Flight Club, an international event venue that combines darts enthusiasts and socialising, is preparing for the opening of its first New York City location. Founded in 2012 by British friends Steve Moore and Paul Barham, the chain has evolved from a series of imaginative pubs for darts players in the UK into a global venue bringing people together with food, entertainment, drinks, and darts.
Operating under licence, State of Play Hospitality runs Flight Club in North America and is now opening its twelfth US location at 31 Union Square West. The building, constructed between 1902 and 1903, once served as the headquarters of the Bank of Metropolis and housed the Blue Water Grill restaurant from 1996 to 2019. The choice of a historically significant property in a vibrant restaurant and entertainment district was crucial for the location in New York City.
Historic Ambience Meets Modern Concept
'The brand owners in the UK have always sought out historic, architecturally significant, and aesthetically pleasing buildings,' explained Toby Harris, President and CEO of State of Play Hospitality. 'That has always been a pillar of the brand in the UK, and it's wonderful that we could find such a building in New York.' The Union Square West location is designed to reflect Flight Club's aesthetic. At the same time, the expected clientele, a mix of corporate clients and private guests, will find unique elements owing to the property's historic character.
'The building dates back to the early 20th century,' Harris noted. 'It’s a spectacular space, and we've tried to retain as many original features as possible, starting with the former banking hall on the ground floor, which is blessed with magnificent marble on the walls and amazing mosaic tiles on the floor. A grand marble staircase connects the ground floor to the basement premises.'
Renovation with Focus on Ceiling Height and Design
As part of the renovation, State of Play Hospitality removed a mezzanine level that was part of the Blue Water Grill's configuration and led to lower ceiling heights. A low ceiling height might be suitable for a restaurant, but not for a dynamic entertainment venue where darts fly. 'We had to remove the mezzanine, which revealed more of the marble and the impressive coffered ceiling,' Harris said. 'There are very high ceilings, and we have installed the Flight Club ring lights – a central brand feature – throughout.'
Flight Club's overall look is that of an upscale, imaginative Victorian English pub design. 'We strongly believe that when you walk into a Flight Club, you should immediately recognise that we are a cocktail bar, an upscale environment, and a place where you immediately get a sense of quality,' Harris remarked. 'The bar is always the heart, complemented by plenty of cabochon lighting and fairground elements, which creates a very stimulating and high-energy atmosphere.' This uplifting sense of fantasy also extends to the areas where guests can test their darts skills. Each of these playing zones, known as an oche, which rhymes with 'hockey', features different themes, including hot air balloons, animals, and old-fashioned fairgrounds.
State of Play Hospitality plans to open Flight Club at 31 Union Square West at the end of September or beginning of October, with the aim of establishing further locations in Manhattan.
