It's official: board games are hip — and that's long before The Queen's Gambit came along, too. Whether you're looking to flex your Bogo-Indian Defence, or just want to hang out with friends with a couple of beers, London has a thriving board game scene. Pros and novices alike are welcome at all the board game cafes and clubs we've rounded up here.
Board game cafes in London
The Ludoquist (Croydon): This board game cafe/shop on Croydon High Street is a wonderfully welcoming space, whether you're well-ingratiated into the board gaming scene, or require a guiding hand from one of their 'Games Gurus'. A stash of 1,400(!) board games is at your fingertips, and you can play as many as you like for three hours, for £7. Graze with your free hand on snack bowls, pizzas and paninis. There's also an array of craft beers and cocktails. Various leagues play here, and if you can even host your stag or hen here. The Ludoquist
Loading Bar (Peckham and Stoke Newington): As its names suggest, both branches of Loading Bar are stocked with games consoles and vintage arcade machines. But they also have a treasure trove of good old analogue board games, which you can play for free while testing out the video game-inspired drinks menu. Just don't get too, er, loaded. Loading Bar
Draughts (Hackney and Waterloo): Two super-cool London venues — one secreted under railway arches (Waterloo), the other in an old pie and mash emporium (Hackney). Each Draughts has a library of over 1,000 games (and counting), so you can dive into anything from A Game Of Phones to Zombie Dice. Korean fried chicken, plantain & black bean tacos and Goose Island on tap will keep you going through any mammoth session of Risk. Draughts
Badger Badger (Deptford and West Norwood): Board game/queer socials, Pokemon leagues, playtesting... it's all going on at the two Badger Badger cafes in south London. You can also just book a table and get stuck into one of their 600+ board games with pals, while chowing down on the Japanese style menu. Badger Badger
The Library Pot (Richmond): EAT PLAY LAUGH is the mantra of this west London board game cafe, which has hundreds of titles to choose from — and even lists the latest arrivals. Of particular interest to us is a game called 'London', where you rebuild the city following the Great Fire. (There's also one called Secret Hitler, where you can accuse friends of being fascists. Erm.) Like other cafes of its ilk, The Library Pot will do its best to have you stick around, offering a gut-busting spread of curries, burgers, cakes, beers... and even sake and plum wine. The Library Pot
Rogues Quarter (Kentish Town): £6 gives you three hours' play at Rogues Quarter, where they'll tempt you to linger with nacho mountains, loaded fries, and the 'Bad Boy' Thai-influenced veggie burger. The coffee's good, the selection of games is even better. Rogues Quarter
Otter Chaos (Brixton): Nope, not a wildlife sanctuary-based horror film, but a Brixton board game cafe heaving with 400+ titles, to immerse yourself in, alongside pizzas, loaded fries and cocktails. This one was a tip-off from reader Alex, who says "Our kids love the choice of sillier games alongside the strategy for when they lose concentration." There are also regular social mixer and beginner sessions. Otter Chaos
Bad Moon Cafe (Elephant and Castle): The library of games at Bad Moon is somewhat daintier than at other board games cafes on this list (it's still got 150 of them, probably more than you've got at home). All the same, it's a fantastic airy space with amicable staff, where you can sip a bottle of Kernel and munch on a diavola pizza while destroying your mate at Fury of Dracula. Magic. Bad Moon Cafe
d20 (Uxbridge and Watford): Established by gamer buddies Michelle, Mario and Page in 2017, d20 invites you to choose from 1,000 or so titles for a very fair price (£2 per hour, per person, fourth hour's free). It's been such a success, there's now a second branch, in Uxbridge. Burgers, dogs, snack bowls and shakes are on the menu, and plenty of booze too. d20 also prides itself on its homemade cakes; it'd be rude not to nosh on a slice or two while you're here. D20
The Arcanist's Tavern (Shoreditch): Talk about levelling up. The Arcanist's Tavern is a full-blown rustic fantasy tavern — medieval style chandeliers, half-beam walls, the lot. There's a huge board game library; the 'Guild Hall' which has tables specially-designed for table-top role-playing games, and the 'Archives', for private sessions complete with privacy curtain and built-in dice rollers. If you get hooked playing a certain game, you can buy your own from the Tavern's shop. This is the kind of place where you will run into folk wearing fake beards and robes, just saying. Arcanist's Tavern
RPG Taverns (Elephant & Castle): Established in 2024 by five Dungeons & Dragons loving strangers, RPG Taverns offers the chances for fans of the fantastical to go on adventures as their alter ego, in the enchanting —and perilous — world of Aranoa. Gamers of all levels are welcome (Games Masters will guide you through each session), and busy London schedules are catered for, so this needn't be a regular commitment.
Board game clubs in London
The cafes above host various meet ups; check their websites for details. Aside from that, there are a few other major board game clubs you should consider checking out:
London On Board (various locations): This band of dice-rolling fanatics gathers frequently in various London pubs, welcoming all and sundry (whether you're a chess champ, or don't know how backgammon works). Games are piled up on a table, and you take it from there. London On Board
Playtest (various locations): Although not exclusively London-based, Playtest hosts events a fair bit in the capital; the idea is that game designers let you try out their brand new products in exchange for feedback. Maybe you'll get to play the next big thing before anyone else. Playtest
The Table (Battersea): Every Thursday is games night at The Table in Battersea, a chance to hang out with friends or make new ones. Make the most of the happy hour drinks, with 50% off signature cocktails from 5pm-7pm. The Table
Chess clubs in London
A few big chess clubs worth checking out:
- Greater London Chess Club (Bloomsbury) meets on Tuesdays (September to June) hosting leagues but welcoming all-comers.
- London Chess Club (Elephant and Castle) is another welcoming club, meeting Wednesday and Sundays for coffee, cakes and chess.
- Metropolitan Chess Club (Liverpool Street) meets on a Thursday, offering free one-to-one coaching for beginners or near-beginners.
There are oodles more chess clubs the length and breadth of London, far too many to cram into this article. Google your local club.
As for al fresco chess...
Maybe you've already spotted one of London's giant outdoor chess sets. We know of one in Norfolk Square Gardens (Paddington), another in Holland Park (Kensington) and a third in Victoria Embankment Gardens by Charing Cross.
For those worried about putting their back out with a bishop, there's this more regular-sized outdoor chess board in Spa Green (Clerkenwell).
FourCorner hosts outdoor chess games in Granary Square in King's Cross (Weds, 6pm-9.30pm) and St John's Square in Clerkenwell (Saturday, 12pm-3.30pm). Sessions are free and for all levels.
Meanwhile, in Brick Lane every weekend, you can pit your wits against one of the chess masters. Be warned — they're savvy enough to take on numerous competitors at once, and will strip you of your dignity in seconds flat.
Where to buy board games in London
The board game cafes in this article will all sell you games, and are often your best best for more niche and rare titles.
Elsewhere, Leisure Games (Finchley) knows its stuff, as does Orcs Nest (Seven Dials). Dark Sphere (Shepherd's Bush) has some decent board games in amongst the Warhammer gimcrack. For a more basic spread of board games that will appeal to beginners, try major toy shops like Hamleys and The Entertainer.
Have we missed anything important off the list? Let us know by emailing [email protected]
