Chance & Counters (Gloucester Road)
BEST FOR
Ages 0-14
ENTRY
from £2.50
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
A board game café on Gloucester Road with over 650 games and staff who'll teach your kids the rules.
The whole point here is the wall of games, over 650 of them, and the fact you don't need to know a single rule before you sit down. A "gaming guru" comes over, asks what your table's into and how old everyone is, then picks something and talks you through it. For a family that's normally stuck reading instructions for twenty minutes before anyone's had a go, that's the actual selling point.
Kids aged 14 and under play for free, which is the detail that makes this an easy yes rather than a maybe. Adults pay a gaming admission fee to unlock the library, £2.50 an hour off-peak or £3.50 an hour on Friday and Saturday evenings through to Sunday teatime, so a weekday afternoon session costs noticeably less than a weekend one. There's food all day with vegan and gluten-free options on the menu, plus proper coffee if you need it after losing at Ticket to Ride for the third time.
You don't have to book, you can just walk in, but Friday and Saturday nights get busy enough that they'd rather you booked a table, especially if it's a bigger group. It's wheelchair accessible, though there's a step at the front door so it's worth flagging to staff on the way in. Dogs are welcome too, if that's part of your family's day out.
Two hours feels about the right amount of time to pick a game, get taught it, and actually play it properly, though nobody's clock-watching you out the door. Birthday parties run from £23 a head for a two hour off-peak slot, food and gaming fee included, and there's exclusive venue hire for bigger groups.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages up to 14, older kids get more from the game choice
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome. Booking recommended for Friday/Saturday nights and larger groups
- Food
- Comfort food all day including vegan and gluten-free options
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible. Ask staff for assistance with the front door step
- Dogs
- Dog-friendly throughout, well-behaved dogs very welcome
- Parties
- Birthday parties and group bookings available
- Under-14s play free, so it's the adults' gaming fee that adds up on a bigger table
- Peak pricing kicks in from Friday 5pm right through the weekend, off-peak is the cheaper time to go
- Dogs are welcome throughout if you're bringing the whole household
- Ask a gaming guru to pick the game for you rather than browsing the shelf yourselves, it saves a lot of dithering
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Kids aged 14 and under play free. Adults pay a gaming admission fee, £2.50 an hour off-peak (Sunday 5pm to Friday 5pm) or £3.50 an hour peak (Friday 5pm to Sunday 5pm).
Do we need to book?
Walk-ins are always welcome. For Friday or Saturday night, or a bigger group, it's worth booking a table so you're not left waiting.
What age range is this for?
It suits ages up to 14, and under-14s play free. A gaming guru will match the game to the table, so it works whether you've got a six-year-old or a teenager.
What's there to eat?
Comfort food all day, with vegan and gluten-free options on the menu, plus proper espresso and tea.
How long do people usually stay?
Long enough to get taught a game and actually finish it, two hours or so is a reasonable stretch for a table.
Can you do birthday parties?
Yes. Packages start from £23 a person for a two hour off-peak slot including food and gaming fee, and there's exclusive venue hire for larger groups.
Is it accessible if we've got a wheelchair or buggy?
It's wheelchair accessible, but there's a step at the front door, so ask a member of staff to help you in.
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