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CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED

Board Game & Play Cafés in Newcastle

Newcastle's board game scene leans more grown-up night out than family afternoon. Café Mercy, right in the centre, is a board game bar with cocktails, small plates and shelves of games to work through. The WonderBar, also just a kilometre out, is 18+ and worth knowing about, it opens from 10am for interactive darts, live sport and cocktails all day, so it's one for a child-free evening rather than a family trip. If you've got kids in tow, InflateSpace out towards the edge of town, about 4km from the centre, is the one to pick, a space-themed inflatable arena for ages 1 to 18 with slides, battle beams and a slam-dunk course, tickets from £12.50, plus parking, lockers and a café on site. For proper board games with a drink in hand, head into the centre for Café Mercy. Just remember The WonderBar is adults only, so save that one for a night without the children.

12 places 1 upcoming event From £1.50

What's on: board game & play cafés

Places for board game & play cafés

Bay Games

Bay Games

Whitley Bay

A café where you settle in with board games, trading cards or a Dungeons and Dragons session most days of the week.

Booking requiredCaféIndoor seatingFood on site

An orange cocktail with ice and orange slice garnish on a bar counter, styled with dried flowers and decorative elements.

Café Mercy

Newcastle upon Tyne

A board game bar in Newcastle serving cocktails and small plates alongside shelves of games to play.

Toddler playing with wooden toys on a blue mat in a bright indoor play space.from £1.50

CUB Play Cafe

Blyth · ages 0-6

Montessori-style loose parts play for babies and toddlers, indoors and out, with two-hour sessions in Blyth.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBooking requiredIndoor play+3 more

Children in fancy dress costumes playing behind a barred gate prop during an indoor activity.from £6.95

Dream Big Nursery

Chester-le-Street · ages 0-8

Six role play sets, a chicken coop and a mud kitchen give small kids a proper morning of pretend and outdoor mess.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesBooking requiredBreastfeeding friendly+7 more

Flight Club Edinburghfrom £9

Flight Club Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 12+

A darts bar with tech-scored games, adults-only most of the week but open to families in daytime sessions.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsIndoor seating+2 more

GOODS

GOODS

Newcastle upon Tyne

An all-day café in Newcastle with a proper kitchen, speciality coffee and a grocer counter, open 8am to 8pm every day.

CaféIndoor seatingFood on site

Children and adults playing on a multi-level inflatable obstacle course with neon lighting and padded obstacles.from £12.50

InflateSpace Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 1-18

A space-themed inflatable arena with slides, battle beams and a slam-dunk course for climbing, launching and bouncing through.

Birthday partiesCaféLockersParking+1 more

Northern Alliance Gamesfrom £5

Northern Alliance Games

Newcastle upon Tyne

A tabletop games café where you can hire a gaming table, dip into the board game library or join a tournament night.

CaféIndoor seatingFood on site

Indoor play area with wooden structures, small tables and chairs, and various play equipment for children.

Pineapple and Bears Birtley

Chester-le-Street · ages 0-7

A supervised playhub, sensory room and outdoor area for babies through to age seven, with coffee and cake built into the session.

Booking requiredCaféGift shopIndoor play+2 more

Retro Bay Cafefrom £6.50

Retro Bay Cafe

Whitley Bay · ages 0+

Retro consoles and arcade classics by the hour, from Sega Saturn to Super Nintendo, with a café table for whoever isn't playing.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesCafé

An indoor play café with wooden tables and white chairs decorated with hanging paper flowers and foliage from the ceiling.

The Play Café Sunderland

Sunderland

A Saturday morning play café near Seaburn metro with a play area, free parking and a kitchen that cooks fresh food daily.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesFree parkingFood on site+1 more

A dimly lit entertainment venue with darts boards, bar seating, and games area.

The WonderBar

Newcastle upon Tyne

Adults-only bar for interactive darts, live sport and gigs, open from 10am with cocktails on the go all day.

Indoor seatingRestaurant

Good to know: board game & play cafés in Newcastle

What does a paid visit cost?

Paid entry starts from £1.50 at CUB Play Cafe. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.

Whereabouts are they?

You'll find board game & play cafés in Whitley Bay, Newcastle upon Tyne, Blyth, Chester-le-Street and Sunderland. Every place we list is in or around Newcastle, and each listing has the full address and directions.

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