Overview
Brisbane is already home to a mini-golf bar, multiple arcade bars, several axe-throwing bars and a digital ping pong bar — and soon it'll welcome a huge new two-storey darts hangout, too. Usually the domain of old-school pubs, the projectile-flinging sport will be the main attraction at Oche Brisbane, though, it'll get a thoroughly 21st-century update.
With its OG location in Oslo, Norway, Oche (pronounced ockey) is set to open its first Australian digs in Fortitude Valley on Friday, December 6. It'll feature dart boards that look exactly how you remember — but they'll have an electronic component. Each board comes with dozens of games built in, so you can pick between the knockout-style Killer, high-scoring High Striker and points-accumulating 201, among other options. The boards also keep score, so there's no need for a pencil and paper (and no room for arguments). And, for unknown reasons, some of them will chat to you as well.
Setting up shop within the brick walls of the 115-year-old Old Flour Mill Building on Constance Street, Oche's darts sessions run for 85 minutes, and are designed to get patrons to do something that's definitely not common these days: put down your phone. The idea is that you'll head along with your mates, get drinking, throw a heap of darts, and forget about your emails, Insta feed, DMs and the like. (You'll probably keep picking up your phone to take and post snaps, but hey, getting folks to switch off is a noble aim).
Oche Oslo
Inside the 700-square-metre, heritage-listed spot, Oche will also feature an outdoor terrace, plus two separate bars, with one dedicated to local beverages. It'll spotlight different local breweries, distillers and winemakers each month, starting with Green Beacon in December. Or, you can sip your way through the regular beer and wine list, or opt for cocktails that'll pay tribute to Brisbane.
Food-wise, Ben Williamson (Gerard's Bar) is overseeing the menu — and, so you can hurl darts and eat simultaneously, everything will be designed to be eaten with one hand. In fact, Oche won't be stocking cutlery. The food lineup hasn't been revealed, but there is talk of cheesecake on a stick, and vegan and vegetarian options will also feature.
Expect to have plenty of company while you're throwing darts at boards for bragging rights — Oche will be able to accommodate 360 people.
Once Oche Brisbane is open, the company plans to expand to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.
Find Oche Brisbane at 111 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, from Friday, December 6.