The Rising Sun (Lewisham), darts in Lewisham, SE13

Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub

The Rising Sun (Lewisham): Darts in London

FreeWalk-inLeague pubPool tableBeer garden

120 Loampit Vale, Lewisham, London · SE13 7SN · Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30

The Rising Sun is a proper local boozer on Loampit Vale, a short walk from Lewisham station, with a dartboard you can play for free. It is a Hither Green Darts League venue, so the board is a real fixture here, not an afterthought, and the regulars know their way around it. The setup is straightforward pub darts: turn up, chalk on, and play. Alongside the board there is a pool table, Sky and TNT Sports on the screens, and a large garden out the back for the warmer months. Refurbished in 2020 and run as an unpretentious neighbourhood pub, it suits anyone who wants a casual game with a pint rather than a booked, scored session. If you want to throw a few legs without paying for an oche, this is an easy bet in SE13.

The darts setup

This is classic pub darts, not a bookable booth. The board is a standard fixture in the bar, free to play, and you sort games out among yourselves rather than reserving a slot. Because The Rising Sun competes in the Hither Green Darts League, the board sees regular league play across the season, so expect it to be in proper nick and occasionally busy on match nights. There is no automatic scoring or app booking here. Bring your own arrows if you have them, or use whatever the pub keeps behind the bar, and keep score on the chalkboard the old-fashioned way.

Good to know

Darts is free to play, so there is nothing to book and no session fee. Just walk in and ask at the bar. The pub also has a pool table and shows Sky Sports and TNT Sports on the screens, plus a large garden to the rear for summer. It is family-friendly until 8pm, and there is 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi. Open noon to 11pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 10:30pm on Sunday. It was refurbished in 2020 and is run as a down-to-earth local, so it works well for a relaxed game with friends rather than a polished, scored experience.

The darts scene here

The Rising Sun is one of the Hither Green Darts League venues, sitting alongside spots like The Joiners Arms in Lewisham, The Perry Hill in Catford and the Hither Green Railway Club. That means there is a genuine throwing crowd here, with league matches running through the season and locals who play regularly. If you want a casual game it is easy to get on the board outside match times, and if you are keen to play more seriously it is the kind of pub where you can ask about the league. Either way, the darts feel like part of the furniture rather than a gimmick.

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Common questions

What is The Rising Sun in Lewisham?
It is a traditional local pub at 120 Loampit Vale, SE13 7SN, with a dartboard, a pool table and a large rear garden. It plays in the Hither Green Darts League, so darts is a regular fixture rather than an occasional thing.
Is darts free to play at The Rising Sun?
Yes. The dartboard is a free-to-play pub board. There is no session fee and nothing to pay to use it, though you will want to buy a drink as you would in any pub.
Do you need to book to play darts there?
No. There is no booking system. Just walk in and ask at the bar to use the board. It can be busier on league match nights, so it is worth checking if a fixture is on if you want a quiet game.
Is The Rising Sun good for beginners and groups?
Yes. It is a casual neighbourhood pub rather than a competitive darts hall, so a relaxed game with friends fits right in. There is also a pool table and a garden, which makes it easy for a group to settle in.
What are The Rising Sun's opening hours?
It is open noon to 11pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 10:30pm on Sunday. It is family-friendly until 8pm.
What is the nearest station to The Rising Sun?
Lewisham station is the closest, about a 10-minute walk. Buses 21, 136, 321 and 436 also stop nearby.

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