If a classic dart pub and a modern cocktail bar had a baby, it would be Oche, and oh boy it would be the nepo baby of everyone’s dreams.
Oche, pronounced hockey without the h, is the name of the line that you stand behind when you throw a dart (you learn something new everyday hey). Which is obviously the perfect name for a venue where you can have some drinks, throw some darts, and catch up with your mates.
Oche is not your ordinary run down dart bar (no shade to any dart bars reading, we love you too). Oche is the manifestation of what Back to the Future thought bars would look like in 2015 (okay so they were a couple years and a few hoverboards off, but close enough).
The venue has a scattering of lush forestry and wooden accents, with warm toned mood lighting giving a soft glow to the venue.
The private dart booths look as if Cinderella’s fairy godmother walked into a bowling alley and used her magic wand, transforming it into the most beautiful, stylish dart bar in all the land (aka Melbourne).
And although there are darts and a board, the whole gameplay experience is digitized, so no need for your uncle sitting in the back, pen and notepad in hand, trying to keep up with who’s ahead. There’s no chance at sneakily cheating a win when there is digital accuracy determining where your dart landed.
The booths have a few different games programmed, including High Striker, Killer, 201 and Shanghai. If you love the classic 501, give Oche’s version, 201, a go. Or if you’re competitive by nature, play a round of High Striker and get the highest score to win!
The people at Oche live by one simple belief, life itself is a cocktail. Former World Bartender of the Year, Adam MacDonald, has developed a drinks list which includes a choice of cocktails from across the globe. He’s even gone so far as to resurrect the often forgotten appletini, now with a new smoky twist.
Or, if you like your cocktails a bit more citrusy and sour, order yourself a Thin Red Line, which according to Oche, will remind you of a WHISKEY SOUR only it’s “Whey” better.
If all that dart throwing gets you hungry (because, yes, it is a sport) order yourself some well deserved food. The menu at Oche has been specifically curated so you can dine with one hand, and throw your dart with the other.
This includes a range of mouthwatering pizzas (gluten-free and dairy-free available), mini sliders, tacos, bao buns, skewers and much more! Just typing this up is making my stomach grumble.
Book ahead with your group, with sessions starting at $33pp for 1.5 hours. And remember, the longer you book, the less you pay per hour. So plan ahead and bunker down for a night of fun. Food and beverage packages are also available for groups of 4 or more.
Whether you’re just taking things off the apps, or you’ve been together 3 years, Oche will be sure to add a bit of spice into your night. And if you run out of things to say, well that’s when you pick up a dart and say “my turn”.
The venue is also available to be hired for functions. Yep, that’s right! You can have a cocktail in one hand and throw a dart with the other at your next big event.
Trust me when I say even Gertrude from HR won’t be complaining when you suggest Oche for your next team-building exercise. And if she does, point her in the direction of the heavily stocked cocktail bar and I’m sure you’ll win her over.
