High-End, Tech-Driven “Social Darts” Venue Coming to Downtown Cincinnati’s Fountain District
Posted on April 10, 2025 by aatkinson
State of Play Hospitality Signs Lease at 3CDC’s Mixed-Use Development of Former Saks Fifth Avenue Building
CINCINNATI (April 10, 2025) – State of Play Hospitality, the international social entertainment operator behind a number of premium, tech-enabled concepts, has announced it has signed its 12th North American lease for Flight Club in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati’s Fountain District, further expanding its presence in the Midwest. Set to open in late 2025, the venue will feature 9 private and semi-private playing areas, known as “oches,” and span 6,052 square feet.
Flight Club Cincinnati will offer guests a unique and upscale entertainment environment, blending craft cocktails, elevated cuisine, and its signature Social Darts® gaming. As with every Flight Club, the Cincinnati venue will be individually designed and will radiate the sophistication, playfulness, and energy that the concept has become known for. Its vibrant atmosphere is paired with proprietary darts technology that enables automatic scoring and runs various multiplayer games for groups of up to 270 people.
“We can’t wait to be part of the city’s growing entertainment scene,” said Toby Harris, Chief Executive Officer of State of Play Hospitality. “At Flight Club, the heart of the experience is all about social connection – bringing people together to have fun and some friendly competition, as well as enjoy some great cocktails and delicious food.”
With this expansion, Flight Club will add to the city’s growing collection of dining and entertainment concepts led by Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) and further enhance Downtown Cincinnati’s reputation as a destination for vibrant social experiences. The space is located on the ground floor of the mixed-use development of the former Saks Fifth Avenue. The building will also serve as the new home for Paycor as well as Salazar, the eponymous restaurant of James Beard-nominated chef Jose Salazar.
“Flight Club is an ideal addition to the Fountain District, serving as another engaging entertainment venue that complements the incredible collection of high-quality food and beverage concepts in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati,” said Christy Samad, 3CDC’s Executive VP, Civic & Commercial Space Activation.
Since its inception in Shoreditch, London in 2015, Flight Club has blended the charm of Victorian fairgrounds with the warmth of a traditional British pub. The design of each location transports guests to a nostalgic 19th-century atmosphere, complete with whimsical fairground touches.
In 2018, State of Play launched its first Flight Club in North America under license in Chicago’s downtown Loop area. Since its highly successful debut, State of Play has expanded Flight Club thoughtfully across the US, with additional locations in Boston, Houston, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Denver, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis. New venues are scheduled to open in Philadelphia and New York in 2025 and Seattle in 2026.
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