When you’re looking for something to do in New York City that doesn’t always involve drinking, board game cafe’s and bars are a great alternative! Though drinks are offered at most of them in the city, you can always skip the alcohol for the sheer thrill of some competition.
Board game cafes have been on the rise for years, serving as the perfect venue for nights with friends, birthday parties or after school hangouts.
Here are some of the best board game cafes in NYC 👇:
1. Next Move Cafe, Bensonhurst
With over 300 board games, Next Move Cafe is a spectacular venue for tournaments, birthday parties and school club events. It’s open seven days a week and offers both common areas and private spaces.
Where: 6 Bay 23rd Street, Brooklyn
2. The Uncommons, Greenwich Village
The Uncommons is Manhattan’s first board game cafe. It’s been entertaining players on Thompson Street since 2013. The entire space seats around 65 people, and features one of the largest libraries of games on the East Coast. To play, its just $10 per person or $8 for students on Mondays – Thursdays.
Where: 230 Thompson Street, New York
3. Sip N’ Play, Park Slope
After opening just prior to the start of the pandemic, Sip N’ Play, Park Slope’s first board game cafe, has remained a neighborhood staple. Players can order from their extensive menu of appetizers, sandwiches and salads to satiate their hunger during game playing, or sip on a beer, boba or coffee. It’s $15 for three hours of game time.
Where: 471 5th Avenue, Brooklyn
4. The Brooklyn Strategist, Cobble Hill
Best known as “a community-based game center,” The Brooklyn Strategist nurtures an environment fit for socializing and strategizing, claims their website. The fun is endless as players can choose from their collection of 500 board and card games to entertain themselves. Walk-in and play is just $10 for four hours.
Where: 333 Court Street, Brooklyn
5. Hex & Company, UES
Hex & Company is Manhattan’s largest board game cafe. Choose from over 1000 tabletop games for $10 per person. Hex & Company also offers outdoor seating, so on gorgeous summer days the games can still be played!
Where: 1462 1st Avenue, New York
6. Squarrel Cafe, Boerum Hill
Renting games out for $10, Squarrel Cafe is reinventing your traditional coffee run. Rather than popping in to grab a steaming cup to go, Squarrel Cafe invites customers to take a seat, enjoy the outdoor patio and pick a game from their collection to play. Not much of a coffee drinker? They also serve delicious teas from Goji Chrysanthemum to a classic Bubble Tea.
Where: 572 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
7. Waypoint Cafe, LES
In addition to more traditional board and card games, Waypoint Cafe provides players with an enormous array of video/digital games. Plus, every Friday they host Friday Night Magic from 6-9pm!
Where: 65 Ludlow St