Black Medicine Coffee Co
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
A coffee shop with board games on hand, open long hours for a low-key sit down with the kids.
This one's a café first, with board games stacked up for whoever fancies a game while they're there. It's not a soft play or an activity centre, so don't expect climbing frames or ball pits, just a table, a coffee for you, and a game to keep the kids occupied for a bit.
That simplicity is actually the appeal. There's no session to book, no clock ticking down on your visit, so you can turn up, grab a game off the shelf and stay as long as you like. It suits a rainy afternoon when you want somewhere warm to sit rather than somewhere to burn through a full day out.
They do group bookings and have party rooms, so if you're thinking about a birthday with a board game theme rather than the usual bouncy castle, it's set up for that. Opening hours are generous too, 8am to 8pm most days and a bit later start on Sunday at 9am, which gives you plenty of room to fit a visit around naps or school pickups.
Given there's no fixed play area for little ones, this reads better for kids old enough to actually get into a board game rather than toddlers who'll want to run about. It's worth thinking of it as a café with a games cupboard rather than a dedicated kids' venue.
Facilities
Plan your visit
What is there for kids to do?
Board games are the main thing, alongside the usual café food and drink. It's a sit-down spot rather than somewhere with play equipment.
What are the opening hours?
8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 8pm on Sunday.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link listed, so it seems like a turn-up sort of place for a regular visit.
Can you have a birthday party there?
Yes, they offer group bookings and have party rooms, so a board game birthday is doable.
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