1. Board Game Cafe Bar
City/Town: London
Postal Code: E8 4EF
Street Address: Unit 337, Railway Arch, Acton Mews
Country: UK
2. The Dice Box
City/Town: Peterborough
Postal Code: PE1 1HJ
Street Address: 29 Bridge St
Country: UK
3. The Treehouse Board Game Cafe
City/Town: Sheffield
Postal Code: S2 4QF
Street Address: 41 Boston St
Country: UK
4. Aspex-Creating & Maintaining
City/Town: Saxmundham
Postal Code: IP17 3JR
Street Address: Willow Marsh Lane
Country: UK
5. Thirteen
City/Town: Bicester
Postal Code: OX26 6AY
Street Address: 13 Church St
Country: UK
6. Leadbelt Gaming Arena
City/Town: Nottingham
Postal Code: NG3 1JN
Street Address: 4 Longden St
Country: UK
7. Repair Zone Ltd
City/Town: Luton
Postal Code: LU3 2QL
Street Address: 159 Marsh Rd
Country: UK
8. The Library Pot
City/Town: Richmond
Postal Code: TW9 2PQ
Street Address: 86 Kew Rd
Country: UK
9. Curio Collectors Emporium
City/Town: Ramsgate
Postal Code: CT11 8NX
Street Address: 57-59 King St
Country: UK
10. Nickys Nice & Naughty Ltd
City/Town: Market Rasen
Postal Code: LN8 3EN
Street Address: 31 Queen St
Country: UK
11. Copper Cogs
City/Town: Nottingham
Postal Code: NG10 1JQ
Street Address: 73 Market Place
Country: UK
12. Sody’s Breakfast & Lunch
City/Town: Birmingham
Postal Code: B16 8UZ
Street Address: 226 Monument Rd
Country: UK
13. Geek Retreat (Blackburn)
City/Town: Blackburn
Postal Code: BB1 5AL
Street Address: 50-54 Church St
Country: UK
14. Raze The Roof
City/Town: Penryn
Postal Code: TR10 9EP
Street Address: Unit 30a Parkengue, Kernick Rd Ind Est
Country: UK
15. Pure Signs
City/Town: Feltham
Postal Code: TW13 6HD
Street Address: 150 Twickenham Rd
Country: UK
16. Old Church House
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: PO30 5DB
Street Address: 46 Crocker St
Country: UK
17. Market Hall
City/Town: Shrewsbury
Postal Code: SY1 1HQ
Street Address: Claremont St
Country: UK
18. 3bd Architects
City/Town: Bristol
Postal Code: BS2 8QW
Street Address: 15-17 Backfields Lane
Country: UK
19. Fowlers
City/Town: Bristol
Postal Code: BS4 3DR
Street Address: 2-12 Bath Rd
Country: UK
20. Bray Lake Watersports
City/Town: Maidenhead
Postal Code: SL6 2EB
Street Address: Windsor Road, Monkey Island Lane
Country: UK
21. The Townhouse – Holiday Cottage
City/Town: Richmond
Postal Code: DL10 4JB
Street Address: Parkinsons Yard
Country: UK
22. Toy Barn
City/Town: Sherborne
Postal Code: DT9 4JX
Street Address: Blackmarsh Farm
Country: UK
23. St Heliers Residential Hotel
City/Town: Folkestone
Postal Code: CT20 2EF
Street Address: 25-26 Clifton Gardens
Country: UK
24. Maths Cafe
City/Town: Harrow
Postal Code: HA1 1PG
Street Address: 111 Headstone Rd
Country: UK
25. Board Game Cafe Bar
City/Town: London
Postal Code: E8 4EF
Street Address: Unit 337, Railway Arch, Acton Mews
Country: UK
26. The Dice Box
City/Town: Peterborough
Postal Code: PE1 1HJ
Street Address: 29 Bridge St
Country: UK
27. The Treehouse Board Game Cafe
City/Town: Sheffield
Postal Code: S2 4QF
Street Address: 41 Boston St
Country: UK
28. Aspex-Creating & Maintaining
City/Town: Saxmundham
Postal Code: IP17 3JR
Street Address: Willow Marsh Lane
Country: UK
29. Thirteen
City/Town: Bicester
Postal Code: OX26 6AY
Street Address: 13 Church St
Country: UK
30. Leadbelt Gaming Arena
City/Town: Nottingham
Postal Code: NG3 1JN
Street Address: 4 Longden St
Country: UK
31. Repair Zone Ltd
City/Town: Luton
Postal Code: LU3 2QL
Street Address: 159 Marsh Rd
Country: UK
32. The Library Pot
City/Town: Richmond
Postal Code: TW9 2PQ
Street Address: 86 Kew Rd
Country: UK
33. Curio Collectors Emporium
City/Town: Ramsgate
Postal Code: CT11 8NX
Street Address: 57-59 King St
Country: UK
34. Nickys Nice & Naughty Ltd
City/Town: Market Rasen
Postal Code: LN8 3EN
Street Address: 31 Queen St
Country: UK
35. Copper Cogs
City/Town: Nottingham
Postal Code: NG10 1JQ
Street Address: 73 Market Place
Country: UK
36. Sody’s Breakfast & Lunch
City/Town: Birmingham
Postal Code: B16 8UZ
Street Address: 226 Monument Rd
Country: UK
37. Geek Retreat (Blackburn)
City/Town: Blackburn
Postal Code: BB1 5AL
Street Address: 50-54 Church St
Country: UK
38. Raze The Roof
City/Town: Penryn
Postal Code: TR10 9EP
Street Address: Unit 30a Parkengue, Kernick Rd Ind Est
Country: UK
39. Pure Signs
City/Town: Feltham
Postal Code: TW13 6HD
Street Address: 150 Twickenham Rd
Country: UK
40. Old Church House
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: PO30 5DB
Street Address: 46 Crocker St
Country: UK
41. Market Hall
City/Town: Shrewsbury
Postal Code: SY1 1HQ
Street Address: Claremont St
Country: UK
42. 3bd Architects
City/Town: Bristol
Postal Code: BS2 8QW
Street Address: 15-17 Backfields Lane
Country: UK
43. Fowlers
City/Town: Bristol
Postal Code: BS4 3DR
Street Address: 2-12 Bath Rd
Country: UK
44. Bray Lake Watersports
City/Town: Maidenhead
Postal Code: SL6 2EB
Street Address: Windsor Road, Monkey Island Lane
Country: UK
45. The Townhouse – Holiday Cottage
City/Town: Richmond
Postal Code: DL10 4JB
Street Address: Parkinsons Yard
Country: UK
46. Toy Barn
City/Town: Sherborne
Postal Code: DT9 4JX
Street Address: Blackmarsh Farm
Country: UK
47. St Heliers Residential Hotel
City/Town: Folkestone
Postal Code: CT20 2EF
Street Address: 25-26 Clifton Gardens
Country: UK
48. Maths Cafe
City/Town: Harrow
Postal Code: HA1 1PG
Street Address: 111 Headstone Rd
Country: UK
49. Board Game Cafe Bar
City/Town: London
Postal Code: E8 4EF
Street Address: Unit 337, Railway Arch, Acton Mews
Country: UK
50. The Dice Box
City/Town: Peterborough
Postal Code: PE1 1HJ
Street Address: 29 Bridge St
Country: UK
51. The Treehouse Board Game Cafe
City/Town: Sheffield
Postal Code: S2 4QF
Street Address: 41 Boston St
Country: UK
52. Aspex-Creating & Maintaining
City/Town: Saxmundham
Postal Code: IP17 3JR
Street Address: Willow Marsh Lane
Country: UK
53. Thirteen
City/Town: Bicester
Postal Code: OX26 6AY
Street Address: 13 Church St
Country: UK
54. Leadbelt Gaming Arena
City/Town: Nottingham
Postal Code: NG3 1JN
Street Address: 4 Longden St
Country: UK
55. Repair Zone Ltd
City/Town: Luton
Postal Code: LU3 2QL
Street Address: 159 Marsh Rd
Country: UK
56. The Library Pot
City/Town: Richmond
Postal Code: TW9 2PQ
Street Address: 86 Kew Rd
Country: UK
57. Curio Collectors Emporium
City/Town: Ramsgate
Postal Code: CT11 8NX
Street Address: 57-59 King St
Country: UK
58. Nickys Nice & Naughty Ltd
City/Town: Market Rasen
Postal Code: LN8 3EN
Street Address: 31 Queen St
Country: UK
59. Copper Cogs
City/Town: Nottingham
Postal Code: NG10 1JQ
Street Address: 73 Market Place
Country: UK
60. Sody’s Breakfast & Lunch
City/Town: Birmingham
Postal Code: B16 8UZ
Street Address: 226 Monument Rd
Country: UK
61. Geek Retreat (Blackburn)
City/Town: Blackburn
Postal Code: BB1 5AL
Street Address: 50-54 Church St
Country: UK
62. Raze The Roof
City/Town: Penryn
Postal Code: TR10 9EP
Street Address: Unit 30a Parkengue, Kernick Rd Ind Est
Country: UK
63. Pure Signs
City/Town: Feltham
Postal Code: TW13 6HD
Street Address: 150 Twickenham Rd
Country: UK
64. Old Church House
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: PO30 5DB
Street Address: 46 Crocker St
Country: UK
65. Market Hall
City/Town: Shrewsbury
Postal Code: SY1 1HQ
Street Address: Claremont St
Country: UK
66. 3bd Architects
City/Town: Bristol
Postal Code: BS2 8QW
Street Address: 15-17 Backfields Lane
Country: UK
67. Fowlers
City/Town: Bristol
Postal Code: BS4 3DR
Street Address: 2-12 Bath Rd
Country: UK
68. Bray Lake Watersports
City/Town: Maidenhead
Postal Code: SL6 2EB
Street Address: Windsor Road, Monkey Island Lane
Country: UK
69. The Townhouse – Holiday Cottage
City/Town: Richmond
Postal Code: DL10 4JB
Street Address: Parkinsons Yard
Country: UK
70. Toy Barn
City/Town: Sherborne
Postal Code: DT9 4JX
Street Address: Blackmarsh Farm
Country: UK
Board game cafes have become a popular trend in the UK, offering a unique blend of social interaction, gaming, and dining. These establishments provide a space where people can enjoy a wide range of board games while having access to food and beverages, making them ideal for casual meetups, family outings, or date nights. Here’s an in-depth look at board game cafes in England, their appeal, and what to expect when visiting one.
The Concept of Board Game Cafes
1. Origins and Growth:
The concept of board game cafes originated in countries like South Korea and Japan, where gaming cafes have long been a cultural staple. The idea made its way to the UK and has gained significant traction in recent years. The rise in popularity can be attributed to a growing interest in tabletop gaming and a desire for unique social experiences that diverge from traditional pub or coffee shop visits.
2. What They Offer:
Board game cafes typically offer an extensive library of games ranging from classic favorites like Monopoly and Scrabble to modern hits like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Gloomhaven. These establishments often charge a fee for game access, which can be a per-hour rate, a flat fee, or included with the cost of food and drinks. Many cafes also provide guidance from staff who can help explain rules and suggest games based on the group’s preferences.
Popular Board Game Cafes in England
1. Thirsty Meeples, Oxford:
Thirsty Meeples in Oxford is a well-known board game cafe that offers a vast selection of games and a cozy atmosphere. The cafe is noted for its knowledgeable staff, who can assist in choosing games and explaining rules. Thirsty Meeples also serves a range of food and beverages, from sandwiches to cakes, enhancing the overall experience.
2. Draughts, London:
Located in the heart of London, Draughts is a prominent board game cafe that has garnered a loyal following. The venue features a collection of over 500 board games and offers a relaxed environment with comfortable seating. Draughts also has a bar that serves craft beers, wines, and cocktails, along with a menu of hearty pub-style food.
3. The Board Game Cafe, Manchester:
The Board Game Cafe in Manchester is another popular spot that combines gaming with dining. The cafe offers an impressive selection of board games and has a menu that includes everything from light snacks to more substantial meals. The staff are enthusiastic about board games and are always ready to help new players get started.
4. Ludorati, London:
Ludorati, situated in South London, is known for its diverse collection of games and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The cafe also provides a range of hot drinks and snacks, making it an excellent place for both serious gamers and those looking for a casual gaming experience.
The Appeal of Board Game Cafes
1. Social Interaction:
Board game cafes offer a unique setting for social interaction. Unlike typical bars or restaurants, these venues encourage people to engage in shared activities that require cooperation, strategy, and communication. This makes them ideal for group outings, family gatherings, or meeting new people with similar interests.
2. Escape from Digital Screens:
In an age where digital entertainment dominates, board game cafes provide a refreshing alternative. Playing board games in a physical space encourages face-to-face interaction and a break from screens, which many people find to be a welcome change.
3. Variety and Accessibility:
The wide range of games available at board game cafes means there’s something for everyone, from casual players to serious enthusiasts. The opportunity to try out different games without having to purchase them is another attractive feature. Additionally, many cafes offer game nights and events that cater to specific interests or skill levels.
4. Community Building:
Board game cafes often foster a sense of community. Many cafes host regular events, tournaments, and themed nights that bring people together. This community aspect can be especially appealing for those who enjoy meeting new people and engaging in shared interests.
What to Expect When Visiting
1. Game Library:
When visiting a board game cafe, you can expect a diverse selection of games. Some cafes categorize their games into genres or difficulty levels, making it easier to find something that suits your group’s preferences. Staff are usually available to provide recommendations and assist with game rules.
2. Food and Drink:
Most board game cafes offer a menu of food and beverages. The range can vary from simple snacks and drinks to full meals. Some cafes focus on high-quality, gourmet options, while others provide more casual fare. The focus is on creating a comfortable environment where patrons can enjoy their games alongside their food.
3. Pricing:
Pricing structures can vary. Some cafes charge an hourly rate for game access, while others include the cost in the price of food and drink. It’s a good idea to check the cafe’s pricing policy before you go, so you’re aware of any fees and what’s included.
4. Atmosphere:
The atmosphere in board game cafes is typically laid-back and friendly. Many cafes aim to create a space that feels like a home away from home, with comfortable seating and a welcoming vibe. The emphasis is on creating a relaxed environment where people can enjoy games and socialize.
Conclusion
Board game cafes in England offer a delightful combination of social interaction, gaming, and dining, making them a unique and enjoyable destination. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or someone looking to try something new, these cafes provide a welcoming space to explore a wide range of board games while enjoying food and drinks. With their growing popularity, board game cafes continue to enrich the social and recreational landscape across the UK.