Quick answer: In York you can play board games at Beyond Monopoly! (club), Piece of York Secret Games Room (games shop with tables to play at) and Up A Level (board game café). Nearby towns Harrogate and Scarborough add four more places, further down the page.
Beyond Monopoly! has been York's board game club for over 20 years, meeting all day on two Saturdays a month and on Friday evenings at The Bar Convent, and your first visit's free. In town, Up A Level on Feasegate has a gaming café with plenty of board games, and Piece of York rents out tables in a hidden games room behind its jigsaw shop.
2 × Club1 × Shop with gaming tables2 × Board game café2 × Meetup group
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York's long-running board game club, which turned 20 in 2025. It meets at The Bar Convent just outside Micklegate Bar, all day on Saturdays and on Friday evenings, and you can come and go as you like. The club has its own collection of modern games, and someone will sit down and teach you one straight away. Children aged 8 and up are welcome with an adult.
Where
The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ
When
First and third Saturday of the month, 10am to 9pm (sometimes moved to the Sunday). Second and fourth Friday, 5pm to 9pm.
Cost
First visit free. Saturdays £6, or £4 for seniors, students and unwaged. Fridays £4, or £3 concessions.
A hidden games room behind the shelves of a jigsaw shop off Grape Lane. You rent a table for 2 to 6 players, bring your own board game or borrow one of theirs, and can order food and drink from Pig & Potato next door. Under-18s need an adult with them.
Where
Piece of York, 1 Norman Court, Grape Lane, York, YO1 7HU
When
Tables to rent Wednesday to Sunday, 12 noon to 3pm. Book by email.
A gaming café in the middle of York with board games, consoles, darts and Lego under one roof. The board game shelves run from family classics to Catan, Ticket to Ride: Europe and Pandemic, plus themed games like Villainous and Jurassic Park. Donate a game you don't play any more and you get a free session pass.
Where
12 Feasegate, York, YO1 8SQ
When
Tuesday to Thursday 6pm to 10:15pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10:15pm. Closed Monday and Friday.
Smaller places near York that don't have their own page yet.
Meetup groupHarrogate
Harrogate Board Gamers (HBG)
Harrogate's Meetup board game group, with over 230 sessions run so far. It plays on Sunday afternoons at Starling on Oxford Street most weeks, and has added Saturday afternoon sessions at Major Tom's and Roosters. You join through Meetup to see the details.
When
Most Sunday afternoons from 12:30pm at Starling, plus some Saturday afternoon sessions at other Harrogate venues.
A free board game night run by the Mini Adventures social group in the upstairs room at Starlings. There are tables for long and short games, you're welcome to bring your own, and you can order a drink or pizza downstairs. Newcomers are welcome, even if you think you're no good at games.
Where
Starlings, 47 Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1PW
When
Tuesday evenings, 7pm to 9pm, in the upstairs room. Not every week, so check the group's Meetup page.
A board game café on York Place with a library of 100+ games, Japanese-inspired food and drinks, and a laid-back capybara theme. Walk-ins are welcome; book ahead for larger groups.
Where
19 York Place, Scarborough, YO11 2NP
When
Winter hours until further notice: Monday 12pm to 7pm, Friday to Sunday 12pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Thursday closed. Food and drink last orders one hour before closing
Cost
£2 per person per hour (up to 3 hours); £1 per hour for children aged 5 to 15; free for under 5s. No table fee for food-and-drink-only visits
