The day came when pubs in England were allowed to open indoors again, and some, it seems, allow darts. The picture is one of much confusion, but here’s some stuff worth knowing:
- Some venues are definitely allowing darts to be played (not least Flight Club, which is open for darting business), which means some people have made an assessment that it is permissable within the rules. This is good news. Flight Club’s website says ‘Whilst playing in your semi-private space you’ll be able to socially distance from other groups safely’ – so this, it seems, is how they are dealing with it
- Some venues are insisting on wearing a face covering while you throw. Options here seem to be: i. Just accept it; ii. Glue a chair to your arse; iii. Go somewhere else; iv. Make a rational case to the staff that you are in a semi-private area.
- A more radical line of argument if you want to play proper darts is ‘organised indoor sport.’ Darts has, of course, been classified as a sport in the UK since 2005 – and there’s no limit on group numbers for sport which is ‘formally organised by a qualified instructor, club or national governing body’. Follow WDF rules, or you could ask a qualified darts instructor (which in London/south east I think probably means Wayne Mardle or me, and I’m cheaper).
Pub darts in central London is in real trouble. Pubs in London are in real trouble. It may not be a particularly important impact of Covid-19, but the nail in the coffin of London’s darts leagues will be a sad by-product.
I will plan to find some venues which are open and share what I learn in time. Do get in touch with anything you know – @bachelorofdarts on twitter, or bachelorofdarts@gmail.com.
I hope to share an oche with you some time soon.