Game On: Bars and Cafes Where You Can Bond with Friends Over Games

Tired of simply hanging out and drinking at bars? Then these game-centric bars and cafes are for you.

By Jolene BouchonPublished: Jan 12, 2015

<p>It's a good thing this popular LA County spot serves hearty fare, such as sandwiches and pizza alongside the usual cafe drinks and pastries. For just $5, you can play board games all day and night, from classics like Risk and Monopoly to more obscure European titles, like Agricola and Carcassonne. And with over 900 games to choose from, you might be there a while.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.gamehauscafe.com/" target="_new"><i>gamehauscafe.com</i></a></p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://www.gamehauscafe.com/" target="_new">GameHäus Cafe</a>

Tired of simply hanging out and drinking at bars? Want more out of your local cafe than a quiet place to get work done? Then head to one of these bars or cafes around the U.S. that are all fun and games, literally, whether you're looking to bowl with beer in hand, swill ale over an arcade game, or sip coffee over a game of Sorry! Let the games begin! Just gotta be entertained? Then you'll love these restaurants for music lovers.

GameHäus Cafe; Glendale, CA

Courtesy of <a href="http://www.gamehauscafe.com/" target="_new">GameHäus Cafe</a>

It's a good thing this popular LA County spot serves hearty fare, such as sandwiches and pizza, alongside the usual cafe drinks and pastries. For just $5, you can play board games all day and night, from classics like Risk and Monopoly to more obscure European titles, like Agricola and Carcassonne. And with over 900 games to choose from, you might be there a while. gamehauscafe.com

Punch Bowl Social; Portland, Denver, Austin, and Detroit

<p>Billing themselves as a gastropub with games, each Punch Bowl Social location serves up some seriously good food in a giant space where you can socialize with friends over pool to foosball, darts to shuffleboard, and even bowling. They also offer alcoholic punch for up to eight people in, yes, punch bowls. Hey, they don't call it Punch Bowl Social for nothing.</p>

<p><a href="http://punchbowlsocial.com/" target="_new"><i>punchbowlsocial.com</i></a></p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://punchbowlsocial.com/" target="_new">Punch Bowl Social</a>

Billing themselves as a gastropub with games, each Punch Bowl Social location serves up some seriously good food in a giant space where you can socialize with friends over games from pool to foosball, darts to shuffleboard, and even bowling. They also offer alcoholic punch for up to eight people in, yes, punch bowls. Hey, they don't call it Punch Bowl Social for nothing. punchbowlsocial.com Related: Punch Bowl Party: Festive Big-Batch Cocktails

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The Uncommons; New York City

<p>Whatever your stilo, this board game spot can help you win NYC. Need a a break from The Big Apple hustle? Then repair to this spot near NYU for a rousing game of Scattergories or Cards Against Humanity. Too New York to relax? It's okay. You can also sharpen your strategic edge over a game of Battleship or Dominion.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.uncommonsnyc.com/" target="_new"><i>uncommonsnyc.com</i></a></p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://www.uncommonsnyc.com/" target="_new">The Uncommons</a>

Whatever your stilo, this board game spot can help you win NYC. Need a a break from The Big Apple hustle? Then repair to this spot near NYU for a rousing game of Scattergories or Cards Against Humanity. Too New York to relax? It's okay. You can also sharpen your strategic edge over a game of Battleship or Dominion. uncommonsnyc.com

Barcade; New York City, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Philadelphia

<p>If your Atari 2600 was your most prized childhood possession, then you'll feel right at home at Barcade. Whether you're more Pac-Man or Space Invaders, Galaga or Tron, you'll find all the arcade games your nostalgic heart desires, with the adult beverages your older self loves.</p>

<p><a href="http://barcade.com" target="_new"><i>barcade.com</i></a></p>

Courtesy of <p><a href="http://barcade.com" target="_new">Barcade Jersey City</a>

If your Atari 2600 was your most prized childhood possession, then you'll feel right at home at Barcade. Whether you're more Pac-Man or Space Invaders, Galaga or Tron, you'll find all the arcade games your nostalgic heart desires, with the adult beverages your older self loves. barcade.com

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Shoe's Cup & Cork; Leesburg, VA

<p>Whether you like to play your games sitting down or standing up, this spot has 'em, from classics like Yahtzee and Candy Land to the bocce ball court on the back patio. Housed in a former shoe repair shop, Shoe's (get it?) serves a full menu, breakfast through dinner, as well as coffee shop standard beverages as well as beer and wine.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.shoescupandcork.com" target="_new"><i>shoescupandcork.com</i></a> </p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://www.shoescupandcork.com" target="_new">Shoe's Cup & Cork</a>

Whether you like to play your games sitting down or standing up, this spot has 'em, from classics like Yahtzee and Candy Land to the bocce ball court on the back patio. Housed in a former shoe repair shop, Shoe's (get it?) serves a full menu, breakfast through dinner, as well as standard coffee shop beverages and beer and wine. shoescupandcork.com Best Restaurants for Music Lovers

Game X; Atlanta, GA

<p>Ever wish there was a version of Chuck E. Cheese for grownups, you know, with more drinks and far fewer kids? Well Game X in downtown Atlanta has made it happen, combining pub food, such as buffalo wings and burgers and a broad beer and cocktail menu with bigger, better games. (Think Fruit Ninja played on a 60-inch screen or a 10-foot high Connect 4 board.) And yes, you earn prizes by playing games, just like at old Chuck E's, but you earn them by gathering electronic tickets. After all, those paper ones are for kids. </p>

<p><a href="http://gamexatl.com/" target="_new"><i>gamexatl.com</i></a></p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://gamexatl.com/" target="_new">Game X</a>

Ever wish there was a version of Chuck E. Cheese for grownups — you know, with more drinks and far fewer kids? Well Game X in downtown Atlanta has made it happen, combining pub food, such as buffalo wings and burgers and a broad beer and cocktail menu with bigger, better games. (Think Fruit Ninja played on a 60-inch screen or a 10-foot high Connect 4 board.) And yes, you earn prizes by playing games, just like at old Chuck E's, but you earn them by gathering electronic tickets. After all, those paper ones are for kids. gamexatl.com

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Meeples Games; Seattle, WA

<p>Gaming enthusiasts unite at Meeples Cafe to gather around board, card, and role-playing games while sipping coffee or local beers and snacking on healthy, shareable eats. You can organize your own game with friends at Meeples Cafe or join in one one of their organized, competitive play events. Either way, you win. </p>

<p><a href="http://meeplesgames.com" target="_new"><i>meeplesgames.com</i></a></p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://meeplesgames.com" target="_new">Meeples Games</a>

Gaming enthusiasts unite at Meeples Cafe to gather around board, card, and role-playing games while sipping coffee or local beers and snacking on healthy, shareable eats. You can organize your own game with friends at Meeples Cafe or join in one one of their organized, competitive play events. Either way, you win. meeplesgames.com Related: Inns and B & Bs with with Farm-Fresh Food

16-Bit Bar; Cleveland and Columbus, OH

<p>Prefer your fashions from the 1980s? Then revisit your favorite era at 16-Bit's two locations, where you can while away the hours with a little Frogger, Asteroids, DigDug and all your favorite arcade games. It'll be just like when you were a kid, except this time accompanied by booze. (Or, legally, anyway.)</p>

<p><a href="http://16-bitbar.com" target="_new"><i>16-bitbar.com</i></a> </p>

Courtesy of <a href="http://16-bitbar.com" target="_new">16-Bit Bar</a>

Prefer your fashions from the 1980s? Then revisit your favorite era at 16-Bit's two locations, where you can while away the hours with a little Frogger, Asteroids, DigDug, and all your favorite arcade games. It'll be just like when you were a kid, except this time accompanied by booze. (Or, legally, anyway.) 16-bitbar.com

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