“Guys. I hope you’re all free on Friday 4th November at 7:30pm. I’ve booked a little surprise for us.”
This was the message I got from my friend Jackie about a month in advance. I hate surprises. The idea of a surprise party fills me with dread, and knowing that someone knows something that I’m not allowed to know makes me itch with impatience.
Thankfully Jackie is easier to read than a Little Golden Book and I had it figured out within a couple of weeks. The excitement was real, you guys (and so was the fun at keeping my husband and another friend in the dark). A BOARD GAME CAFE!
A good Friday night for me usually involves takeaway pad thai and a good book, so this was the kind of night out I could get on board with (pun obviously intended).
It was in Haggerston (note: it’s since moved to Dalston, see address at the end of this post), which was the only downside (I don’t really go east if I can help it), but spurred on by the promise of warmth, board games and prosecco, I made the trek to meet my friends at Draughts, London’s first board game cafe.
Draughts board game cafe
There are around 600 games to choose from, starting with funny and lighthearted options, and progressing to full-on strategy games that are guaranteed to break friendships. It costs £5 per person to play, and there’s a menu of drinks and bar snacks so you won’t get hangry halfway through Monopoly.
The vibe is pretty hipster, with plenty of exposed brick (it’s tucked into an old railway arch), neon signs and an ‘artisan’ cola instead of Coke, which just tasted like nutmeg. The prosecco was great though, so I’d recommend sticking to that!
We weren’t sure where to begin, so we asked one of the Gurus there for advice. Their job is to recommend games to you based on your experience and taste. That’s career goals, right there.
It was a tough decision, but in the end we settled on Taboo as a fun warm-up game, and quickly fell into fits of giggles (well, the girls’ team was giggling, the boys were hanging their heads in shame).
After Taboo, we were going to try something properly strategic but ended up with Mastermind instead, which we got bored of after about three rounds. We’d had our eye on the Logo game, so when we spotted another table returning it to the library we swiped it and settled in for what we’d come for: a classic board game.
I’m not going to lie; all of our games got a little heated. Rules were enforced. Rules were argued. I didn’t win, but then again I was probably the least competitive person at the table.
After that, we ended with a quick round of Kerplunk and, given it was after 10pm, it was time to call it a night.
I love London for the fact that there really is something for everyone, even a granny like me who likes her nights out to be comfortable, not too loud and spent having a laugh with good friends. It’s true, you guys. I am that cool.
Draughts isn’t just open at night, though. You can make bookings during the week, and at the weekend it’s first come, first served.
On a cold, rainy day there really isn’t a better place to hang out and forget all about the terrible weather.
Thanks Jackie for the (sort of) surprise. And thanks Julie for explaining the rules.
Find Draughts at: 41 Kingsland High St, Dalston, London E8 2JS (note: the address has changed since I went, so it could look a little different, but I’m sure it’s still fab!)
