A birthday party at a darts bar works because everyone has something to do: take turns at the machine, chase a score, heckle each other. Nobody ends up scrolling their phone in a corner. Here is how to plan one at AI DARTS in Taipei's East District: what the birthday person gets, which games work when skill levels are all over the place, what to eat, and how to give us a heads-up on LINE.
Why a darts bar works for a birthday party in Taipei
- Open 24 hours, every day: start in the afternoon, roll in after dinner, or count down to midnight with the birthday person
- No minimum spend: if fewer friends show up than planned, nobody gets charged a minimum
- Bring your own drinks: while the counter is staffed, more than 3 alcoholic drinks per person means a NT$50 per-person cleaning fee; 3 or fewer is free
- No skill needed: the Phoenix electronic dart machines keep score for you
Machines are coin-operated, NT$10 to 30 per game depending on the game and number of rounds; the machine shows the exact price. For a rough group budget, see how much darts costs in Taipei.
The birthday perk: a free drink in your birthday month
The AI DARTS member system has a badge called Birthday Party (生日狂歡): visit during your birthday month and you get one birthday drink. The drink is for members only: the birthday person needs to join at pass.aidarts.club before the visit, then just tell the staff. It does not have to be the day itself; any visit in your birthday month counts. Other easy badges are in the best achievements to get first.
Birthday party games for mixed skill levels
Birthday groups usually mix regulars with people holding a dart for the first time. Rule of thumb: start with the simplest game, add strategy later.
- Count-Up: 8 rounds, highest total wins. No busting, no checkout math. First-timers get it right away, so it is the perfect warm-up.
- Cricket: only 15 to 20 and the bull count, with attack and defense. Big groups can pair up so a regular carries a beginner.
- Cut-Throat: a Cricket variant where your points go to your opponents and the lowest score wins. Chaotic and funny with a crowd, which is exactly what a birthday needs.
Full rules are in Cricket and 501 explained. A few house rules help too: the birthday person throws first, whoever loses a game leads a round of "Happy Birthday", and the last game is the birthday person versus the best player in the room. First-timers can skim how to throw darts before they come; it takes a few minutes.
Food: Hotdogray hot dogs and fries to share
Hotdogray, the hot dog kitchen inside AI DARTS, serves Wednesday to Friday from 8pm until around midnight, plus every other Saturday. Rain or last-minute changes are posted on the homepage schedule and LINE. If you want food at the party, pick one of those nights: a hot dog each and a few plates of fries in the middle is plenty. See the menu and Hotdogray's site.
You can bring your own birthday cake, light the candles and decorate with balloons. Cutting the cake and singing are all fine.
How to plan it: send us the date, time and headcount on LINE
There is no online booking system; for a normal night you just walk in. For a birthday group, message us on LINE with:
- The date and roughly what time you will arrive
- How many people
- Whether you want Hotdogray food (we will confirm the kitchen is open)
- Whether you are bringing a cake or want to decorate first
The bar fits about 20 to 30 people, so a birthday group within that size is easy to arrange; whether we can hold seats and how many machines are free depends on the day. For a bigger group or the whole venue, ask on LINE or see venue hire below. This guide is for friends, classmates and family. For a company or team event, see corporate party venue in Taipei; to shoot birthday photos or video here, see venue hire for shoots and groups. Directions and parking are in hours and directions.
FAQ
Do we need to book?
Usually no, just come. For a bigger group, a quick LINE message helps us keep an eye on seats and machines.
Can we bring a cake and light candles?
Yes. Cake, candles and balloon decorations are all fine to bring.
How many people can come?
The bar fits about 20 to 30 people. For more, or to book the whole place, ask on LINE first.
Is there a birthday deal?
The one we publish is the member Birthday Party badge: join as a member first, then get one free birthday drink when you visit in your birthday month. Anything else is announced in store or on LINE.
Pick the day first. Tell us the rest on LINE.