, but in reality? Not so much. The hospitality world is still behind when it comes to competitive socialising. Compare the number of places offering darts to the sheer number of pizza places, and you’ll see the gap. So, if you want to stand out in a sea of food and drink, interactive darts can be that unique selling point you’re looking for.
Space Yielding
This is where things get smart. Interactive darts doesn’t take up all your space, but it still brings in the cash. It’s like having a chair that you can charge people to sit on by the hour. Now that’s efficient.
Low Operational Costs
Here’s the brilliant thing—darts practically runs itself. No need to hire extra staff or create an elaborate training manual. It’s simple to install, doesn’t cost much upfront, and only takes a small cut of your revenue to keep it going. Low risk, low hassle, and great for your bottom line.
F&B Uplift
Darts isn’t just for dart lovers—it’s a social thing. Everyone at your venue can get involved, and that means more drinks, more food, and more spending. At minimum, you’re looking at a 50/50 revenue split between darts and food & bev. But in some cases, F&B can take the lead, with as much as 80% of revenue coming from what people eat and drink while playing.
So, Who Should Add Darts?
Interactive Darts Concepts
If darts is the centrepiece of your concept, it’s going to be front and centre for everything you do. Your brand, interior design, pricing—all of it will revolve around the darts experience. Even your F&B needs to fit the dart vibe, with food that people can easily enjoy in the oche (that’s the dart-throwing zone, for the uninitiated). But if you’re going all-in on darts, make sure you’ve got enough units to make it clear you’re a “darts place.” One lonely dartboard in the corner isn’t going to cut it.
Activity Venue Concepts
Running a multi-activity venue? Great! Darts might not be your star player, but it’s a solid second-string option. It’s like the ultimate wingman—fits into small spaces, works with pretty much any concept, and it doesn’t cost a fortune. Plus, who doesn’t love a good game of darts to round out the night?
When Is Darts NOT a Good Idea?
Let’s be real for a second—there’s probably no bad place for darts. But there is a bad way to set it up. If your venue is all about an immersive cocktail experience or has guests sipping wine in a relaxed pub setting, don’t expect them to suddenly tack on an extra hour just because they spot a dartboard in the corner. Without some dedicated sales and marketing to get people excited and pre-booked, darts can end up being, well, a little less interactive. If you’re not creating an experience around it, darts could be collecting dust instead of dollars.
“When it comes to Interactive Darts
Time is Burgers”
Interactive Darts Won’t Sell Itself—And Other Pitfalls to Avoid
So you've just installed interactive darts at your venue, and you're hoping, “This thing is going to kill it!” Spoiler alert: it won’t. Interactive darts isn’t some kind of magic dartboard that people flock to just because it's shiny and new. Just like that time you put that craft IPA on tap and wondered why no one was ordering it—until you told your staff to actually tell customers about it.
Mistake #1: Assuming It’ll Sell Itself
Here's the truth: interactive darts needs to be sold, promoted, hyped up. Customers need to understand why this new thing is fun, how it works, and what they’re missing out on if they don’t play. Invest in marketing, you’ll thank yourself later. Think about it like beer—people don’t switch from their usual pint unless you give them a good reason. Same goes for interactive darts.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the manual
I know manuals and so-called “experts” are boring. But trust us, if you don’t follow the advice, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. If your venue gets natural light, do yourself a favour and skip the camera-based scoring. It’s like trying to take a selfie in direct sunlight—nothing works. Opt for electronic scoring instead. Lighting, spacing, all of that matters. No one’s going to enjoy missing every dart because they’re blinded by a poorly placed spotlight.
Mistake #3: Neglecting the Surroundings
You can’t just slap a dartboard on the wall and call it a day. The area around the dartboard needs to be as inviting as the game itself. Think comfortable seating, the right lighting, and an overall vibe that says, “Yeah, you’re going to have a good time here.”. You simply can’t go overboard on an interior design concept that reflects your brand. Imagine selling a gourmet burger in a dingy room with flickering lights. Doesn’t matter how good the burger is, the vibe will kill the experience.
Mistake #4: Underestimating the Power of Promotion
Interactive darts is still a new concept for a lot of people. It’s not enough to just have it available—you need to actively promote it. Show them what it is, why it’s fun, and why it’s worth their time. Run demonstrations, offer promotions, and get the word out. If your customers don’t know what it is, they’re not going to play. Simple as that.
Maximise Your ROI (Fancy Words for ‘Do It Right’)
Here’s the deal: you’ve already invested in this thing and all the much more expensive bits that make your operation possible. You can’t afford to do it half-heartedly. Spend the extra on a proper setup and promotion, and you’ll see the returns. Think of it like upgrading your pizza from cheap and oven ready to a gourmet, locally sourced, Instagram-worthy sourdough masterpiece. Sure, it costs more upfront, but you can charge more for it, and people will actually want it.
Plus, once you’ve set it up right, your ongoing costs are the same whether it’s a mediocre experience or an amazing one. So why not go all in? A top-tier interactive darts setup can justify charging more across the board—not just for the darts, but for everything around it, like drinks and food. If the environment feels premium, people are willing to pay more for the same pint of beer they could get elsewhere.
Keep It Running Smoothly
Treat your interactive darts system like you would any piece of equipment—don’t neglect it. You wouldn’t ignore your ice machine until it breaks down. So why do that with your dartboards? Regular checks and maintenance are key. Make sure the equipment is aligned properly, the scoring works, and everything is in top shape. If something breaks, fix it. Nothing kills the vibe faster than broken equipment, and trust us, no one’s paying top dollar for a half-working experience.
Don’t Let It Sit Idle (Like Burgers Going Cold)
When it comes to darts, time is burgers. Letting your interactive darts system sit idle is like having a stack of burgers under the heat lamp that no one’s buying. Eventually, they’re going to go stale, and what’s worse than throwing away perfectly good burgers? It’s better to sell them at a discount, surely? Same goes for darts. If it’s just sitting there collecting dust, you may as well run a promo or give people a free trial to get them playing. Because an empty dartboard, like a wasted burger, is a missed opportunity for cash or to appear popular.
So, whether you're flipping patties or promoting darts, remember: something is always better than nothing. The cost is fixed whether people play or not, so you might as well get people throwing!
