CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED

Board Game & Play Cafés in Belfast

Board games here stretch to cover cat cafés, soft play and canalside coffee too, so think of this as places to sit down and play together rather than a strict pub-quiz table. Kumiko Cat Lounge, close to the centre, charges from £1 and asks you to book ahead, with rescue cats wandering about while you play something quiet over coffee. The Dock Cafe, nearer still, is donation-based and canalside, and you can bring your own food and settle in with no bill waiting at the end. For the real hobby stuff, Northern Card Gaming out in Newtownards runs trading card tournaments and tabletop wargaming for teens and adults who already know the games. If you have younger children, Funky Monkeys Dundonald in Belfast has a soft play frame with twin slides and a fenced baby area from £1.50, and Little Play Studio in Newtownabbey offers eight role play zones from £7 for a longer morning or afternoon. For a slower visit with older kids or just the adults, the cat lounge or the canalside café suit better than a soft play hall. Book ahead for the cats, and bring a picnic if you head to the Dock.

✓ 5 places★ 1 upcoming event✦ 1 free to visit