After six days on the road, seven unforgettable cafés, and more Woolfy jackfruit BBQ sliders than we can count, our our GVL Board Game Cafe Roadtrip continues with a deep dive into Bonus Round Game Cafe, Chicago’s first full-service board game café. Since its launch in March 2018, Bonus Round has become known for comfort food, an expansive game library, and radically inclusive events. As GVL Board Game Cafe continues to shape our own identity in Greenville, this stop wasn’t just inspiring—it was instructive.
Location & First Impression
Nestled at 3230 N Clark St in Lakeview, Bonus Round balances casual charm with intentional design. Open from afternoons through late-night on weekends, it communicates flexibility and approachability. Originally launched with Kickstarter backing and inspired by trailblazers like Snakes & Lattes, the café’s DNA is rooted in access, passion, and personal touch.
The Founders’ Vision
Original owners Drew and Courtney set out to welcome everyone—from longtime hobbyists to tabletop newcomers. As Drew once shared:
“We want to introduce games to people who never really got into them… If you come in and say, ‘just watching,’ that’s when we know we’ve got them.”
That spirit—curious, generous, and community-driven—lives on under new leadership. Greg and Fareine, who met across the café’s tables, now steward its next chapter alongside Yuuki who orchestrates the experience day to day. Together, they’re not rewriting the story—they’re building on it, with new energy and steadfast heart, adding
“We’ll continue to build a fun, welcoming community for Chicago’s gaming community, whatever their experience level!”
Food, Drinks & The Mighty Woolfy
Let’s start with the essentials: food worth showing up for. Bonus Round’s menu leans into comfort over complexity—familiar favorites made with care, and thoughtful options for every kind of eater. Their BBQ jackfruit sliders (lovingly named The Woolfy) are a standout. Smoky, tangy, and impressively convincing even for meat lovers, they’re a best-seller for a reason.
Beyond sliders, you’ll find shareable bites, grilled cheese sandwiches, and hummus plates perfect for fueling up mid-game. The dessert lineup includes gluten-free sweets, and the kitchen is attentive to common allergens and dietary needs—vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-sensitive players are all welcome at the table.
Drinks are equally curated: a full espresso bar, hot and iced teas, craft sodas, local beers, wines, house cocktails, and zero-proof mocktails make sure everyone’s glass is raised, no matter their pour preference. Whether you’re catching up over lattes or toasting a legendary win with a themed cocktail, Bonus Round has your fellowship covered.
Games & Guidance
With over 600 titles on the shelves, Bonus Round’s game library has range. From quick icebreakers to immersive strategy sessions, there’s something for everyone—and if you’re not sure where to start, their Game Guides will walk you through it.
To help guests navigate their library, Bonus Round uses a color-coded dot system visible on the game boxes:
- 🟢 Green: Easy to learn and quick to play – great for new players or a relaxed start.
- 🟡 Yellow: Moderately complex – some strategy or unique mechanics, ideal for players with a little experience.
- 🔴 Red: Advanced games – deeper strategy or complex rules, best for hobbyists or longer game sessions.
- 🧐 Brain Icon: A heads-up that this game might be trickier than it looks!
Each staff recommendation (like the ones from Peter and Yuuki above) also includes player counts, estimated play time, and a brief theme summary, making it easy for guests to browse with confidence.
These cross-trained staff aren’t just servers; they’re part tour guide, part game night concierge. They’ll ask a few questions and recommend the perfect fit, then teach the rules so you can skip the setup stress. It’s a level of service that makes the $7 game pass feel like a smart investment—and the $10 food and drink minimum easy to meet.
Bonus Round also runs a loyalty punch-card system, so return guests earn rewards, including the chance to level up to a free board game.
Events that Bring People Together
Events at Bonus Round don’t just fill seats—they foster connection. Rather than isolating guests at separate tables, their calendar invites you into shared stories, group challenges, and genuine community.
Here are a few standouts:
- Blood on the Clocktower Nights – A high-energy social deduction event held monthly. Limited spots, $15 entry, and a loyal following.
- One Big Party – A large-scale roleplaying event where multiple tables act as different factions in a shared world. It’s immersive, inclusive, and epic.
- Puzzle Showdown – Monthly jigsaw puzzle races with prizes and bragging rights. Up to four people per team.
- LGBTQIA+ Mixer – Third Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM. Casual, low-pressure, and built for connection.
- Netrunner Nights – This cyberpunk card game is a hidden gem, and Bonus Round is the only café we’ve seen that runs it regularly. Netrunner pits hackers against megacorporations in a tense, asymmetric duel of logic and bluffing. The local scene is tight-knit but welcoming, with players showing up specifically for this event. If you’re looking for a game night that feels like a secret society, this is your raid.
- Commander Tuesdays – The last Tuesday of each month, Magic: The Gathering fans gather for casual Commander play. Players can expect friendly games and a rotating cast of decks. Bring your favorite legend and join the table.
Events range from casual to competitive, but they’re always curated for maximum accessibility and minimum gatekeeping. You don’t have to be a pro—just be present.
The Experience Model
Here’s how it works:
- $7 game pass per person for unlimited play
- $10 food & beverage minimum (per person)
- Happy Hour (Mon–Fri, 4–7 PM): $2 off game pass, house cocktails, and tall cans
Rather than a monthly membership, Bonus Round uses a loyalty card that rewards frequent visits with free game passes and more. It’s flexible, approachable, and designed to say thanks.
For groups larger than six, reservations or event coordination is recommended. Private bookings (for birthdays, corporate outings, or holiday parties) are available and custom-priced per head.
Review Highlights
Feedback from patrons across Google, Yelp, and Facebook confirms what we saw firsthand: Bonus Round is doing a lot right. Here are the key takeaways from hundreds of glowing reviews—and a few areas where expectations could be managed.
Top Pros
- Game Guides & Personalized Help: Staff frequently go above and beyond to recommend games, explain the rules, and help guests feel at home—especially those new to tabletop.
- Massive, Well-Curated Library: With 600+ games and a clever color-coded difficulty system, it’s easy for players to find something fun, fast, or strategic.
- Warm, Inclusive Atmosphere: Patrons repeatedly highlight the friendly, welcoming vibe. It’s a space where people feel safe to learn, play, and connect.
Common Cons
- Pricing Clarity: A few guests mentioned being surprised by the combination of the $7 game pass and $10 food & beverage minimum. While signage and staff communication help set expectations, some first-time visitors didn’t realize the full structure right away
- Outside Game Policy: A few reviewers expressed a wish to bring their own games. While the policy helps maintain quality and flow, it’s worth stating clearly upfront.
Who You’ll Find Here
The vibe is welcoming and unpretentious:
- First dates looking for a memorable shared activity
- Families introducing kids to board games
- Friend groups seeking something fun and screen-free
- Newcomers trying something different
This isn’t a clubhouse for hobbyists. It’s a living room with a great menu—and you’re invited.
Final Take
Bonus Round Game Cafe is more than a place to play—it’s a place to belong. Under the stewardship of Greg, Fareine, and Yuuki, it continues to honor its roots while evolving with intention. The space is vibrant, the staff are passionate, and the mission is clear: create a radically inclusive space for connection, comfort, and a little cardboard magic.
Whether you’re visiting Chicago or live just down the block, don’t miss it.
Pro tip: Say yes to the Woolfy.
Why This Matters to GVL Board Game Cafe
At GVL Board Game Cafe, we’re building something with the same heart. Like Bonus Round, we believe play isn’t just for hobbyists—it’s a catalyst for connection. Their commitment to accessibility, radically inclusive programming, and game guide hospitality is a roadmap for what welcoming can truly look like. We took notes.
Bonus Round doesn’t just build a library—it builds belonging. Their dot system, inclusive events, and guide-style hospitality remind us: the best cafés don’t max out games, they max out joy. It’s the kind of fellowship we’re forging right here in Greenville.
See you at the table.
I like the complexity sticker idea and the inclusivity: “This isn’t a clubhouse for hobbyists. It’s a living room” I think that’s important.
I am not a huge fan of the food and drink minimum idea, since it elevates the under $10 game pass with each person being able to opt-in to food into more of a particular outing that everyone has to sign off on. And also I’m not necessarily going to a board game cafe for the food. I’m going for the games and I’ll buy snack or drink if I’m hungry or thirsty. Having a great menu is great, but soft requiring people to get stuff they don’t want would just be kind of lame to me.
In my opinion, if the menu is solid enough and well priced, you won’t need to have a minimum spend. People will naturally buy food and bevs cause they’re hanging out and having fun.
Totally hear you—and appreciate you engaging so thoughtfully.
This visit was a chance for us to learn from another café doing meaningful work in the space. Bonus Round’s emphasis on community and clarity—especially with things like complexity stickers and that “living room” energy—really resonated with us.
That said, every café has to find the right rhythm for its own guests. While we respect their food-and-drink minimum model and the way it supports their space, it’s not something we’re planning to adopt here in Greenville. These types of decisions are exactly why we took this trip and why we so appreciate your input!
Thanks again for being part of the conversation—it helps shape what we’re building!