Think you’ve done it all in Hong Kong? Try some of the best board game cafes for a change! Whether you’re planning a family gathering, catching up with friends, or even planning for a first date, board game cafes are the perfect ice breaker.
With various editions of the same game and new releases nearly every week, the demand for board games has surged over the years. Swap your screen time for some quality time catching up with friends and meeting new people over a game of dice.
Want to host game night but don’t want the trouble of fretting over food preparation and seating arrangements? Take the easy route and search for board game cafes near your vicinity.
These cafes offer an environment to play board games and serve food and drinks, eliminating prep time. Furthermore, they have a vast library of board games to choose from, meaning you don’t have to stock up on board games! Whether you are a fan of the classics or a limited edition nerd, grab your friends and loved ones for a fun time.
What is a board game cafe?
The term board game cafe is quite ambiguous; however, most people would agree that it’s a coffee shop, bar, or restaurant with a huge library of board games.
Most board game cafes offer bites and drinks from simple afternoon desserts and coffee to full meals such as burgers and pizzas served with beer and cocktails.
Boardgame cafes typically have either a walk-in fee or a minimum order per person, which helps them manage the upkeep of the games, which may need repairs and replacements, and pay utility bills to keep the store running.
Who goes to board game cafes?
- Whether you’re 7 or 70, there is a board game suitable for everyone
- It is a family-friendly activity
- A unique way of spending time with friends and family besides the usual dinners and night outs
What you should know about board game cafes
- Not many board game cafes in Hong Kong, but numbers are growing!
- The majority of the cafes use Chinese as their main language.
- Not as many English board games compared to Chinese games
The best board game cafes in Hong Kong
1. Jolly Thinkers game cafe Hong Kong
Why we chose it:
- With over 300 types of board games available and multiple “players wanted” events throughout the year, Jolly Thinkers is a great place to meet new people with a love of board games.
- A walk-in fee of $45 is charged for the first hour of play and a basic drink. Every additional hour is $30.
- A game caught your eye? Buy it! Whether you are a seasoned board game veteran on the hunt or a newbie, there is a board game here for everyone!
What we like:
- An extensive range of board games, there is up to 300 board games to choose from
- They have an extensive menu including Asian and Western cuisines
- You can buy board games in the store or even online
- Staff are friendly and will provide game explanation services
What you should know:
- Pricier compared to other cafes if you plan to spend a lot of time there. The hours add up!
Location:
- LOHD Italian interiorsBayfiled building, 99 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai
- Capricorn Centre155 Sai Yeung Choi St N, Prince Edward
2. Wheat and Wood board game cafe
Why we chose it:
- Nestled between Kennedy Town and HKU, this quaint board game cafe is a perfect way to meet new friends.
- Wheat and Wood have a range of reasonably priced snacks and sandwiches, from traditional avocado and toast to miso pork belly sandwiches.
- Want to host a private event or have a birthday bash? Book a table and get all alcoholic drinks discounted to $45 each!
Pricing:
Weekday: Wednesday & Thursday (excluding public holidays)
- $100 for unlimited playtime
- 1x free non-alcoholic drink
Weekend: Friday to Sunday (including public holidays)
- $100 for the first 2 hours
- Free-flow non-alcoholic drinks
- $50 for each additional hour
Private event
- $200 per table
- Reservations require a non-refundable deposit
What we like:
- Interesting menu from traditional flavors to more unique ones
- Reasonable prices
- Spacious
- You can host private events
What you should know:
- Only opens on certain days (Monday and Tuesdays off)
Location:
Shop 6, Ground Floor, Brilliant Court, 28 Praya, Kennedy Town
3. Capstone
Why we chose it:
- Located right next to the famed Cat Cafe in Causeway Bay, Capstone is a tiny cafe with a large selection of board games.
- While it is relatively quiet in the afternoon, it gets busier at night.
- Tables are quite close together, so there’s a lot of squeezing around others when it gets crowded. But hey, what better way to meet new people than this?
Price:
- Minimum spend of $50 which increases to $80 in the evening
What we like:
- Looking to stock up on the latest board games? Buy some online or in the cafe!
- Come by in the afternoon if you like peace and quiet
- Good tea set deals
What you should know:
- Capstone only serves drinks
- It is a small cafe. The tables are quite close together, so you might have to squeeze between tables.
- Not as many English games compared to Chinese ones
- No English menus, although the staff is happy to help out
Location:
Unit A, 23/F, Gold Swan Commercial Building, 438-444 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
4. Sweet and Fun Cafe
Why we chose it:
- If you are on a budget and looking for a fun way to kill time, stop by Sweet and Fun Cafe!
- Pick any board game you want from their extensive range of board games and start playing!
- There are no minimum charges here, but if you choose to spend hours in the cafe, we recommend you get a drink or two to support local businesses.
What we like:
- No cover charge! Feel free just to pick a board game, sit and play for as long as you want.
What you should know:
- Small cafe, not a lot of space.
Price:
- Free! No cover charges!
Location:
18/F, Hanway Commercial Centre, 36 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
5. Painkiller Boardgame Cafe 2
- Painkiller Board Game Cafe 2 boasts an extensive range of board games you can buy at their retail section. Besides that, they serve a range of food and drinks.
- The cherry on top? They concoct their own blend of Italian ground coffee, and every cup is ground on order! Grab your fellow coffee lovers and check this place out!
Price:
- Cover charge is one drink per person, starting from 60HKD
- The cover charge allows you to chill for up to three hours. On weekdays, it is free to extend your stay.
- On weekends and public holidays, add an extra 8HKD for every half an hour after the first three hours.
What we like:
- You can purchase board games in the cafe
- Offers both food and drinks
- Extensive range of board games
- Coffee lovers take note: they blend their own coffee, and every cup is ground on order.
What you should know:
- It is a small cafe
Location:
Shop C, 5/F, 2 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
6. Morokok – One of the best board game cafes
Why we chose it:
- Located in Mong Kok, this cozy board game cafe is a Thai food paradise.
- Settle down onto the Morrocan-themed open area and enjoy a cup of coffee on the mats and cushions.
- Whether you are with family or friends, enjoy the sunset and marvel at old Hong Kong-style buildings from the massive terrace.
What we like:
- The views from the terrace are spectacular
- Foodie paradise for Thai food lovers
- Cute Morrocan aesthetic
What you should know:
- Bad weather will ruin your board game session
Location:
Morokok, Shop 801, 8/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
7. Homemade Cafe
Why we chose it:
- Filled with soft plushies and sofas strewn around, this is the perfect place to laze around.
- Curl up with your favorite board game while enjoying the picturesque view of the Mong Kok skyline.
- Enjoy highlights such as truffle mushroom risotto (148HKD) or Sicilian pizza (188HKD) specially made in-house!
What we like:
- Cozy atmosphere, perfect for date night
- Quality food menu
What you should know:
- Super small cafe
Location:
Homemadecafé, 12/F, Dundas Square, 43H Dundas Street, Mong Kok
8. Double Cafe – One of the best board game cafes
- Whether you are looking for a full meal or dessert, Double cafe boasts an extensive menu that will keep anyone satisfied.
- Boardgame in hand, dive into a world of magic and order one of their themed drinks, a unique concoction inspired by tarot card characters.
What we like:
- Extensive dining menu
- Drinks are inspired by characters on tarot cards
Location:
Double Café, 4/F, Ko’s House, 577 Nathan Road, Mong Kok
9. Any Moment Cafe
Why we chose it:
- Stepping through these doors is like a gateway to an enchanted world.
- The nature-themed decorations transport you to a serene green pasture, giving you a temporary break from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.
- They also offer to rent out their space for private parties and gatherings.
What we like:
- Open till 12 am
- Nature-inspired aesthetic transports us to another world
- Spacious place; can have private parties
What you should know:
- No alcoholic beverages
Price:
- Minimum spend of $100 for two special drinks and four small snacks.
- Discounts are available for larger groups
Location:
9/F, Hanway Commercial Centre, 36 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
10. Station 3 – One of the best board game cafes
Why we chose it:
- Station 3 Cafe is spacious and is easily one of the biggest cafes in Hong Kong, which offers a range of beverages.
- It can host up to 150 people, making it the perfect spot to host a big birthday bash.
- To sweeten the deal: they also have a projector and a full audio system in case you get bored of playing board games. Start a session of karaoke and spend time belting classics with your friends and loved ones instead!
What we like:
- Super spacious cafe, one of the biggest board game cafes in Hong Kong
- Private room available to host gatherings and parties
- Have a projector and full audio system that works as a karaoke machine
What you should know:
- It can get noisy in here
Price:
- Minimal order of one drink per person
Location:
Flat 08–09, 25/F, Golden Era Plaza, 39 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok
11. Coffee Break – One of the best board game cafes
Why we chose it:
- Dubbed as one of the most instagramable cafes in Hong Kong, the marbled tabletops and wood create a chic yet cozy atmosphere.
- Coffee Break provides the ultimate comfort food, burgers for when you feel peckish. This intimate setting is perfect for date night. Opt for their specials such as red wine poached apple cheeseburger (118HKD) and white wine pear foie gras burger (158HKD), these special items on the menu are guaranteed to impress!
What we like:
- A modern and chic aesthetic
- Interesting menu
What you should know:
- Limited range of food
Location:
Shop 4, G/F, Hung Fai Building, 2Q–2Z Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
FAQ – Best Board Game Cafes
Why are board games getting more popular?
– Tabletop on Youtube: Wil Wheaton hosted the show tabletop on Youtube where he invites celebrities to play tabletop games with him, hence shooting tabletop games into stardom. After a show, sales of games drastically increased and even went out of stock in some areas. This is called the tabletop effect.
– Internet: The internet allows tabletop gamers to share their favorite board games and their reviews, hence spreading more awareness about different games and spiking interest to people across the world to try them out.
– Reduce screen time: We are constantly hounded to go back into nature and spend less time on electronic gadgets. This is the perfect opportunity for you to reduce screen time by swapping screens for board games.
How do I find a board game group in Hong Kong?
Just show up! Search for the closest board game cafe near your place, grab your friends, and make a day out of it. Use the internet! Join the Hong Kong Board Games group on Facebook or turn to Meet Up to look for regular meet-ups.
What is the best board game cafe in Hong Kong?
Our personal favorite is Jolly Thinkers Cafe.
They have an extensive library of board games; you can get lost rifling through board games stacked on the shelf. Their cozy interior has an antique vibe that transports you away from the flashy lights of the city. Perfect to let the kids run around and stay entertained
Conclusion
Running out of things to do in Hong Kong? Check out the board game scene!
Besides being a budget-friendly way to spend the day, it’s a great way to reconnect and spend quality time with friends and family. Whether you are a seasoned tabletop gamer or a newbie, board games are super easy to pick up and super fun to play!
Got some tips to share on the best board game cafes in Hong Kong? Let us know in the comments section below.
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