Boardgame Cafes are becoming more and more common. Do you have any close by? Have you been there? How did it go?
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We live in Madrid, Spain and have one boardgame cafe in the city center. Its called Replay
We have gone a couple of times, usually just because we were in the area and jumped in to play something quick. The collection of games is pretty massive. Many casuals but lots of deeper games too. There is also an outlet section to buy games at a discount. The food is OK, nothing special but fine for a session.
Since its downtown, we do not go that often. Wednesdays they even organize an english-speaking evening which is handy if you want to meet a more international crowd.
My post earlier about the “Evolution of Boardgames” is painted on the wall of this cafe.
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Vancouver has a boardgame pizzeria out of all things: https://www.ludica.ca/
You’d think that handling pizza slices and handling boardgame components at the same time would be a recipe for disaster but it works pretty well somehow. They have a good collection of games and the pizzas are great too.
Sounds like an awesome combo!
They are decently often in Greece, either as boardgame cafés, or (more often) cafés with boardgames. On the latter it’s rare to have someone to suggest a game or explain the rules so you have to read them yourself. Used to go very often while a student
Sounds cool. What kinds of board games are played there? Classic card games, modern strategic Euro games, party games or any of those?
If you mean in boardgame cafés, they have pretty much everything. In cafés with board games, it is mostly faster card games, some games like Jungle speed or 7 wonders and similar, maybe Catan as well
If you mean in Greece in general, all of those that you mentioned I would say. It depends on the group
Thanks for elaborating. I’m just generally curious what is being played in other countries. As a German, I always played lots of board games and I for myself prefer complex Euro games.
It’s interesting that you distinguish between those café types since here in Germany, there is no such distinction. I only know boardgame cafés.
It’s very usual for many cafés to have a couple of board games, especially if they are near a University
I would say there is that distinction here too, depending on your city. In Hamburg we have at least one of each kind.
Ok, it might be the case that I just didn’t realize they exist where I live. In Hamburg, I just know the boardgame café Würfel & Zucker.
I think there’s about 3 in my city. Always seems to have people in it playing something, and event nights look more packed when I go past. But I don’t really have the friend group for that kinda thing though
I would go during event nights! Unless these are different in your area they should be a great opportunity to game with strangers.
One just opened not too far, planning to check it out soon.
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sounds cool! We have some boardgame shops that have some get-togethers once every weekend. These are nice but most that we have gone to have a very limited selection of games.
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There’s a few in my city. Both cafes and bars. They’re packed all the time. I personally can’t get into them but I’m glad people are enjoying them.
There’re plenty of boardgame cafes, and plain straight out boardgame playing spaces here in Singapore. I’ve been to quite a few, the latter I much prefer because the staff/owner are invested in the games, are long-time gamers themselves, and are very good at recommending and introducing games. Being able to concisely introduce rules and mechanics and have a group of people understand them is not as easy as it looks!
My wife and I’s first date was at a boardgame cafe. We haven’t had a chance to check out any of the cafes in our new city yet, though.
sounds like a new date is in order!
The city I used to live in had a couple, one was more focused on trading card games and running tournaments and just had a smallish board game collection, but the other was a proper cozy little cafe with walls full of great games. Sadly the latter one has had to shut down because of increasing rents.
My current town is a bit too small for something dedicated like that, but we do have a sort of hybrid place that hires out console time as well as has a small collection of board games for the cafe area. Since it’s a small town and not exactly moving with the times, a lot of the games are your basic family classics but I appreciate them trying. I’m sceptical that the place will last long though, most new businesses round here don’t.
Generally I do really like these places but our local one now isn’t the friendliest. And anywhere with a big focus on trading card games like the one in our previous city does, as much as I wish it wasn’t true, tend to attract a crowd with less than amazing hygiene. Plus they often seem more hostile to women than dedicated actual board game spaces, in my experience. It’s hard to attract a wider customer base when your core clientele are actively putting people off.
Yes there is one in the city Nearby. It’s about half an hour from where I live. I’ve been there several times and it’s a fantastic place. Over 300 games to play. Nice selection of non alcoholic drinks from teas to fancy lemonades or coffee. Some beers too but only bottles. The food is surprisingly good as well. They make fresh sandwiches and pizza for example as well as a selection of sweets as well as chips etc.
I’ve only been there to play board games once. The other times we were there for TTRPGs.
Awesome! Its good to hear that there are even some with good food :) you are lucky!
Apparently it is looking at the other comments here. The downside would be that on weekends you have to book a table some time in advance because the place is usually packed Friday evening to Sunday evening. Also when it is very full it can get a bit louder which not everyone likes.
That is true, i also prefer a bit more chill gaming experience
I recently visted one in my home town for the first time. I didn’t expect much, but it was actually a lot of fun. The food was meh tough (mostly fast food).
Yeah, the food is often not the reason to go but its a nice addon
https://ragnaroek.cafe opened in my city (Kiel, Germany) last year. Been playing Magic over there a lot and a few of their games. Great experience so far and they have a great palette of games.
Their website is cool :) how is the food?
Pretty good and lots of vegan options (relevant for me). I especially like the milkshakes
nice, very progressive! So its Almondmilkshakes?
I think they have different kinds of plant milk, but I always get oatmilk
We have two near us and both are a great time! My wife is more into board games than I am but the food is delicious usually and their selection has both old favourites alongside new board games to try for the first time as well! It’s a really great outing idea whether for a date, a social get together with friends, etc. Highly recommend going if one’s close by!
for sure! Nice of you to support your wifes passion! And as a bonus you get some good food :)
Unfortunately not. Until just now I wasn’t aware of any in my country but it turns out there are in some now but the closest is 1.5h away.
shoot, 1.5h is maybe a bit steep for a quick game. Maybe in the future there is something closer. Unless of course you are out in the sticks :)
Fortunately I have a very loyal gaming group and the local toy library does regular game nichts as well. So I’m well covered what gaming is concerned. Just not with boardgaming cafes.
