Beginner-friendly game nights across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: learn-to-play sessions and nights that welcome new players.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs, sociable newcomer session (Master Points, no NGS)
Bonington Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs, social club
West Bridgford Chess Club, West Bridgford. Junior chess (ages not stated)
Radcliffe & Bingham Chess Club, Bingham. Junior chess club, up to age 15 (September to April)
Dice Cup Café, Nottingham. Board game social, half price library entry
Nottingham Sociables Board Games Night, Nottingham. Social board games
Nomads Chess Club, Nottingham. Club night: social chess and league matches, all abilities
Beeston Library Chess, Beeston. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
West Nottingham Chess Club, Bramcote. Junior session, no need to book
Board Gamers of Nottingham (BGON), Nottingham. Social board games
Gambit Chess Club, Nottingham. Club night: casual games, league matches and internal competitions
Mapperley Library Chess, Mapperley. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
Pendulum Gaming, Grantham. Casual play and trading
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Gentle duplicate for less experienced players, crib sheets and advice allowed
East Leake Library Chess, East Leake. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
Dice Cup Café, Nottingham. Board game social, half price library entry
Nottingham Board and Wargames Club, Nottingham. Open board games and wargames night
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Improvers lectures with practice hands (Autumn term 2026)
Warhammer World, Nottingham. Open gaming until 22:00
Dice Cavern Games, Grantham. Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments and Commander games
South Mansfield & Blidworth Bridge Club, Mansfield. Duplicate pairs
Warhammer World, Nottingham. Open gaming until 22:00
Tabletop Wargaming at Nottingham Central Library, Nottingham. Drop-in wargaming with demos (Middle-earth SBG, Star Wars Legion, Warhammer 40,000)
Kimberley Library Chess, Kimberley. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Beginners' drive
Dice Cavern Games, Grantham. Casual league play from 11:00, tournament from 12:30
Mansfield Library Chess, Mansfield. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
The Nottingham Bridge Club in Carrington runs face to face duplicate sessions most afternoons and evenings, including a sociable Monday afternoon for newcomers, a gentle Wednesday evening with help and advice, and Saturday beginners' drives. It teaches bridge from beginner to advanced level, visitors are always welcome, and there is free parking and a licensed bar.
Nottingham's largest board game café by Victoria Bus Station, with a library of around 1,000 games, food and drink, and a shop for board games, card games and Warhammer. Card game events run every day of the week.
Games Workshop's visitor centre with Warhammer stores, a large events hall with free gaming tables, Bugman's Bar and a ticketed miniatures exhibition. Open late until 22:00 on Thursdays and Fridays for extra gaming.
Social board games group meeting on Tuesday evenings in a Nottingham pub function room; the group brings games and you can bring your own.
Bonington Bridge Club is a very friendly club that plays duplicate bridge on Monday afternoons from 1.30pm to 4.30pm in the hall behind The Good Shepherd Church on Thackeray's Lane, Woodthorpe. Players of all abilities are welcome, and new players can drop in for a cup of tea and watch, or have a game.
Gambit Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings in the upstairs room of the Lincolnshire Poacher on Mansfield Road, ten minutes' walk from the Victoria Centre, and stays open all year. Newcomers can enjoy casual games in a friendly setting, while competitive players can join one of seven Notts League teams or the internal rapidplay and club championships.
Tabletop gaming venue with a board game café, a dedicated War Room with terrain for wargames and a separate RPG room. Hosts weekly Blood Bowl, Kill Team, board game and card game nights.
Nomads Chess Club meets every Monday evening, including bank holidays and through the summer, in the conservatory of The Embankment pub on Arkwright Street. Players of all abilities are welcome, from online players trying over the board chess for the first time to league regulars, and juniors are welcome too.
Long-running open games club meeting weekly at a Castle Rock pub for board games and wargames. Drop in to play or run your own games; newcomers welcome and the first visit is free.
Weekly Monday evening board games meetup run by the Nottingham Sociables group at the Harvester in Wilford.
Free Saturday wargaming club in the Central Library space for ages 11+, with drop-in tables and bookable demos of Middle-earth SBG, Star Wars Legion and Warhammer 40,000.
Games shop on Welby Street with a gaming area, board game library and wargaming tables, stocking Games Workshop, Warlord Games, trading card games and model kits. Runs Trading Card Fridays and a Saturday Pokémon League.
Beeston Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Beeston Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
East Leake Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at East Leake Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Kimberley Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Kimberley Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Mansfield Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Mansfield Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Mapperley Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Mapperley Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Large gaming centre on Westgate, a short walk from Grantham station, with a playing hall, private gaming rooms and a shop for trading card games, Warhammer and board games. Runs weekly card game tournaments and casual nights.
Radcliffe & Bingham Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at Long Acre Arts in Bingham, with a junior club for under 16s from 6.15pm (September to April) and the main club night from 7.15pm. It runs seven Notts League teams and welcomes players of all abilities.
South Mansfield & Blidworth Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Friday evenings at the Mansfield Mechanics Institute in Forest Town, with EBU Master Points awarded. Players of any standard are warmly welcomed, and new and returning players can get help learning or improving their game.
West Bridgford Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at The Wolds on Loughborough Road, with junior chess from 6.15pm before the adult club night. Juniors are welcome, and the club plays in the Notts League.
West Nottingham Chess Club meets on Tuesdays at Bramcote Memorial Hall, with a junior session from 6.15pm to 7.15pm followed by a 7.30pm session for all ages, for friendly games and league matches. It welcomes players of all ages and standards, and the hall has full step free access.
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.
