In today's competitive hospitality landscape, venues need more than great food and drinks to stand out. Customers are seeking memorable experiences that make their visit special. Interactive darts systems have emerged as a powerful tool for venues looking to increase footfall, extend customer visits, and boost revenue—especially through food and drink sales.
The Darts Boom: Why Now?
The sport of darts is experiencing unprecedented popularity. The 2024 PDC World Championship final reached a peak audience of 3.7 million viewers in the UK, making it the most-watched non-football event on Sky Sports. This surge is driven by media coverage and new stars like Luke Littler, creating a massive and growing customer base for venues with modern darts facilities.
Grassroots participation has more than doubled in some areas, with a significant boom in young players. This trend represents a huge opportunity for forward-thinking venues to tap into an engaged, growing market.
Why Interactive Darts Systems Are Game-Changers
1. Attract a Wider Audience
Unlike traditional darts, interactive systems appeal to both seasoned players and complete beginners. The intuitive touchscreen interface and variety of game modes make it accessible to anyone. From groups of friends on a night out to families looking for entertainment, interactive darts opens your venue to a broader customer base.
The technology eliminates barriers to entry—no need to know complex scoring rules or worry about manual scorekeeping. This accessibility is key to attracting customers who might never have considered playing traditional darts.
2. Increase Midweek Footfall
One of the most significant benefits is the boost to midweek business. Commercial reports from early installations show strong uptake from local leagues, increased midweek footfall, and measurable uplifts in bar sales. Interactive darts systems create a reason for customers to visit during traditionally quieter periods, helping to smooth out revenue across the week.
3. Boost Revenue Through Extended Dwell Time
The real value of interactive darts isn't in the game itself—it's in what customers buy while they're there. The longer customers stay, the more they spend on food and drinks. Interactive darts encourages groups to extend their visit, whether they're ordering extra rounds, enjoying food while they play, or booking in advance for birthdays and celebrations.
Venues that have introduced interactive darts systems often see noticeable increases in both bar and food sales. The game becomes a reason to stay longer, creating multiple opportunities for additional purchases throughout the evening.
4. Enhanced Customer Experience
Modern customers want entertainment that feels immersive and engaging. Interactive darts systems deliver this through:
- Accurate, reliable scoring: Advanced technology eliminates disputes and errors from manual scorekeeping, ensuring a fair and transparent gaming experience
- Real-time feedback: Built-in displays show scores, statistics, heatmaps, and even fun memes that add personality to the game
- Variety of game modes: From classic games like 301 and Cricket to exciting variations and challenges, there's something for every skill level
- Attractive visual displays: Vibrant graphics, animations, and interactive features create a dynamic atmosphere that keeps players engaged
5. Competitive Socialising Trend
Interactive darts is part of the fast-growing "experiential leisure" trend, which is currently outperforming traditional entertainment options. This movement combines games and entertainment with food and drink to create a unique social environment. By adding interactive darts to your venue, you're tapping into one of the hottest trends in hospitality today.
6. Encourage Repeat Business and Loyalty
When customers have a great time, they want to come back. Interactive darts systems encourage repeat visits by offering something fresh and different each time. Regulars can enjoy competing with friends, while new customers are drawn in by word-of-mouth and social media buzz.
The gamification elements—like tracking progress, statistics, and achievements—create additional reasons for customers to return and improve their skills.
The Real Revenue Opportunity: Food and Drink
It's important to understand that interactive darts systems aren't primarily revenue generators through game fees. The real value comes from increased food and drink sales. When customers are engaged in a game, they:
- Stay longer, leading to more drink orders
- Order food to enjoy while playing
- Book tables for longer periods
- Return more frequently with friends
This is where venues see the most significant return on investment. The darts system becomes a vehicle for driving the core business: food and drink sales.
Key Considerations
Customer Appeal
Interactive darts systems can differentiate your business from competitors and create buzz among customers. The state-of-the-art technology appeals to tech-savvy players seeking a modern gaming experience, while the accessibility attracts casual players who might not try traditional darts.
Maintenance and Support
Like any technology-based product, interactive darts systems may require occasional maintenance or technical support. When choosing a system, ensure you have access to reliable technical assistance to keep the equipment operational and minimize downtime. Many providers offer setup assistance and 24/7 support.
Cost Analysis
While interactive darts systems offer numerous advantages, it's important to evaluate the cost implications for your business. Consider:
- Initial investment in the system
- Maintenance expenses
- Potential return on investment through increased customer engagement and revenue
- The indirect revenue from food and drink sales
The key is to view the system as an investment in customer experience and footfall, with revenue primarily coming from increased food and drink sales rather than game fees.
Measurable Results
Early adopters of interactive darts systems report:
- Strong uptake from local leagues, creating regular midweek business
- Increased midweek footfall, helping to smooth out revenue across the week
- Measurable uplift in bar sales, driven by longer dwell times
- Enhanced customer engagement, leading to repeat visits and word-of-mouth marketing
Getting Started with Vennerz
If you're considering adding interactive darts to your venue, Vennerz can help you manage bookings, pricing, and customer engagement. Our platform makes it easy to:
- Accept bookings for dartboard time slots
- Set flexible pricing based on time of day or day of week
- Manage multiple boards or gaming areas
- Track bookings and revenue
- Integrate with third-party darts systems like Dartsee & 501Fun (Beta)
Interactive darts systems are quickly becoming a must-have for forward-thinking pubs, bars, and entertainment venues. If you're looking to attract new customers, boost revenue through food and drink sales, and create an unforgettable atmosphere, now is the perfect time to invest.
Ready to transform your venue? Get started with Vennerz today and discover how our booking platform can help you maximize the value of your interactive darts investment.