Board & Brew combines board games with a café menu, so you pay for food and drinks while playing games that are usually free to use
A Board & Brew location is a board game café where the business model centers on selling food and beverages rather than charging entry fees or game rental. You order from a menu — coffee, beer, sandwiches, snacks — and the games themselves are part of the venue's atmosphere, like music or seating. Most locations have 50 to 200+ games available, and staff can teach you how to play if you arrive without experience.
The revenue comes from what you eat and drink, not from how long you stay or which games you choose. This means you can play for two hours or five hours without additional charges beyond your food bill. Some locations do charge a small per-person table fee during peak hours (typically $3 to $8), but this is less common and usually waived if you order enough food.
Board & Brew locations exist in multiple cities across the United States, though not everywhere. Each location is independently owned, so hours, game selection, menu, and pricing vary significantly. A Board & Brew in one city may operate very differently from another with the same name.
Key Takeaways
- You pay only for food and drinks; games are free to play and included with your visit.
- Most locations have 50 to 200+ games available, and staff can teach rules if you are new to board gaming.
- Some venues charge a small table fee during busy hours, but this is optional at many locations and often waived with food purchases.
- Each Board & Brew location is independently owned, so hours, menu, and game selection differ by city.
- You can stay as long as you want without additional charges once you have ordered food or drinks.
What the Menu and Pricing Look Like
Board & Brew menus typically include coffee drinks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and food ranging from sandwiches and pizza to appetizers and desserts. Prices are similar to a casual café or restaurant — a coffee might be $4 to $6, a sandwich $10 to $15, and a beer $5 to $8, depending on the location and what you order. Some venues offer combo deals or happy hour pricing during specific times.
There is no minimum purchase required at most locations, though some do ask that you order something if you plan to stay for more than an hour. A few venues charge a per-person table fee of $3 to $8 during peak hours (usually Friday and Saturday evenings), but many waive this fee if your group's food and drink total reaches a certain amount — often $15 to $25 per person.
You typically order at a counter or from a server, pay when you order or at the end of your visit depending on the location's system, and then take your food and drinks to your table. Staff bring games to your table or direct you to shelves where you can browse and select what you want to play.
How to Find and Visit a Board & Brew Near You
Board & Brew locations are not a single chain with a central website, so you cannot search one master directory. Instead, search "Board & Brew" plus your city name in Google Maps or a search engine to see if a location exists near you. You can also search "board game café" plus your city to find similar venues if no Board & Brew is available locally.
Once you find a location, check its hours, address, and phone number on Google Maps or its social media pages (Facebook and Instagram are common). Many Board & Brew locations post their current game collection, menu updates, and event schedules on social media, so following them gives you a sense of what to expect before you visit.
Call ahead if you are planning to bring a large group, as some locations ask for advance notice so they can reserve tables or may support enough staff is present. Some venues also host game nights, tournaments, or themed events on specific days, which you can learn about through their social media or by calling.
What Games Are Usually Available
Most Board & Brew locations stock a mix of classic games (like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Carcassonne) and newer releases. The collection typically includes games that work well for groups of 2 to 6 players and games that take 30 minutes to 2 hours to play, since these fit the café environment. You will usually find party games, strategy games, word games, and cooperative games where players work together rather than compete.
Staff can recommend games based on how many people are in your group, how much time you have, and what kind of experience you want — fast and silly, slow and strategic, or something in between. If you arrive without knowing what to play, asking a staff member is the fastest way to find something suitable. Most staff are board game enthusiasts and enjoy helping newcomers.
Game collections change over time as locations add new releases and retire older games. If you have a specific game in mind, call ahead to confirm it is in stock rather than arriving and being disappointed.
Rules, Teaching, and What Happens If You Have Never Played Before
You do not need any board game experience to visit a Board & Brew. Staff are trained to teach games, and most venues expect to explain rules to new players. When you select a game, tell the staff member if no one in your group knows how to play, and they will either teach you at your table or provide written rules and let you work through them together.
Teaching usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the game's complexity. straightforward games like Ticket to Ride or Splendor take less time; strategy-heavy games like Agricola or Brass take longer. Staff can suggest games that are easier to learn if you want to minimize teaching time.
If you get stuck during play, you can ask staff for clarification on a rule. They will not play the game for you, but they will answer questions about how something works. This is normal and expected — board game cafés are built around the idea that people come to learn and play together.
Typical Costs for a Visit
A typical visit costs what you spend on food and drinks. If you order a coffee and a pastry, you might spend $10 to $15. If you order a sandwich, a beer, and an appetizer, you might spend $25 to $35. A group of four people ordering lunch and drinks might spend $80 to $120 total, or $20 to $30 per person.
If the location charges a table fee, add $3 to $8 per person during peak hours. Some venues waive this if your group spends above a certain threshold, so ask when you arrive. A few locations offer membership or punch cards that give discounts on future visits, though this varies by location.
There are no hidden charges — you pay for what you order, plus any table fee if applicable. Games are always free. You do not pay based on how long you stay or which games you play.
When to Go and How Long to Stay
Board & Brew locations are usually quietest on weekday afternoons and busier on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you want a relaxed atmosphere and straightforward access to tables, visit on a weekday or early afternoon. If you want a social, energetic environment, weekend evenings are better — but expect to wait for a table during peak hours and possibly encounter a table fee.
Most people stay for 2 to 4 hours, though you can stay longer if you want. There is no time limit. Some groups arrive for a single game (30 to 60 minutes) and leave; others settle in for an afternoon or evening. Plan based on how many games you want to play and how much time you have.
If you are visiting during a busy time, arriving early in the evening (around 5 or 6 p.m.) is often better than arriving at 8 or 9 p.m., when the venue may be at full capacity. Check the location's social media or call to ask about current wait times if you are concerned about availability.
What to Bring and What to Know Before You Go
Bring your group and your appetite — that is all you need. The venue provides games, tables, chairs, and staff. You do not need to bring anything else. If you have a dietary restriction or allergy, check the menu online or call ahead to confirm the café can accommodate you.
Most Board & Brew locations are casual and family-friendly during the day, though some lean more toward an adult crowd in the evenings, especially if they serve alcohol. Check the venue's social media or call to understand the vibe if you are unsure whether it is the right fit for your group.
Arrive with an open mind about learning new games. Even if you think you will not enjoy board games, many people find the social, low-pressure environment of a board game café enjoyable. Staff are used to skeptical first-timers and can suggest games that feel less like "games" and more like social activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to order food to play games?
Most locations ask that you order something if you plan to stay longer than an hour, but a single coffee or soft drink usually counts. A few venues have a minimum purchase or table fee, so call ahead if you are unsure. Games themselves are never charged separately.
Can I bring my own games?
Most Board & Brew locations do not allow outside games, since the venue's collection is part of what you are paying for through food purchases. Ask the staff when you arrive if you want to bring a game — some locations make exceptions for special occasions or games not in their collection.
What if I do not know anyone in my group?
Board & Brew is a social space, and many solo visitors or small groups join larger tables or meet people while playing. Staff can sometimes introduce you to other groups if you ask. The games themselves are designed to encourage conversation and interaction, so meeting people is common.
Are there age restrictions?
Most Board & Brew locations welcome families and children during the day. Some shift to a more adult-focused atmosphere in the evenings, especially if they serve alcohol. Call ahead if you are bringing children to confirm the venue is appropriate for the time you plan to visit.
What if I want to host a private event or large group?
Many Board & Brew locations accommodate private events or large groups with advance notice. Call the location directly to discuss your group size, date, and any special requests. They may offer a private room, reserved tables, or a group discount depending on what you need.