Ask around about where to meet someone new in Taipei and the usual answers are clubs or dating apps. Clubs are loud enough that you have to shout, and give up on the conversation after two sentences. Dating apps mean chatting first, then meeting up, and that first in-person moment can feel awkward fast. This post looks at another option: a darts venue, specifically a self-service, 24-hour one like AI DARTS, and whether it actually works for meeting people.
The usual problem with the usual spots
Clubs are too loud to actually talk, so conversation dies after a line or two. Dating apps front-load the chatting, so the actual meetup can feel stiff and unsure what to say. Both share the same gap: there's no natural shared activity, just pure conversation, which puts more pressure on, not less.
Why a darts venue makes interaction easier
- You already have something in common to talk about: the score and the rules of the game give you an opener without having to think of one
- Less pressure than a bar built around conversation: half your attention is on the board, so you're not locked into eye contact the whole time
- Interaction happens on its own: waiting for a turn, waiting on a score, those gaps make it easy to say something
What AI DARTS' crowd and atmosphere are actually like
To be honest, we haven't measured "how many people meet someone here." What we can say: it's no cover, open 24 hours, and plenty of people come alone (for how that actually works, see this post). The owner, Ray, writes in this post that he doesn't decide what you're here for: making friends, catching up, whatever. That come-as-you-are atmosphere is why we think this place has the conditions for easy, natural interaction. Whether you actually click with someone still comes down to chemistry, and we're not going to promise anything more than that.
Practical tips if you're coming to meet people
- Watch before you talk: notice what game the next board over is playing, a more natural opener than small talk about the weather
- Keep it to one line: "Count-Up or Cricket?" isn't going to come across as intrusive
- Use the scoreboard as your excuse: asking about a score or challenging someone to a game is a natural way to start talking
FAQ
Is it weird to come here alone?
No. AI DARTS is a self-service darts bar by design, and plenty of regulars come solo. See this post for how it works.
How do I start talking to someone nearby?
Use the score as your opener: ask what game they're playing. The board's scoring system gives you a natural reason to say something.
Do people actually meet someone here?
We don't have hard numbers, so we won't claim "a lot of people." What we can say is a darts venue tends to make interaction more natural than a bar built purely for conversation, based on what regulars tell us, but whether it clicks still depends on the people.
What time is busiest?
It varies day to day; evenings tend to be busier. If you're unsure, ask on LINE before heading over.
Not looking for a date, just new friends? See how to make friends in Taipei over darts.
There's no formula for meeting someone new, but a place with a shared activity tends to make the interaction feel a little less forced than pure conversation.