Looking for a more traditional dining experience? Then try Levantine winner Bubala in Soho or Venetian small plate purveyor Cicchetti in Knightsbridge.
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What's the deal?
If you live in London or an equivalent large city, you’re probably familiar with the concept of “activity bars” – i.e. drinking holes that also offer activities like petanque, beer pong, or axe throwing. And, whether willingly or not, you’ve probably been to at least a couple. With the right group and attitude, they make a nice break from your standard, games-less pub outing. Only there’s usually one catch: the food, if any is offered in the first place, is usually an afterthought – burgers and mediocre pizza at best.
Enter the new era of “gastro-gaming”. It’s what Oche – a new darts-bar-meets-restaurant concept on The Strand – is billing itself as, playing up its carefully-curated menu of pan-Asian and European dishes made to go with a competitive round of dart-slinging. Purists beware: this isn’t your average target-tacked-to-the-wall, analogue dart bar. Each group is shown to their own play area, complete with a camera-outfitted target that broadcasts scores on big screens. There are also a variety of non-traditional darts games available to play – like a last-man-standing “high striker” match, or a reverse-point scoring challenge where players need to claw their score back from 201 to zero.
But half the draw here is the food, and the menu – which you can order from as you game – features finger-friendly food served on sociable sharing platters. You can choose between the eight-dish Chef’s Menu or the five-dish Ochre Menu, or opt for the mix-and-match option and select four plates from either section. Expect fancy sliders, bite-sized seafood cones, croquettes, and other grab-and-go bites. If only a pizza will do, there are also flatbread pies available. It’s not a blow-me-away meal, but it is a level up from your usual game bar fare. The drinks menu features all the classics, plus a few signature cocktails and a nice selection of agave.
At peak times, an 85-minute game is £12 a head, while off-peak slots go for £8. When you’re done throwing arrows, you can shimmy over to the more formal dining and drinking section to keep the party going – and maybe indulge in a homemade mini-Magnum. Oh, go on then.
What should I eat?
Ever slurped down an oyster after hitting a bull’s eye? You should try it. The Chef’s menu opens with plump British bivalves dashed with yuzu and wasabi.
For veggies, the warm spicy feta cheese croquettes are best, with a crisp, breaded outer layer and molten, salty cheese on the inside.
Sliders are always a welcome party snack, and Oche’s version is pretty tasty – mini beef patties between smoked marrow-flavoured brioche buns, served with a chipotle mayo.
Why should I go?
For game night with a (tasty) difference.
££££
105 Strand, London WC2R 0AA
oche.com