Activity bars in London
Board Game Cafes in London
Board game cafes pair a big library of tabletop games with coffee, food and a relaxed place to play for an afternoon or evening. London has them across the city, from dedicated game libraries to bars built around play.
14 venuesDraughts Waterloo
View venue →Draughts Stratford
View venue →Bad Moon Cafe Borough
View venue →Bad Moon Cafe Holloway Road
View venue →Loading Bar
View venue →The Ludoquist
View venue →The Library Pot
View venue →Rogues Quarter
View venue →The Arcanist's Tavern
View venue →Badger Badger Deptford
View venue →Badger Badger West Norwood
View venue →Otter Chaos
View venue →RPG Taverns
View venue →Rule Zero
View venue →Where to play board games in London
London's board game cafes range from quiet daytime spots with hundreds of games to lively evening venues with a bar. Most charge a small cover or table fee for unlimited access to the library, and staff will recommend a game for your group.
The listings here map the venues across the city so you can find one near you.
What to expect
You pay a cover charge per person, usually by the hour or for the session, then pick from the shelves. Most have game gurus to teach rules and suggest something for your group size and mood, plus food and drink at the table. Some take bookings, others are walk-in.
Booking and tips
Weekend evenings get busy, so book a table for bigger groups. Arrive with a rough idea of how long you want to play and how heavy a game you fancy, and the staff will sort you out with the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is a board game cafe?
A board game cafe is a venue with a large library of tabletop games you can play in for a small cover charge, alongside food and drink. Staff usually help teach and recommend games.
How much do board game cafes cost in London?
Most charge a cover or table fee per person for access to the game library, often by the hour or session. Each listing links to the venue for current pricing.
Do you need to book a board game cafe?
Walk-in is fine at quieter times, but weekend evenings and larger groups are best booked ahead. Each listing notes the venue's booking policy where we have it.
Are board game cafes good for beginners?
Yes, most have staff who teach rules and recommend games by group size and experience, so you do not need to know any games to turn up and play.
More activity bars in London
Darts · Axe Throwing · Shuffleboard · Mini Golf & Crazy Golf · Ping Pong · Bowling · Karaoke · Pool & Snooker · Escape Rooms · Go Karting · Climbing & Bouldering · Arcade Bars · Trampoline Parks