DARTS : It Scores a Bull’s-Eye as Tavern Social Event

More than 30 bars in the San Fernando Valley sponsor dart leagues and tournaments.

Pickwick’s Pub is the only bar, however, that also offers bangers, Cornish pasties and John McIntosh’s off-color jokes along with 14 brands of draft beer.

McIntosh is the impish owner of the Woodland Hills bar that sports a distinctive British decor, Union Jack flag on the wall and sawdust-covered floor. He also oversees three dart boards which, like the beer, run nonstop.

“People become fanatics at it. They stay here all day and I have to eighty-six them,” McIntosh said in his strong British accent. “Some knock on the door and want to get in to play darts before we’re open.”

Pickwick’s Pub is one of 16 Valley-based bars sponsoring Southern California Darts Assn. leagues. The pub also puts on an in-house tournament every Tuesday night.

No matter what the game or stakes, however, McIntosh, a native Scot, always stresses the “social” aspect of darts.

“Darts is a game that everybody can play,” he said. “You can play if you only have one arm or one leg. You can be 6-foot-3 or be a midget and play darts.”

The Valley is one of the SCDA’s largest regions, comprising more than a third of its coverage area.

Information: 213-839-6972.