Do you have a family that plays together? Good news: Classic family board games are back in style in Chicago. (Take that, Minecraft.) Get out of the house and play them at laidback spots across the city and suburbs. Our list includes local libraries, stores and cafes with secret stashes. Some even have organized game nights. Scroll down and get ready to roll.
photo: Cat & Mouse Game Store
Cat & Mouse Game Store
For over seven years, folks have flocked to the Bucktown shop (and, now, the new West Loop location) to ward off bad-weather blues and enjoy lively, friendly competition. Head there for a weekly game night — you can BYO game or borrow one from the shop — or join a kids’ game league. Still want more? Cat & Mouse hosts board game parties in the store or they’ll come to you. The game experts will set everything up, teach everyone how to play and monitor the flow so that everyone gets the most out of a rousing match of Headbanz, Sorry or the latest game that tickles their fancy.
2212 W. Armitage Ave.
Bucktown
773-384-4454
&
1112 W. Madison St.
West Loop
312-465-2178
Online: cat-n-mouse.com
Chicago Public Library – West Belmont Branch
It’s not just books in this nook: The West Belmont Branch has a wide selection of board games in their auditorium for open play at any time. In the past they’ve hosted weekly board game days and events. If you have little ones in tow that don’t quite have game-playing down pat, they can enjoy the selection of blocks, puzzles and discovery toys on hand across the library.
3104 N. Narragansett Ave.
Montclare
312-746-5142
Online: chipublib.org
photo: Java & Mug Cafe via Lou Stefhamae on Yelp
Java & Mug Cafe
For a quirky adventure, check out this North Park coffee den. Waste the day away playing loads of board games, eating Korean deserts, drinking fruity bubble teas and admiring the brilliant foam art in your coffee or kids’ steamer. Try your hand at Sorry, Yahtzee, Uno, Boggle, Jeopardy, Monopoly, Jenga, Checkers or Chess. All the classics are here.
3247 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
North Park
773-539-0407
Online: plus.google.com
Norma’s Coffee Corner
The independent and locally owned coffee shop has a few shelves of games to entertain you and your wee one while you sip a cup of hot chocolate or espresso and indulge in a quiche. The vibe is quiet and understated, but totally unstuffy (aka: nobody will mind a kiddie outburst). Bond with your little guy or gal over a game of Checkers — they have a tabletop cloth board, perfect for little hands. And, just this once, let him win a round.
189 W. Northwest Highway
Palatine
847-202-5690
Online: normascoffeecorner.com
photo: Fair Game
Fair Game
Grab a seat and stay awhile. The animated shop has hundreds of demo board games to choose from, appropriate for most ages and abilities. You’ll find family games that are familiar like Chutes and Ladders, Chess and Monopoly; and hidden gems like Castle Panic, Ticket to Ride or Tokaido. The staff is all about creating a space for people to interact and connect, mano a mano. If you get stumped, ask one of the board game wizards strolling around; they’re always up for showing you how to play.
5147 Main St.
Downers Grove
630-963-0640
Online: fairgamestore.com
Da Sorce
Every Saturday, this welcoming comic book, toy and game store hosts a game demo night. Beginning around 4 p.m., the staff shows you the ropes of a new hit, like Munchkin Card Game or King of New York, making directions easy to understand for children. Check their Facebook page for a schedule and a list of games that will be previewed. Everyone, however, is welcome to come in the store at any time during store hours to play games; Da Sorce has an extensive library to choose from.
4353 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincoln Square
773-665-2226
Online: dasorce.com
photo: peddhapati on flickr
Everything Games
This Buffalo Grove game shop welcomes you to join the action. Along with demo’ing and selling the most recent slew of games, you can join Board Game Wednesday, a weekly organized game group. Pokémon fanatics should drop in for the Pokémon League to learn how to play and earn badges. Everything Games also hosts tournaments: Heroclix, Magic the Gathering, Marvel Dice Masters and Yugioh. Is your kid addicted to Star Wars or Star Trek? Bring him in for the Star Trek Attack Wing & Star Wars Miniatures Open Play.
Woodland Commons
316 W. Half Day Rd.
Buffalo Grove
224-676-1114
Online: everything-games.com
Coming Soon: Level 257
Hold onto your seats, PAC-MAN fans, because this dining and entertainment powerhouse is set to hit the area soon. This spot will feature PAC-MAN-inspired noshes, a lounge, retro bowling, table tennis, pinball machines, and a Lost & Found game parlor that will house original and new arcade games. Also, you guessed it, there will be free-to-play classic board games. This 40,000-square-foot facility might be the best thing to hit the burbs!
2 Woodfield Mall, Unit A
847-580-0302
Schaumburg
Online: level257.com
Where is YOUR favorite place to play games? Let us know in the Comments!
— Wendy Altschuler
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