Board in the City
Community interest company board game cafe with a library of over 1,000 games and game masters who can teach them. Has a bookable strategy room, a kitchen, and can arrange a DM for D&D sessions.
Tables to play on site
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Venue type · Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire Board game cafés and bars in Southampton
Board game cafés and bars across Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire: cafés with game libraries and pubs that host regular board game nights.
We list 5 board game cafés and bars across Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire, in 5 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 5 regular sessions, most often on Wednesdays and Tuesdays. Three of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. One of the 5 is in Southampton itself, and we list it first below.
Most active venues
- Dice Board Game Lounge, Portsmouth 4 regular nights: Dungeons at Dice (Tuesdays), Tableside Social Gaming Evening (Wednesdays)
- Chess at Café de Ryde, Ryde 1 regular night: Saturday chess by the sea (Saturdays)
5 venues
In Southampton (1)
Elsewhere in Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire (4)
Dice Board Game Lounge
Board game cafe and bar on Albert Road in Southsea with hundreds of games to play, table service food and drink, and purpose built tables for wargames and RPGs. Weekly nights include Dungeons at Dice (Tuesday), social gaming and KeyForge (Wednesday) and Mini Fight Club wargaming (Thursday); tables can be booked by phone or email.
Tables to play on site
4 regular nights · Tues, Weds, Thus
Chess at Café de Ryde
Chess by the sea every Saturday at Café de Ryde on the Esplanade, with indoor play if the weather turns. Everyone is welcome, and chess sets can be borrowed from the café at any time.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Sats
Diceheads
Gaming cafe on Coates Road in Gosport stocking Warhammer, with space to play. Open Tuesday to Sunday from midday, with late opening until 9pm.
Tables to play on site
Snacks and Ladders
Award-winning board game cafe, restaurant and bar in Newport on the Isle of Wight with over 1,000 games, open since 2019. It also runs roleplaying sessions, quiz nights and card game prereleases.
Tables to play on site
Regular nights
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Tuesday
18:00 to 22:00 Every Tuesday
Wednesday
18:00 to 22:00 Every Wednesday
Tableside Social Gaming Evening
Dice Board Game Lounge, Portsmouth. Casual play
Board games Beginner friendly
18:00 to 22:00 Every Wednesday
Thursday
18:00 to 22:00 Every Thursday
Saturday
11:00 to 14:00 Every Saturday
Saturday chess by the sea
Chess at Café de Ryde, Ryde. Casual chess, all welcome
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
Common questions
Which board game cafés and bars in Southampton run the most game nights?
The venues with the most regular nights are Dice Board Game Lounge in Portsmouth (4 nights) and Chess at Café de Ryde in Ryde (1 night). We list 5 venues in all across Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire.
Which night of the week is busiest at board game cafés and bars in Southampton?
Wednesdays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. Five sessions run every week. The Southampton calendar shows what's on from today.
Are there beginner-friendly nights at board game cafés and bars in Southampton?
Yes. Three regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Dice Board Game Lounge and Chess at Café de Ryde. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
How much is a board game café in Southampton?
Most cafés charge a table or cover fee on top of food and drink. For example: Board in the City: Adults. Snacks and Ladders: £2 per person per hour with food or drink. Prices change, so check the café's own site before you book.
Other venue types
Game nights near you, every Thursday
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