Something seemed different about the small group of friends gathered in a back room at Memory Lanes, a south Minneapolis bowling alley.
It wasn't that they were playing darts, a bar activity almost as common as sipping brews. It was that they were all doing it blindfolded. And the dartboard was talking back.
Turns out you don't need to see the board to play in this league. In fact, if you can, you're disqualified. Many of the players in this league are totally or partially blind. So why the blindfolds?
"They level the playing field for everybody," said Sam Jasmine of Maple Grove, current president of the Audio Darts League. "And we use nylon-tipped darts, so there's no issue with safety."
The atmosphere was ultra laid-back, with players talking quietly over cocktails in between casually lining up to wait their turn at the board, placing their feet up to grooved spots on the floor.
On this night, the only sighted person in the room was Nancy Giddings, who served as a spotter and unofficial emcee: "That dart fell to your three o'clock. No, a little farther to the right. Miss another one, you might still get a ride home, but it'll be strapped to the top of the car!"
While the play that night was relaxed, the players were preparing for a bigger, more competitive event. Six local teams made up of players ranging in age from 19 to their 60s will compete this weekend in Bloomington for the league's annual tournament.
The other two practice spots are Merlin's Rest, a pub on E. Lake Street, and another bowling alley, Elsie's in northeast Minneapolis. There are a few other audio dart leagues nationwide, including in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Texas. Some will be on hand at this weekend's tourney.