Interactive Fun and Entertainment: Interview With 501 Fun

501 Fun is the global leader in interactive social entertainment, delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences designed to transform leisure venues into dynamic, high-revenue social spaces. Specialising in next-generation Augmented Reality Darts, Interactive Darts, and now Interactive Mini Golf, 501 Fun fuses physical gameplay with immersive digital features to create unforgettable guest experiences that drive repeat play and social sharing.

Trusted by some of the world’s most forward-thinking operators, 501 Fun’s systems are built for versatility, ease of use, and operational impact.

With more than 700 venues across over 40 countries, including the UK, US, Australia, the Netherlands, India, and the UAE, 501 Fun has scaled rapidly thanks to a product ecosystem that meets the growing demand for competitive socialising.

From boutique hospitality to multiplex entertainment, 501 Fun’s technology is helping brands unlock the full potential of their spaces, turning casual guests into loyal players and creating moments worth sharing.

 

What Was Your First Breakthrough Product?

 

We brought interactive darts to market early on, which was a game-changer. It took the classic game of darts and made it more accessible, exciting, and trackable through technology. The success of that product gave us the confidence and insight, to go even further.

That’s when we developed the world’s first and only augmented reality darts system. It’s a massive leap forward in social entertainment. By blending physical play with immersive digital overlays, we’ve reimagined what darts can be.

How Would You Define ‘Competitive Socialising’ And Why Is It Resonating So Strongly Right Now?

 

Competitive socialising is all about blending games and shared experiences with food, drinks and atmosphere. Whether it’s darts, mini golf, or the original competitive socialising activity: bowling, people want a reason to gather beyond just sitting at a table.

The way we socialise has changed. We’re looking for fun, friendly competition and shareable moments. This trend isn’t a flash in the pan, it’s a fundamental shift, and it’s here to stay. We’ve seen it reshape the hospitality industry, driving demand for more engaging experiences that encourage return visits and build community.

 

What Makes 501 Fun’s Products Stand Out In This Space?

 

We take pride in delivering high-calibre experiences at an accessible price point. That’s crucial to us; we want to empower leisure and hospitality venues to tap into the power of competitive socialising without needing a huge investment.

From interactive darts to augmented reality darts, our systems are beautifully engineered and easy to set up, maintain, and install. Whether you’re a boutique bar, a multiplex cinema or a global hospitality brand, we make it simple to bring these experiences to life.

We now have over 700 venues in 43 countries, including major names like Dave & Buster’s in the US, and Top Golf in Europe. From our roots in the UK to installations around the world, 501 Fun has become the go-to name in interactive social entertainment.

 

You Recently Launched A New Feature Called Social Replay. Can You Tell Us More?

 

Absolutely. Social Replay is one of our proudest innovations. It creates a personalised highlight reel of a player’s experience, capturing their best moments and wrapping it in a share-worthy package.

What’s really powerful is that venues can customise these replays with their own branding, call-to-actions, and landing pages, turning a fun memory into a marketing asset. It’s a win-win: guests get to relive and share the fun, and operators see increased exposure and re-engagement.

 

How Has The Business Evolved Since 2018?

 

When we started, we were just a handful of people with big ideas. Today, our team has grown exponentially.

We’ve moved offices twice to accommodate that growth and invested heavily in building a world-class team; people who share our passion and vision. Despite that scale, we’ve held onto our family-first ethos. That’s really important to us. We treat our partners and team like extended family. Our culture has remained grounded and people-centric, even as we scale to new heights.

 

What’s Next For 501 Fun?

 

We have just launched Interactive Mini Golf; bringing the same magic we applied to darts into another fan-favourite game. Think fun challenges, clever digital enhancements, and a fast-paced format that works beautifully in bars, cinemas, and social venues.

We also recently celebrated a major milestone: 501 million dart hits. It’s a big number, but it reflects the joy and connection our systems have sparked worldwide. And we’re just getting started because there’s much more to come.

 

What Do You Want People To Associate With 501 Fun?

 

We want to be known as the people who help venues unlock the full power of social entertainment. Whether it’s through interactive darts, augmented reality darts, social-first features like Social Replay, or interactive mini golf, everything we do is about creating experiences that connect people and help venues thrive in this new era of competitive socialising.