Williams / Feeney's (Aldgate Irish pub), darts in Aldgate (E1) / City (EC3)

Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub

Williams / Feeney's (Aldgate Irish pub): Darts in London

FreeWalk-in1 boardLeague pubLive music

48 Mark Lane, Tower Hill, London ยท EC3R 7QH

Feeney's is a proper Irish pub in the City, sitting on Mark Lane just off Fenchurch Street between Tower Hill and Monument. The draw is Guinness, a warm welcome and an unpretentious darts setup rather than anything dressed up for a night out. The single steel-tip board lives on the right as you walk in, and it is free to play whenever it is quiet, so you can grab it for a casual leg after work without booking a thing.

This is a regulars' pub with a league side, so the darts here mean something. It suits anyone who wants real bristle-board darts in the Square Mile, a post-work pint with workmates, or a low-key game without the polish (and price) of a bookable darts bar. Come early on a quiet afternoon and the board is usually yours.

The darts setup

There is one traditional steel-tip bristle board, the kind you throw tungsten darts at, not a soft-tip machine or an automatic-scoring screen. You will find it on the right as you come through the door. On nights when the league team is playing it gets shifted to the other side of the bar, where there is a bit more room behind the oche and fewer people in the throwing line. There is no electronic scoring, so bring your own chalk-and-board mental maths or a scoring app on your phone. Casual play is free when the board is free, which is most of the time outside league fixtures.

The darts scene here

Feeney's runs a league team, so this is a playing pub rather than a board that just hangs on the wall for show. That means a few evenings a week the board is given over to fixtures and the regulars who turn out for them, which is worth knowing if you are rolling in with a group hoping to play. The flip side is that the standard is decent and the atmosphere around the oche is friendly, with plenty of craic at the bar. If you want a clear run at the board, aim for a quiet weekday afternoon rather than a league night.

Good to know

Feeney's is a traditional Irish pub first and a darts spot second, so expect a proper City boozer: well-kept Guinness, three house beers (a lager, a pale ale and an IPA) brewed for them by Franciscan Well in Cork, and live traditional Irish music midweek. It is a short walk from Tower Hill, Fenchurch Street and Monument, which makes it an easy after-work stop. There is no charge to play darts and no booking system; you just turn up and use the board when it is free. Drinks and any food are paid for at the bar in the usual pub way.

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Common questions

What is Feeney's in the City of London?
Feeney's is a traditional Irish pub at 48 Mark Lane, EC3R 7QH, near Tower Hill and Fenchurch Street. Alongside well-kept Guinness and live Irish music, it keeps a steel-tip dartboard that you can play for free.
Is darts free to play at Feeney's?
Yes. Feeney's has a free pub dartboard, so casual play costs nothing as long as the board is free. You just pay for your drinks at the bar.
Do you need to book to play darts at Feeney's?
No. There is no booking system. It is walk-in only, so you grab the board when it is free. The main exception is league nights, when the team has the board for fixtures.
How many dartboards does Feeney's have?
One. It is a single traditional steel-tip bristle board, located on the right near the entrance and moved to the other side of the bar on league nights for more space.
Is Feeney's good for groups or beginners?
With only one board it suits a small group rather than a big party, and casual beginners are welcome when the board is free. For a guaranteed clear run, come on a quiet weekday afternoon rather than a league night.
What is the nearest station to Feeney's on Mark Lane?
Tower Hill is the closest Underground station, with Fenchurch Street and Monument both a short walk away in the City of London.

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