Doyles Tavern, darts in Holloway / Islington

Photo: Doyles Tavern

Doyles Tavern: Darts in Holloway, London

FreeWalk-in2 boardsLeague pubSports TVBeer garden

379 Caledonian Road, Holloway, London · N7 9DQ · Mo-Th 10:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:30; Su 12:00-22:30

Doyles Tavern is a family-run sports pub on Caledonian Road in Holloway, a few doors from Caledonian Road and Barnsbury station. It is the kind of local where the darts are free, the football is always on, and nobody bats an eye if you wander over to the board with a pint in hand. There are two dartboards and a pool table in the games area, so you can rock up with a few mates and get a game going without booking anything. The pub has been in the same family for over 25 years and fields its own team, Doyles, in the Archway and District Darts League, so the regulars here can genuinely play. If you want a no-frills North London boozer for casual darts and live sport, this is a solid shout.

The darts setup

You get two dartboards here, set up in the games area alongside a pool table. This is a traditional pub board, not a fancy bookable oche with automatic scoring, so you chalk up yourself and play on a first-come basis. There is no charge to throw, no time slot, and no deposit. Just grab the board when it is free. Because Doyles runs a league team, the boards are well used and there are usually people around who know what they are doing, which is handy if you want a proper game rather than just lobbing arrows after a pint.

The darts scene here

Doyles is a genuine league pub. The Doyles team plays in the Archway and District Darts League, managed by Scott Robinson, and has held top-of-the-table form in recent seasons, including a 9-6 home win over an N19 side. That means the regulars take their doubles seriously, and the board sees real competition rather than the occasional casual fling. If you fancy testing yourself against players who practise, or you are thinking about joining a North London darts side, this is a good place to show up, watch a match night, and get talking to the team.

Good to know

Doyles is a proper sports pub, so expect Sky and BT Sports across six HD screens plus a 130-inch projector when there is a big match on. There is a beer garden out back if you want air, and Friday and Saturday nights bring DJs, live bands or disco karaoke. Note that cask ale is not served, so this is more lager-and-lively than real-ale-and-quiet. Hours are long: open from 10:00 most days and through to 01:30 on Friday and Saturday. The pub is family-owned and has been run by the same family for over 25 years.

Get directions

Common questions

What is Doyles Tavern?
It is a family-run sports pub at 379 Caledonian Road in Holloway, North London. It has two dartboards, a pool table, sports on six HD screens plus a 130-inch projector, a beer garden, and live music or disco karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.
Is the darts free to play at Doyles Tavern?
Yes. The dartboards are free to use. It is a normal pub board, so there is no charge, no booking and no deposit. You just play when the board is free.
Do you need to book darts at Doyles Tavern?
No. There is no booking system. Walk in and take a board when it is free, on a first-come basis.
How many dartboards are there at Doyles Tavern?
There are two dartboards in the games area, alongside a pool table.
Does Doyles Tavern have a darts team?
Yes. Doyles fields a team in the Archway and District Darts League, so the regulars play competitively. It is a good spot if you want a serious game or are looking to join a North London darts side.
What is the nearest station to Doyles Tavern?
Caledonian Road and Barnsbury station is about 150 metres away. Highbury and Islington is roughly 950 metres on foot.

Other darts bars nearby