Casey tries: Flight Club offers more than darts
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Flight Club opened in the former Saks Fifth Avenue last December. Now, with Elm Street Plaza and the convention center in full swing, the area has more buzz and foot traffic. Photos: Casey Weldon/Axios
Flight Club had me enamored on social media long before I made it through its downtown doors. High-tech darts, cocktails and a wild Victorian vibe? I was intrigued.
Now that I've tried it, I'm glad I did.
The vibe: Think English pub meets Victorian fairground, GM Alex Uehlein tells Axios.
- Dark wood, green walls, floral wallpaper, vintage curiosities and, naturally, a carousel horse.
State of play: Rent one of 10 semi-private dart booths, called oches (pronounced "ockeys"), and pick from seven games.
- Oches run $15-$17 per person for 90 minutes, depending on the time of day.
- The tech keeps score and sends you photos and videos afterward.
It's like duckpin bowling or Topgolf. Sporty, but not cutthroat.
- Unless your friends are like me and make it that way.
Pro tip: OK, so there's no actual Cricket or 301/501 games, but games like Shanghai and Demolition are similar.
- You can't bring your own darts.
More than darts: The menu is upscale bar fare with flatbreads, wings, tacos, truffle fries and even a weekend brunch.
- I had the meatballs ($16) and calamari ($13).
The cocktails have more swagger, with options like the $13 Jungle Bird, made with Appleton Estate rum, Goslings Black Seal rum, pineapple and Aperol.
- The $17 Espresso Old Fashioned is the signature drink, which might tell you everything you need to know about the place.
The bottom line: Flight Club is less neighborhood dart bar, more night-out activity.
- It's a fun stop with friends before or after dinner, a game or a show.
If you go: 125 W. 5th St. Open daily; hours vary. Menu.