We're helping you get to know some of the biggest disruptors in London food and drink, from the rogue chefs and the tastemakers to the trendsetters and the hospitality history redefiners.
The latest conversation in our series features Juliette Keyte, who's behind the marketing at experience-led venues Flight Club (the home of high-tech social darts and quirky brunches) and - modern shuffleboard bar - Electric Shuffle.
Photo: Juliette Keyte.
Tell us who you are and what you do.
Juliette Keyte, Marketing Director Red Engine (the team behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle).
Tell us more about the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, and why people should visit.
Flight Club and Electric Shuffle are groups of bars built for friends, by friends. We’ve taken the traditional games of darts and shuffleboard and reimagined them so groups of friends can play together in beautiful bars. You should visit whether you’re competitive or not, you might surprise yourself by how hooked you get, but also, our bars are so much fun to come and drink in, you’ll be surprised by how much detail we put into every venue.
How has Flight Club reinvented darts for consumers, and what do you think people should know about this new version of the game and why they should come play?
There’s no pesky mental arithmetic to worry about with either Flight Club or Electric Shuffle. We’ve created engaging games that bring up to 16 players together so whether you’re a pro or not, you’ll have a great time. With multiple games to choose from and food and drinks ordered at the touch of a button, our team take care of everything for you.
Just how many people are booking in to play at Flight Club a year?
Hundreds of thousands! We now have 20 venues (Flight Club and Electric Shuffle) across the UK, with nearly 700 million darts thrown since we launched in Shoreditch in 2015. We’re incredibly proud of the growth and success we’ve had.
If you’re heading anywhere after work, where are you going and why?
If I can’t pick one of our venues, then for a drink the Spicy Margs at Side Hustle are a winner, or for dinner Zapote or Blacklock never disappoint.
Social darts and slick interiors come together at Flight Club.
What are your thoughts on experience venues at the moment, and why people are so obsessed with them?
We know people are going out less and becoming more conscious around how much they drink, so venues with an experience offer something which isn’t just anchored around a drink (as great as a cocktail or two are). Whether it’s friends coming together or colleagues after work, it’s a great way to spend time together, get competitive, and do something memorable with your day. We all need a bit of joy and to forget other stresses once in a while, and experiences deliver this in a great way.
What does London’s unique experience scene have above other cities in the world?
Variety. It feels like London is where competitive socialising really kicked off, you can do any activity you can think of now and I think that mix is really exciting. Looking to the US market, there is huge opportunity there because they don’t have the variety we do here yet, which is why we’re so excited for our Flight Club franchise partners there, and for Electric Shuffle USA.
Finally, where is Flight Club opening next?
This Summer we’ve opened Flight Club Liverpool, Electric Shuffle Manchester and we have Flight Club opening in Oxford just in time for Christmas!
For more experiences like this, read our guide to fun activities for big kids in London.
