Liam AndersonSo here’s a little-known secret about me: I like tabletop RPGs. No, scratch that, I love them. After a long work week, my light at the end of the tunnel is the regular D&D sessions I have with a few of my best friends.
But if you’ve played in the space long enough, you’ll know that scheduling a session is a logistical nightmare, from player schedules to the venue. We’re lucky to have a friend with a dedicated space for our games, but what about others who don’t?
That’s what got us looking for board game cafes in Vancouver, and boy, was there no shortage of them! These quirky spaces are great for hosting campaigns or just meeting up with friends and loved ones. Here are a few of our favorites to drop by.
1. Mench Cafe
– Media credit: menchcafe
Website: https://menchcafe.com/
Address: 106 W 1st St, North Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 778 488 8686, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday to Sunday – 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Admission Costs:
- Starts at $5
We’d be remiss not to mention Mench Cafe when it comes to board game cafes in Vancouver. We started our search by looking into game events around Vancouver, and this quaint little spot landed on our radar as a result.
While we heard from locals that the cafe was a board games club, we were blown away by what we actually found. The cafe itself had a playful and engaging atmosphere, with more than a couple of groups getting together for a regular game or two.
The cafe was home to a number of board games as well as a separate video games room with consoles and PCs. Talk about options!
The acoustics inside could still be improved. We didn’t hear much from the video game rooms, but it could get pretty loud in the cafe with so many groups around!
| Pro tip: If you choose to visit the Mench Cafe, be prepared for a bit of a climb. The location of the cafe is way up three flights of stairs, so pack your running shoes! |
2. Pizzeria Ludica
– Media credit: pizzerialudica
Website: https://www.ludica.ca/
Address: 189 Keefer Pl, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 669 5552, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM,
- Sunday – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Admission Costs:
- Starts at $8
When you get together with your gaming group, what’s the easiest takeout option to feed all your guests at once and still have variety? For us, it’s pizza, and that’s definitely what drove us to Pizzeria Ludica.
True to its name, Pizzeria Ludica offered a wide range of Italian food. These didn’t just include pizzas. Appetizers, salads, and soups were available as well.
The food’s prices, though, are pretty high. We’d recommend planning a budget or getting something for the whole table to share.
Fortunately, the board games are free to play as long as you order. We found this super handy for those looking to game without having to pay for a day pass or ticket.
Their selection of board games wasn’t anything to scoff at, either. We found more than a couple of our favorites, from Battleship to an all-new favorite for us, Trash Pandas.
| Pro tip: If you’re planning to host a game at the Pizzeria Ludica, keep it short! The pizzeria features a 2-hour time limit on tables, especially when packed, so save this spot for a quick session or one shot. |
3. Cafe Duello
– Media credit: cafeduello
Website: http://www.cafeduello.com/
Address: 426 W Hastings St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 568 9907, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Friday – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Admission Costs:
- Starts at $5
Known for coffee and its medieval flair, Cafe Duello’s rising popularity among Vancouverites landed it on our radar. Plus, with a name like that, how could the swords and sorcery nuts like our group resist?
Cafe Duello’s menu largely consisted of pastries and cafe drinks. Their drink menu caught us off guard with how robust it was, offering everything from classic chai lattes and cappuccinos to smoothies and beverages.
Accenting this diverse menu is the sheer uniqueness of their establishment. Their decor was charmingly medieval, with swords hanging on the wall and staff dressed in armor!
The board games were also thematic, for the most part. There were more than a few Dungeons and Dragons handbooks, alongside games like Knights and Castles and Lord of the Rings adventure boards.
| Pro tip: Despite not offering full meals, Cafe Duello’s menu features light pastries and sandwiches, perfect for snacking while playing a game. That being said, try not to come too hungry! |
4. Back and Forth Bar
– Media credit: backandforth_bar
Website: https://www.backandforthbar.com/
Address: 303 Columbia St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 564 7664, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Thursday – 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Admission Costs:
- Starts at $8
Looking for a place that’s got a bit more of a nightlife vibe? Look no further than the Back and Forth Bar. It landed on our radar for its popularity among friend groups looking for a place to unwind with a few games.
The music selection here is upbeat without being overbearing, and the most noise we had to deal with was the sound of ping-pong balls.
They have a pretty good variety of board games. We loved the presence of classics like Jenga and Monopoly.
Where the ambiance worked against us was the smaller shop space. We had to crowd around a table because the area was primarily devoted to ping-pong tables, though we got to bond with a couple of regulars.
| Pro tip: The Back and Forth Bar doesn’t have a food menu, but in exchange, you can bring in outside food of your own! The staff even allows customers to order food to the establishment, so you can pair your drinks and games with any food you like. |
5. Boardwalk Cafe and Games
– Media credit: boardwalkcafegames
Website: https://www.abbyboardwalk.com/
Address: 33760 Essendene Ave, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2H2
Contact Details: +1 778 666 5006, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Admission Costs:
- Starts at $8
No, we don’t mean the property in Monopoly, silly. If you’re willing to fancy a drive out to meet up with friends in a larger cafe space than your local ones, then Boardwalk Cafe and Games might just be up your alley. It was for us, at least!
Boardwalk Cafe’s menu was almost intimidating when we dropped by. The shop offered daily baked goods and specials alongside a regular menu of snacks and sweets. We got a candy bowl and couldn’t stop snacking!
Their selection of games was just as wide in range, and thankfully for us, easily sorted. They had categories for player count and genre, so it saved us the hassle of picking which game to banter over.
We noted a bit of a wait for food and drinks, so we’d recommend starting your game even before your order comes in if you intend on starting and finishing on time!
| Pro tip: We’d advise arriving early if you’re planning to play a game here. The shop had limited parking space, so we had to park further out on our own visit. |
