What is Williams Ale and Cider House?

It is a traditional City pub on Artillery Lane in Spitalfields, near Liverpool Street, known for its ale and cider range and for darts. The back room has three dartboards approved by the City of London Darts Association, and they host regular tournaments.

Is darts free at Williams Ale and Cider House?

Yes. These are free pub boards, so there is no charge to play and no booking system. You just walk in and use a board when one is free.

Do you need to book a board, or can you just walk in?

You can just walk in. There is no booking and no timed sessions. Turn up, wait for a free board at the back, and play. Arriving early on a weekday gives you a better chance of a clear board before the after-work crowd fills the place.

How many dartboards are there?

Three. They sit side by side in the rear section of the pub, which is also where the City of London Darts Association league fixtures and tournaments take place.

What are the opening hours?

Monday noon to 10pm, Tuesday to Saturday noon to 11pm, and Sunday noon to 10pm.

What is the nearest station?

Liverpool Street is the closest station, just a few minutes' walk away. The pub sits between the station and Spitalfields Market in the E1 7LS area.

Williams Ale and Cider House, darts in Spitalfields / Whitechapel (City of London), E1

Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub

Williams Ale and Cider House: Darts in Spitalfields, London

FreeWalk-in3 boardsLeague pubAles & ciders

Williams Ale and Cider House is a proper City drinking pub on Artillery Lane, tucked between Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields Market. The big draw for throwers is the back room, where three dartboards sit side by side and host regular tournaments. The boards are approved by the City of London Darts Association, so this is a known league stop rather than a token board in the corner.

It suits casual players and after-work groups who want a few legs over a good pint. The single most useful thing to know: there is no booking and no charge to play, you just turn up and grab a board when it is free. Come early if you want a clear run, because the place fills up and gets loud once the office crowd arrives.

Contact

Address 22-24 Artillery Lane, Spitalfields, London, E1 7LS

Opening hours

Mon 12:00-22:00
Tue 12:00-23:00
Wed 12:00-23:00
Thu 12:00-23:00
Fri 12:00-23:00
Sat 12:00-23:00
Sun 12:00-22:00

The darts setup

Three boards run along the rear section of the pub, set next to each other so groups can spread out or take turns. It is a traditional pub arrangement: bristle boards and chalk-or-app scoring, no automatic machines or bookable oches. The City of London Darts Association lists it as an approved venue, which means league sides play their fixtures here through the week. One thing worth flagging from regulars: the oche underfoot is slightly uneven, so check your footing before you settle into a stance. There is enough room at the back to throw without bumping into drinkers, though it tightens up when it gets busy.

Good to know

This is a free pub board, so there is nothing to pay and nothing to reserve. Walk in, wait for a board, and play. Behind the bar you get fourteen handpumps split evenly between cask ales and ciders (Weston's among the cider lineup), which is the pub's real calling card alongside the darts. There is a food menu of pub classics if you want to make a night of it. Several HD screens show live terrestrial sport, so big rugby, football and tennis fixtures pull a crowd. Aim for an early evening arrival on a weekday if you want a quieter board, since it gets loud and packed once work finishes.

The darts scene here

Williams is a genuine league pub, not just somewhere with a board nobody uses. It is on the City of London Darts Association's approved venue list, and the three boards host frequent tournaments, so you may find a fixture in progress on a given night. That makes it a friendly place to test yourself against players who throw regularly, and the staff have a reputation for being helpful if you are new and unsure where to stand. If you are after a serious league atmosphere in the Square Mile rather than a casual one-off, this is one of the spots locals point you to.

Get directions

Common questions

What is Williams Ale and Cider House?: It is a traditional City pub on Artillery Lane in Spitalfields, near Liverpool Street, known for its ale and cider range and for darts. The back room has three dartboards approved by the City of London Darts Association, and they host regular tournaments.
Is darts free at Williams Ale and Cider House?: Yes. These are free pub boards, so there is no charge to play and no booking system. You just walk in and use a board when one is free.
Do you need to book a board, or can you just walk in?: You can just walk in. There is no booking and no timed sessions. Turn up, wait for a free board at the back, and play. Arriving early on a weekday gives you a better chance of a clear board before the after-work crowd fills the place.
How many dartboards are there?: Three. They sit side by side in the rear section of the pub, which is also where the City of London Darts Association league fixtures and tournaments take place.
What are the opening hours?: Monday noon to 10pm, Tuesday to Saturday noon to 11pm, and Sunday noon to 10pm.
What is the nearest station?: Liverpool Street is the closest station, just a few minutes' walk away. The pub sits between the station and Spitalfields Market in the E1 7LS area.

Other darts bars nearby

Players Social Spitalfields Spitalfields
KERB Social Club Spitalfields Spitalfields
Boom Battle Bar Liverpool Street Liverpool Street
Duke of Somerset Aldgate (Tower Hamlets), E1
The Three Tuns (Aldgate) Aldgate (City of London), EC3
The Three Tuns Aldgate (City of London / Tower Hamlets, EC3)