Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub
Cheshire Cheese: Darts in City of London, London
The Cheshire Cheese is a big traditional sports pub tucked under Fenchurch Street station, and it has quietly turned into one of the best darts spots in the City. After a 2024 refit, the darts room got three new Winmau Blade 6 boards with lighting surrounds and laser oches, which is why it has become a CoLDA league fixture and a popular after-work throw. It suits darts crowds, office groups and anyone who wants a pint and a proper board rather than a novelty venue. The single most useful thing to know: early-evening slots fill fast, so book a board online if you are coming straight from work. There is a pool table too, plus a wall of Sky and BT Sport screens for the big fixtures.
Contact
- Phone 020 7702 1628
- Website Visit site ↗
- Address 48-50 Crutched Friars, Tower Hill, City of London, EC3N 2AP
Opening hours
- Mon 11:00-23:00
- Tue 11:00-23:00
- Wed 11:00-23:00
- Thu 11:00-23:00
- Fri 11:00-23:00
- Sat 12:00-22:00
- Sun 12:00-20:00
Good to know
- Darts
- Cocktails
- Wine list
- Kitchen
- Dog friendly
- Wi-Fi
- Sports screened
The darts setup
Three boards sit in a dedicated darts room, and they are not the tired old setups you find in most City pubs. The 2024 refurbishment fitted three Winmau Blade 6 boards, each with a lighting surround and a laser oche, so your throw line is marked properly and the board is lit evenly. It is a real step up, which is why CoLDA league players rate it and use it for matches. You can reserve a board through the online booking system. A £5 per hour charge is listed against the boards, though regulars report they have never actually been asked to pay it.
Good to know
This is a surprisingly large pub sitting right under Fenchurch Street station, so it absorbs a big after-work crowd without feeling cramped. Alongside the darts room there is a pool table and a wall of TVs, including an 85 inch screen, with Sky Sports and BT Sport covering football, cricket and the rest. Food runs through the day, with burgers, grills and curries, and there is a bigger upstairs bar that works for private parties and group bookings. Drinks are standard pub range: lager, ale and wine. Book a board ahead for early-evening slots, which go quickly.
The darts scene here
The Cheshire Cheese is a CoLDA approved venue, meaning it hosts City of London Darts Association league play, and it also appears on the Capital Arrows pub list. Since the refit it has built a steady following of league players and regulars who come specifically for the boards rather than just stumbling in. That makes it a good place if you actually want to play seriously, but it also means the boards get busy on league and early-evening nights. Beginners and casual groups are welcome on the off-peak slots, especially earlier in the day when the room is quieter.
Common questions
- What is the Cheshire Cheese in the City of London?
- It is a large traditional sports pub at 48-50 Crutched Friars, EC3N 2AP, tucked under Fenchurch Street station. Since a 2024 refit it has a dedicated darts room with three Winmau Blade 6 boards, and it is a CoLDA league venue. There is also a pool table and plenty of sports screens.
- Is darts free to play at the Cheshire Cheese?
- It is a free pub board rather than a paid entertainment venue. You can reserve a board online, and although a £5 per hour charge is listed, regulars report they have never been asked to pay it. Most people just buy drinks and play.
- Do you need to book a dart board at the Cheshire Cheese?
- You can walk in, but the boards get busy, especially in the early evening after work. Booking a board online ahead of time is the safer bet if you are coming with a group or want a guaranteed slot.
- How many dart boards does the Cheshire Cheese have?
- There are three boards, all Winmau Blade 6 models fitted during the 2024 refurbishment, each with a lighting surround and a laser oche in a dedicated darts room.
- What are the Cheshire Cheese opening hours?
- It is open Monday to Friday 11:00 to 23:00, Saturday 12:00 to 22:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 20:00. Food is served through the day.
- What is the nearest station to the Cheshire Cheese?
- Fenchurch Street station is directly above the pub, and Tower Hill (District and Circle lines) and Aldgate are both a short walk away.
Other darts bars nearby
- The Cheshire Cheese (Crutched Friars) City of London City of London
- Ship City of London, EC3
- Williams / Feeney's (Aldgate Irish pub) Aldgate (E1) / City (EC3)
- The Three Tuns (Aldgate) Aldgate (City of London), EC3
- The Three Tuns Aldgate (City of London / Tower Hamlets, EC3)
- Roxy Ball Room St Mary Axe St Mary Axe