Drawing Inspiration from the Deck: How One Chicago Café Is Influencing Our Next Move in Upstate, SC
After six days on the road, seven incredible cafés, and more lattes than we can count, the BGC Roadtrip is officially in the rearview. On each leg of this journey, we’re diving into a new board-game café to uncover the layout tricks, operational insights, and community-building hacks that make these venues tick—and collecting inspiration to bring home to GVL Board Game Cafe.
Let’s roll into our first stop, one of North America’s most established and publicly traded board game cafe chains.
Location & First Impressions
Located in Chicago’s trendy Logan Square neighborhood at 1965 N Milwaukee Ave, Snakes & Lattes stands out with its bright purple entrance on an otherwise easily missable building. This pop of color serves as a beacon for gamers and curious passersby alike. For our future Greenville board game cafe, we noted how this strategic use of color creates curiosity and invites exploration, even when the building itself might not naturally draw attention.
Inside, we encountered a themed interior that felt like stepping into a miniature town—playful signage, warm lighting, and strategically arranged game tables creating an energetic yet comfortable vibe. Even on a Tuesday evening at 8 PM, the place was lively but not overwhelming, striking that perfect balance that we envision for our Greenville location.
The Board Game Experience
What impressed us most about Snakes & Lattes—and what we’ll definitely incorporate into Greenville’s first dedicated board game cafe—is their balanced game-food-drinks approach. With over 400 games available, their collection is thoughtfully curated for both accessibility and breadth.
Our diverse group of three included:
- A casual, occasional gamer
- An avid Gen-z board gamer
- and, of course, we had to bring a board game skeptic!
Everyone found something enjoyable, thanks partly to their friendly “game expert” who offered recommendations without being intrusive. Games we played (or should I say replayed) included:
- Doomlings – a light, chaotic card game perfect for warming up
- Dice Throne – a strategic one-on-one battle game with mix-and-match characters
Even our hesitant friend was smiling by round two—exactly the kind of universal appeal we want to bring to Greenville’s gaming community.
Customer Experience & Service Model
Snakes & Lattes employs a QR code self-ordering system that keeps service efficient while letting players focus on their games. While this was efficient, we observed opportunities for enhanced personal touches that we plan to implement in our Greenville board game cafe.
After an initial introduction from the host, much of the evening unfolded independently—with minimal check-ins for drinks or other needs unless requested. The game expert, however, made an excellent impression, even sharing local recommendations when he learned about our plans to open Greenville’s first board game cafe.
Gaming Library & Space Design
The well-organized game library showcased their extensive collection while making browsing intuitive. Watching other patrons discover new games reminded us how important accessibility will be for board game newcomers in Greenville.
Table spacing and sizing deserve special mention—they’ve managed to maximize seating capacity without feeling cramped, with tables large enough to accommodate both full meals and expansive game boards. This careful spatial planning is definitely on our priority list for our Upstate South Carolina location.
Food & Beverage Program
Each of us ordered the Steak & Frites, which was adequate in portion but relatively standard in execution. Flavor-wise, it was satisfactory but not exceptional. My Old Fashioned was similarly straightforward—lacking garnish or distinctive character.
For our Greenville board game cafe, we see an opportunity to elevate the beverage offerings with creative presentations and unique flavor profiles. We’re exploring partnerships with Upstate SC food producers and local beverage creators to develop signature drinks that complement the gaming experience. Whatever refreshments we ultimately include on our menu, the focus will be on quality and creativity rather than standard fare.
Special Events & Community Programming
Snakes & Lattes Chicago hosts various themed gatherings that foster community engagement:
- Trivia nights featuring pop culture themes (Shrek, MCU, Harry Potter)
- Social mixer game nights
- Puzzle races and game designer showcases
They also partner with community organizations like NAMI Chicago and maintain an active social media presence. For our Greenville board game cafe, we envision similar community-focused events plus partnerships with local schools, libraries, and organizations to make tabletop gaming accessible to everyone across the Upstate.
What Do Their Customers Say?
Top Pros
- Huge board game library with easy browsing
- Themed décor creates an immersive and playful space
- Knowledgeable game staff (game gurus) available for help
- Great group experience, perfect for both casual and serious gamers
Common Cons
- Service can feel distant after initial seating
- Some menu items run out or are unavailable
- Cocktails lack uniqueness or upscale presentation
- Game fees may feel like a barrier for quick visits
Business Model Insights for Our Greenville Board Game Cafe
At $7 per person for unlimited game access (along with some tiered membership options) plus food and drink costs, Snakes & Lattes offers a reasonable value proposition. Their themed private rooms (“Starship”, “Haunted Study”, and “Enchanted Forest”) available for reservation provide additional revenue streams and cater to special events.
For our Greenville location, we’re considering a similar pay-to-play model, potentially with loyalty programs to reward regular visitors from throughout the Upstate South Carolina area. This approach provides flexibility for both casual drop-ins and dedicated gamers who want to spend an entire evening exploring different games. We are hopeful our space will be large enough for some private rooms as well.
What Greenville’s Board Game Community Can Expect
Based on our research at Snakes & Lattes and other venues, here’s what board game enthusiasts in Greenville, SC can look forward to:
Strengths we’ll adopt:
- Extensive, well-curated game library with options for all skill levels
- Knowledgeable gaming staff to help newcomers
- An immersive environment that creates a memorable experience
- Community-building events and inclusive programming
Opportunities we’ll enhance:
- More attentive service throughout the gaming experience
- Elevated food and beverage options
Bringing the Board Game Cafe Experience to Upstate South Carolina
Snakes & Lattes Chicago delivered exactly what we hoped for: a relaxed, game-focused atmosphere with enough menu options to create a complete evening out. While the food and drinks weren’t the highlight, their prioritization of gameplay and extensive library made it one of the most balanced board game cafes we’ve researched.
As we work to bring this concept to Greenville, we’re excited to combine the best practices we’ve observed with unique elements that celebrate our community’s character. From Downtown Greenville to the broader Upstate area, we believe a dedicated board game cafe will provide a welcome alternative for entertainment, socialization, and creative competition.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our research and development process. Want to help shape Greenville’s first board game cafe? Share your thoughts in the comments below about what games, events, and experiences you’d like to see in our Upstate South Carolina location!
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