5 cool board game bars in Budapest
Board games have been experiencing a golden age in recent years, as there are more high-quality and diverse board games being produced than ever before. Their popularity has certainly been boosted during the pandemic lockdown, as board games are a great way for people to enjoy time together. However, home is not the only place to enjoy games. More and more bars are opening up where you can enjoy a drink while playing board games with your friends.
Below, we have compiled a list of some of the best board game bars in Budapest, where you can play board games (even in English) with your friends over a beer, coffee or refreshment.
1. Board Game Café
In addition to a large selection of board games, the Board Game Café offers a wide range of snacks and beverages. Guests are charged HUF 950 (EUR 2.45) per person for a three-hour-long gaming session. For children under 14, it costs HUF 475 (EUR 1.22). You can check out their list of games by clicking HERE. As they have a huge selection, you may want to browse their board games on the site before visiting the bar. However, if you are unsure of what to play, the bar’s “gaming masters” will be happy to help you.
Address: 1094 Budapest, Ferenc Boulevard (Ferenc körút) 17.
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2. Game Up Pub
The Game Up Pub opened in 2016 in the city centre. Apart from a variety of alcoholic drinks, guests can choose from a range of sandwiches if they get hungry. Of course, they also have a wide variety of board games, a list of which can be found on their website.
Recently, the pub’s owners opened a new board game bar called Game Up 2. While the first location is better suited to smaller groups, Game Up 2 is designed for more people. The pub consists of two separate rooms, each of which can seat 30-35 people.
In both pubs, the fee costs HUF 500 (EUR 1.29) per person for a three-hour-long gaming session. But if a customer spends more than HUF 3000 (EUR 7.73), the fee is waived.
Addresses: Game Up 1 – 1066 Budapest, Zichy Jenő Street 4.
Game Up 2 – 1137 Budapest, Katona József Street 21.
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3. BarCraft
The BarCraft franchise has bars all over the country, including three in Budapest. All three Budapest bars welcome guests with different thematic experience. BarCraft Corvin brings the spirit of warcraft. BarCraft Buda evokes a Victorian – Steampunk atmosphere. Situated next to Nyugati railway station, the third place will charm fans of sci-fi and fantasy movies.
Another special feature of these bars is that they welcome board game fans as well as e-sports enthusiasts. Hungary’s very first e-sports bar was BarCraft Corvin, which opened in 2015.
The fee for playing board games in all bars is HUF 600 (EUR 1.55). Along with a usual selection of drinks, guests can choose from a lengthy list of cocktails, or can eat snacks or even pizza.
Addresses: BarCraft Corvin – 1092 Budapest, Ferenc Boulevard 34.
BarCraft Buda – 1111 Budapest, Bartók Béla Street 18.
BarCraft Nyugati – 1065 Budapest, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road 59.
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4. Vault 51
The bar named Vault 51 awaits its guests on two floors, with six rooms, having a capacity of over 100 people. Similar to BarCraft, the bar also features Playstation consoles and Gamer PCs, in addition to a wide variety of board games. As for the drinks, guests can choose from 50 different cocktails inspired by films and games.
Address: 1066 Budapest, Ó Street 51.
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The bar celebrated its 4th anniversary last year. To mark the occasion, they shot the following video to promote the place.
5. Játsz/Ma
Board game lovers will find here 3 rooms with seating for up to 130 people. There are over 500 board games to choose from, individually arranged on shelves to help people find the right game for them. A special feature of the place is that their dishes are named after board games.
For adults, the fee is HUF 990 (EUR 2.56) per person for a three-hour-long gaming session. Under 12, it costs HUF 500 (EUR 1.29).
Address: 1053 Budapest, Reáltanoda Street 16.
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Source: boardgamecafe.hu, gameup.hu, barcraft.eu, vault51gamerbar.hu, jatszma.com