Join us on the ultimate board game café scouting adventure! The BGC Road Trip tag chronicles our journey across cities and states as we visit some of the most iconic and innovative board game cafés in the country. From immersive atmospheres to clever business models, we’re documenting lessons, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes insights—all to shape the future of our own café. Whether you’re a fellow entrepreneur, board game enthusiast, or just love a good road trip story, this tag is your passport to the journey.
As part of our GVL Board Game Cafe road trip, we visited Free Parking in Cincinnati—a board game bar built around accessibility, community, and hospitality-first design. From its curated game library and friendly “game librarian” staff to Monopoly-themed cocktails, Free Parking offers valuable insights for shaping the future of GVL Board Game Cafe.
GVL Board Game Cafe explores how Bonus Round in Chicago is setting the standard for inclusive play, great food, and community-driven gaming.
Discover how Stay & Play Game Café in Chicago inspired our vision for GVL Board Game Café—from community events to a game-friendly Puerto Rican menu.
As we scout successful board game cafés to inspire our upcoming venue in Greenville, Snakes & Lattes Chicago stood out for its expansive game library, immersive themes, and board game-first approach. In this review, we break down what worked, what fell short, and what lessons we’re bringing home to craft a more personalized, community-driven café in the Southeast.