Oche
Fortitude Valley
Oche, Brisbane's first dedicated darts bar can be found in Fortitude Valley's heritage-listed Old Flour Mill.
While the setting is 115 years old, the traditional game of darts has been brought into the 21st century at Oche, as is the bar food, which is some of the finest in Brisbane.
Step through the doors of the old mill to be greeted by a host who then takes you to the check-in counter/bar where there are 2 sections - for pre-booked and drop-in. It is highly recommend that patrons pre-book sessions (which run for 85 minutes) as at busy times there can be a wait.
Upon checking in, you are ushered to a darts booth, of which there are 14 (both single and double) throughout the premise and it is here that you settle in to play, drink and dine. There are also communal tables in the centre of the old mill for those who just want a drink and bite to eat or whilst waiting for a booth.
The entire premise is stunning, with original polished wooden floorboards, dark wooden booths with maroon leather seating, a mix of stained glass and sash windows, lofty ceilings, grand industrial chandeliers and a central bar with vertical greenery.
To one side is a gorgeous, covered cocktail terrace decked in greenery and overlooking the railway, with a feature Oche 'tree' which changes leaves according to seasons, and shuffleboard tables.
The terrace, the perfect spot for non-dart players to rock up and relax with a cocktail and bite to eat, has a mobile bar which will feature a rotating spirit each month, whilst the front bar inside has a 'beer wall' which will feature a different local craft beer each month.
The front bar also has a quirky feature - a 'bottoms-up' beer tap which loads the beer from underneath the counter through a special glass designed to seal at the bottom when full.
Another big attraction at Oche is the outstanding food, which has been specially designed by acclaimed Brisbane chef Ben Wiiliamson (ex-Gerards Bistro) to be held in one hand so patrons can play darts with the other.
On the menu can be found delectable creative bites such as salt blocked cobia (with charred mandarin, jalapeno, radish, seaweed and tortillas, served on a beautiful Himalayan pink sea salt block), whole fried squid (with sobrassada aioli and lemon, popcorn Bekka chicken with harissa emulsion, kishk yoghurt and rose), fried school prawns (with tom yum dust and heavenly tacos).
There's also a charcuterie board (available until close), Charred Lamb Cutlets with fenugreek, sumac and pickled peppers and a range of handmade pizza, with toppings such as confit onion, tomato, basturma, labne, pinenut and mint or N’duja sausage, stracciatella, pickled peppers. In addition,there are bespoke sweets such as mango and coconut macadamia ice-cream (on a stick, naturally).
Need to know - Oche is a strictly 18 years + venue. It also makes a perfect place for the Valley lunch crowd to sit on the terrace and enjoy the delicious food with a view (games optional).
Image credit: Food & cocktail images supplied by venue
Check out our full list of Fortitude Valley bars HERE