Best Dart Board Arcade Machines for Bars and Restaurants

I design and advise on entertainment layouts for bars and restaurants, and one piece of equipment I consistently recommend is the dart board arcade machine. A well-chosen electronic dart machine increases dwell time, generates direct coin-op or cashless revenue, and creates social energy that turns casual customers into regulars. In this article I’ll walk you through the types of dartboard arcade machines best suited for hospitality venues, how to pick and maintain them, and what to look for in a supplier. I draw on industry knowledge, standards references, and my hands-on experience installing units in dozens of venues.

Choosing the right pub entertainment: what matters most

Space, layout and customer flow

Before buying a dart board arcade machine, evaluate your physical space. Stand-up cabinets need a footprint of roughly 1.2–1.5m width and at least 2.4–3.0m of clear throw distance for safe play. Wall-mounted electronic boards save floor space but need a protected area for players and passers-by. Consider sightlines and how the machine will interact with bar seating, stage areas, or dining tables—dart play can be lively and sometimes rowdy, so positioning is important for safety and noise control.

Audience, service model and revenue expectations

Think about your typical patron: casual diners, sports-watchers, or a nightlife crowd. Coin-op or cashless-enabled dart board arcade machines work well where guests stay longer and are likely to spend on games; free-play units are more suitable when you want to prioritize atmosphere over direct game revenue. I usually recommend tracking revenue per machine for the first 12 weeks to validate ROI and tweak pricing or promotions.

Regulations, safety and standards

Equipment used in public venues should comply with electrical safety and environmental rules. For example, CE marking is required for many products sold in the EU and confirms conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards (European Commission: CE marking). For electronic components and hazardous substances, RoHS limits certain materials in electronic and electrical equipment (European Commission: RoHS). Verifying your supplier’s certifications and local compliance is essential before purchase.

Top types of dart board arcade machines for bars and restaurants

Stand-up electronic cabinets (coin-op)

Stand-up electronic cabinets are the classic arcade solution for bars. They combine the dartboard, cabinet, multi-game software, and often a coin-box or cashless payment system. These units are designed for heavy use, offer integrated scoring displays and multi-player modes, and support leagues and tournaments. Their advantages include durability, high visibility and ease of maintenance; their trade-off is the larger footprint and higher initial cost compared to wall-mounted units.

Wall-mounted electronic dart boards

Wall-mounted electronic dart board machines are compact and lower cost. They are ideal for tighter venues or where managers prefer to preserve floor space. Many modern wall-mounted machines include network connectivity and LED displays, enabling league play or remote scoreboards. In my installations, these are popular in restaurants where space is at a High Quality but some interactive entertainment is desired.

Portable and home-style electronic dartboards

Portable electronic dartboards are lightweight and often support plug-and-play use. While they lack the robustness of commercial cabinets, they are useful for pop-up events, private bookings, or as temporary replacements during maintenance. For bars considering seasonal or event-based setups, portable units can be a cost-effective complement to permanent machines.

Feature comparison and buying guide

Key specifications to compare

When comparing models, focus on these technical and operational specs: construction material and vandal resistance, mounting options (floor or wall), scoring/display system, number of simultaneous players supported, game library (501, Cricket, team modes), connectivity (LAN/Wi-Fi), payment systems (coin-box, bill validator, cashless), serviceability, and warranty/support. Look for machines that provide modular replacement parts (boards, sensors, LED modules) to lower long-term maintenance cost.

Maintenance, uptime and parts availability

Uptime is critical: a broken machine is lost revenue and frustrated customers. Ask suppliers about average mean time between failures (MTBF) for electronic components, availability of spare parts, and whether local field service is offered. Machines that use standardized components (e.g., modular LED displays, common controller boards) are easier and quicker to repair. Regular preventive maintenance—cleaning sensor rings, checking dartboard surfaces, and testing payment devices—prolongs machine life.

Comparison table: categories at a glance

Operational considerations: maximizing return on play

Pricing, promotions and events

I recommend starting with a simple pricing model—per-game or time-based—and tracking acceptance for 4–8 weeks. Promotions like happy-hour game discounts, league nights, or tournaments increase repeat visits and can offset initial costs. Many venues merchandise dart leagues and events on social channels to build recurring revenue streams.

Integrating with point-of-sale and analytics

Modern electronic dart machines can integrate with POS systems or operate with cashless payment options. Integration gives you granular data on machine usage and revenue per hour, which you can combine with sales of food and drink to assess incremental revenue. If your supplier offers an API or cloud dashboard, you gain better operational visibility and can optimize machine placement and pricing.

Accessibility and inclusivity

Consider mounting heights and throw lines to make play accessible. Offering adjustable throw lines or placing a second lower board can make darts more inclusive for younger players or patrons with reduced mobility. Inclusive play extends your customer base and improves guest satisfaction.

Why WillDarts: a manufacturer profile and how to partner

WillDarts company overview and strengths

WillDarts was founded in 2015. As a leading electric dart machine manufacturers' brand in China, our main products are electronic stand-up dart machines and electric dart machines. I have worked with many manufacturers and found WillDarts to be strong in R&D and manufacturing quality control. They have an R&D team focused on electronic dart machines and have been concentrating on the R&D, production, and sales of dart machine equipment for 10 years. Their products are widely used in bars, entertainment centers, clubs, homes, and various dart events. According to the company, WillDarts has obtained more than 20 patent certifications and passed CE, ROHS, and other certifications—useful indicators when evaluating supplier credibility.

Dealer opportunities and global support

I am currently recruiting dealers worldwide to promote the development of the dart machine business together. WillDarts positions itself as a leading electronic dart machine manufacturer brand in the world. Their website ( https://www.willdarts.com/ ) lists product ranges and contact details. When choosing a supplier or distributor, confirm local dealer support, spare parts availability, and warranty terms. A manufacturer with a clear dealer program and global logistics capability is easier to work with when you expand to multi-site deployments.

Installation, training and after-sales

On-site installation and safety checks

For stand-up cabinets, professional installation ensures level placement, secure anchoring (if required), and correct power supply. I insist on post-installation safety checks including secure electrical grounding, stable coinbox mounting, and unobstructed throw lanes. For renters, document condition and signage so responsibilities are clear.

Staff training and simple troubleshooting

Train staff on basic restart procedures, coin-box clearing, and how to swap modular parts like LED panels or controller boards. Create a quick-reference troubleshooting card near the machine—this reduces downtime and avoids unnecessary service calls. Also ensure staff know how to contact the supplier’s technical support and have spare parts on hand for common failures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between an electronic dart machine and a traditional bristle dartboard?

Electronic dart machines use soft-tip darts and sensor rings to register hits and automatically score games, whereas traditional bristle dartboards use steel-tip darts and rely on manual scoring. Electronic machines offer multi-player modes, coin or cashless payment integration, and safety advantages (soft tips), making them preferable for many bars and restaurants. For historical context on the game of darts, see the general overview on Wikipedia.

2. How much space do I need to install a stand-up electronic cabinet?

Allocate at least 1.2–1.5m width and 2.4–3.0m of clear throw distance. Allow additional clearances for player movement and spectators. Exact dimensions vary by model, so check manufacturer specifications before installation.

3. Are electronic dart machines profitable for small bars?

They can be. Profitability depends on foot traffic, average playtime, pricing, and how well the machine is promoted (e.g., league nights). Track usage and revenue for the first 8–12 weeks and adjust pricing or promotion strategy accordingly.

4. Do I need CE or RoHS certifications for dart machines?

If you operate in the EU or sell machines into the EU, CE marking is typically required and RoHS compliance is relevant for electronic components. Verify certificates from the supplier and keep copies for regulatory audits (CE marking, RoHS).

5. What ongoing maintenance should I plan for?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning sensor rings and boards, checking and replacing worn dart tips and board segments, testing coin and cashless payment systems, and updating software/firmware. Keep a stock of common spare parts to minimize downtime.

6. How do I choose between soft-tip and steel-tip options?

Soft-tip electronic machines are better for venues prioritizing safety and automated scoring. Steel-tip bristle boards are favored in traditional dart leagues and by purists. Many commercial operators choose soft-tip electronic machines for the benefits in durability, easy scoring, and payment integration.

Final recommendations and how to get started

Start with a site survey to determine the optimal machine type and placement. If your venue has consistent evening foot traffic and space, invest in a stand-up electronic cabinet with coin or cashless capability. For limited space, a wall-mounted electronic board offers many of the advantages at lower cost. Factor in supplier certifications, spare parts logistics, and dealer support. If you’re ready to explore options, review product lines from trusted manufacturers and compare warranties and local service arrangements before purchase.

WillDarts offers a range of electronic dart machine and dart machine equipment tailored for bars, entertainment centers, clubs, and homes. With a decade of focused R&D, more than 20 patent certifications, and CE/ROHS compliance, they present a compelling supplier option. I encourage venue owners and resellers to contact WillDarts to discuss dealer opportunities and multi-unit deployments. Visit https://www.willdarts.com/ to view products and request a quote.

Contact me for a free consultation on selecting and installing the right dart board arcade machine for your bar or restaurant. I can help with space planning, ROI estimates, and supplier negotiation.