Quick answer: In Birmingham you can play board games at Board & Card Game Enthusiasts, Birmingham & West Midlands (Meetup group), Chance & Counters Birmingham (board game café), Edgbaston Board Games Club (Meetup group) and Game Guru (board game café). The next confirmed date is Mon 16 Nov, 6 pm (Edgbaston Board Games Club). Nearby towns Dudley, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall and Wolverhampton add eight more places, further down the page.
Birmingham has board game cafés at the Custard Factory in Digbeth and at the Utilita Arena by the canal. In Harborne, Edgbaston Board Games Club meets every Monday and Board & Card Game Enthusiasts plays on Tuesdays, with a fortnightly Wednesday night in the city centre.
Board & Card Game Enthusiasts, Birmingham & West Midlands
Birmingham's biggest board game Meetup group, with over 6,000 members. It plays on Tuesday evenings at The Hop Garden in Harborne, and every other Wednesday there's a city-centre night at The Good Intent in the Great Western Arcade.
Where
The Hop Garden, 19 Metchley Lane, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 0HT
When
Tuesdays 6:30pm to 10:30pm at The Hop Garden in Harborne. Every other Wednesday 6pm to 10pm at The Good Intent in the Great Western Arcade.
A board game café in the Custard Factory in Digbeth with over 650 games. It's dog friendly and wheelchair accessible. Every Monday from 6pm there's a Social Gaming night for £5, with no need to book.
Where
Courtyard Studio 8, Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA
When
Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 10pm.
Cost
£2.50 per person per hour off-peak (Sunday 5pm to Friday 5pm, children 14 and under free), £3.50 at peak times
A board game café at the Utilita Arena by the canal, with a games library and Game Gurus who'll teach you how to play. There's a second branch in Touchwood in Solihull.
Where
Unit 1, Utilita Arena, King Edwards Road, Birmingham, B1 2AA
A free monthly games night in the restaurant room at the Seven Stars, run by The Goodwill Revolution, a local community interest company. Games are provided or you can bring your own, there's no need to book, and 'Games Greeters' make introductions if you turn up on your own.
Station on Station Street turns Tuesday nights over to board games and chatting, from classics to more modern games. It's pitched at regulars and at people who just want to meet someone new over a game.
Where
Station, 44 Station Street, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6AT
A fortnightly Friday games night upstairs at the Black Country Arms, run by Board and Card Game Enthusiasts, Birmingham and West Midlands. Members bring a rotating collection of modern board games, all levels of experience are welcome, and you can bring your own.
Where
The Black Country Arms, 9 High Street, Walsall, WS1 1QW
A monthly board game afternoon run by Wolverhampton LGBT+ upstairs at Pride House, with games like Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride and Risk, or bring your own. Free refreshments. Book a place through their website. The room is upstairs and isn't wheelchair accessible.
Where
Pride House, Wolverhampton
When
Second Sunday of the month, 2pm to 5pm
Good for beginners
Yes
Games to borrow
Yes
Check the club's own page before you go, as times can change.
A free board games night for LGBTQ+ adults at X2Y on King Street. Play something from their collection or bring your own to share, with free tea, coffee and squash. Strictly 18 and over, and the venue is step-free.
Where
X2Y, 10 King Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ST
When
Thursday evenings, several dates a term
Cost
Free, donations welcome
Good for beginners
Yes
Good for children
No
Games to borrow
Yes
Dates and details from the organiser's OutSavvy page.
