What is The Brown Bear in Aldgate?

It is a Grade II listed Edwardian pub at 139 Leman Street, E1 8EY, near Aldgate East. It is a traditional boozer with one proper dartboard, Thai street food and a few cask ales, and it doubles as a competitive darts venue.

Is darts at The Brown Bear free to play?

Yes. The board is a normal free pub board, so you can play over a drink with no charge and no booking. It is busiest on league nights when teams are in, so the board may be in use then.

Do you need to book to play darts at The Brown Bear?

No, there is no booking. It is a walk-in pub board on a first come basis. The main thing to watch for is league fixtures, when the board is taken up by matches on certain evenings.

How many dartboards does The Brown Bear have?

There is one board, set up with a custom Brown Bear surround and a removable metal oche. During matches a curtain is drawn to the right of the board to keep people out of the throwing line.

Is The Brown Bear good for league or competitive darts?

Yes. It is approved by the City of London Darts Association (CoLDA) and hosts several teams across different nights, including the Viaduct Exiles in the CBFI Darts League, so the standard on match nights is high.

What is the nearest station to The Brown Bear?

Aldgate East underground station is about a five minute walk away, which makes the pub an easy stop at the south end of Leman Street near the City.

The Brown Bear, darts in Aldgate (Tower Hamlets), E1

Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub

The Brown Bear: Darts in Aldgate, London

FreeWalk-inLeague pubThai foodGrade II listed

The Brown Bear is a Grade II listed Edwardian boozer at the bottom of Leman Street, a few minutes from Aldgate East. It is a proper traditional pub rather than a slick darts bar, and it is one of the better places to throw in this corner of the City. The single board is a serious one: a custom surround stamped with the pub's name and a removable metal oche, plus a curtain that gets pulled across to keep strays out of the throwing line during games. It is free to play and you do not book, so it suits anyone who wants a casual game over a pint. Just know it is a working league venue, so weeknights can be busy when the teams are in. Landlord Rob Porter and the staff run a warm room.

Contact

Address 139 Leman Street, London, E1 8EY

Opening hours

Mon 12:00-23:30
Tue 12:00-23:30
Wed 12:00-23:30
Thu 12:00-23:30
Fri 12:00-23:30
Sat 11:00-23:30
Sun 11:00-23:30

The darts setup

There is one dartboard here, but it is set up like a venue that takes the game seriously. The board sits in a custom surround branded with the Brown Bear name, with a removable metal oche so the throwing line is the right distance every time. During matches the staff draw a curtain across the right of the board, which keeps people from wandering into the line of fire while a leg is on. It is the kind of detail you only find at a pub that actually plays competitively rather than just owning a board. Outside league nights the board is free for anyone to use over a drink.

The darts scene here

The Brown Bear is CoLDA approved (City of London Darts Association) and hosts multiple teams across different nights, including the Viaduct Exiles in the CBFI Darts League, who supplied the custom board surround. That makes it a genuine league pub rather than a casual one, so the standard on a match night can be high and the board may be tied up with fixtures. If you just want a relaxed game, an off night or earlier in the evening is your best bet. If you fancy testing yourself against regulars who play properly, this is a friendly place to do it.

Good to know

Food is Thai street food from Teparos, served at lunch and in the evening, with big portions at fair prices, so you can make a night of it. There are usually two or three cask ales on alongside the lagers, wines and spirits, plus a jukebox and a Space Invaders machine if you want a break between throws. The pub opens Monday to Friday from noon and weekends from 11am, running until 11:30pm. It is roughly a five minute walk from Aldgate East station, which makes it an easy stop on the way out of the City.

Get directions

Common questions

What is The Brown Bear in Aldgate?: It is a Grade II listed Edwardian pub at 139 Leman Street, E1 8EY, near Aldgate East. It is a traditional boozer with one proper dartboard, Thai street food and a few cask ales, and it doubles as a competitive darts venue.
Is darts at The Brown Bear free to play?: Yes. The board is a normal free pub board, so you can play over a drink with no charge and no booking. It is busiest on league nights when teams are in, so the board may be in use then.
Do you need to book to play darts at The Brown Bear?: No, there is no booking. It is a walk-in pub board on a first come basis. The main thing to watch for is league fixtures, when the board is taken up by matches on certain evenings.
How many dartboards does The Brown Bear have?: There is one board, set up with a custom Brown Bear surround and a removable metal oche. During matches a curtain is drawn to the right of the board to keep people out of the throwing line.
Is The Brown Bear good for league or competitive darts?: Yes. It is approved by the City of London Darts Association (CoLDA) and hosts several teams across different nights, including the Viaduct Exiles in the CBFI Darts League, so the standard on match nights is high.
What is the nearest station to The Brown Bear?: Aldgate East underground station is about a five minute walk away, which makes the pub an easy stop at the south end of Leman Street near the City.

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