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 venues
board-games

Draughts Waterloo

Waterloo

View venue →
board-games

Draughts Stratford

Stratford

View venue →
board-games

Bad Moon Cafe Borough

Borough

View venue →
board-games

Bad Moon Cafe Holloway Road

Holloway

View venue →
board-games

Loading Bar

Stoke Newington

View venue →
board-games

The Ludoquist

Croydon

View venue →
board-games

The Library Pot

Richmond

View venue →
board-games

Rogues Quarter

Kentish Town

View venue →
board-games

The Arcanist's Tavern

Shoreditch

View venue →
board-games

Badger Badger Deptford

Deptford

View venue →
board-games

Badger Badger West Norwood

West Norwood

View venue →
board-games

Otter Chaos

Brixton

View venue →
board-games

RPG Taverns

Borough

View venue →
board-games

Rule Zero

Hackney Wick

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