It’s not all clubs and take out places – Nottingham is also home to some of the most enjoyable, welcoming and fun board game cafes out there.
It’s not all clubs and take out places – Nottingham is also home to some of the most enjoyable, welcoming and fun board game cafes out there. All provide a welcome place to sit and play your favourite card and board games, with Dungeons & Dragons nights thrown into the mix. So whatever your favourite nerdy pastime is, Nottingham’s got you covered. And for those non-nerds reading, why not give it a try? You never know what you might find!
Ludorati Café
72 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6BJ
Mixing board games and escape rooms to glorious effect, Ludorati aims to be welcoming to nerds and non-nerds alike. It has everything from Cluedo and Monopoly to Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan, meaning that visitors can enjoy games they recognise or try something new.
Boasting a whopping 750 games, you’re never going to be short of entertainment here! Blocks of four hours cost £6.50, which also comes with a free membership card.
The Dice Cup
68-70 Mansfield Rd, Nottingham NG1, 3GY
Near the Intu Victoria centre, seeing Dice Cup empty is a rare sight for anyone walking past. Constantly packed and with events to keep everyone happy, Dice Cup is a great place to meet new people, compete in tournaments, or just have a laugh with friends while you discover new games.
Board games are divided up into co-op, family fun, easy, medium and hard, so you are able to pick up the games that suit you! Also it’s just a fiver for the day and you can go in and out as much as you want throughout the day, so you can more than get your money’s worth.
Geek Retreat
7 Flying Horse Walk, St Peters Gate Nottingham, NG1 2HN
The latest addition to Nottingham’s nerdy cafe scene, Geek Retreat offers a whole host of games and sessions for newcomers. With a focus on card gaming, Geek Retreat also has an impressive selection of board and video games, milkshakes and genuine American candy. Unlike other cafes on this list, it also specialises in comic books, meaning if gaming isn’t your thing you can curl up with a good read and a cold drink.
There is also a private gaming room, should you wish to go with a group of friends! It’s the perfect entry level cafe, including “Learn to Play” events for Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokémon, while also providing the facilities for those a little more experienced in the world of board and card gaming.
By Chris King
Feature image: Meg Chadderton