When Michaels Camera’s—the largest single camera store in the Southern Hemisphere—ceased trading recently, more than a few of us wondered what could possibly take up residence in the iconic four-story building which has stood staunchly on the corner of Elizabeth and Little Lonsdale Streets since 1916.
Its central location cannot be overstated—Google maps practically drops a pin on its roof when you search ‘Melbourne CBD’—and its prime corner position is the antithesis of Melbourne’s laneway culture. And then there’s all that glorious space.
Oche (pronounced ockey), the pioneer of gastro-gaming, has just moved in. Melbourne is the latest in a long list of cities to greet Oche, joining the ranks of its flagship in Oslo, along with Brisbane, Gothenburg, Amsterdam, London, Singapore and, soon to be, Huston and Edinburgh. But the Melbourne offering is notably more luxe than its international counterparts.
The gaming side of Oche’s offering comes in the form of darts, but these are not your grandad’s darts. Here, you’ll find an electronic version that allows you to play with an authentic board and darts but have your game type, players and scoring automated, ten pin bowling style. So, why darts? As Dafydd Evans—owner of DASK Entertainment Group, the team behind the venue—told me, virtually anyone can play darts. There’s no minimum fitness level required and the entire venue, including gaming, is wheelchair accessible. This is important because their aim is to become a beacon for motley crew catch ups such as afterwork drinks, office parties, bucks and hens’ celebrations. It’s a place where Alan from Accounting can play and socialise alongside Xavier the TikTok specialist. And making everyone feel welcome is crucial if Oche is to fill the huge space with punters.
But here’s where things get interesting…
When it comes to food and beverage, there isn’t a familiar favourite in sight. Rather, the menu boasts artisanal pizzas and sophisticated morsels that can be eaten without cutlery such as Honey Scallops served grilled on a half shell, glazed with confit honey garlic, tomato concasse, rose petal syrup and a crispy julienne nori garnish, and Crispy Fried Kataifi Duck with goats’ cheese, sauteed asparagus and blueberry jus. But the real grab your phone and post to Stories moment happens when presented with the Cloche Smoked Salmon Cones—dainty cones of gin cured salmon, kohlrabi and liquorice remoulade and pomegranate pearls which arrive under glass only to be revealed amid curling plumes of fragrant smoke.
And the pageantry continues with the cocktails. The signature line-up includes the Thin Red Line, a cousin of the Whiskey Sour, the Appletini Resurrection, a sophisticated take on a nineties favourite and the Pornstar Martini, a passionfruit vanilla number that you just know Rhonda from Inventory will be all over! Classic Rhonda.
If this sounds like the antithesis of a blokey darts hall, it is. And herein lies the genius of the place. It offers all the pomp and ceremony with none of the pretension. Oche Melbourne is the epitome of a ‘sure thing’, a place that’s conveniently located, easy to secure a booking and no one in your group will feel out of place. Plus, the prospect of playing a game of darts acts as the ultimate icebreaker. All these factors would have been enough to make the venue a success, but they’ve gone further, providing world-class dining in opulent surrounds.
And let’s talk about those surroundings. With lush faux-foliaged walls, emerald velvet upholstery and Hollywood lighting, it’s like walking into your Instagram feed. Twenty-two reservable darts booths with ample seating and a dedicated host, provide a designated space for your party while enabling you to remain in the thick of the action. And, if you weren’t yet convinced that the Oche team have thought of everything, how about a secure storage locker for your group, nestled discreetly beneath your booth’s countertop?
Beyond the everyday options of booth or bar, there’s the private Onyx Room for parties of up to twenty-four and the expansive Emerald Room, an event space accommodating up to 120 guests. Designed for larger corporate events, it could handle a whole wedding celebration, although not a big fat Greek one.
So far, the venue spans the first two floors of the heritage building, with plans to creep upward in the future. Oh, and if you’re wondering what ‘oche’ means, it’s the line behind which darts players stand when throwing.
Oche is open 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Tuesday to Sunday.
263-269 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone (03) 9113 9999
