Wake Up, Meeple! These Are the Best Board Game Cafés in Beijing

原创 Joey Knotts theBeijinger

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Chasing that high that only the roll of the dice can bring? No, we’re not talking craps, but we’re certainly not talking Monopoly either. If you’re a serious gamer of the table-top variety, you don’t need any fancy PCs or consoles. You just need one thing: a table. Fortunately, there are gaming cafés hiding in every corner of Beijing, so chances are there is one near you.

What is a board game café?

A board game cafés is simply a café where one plays board games. As a rule, you'll need to pay a cover charge at most Beijing board game cafés, allowing you to play either for the whole day or by the hour. Some will provide free drinks, and most will provide shelves filled with more than enough games to keep you happy for hours on end. It's the perfect way to spend a day when the air outside turns chilly. Note that many of the games supplied are likely to be in Chinese, so it is wise to bring your own games if you have them.

But wait, there’s more good news! Our research shows that the overwhelming majority of the cafés on this list have at least one cat that will settle adorably into any game boxes you leave open. We considered organizing this list of cafés by their cat-to-human ratio, but settled on the more conventional neighborhood system, in order to help you find the most convenient spot to throw down your cards.

If it fits, I sits

Guomao/CBD

Empire Penguin Games

A favorite for professional gamers and hobbyists alike, Empire Penguin in Soho Shangdu has plenty of booth tables so you can while away the hours with a good game. Another room also features games for sale from distributor Swan Panasia. RMB 40/person.

How will you ever decide what to play?

Meeplepedia

This café is the most modern on this list by far. Not only does it make you feel like you are in high-end coffee shop, but they will actually serve you pour-over coffee if you are so inclined. The downside is a relatively slim selection of games in their trendy recessed wall shelves, but of course that's not a problem if you bring your own. RMB 100/person.

Sanlitun

Yard house

The Yard house is not primarily a gaming café, but it may be the closest thing that Sanlitun Soho has to offer to one. Cool youngsters come to refill on their vape juice, sip craft beers, and munch on hot dogs and nachos. A poker table serves as the daily game spot, but table-top game nights are held every Thursday. Game Night Admission RMB 30.

Dongzhimen

Hey Cat Bar

Half cat cafe, half board game bar, Hey Cat is the place for gamers with toxoplasmosis. Just be sure not to let the cats walk all over your game pieces. RMB 61/person.

Gulou

There's plenty of space in this Beixinqiao gaming bar

One Comes Two Go Board Game Bar

This ominous-sounding bar is large and cozy with a dark wooden aesthetic. Enjoy the comfy seats and grab a snack as you play. It has also been known to host the occasional masquerade. RMB 54/person.

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Together Board Game Bar

This is one of the few bars in Houhai that doesn’t feature live music. Instead, patrons get to nerd out with board games in a setting filled with anime murals and video-game figurines. RMB 52/person.

Wudaokou

M-Club

This hidden bar on the third floor of the Wudaokou strip has something for every kind of gamer, from casual parchisi or full-on Warhammer. It’s also a popular spot to let the chips fall for a game of poker (non-gambling, of course…) and even has a Foosball table, electronic Mahjong table, and 8-bit classic video gaming. RMB 51/person.

Big Devil King Board Game Café

Another gaming café in central Wudaokou, but this one is no-frills, just board games type of place. Serious gamers only please! RMB 48/person.

Shadow Contract Board Game Bar

Located in the north-east corner of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (right across the street from Beijing Normal University), this spot is perfect for students in the area looking for a break from studying. RMB44/person

Manhunt Boardgame Café

For students closer to Peking University, Manhunt lies just to the south of campus. Comfy booths are available for small groups and large tables can be broken out for big games. RMB 51/person.

This is no ordinary gaming bar!

Huoxing Game Center

Though this list is intended to help you find the closest board game café to you, Huoxing is actually worth making a trip out to. With two stories of high shelves packed with games, it feels a bit like a castle library – there’s even a suit of armor. Players sit in the brick-wall café area or in huge private rooms to play. Upstairs, there is a room filled with a dozen gaming computers. It’s enough to excite any game enthusiast. RBM 62/person.

Xidan

Second-To-None Bear

Play on the low tables while sitting on the ground or in low chairs, and relax on the lounge furniture while waiting for your next turn. It may be unconventional, but it’s the only choice in west-central Beijing. RMB 77/person.

Chongwenmen

Black-Magic Square Board Game Bar

Game in a simple setting, with yellow walls to keep the mind stimulated, and maybe take advantage of the PlayStation which is also set up. This bar is right next to a trampoline park, so you can spring from one fun activity to another. RMB 73/person.

Images: Ryan Wallace on Unsplash, Dianping

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