Beyond the Living Room: Where Auckland’s Co-op Board Gamers Meet Up
Cooperative board games are enjoying a popularity boom in New Zealand, with games regularly played around a kitchen table or, for lucky gamers, a converted garage or basement. However, for Auckland residents, the board game scene offers gamers something a little different.
Auckland is home to numerous public spaces set up specifically to host co-op board game sessions. Many locations offer a library of titles for gamers to try, turning game night into a social gathering.
The city’s thriving player base has spaces to connect, play, and explore titles they would never have considered. Ready to explore Auckland’s leading board game hotspots where gaming groups gather to play? Then let’s get right to it.
Cafés Built for Serious Gaming Sessions
Auckland has a small but expanding selection of dedicated board game cafés whose business models blend the social element of a meal out with the fun of playing board games.
Venues like Cakes and Ladders or Dice and Fork provide gamers with access to a vast library of co-op and regular board games. These types of venues come with a cost, ranging from $4 per hour to a minimum spend requirement that includes food and drinks.
These venues exist to provide gamers with a space to play and explore their hobby. The cost for an evening of gaming is intentionally kept affordable to maintain a low barrier to entry.
The price (usually) includes access to the full library of games and the relaxed atmosphere that only comes from being surrounded by like-minded individuals.
The size of your party and the game you are playing do not matter because dedicated board-game venues have one key thing that lends itself perfectly to co-op gaming: space.
There is nothing worse for a group of friends testing their strategic prowess with a game of Pandemic or Spirit Island than finding themselves limited by playable space. Dedicated game cafés understand this and set their tables to accommodate games of all sizes and durations.
Playing longer is advantageous in a gaming café because there’s always the chance to grab a bite to eat without having to stop playing. Varied menus and simple, hearty food are precisely what a questing party needs to fuel them for the next leg of their campaign.
Gaming Retailers That Get the Community Right
More gaming stores are realizing that gamers don’t just want a place to buy games. They need a place to play them just as badly. Shops like Cerberus Games, Hobbymaster, and Vagabond all cater to fans who want a place to play or learn how to play their favorite games.
These shops are staffed by gamers who genuinely love games, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Many shops run a rotation of demo titles, so fans can get an up-close look at games they are interested in and learn the mechanics without the pressure to make a purchase. It is always best to check the shop’s website or socials to see which game is being shown on any given day.
Game shops are also excellent places to find like-minded people looking for partners to join existing game groups.
By opening their doors and inviting players to come in and play, game stores are positioning themselves for success. Monthly demo titles and class-style sessions that teach everything from model building to rule explanations all have one key effect: more people will come into the store. This means more eyes on their products and, most likely, more sales.
When You Want Gaming With Your Drinks
Most good quests start in a tavern, so while it may feel strange, it makes perfect sense to play games in pubs and bars. Locations such as The Chamberlain in Freemans Bay have a good assortment of games, including fun co-op titles. One thing to remember when going to a bar to play games is that conditions may vary, as spills occur frequently.
Bar and pub gaming is not where you would go for a hardcore gaming session. Still, the games provide a group with some entertainment while they enjoy an evening out.
Most co-op games rely on strategy and communication, making them not ideal for bars where chatter and loud music are common. The best time to play games in a bar would be during the week when general passing trade is lower and the atmosphere is less rowdy.
Breweries are also catching on to the gaming buzz, with some maintaining a good selection of titles in tap rooms. Customers are more likely to buy more rounds when they have something other than conversation to keep them entertained.
Libraries, Community Centers, and Gaming Groups
Libraries and community centers also make great meet-up locations for gaming groups. Open to the public as standard, gaming sessions in community spaces are often free, although some locations may charge a nominal fee. The Auckland library system runs several programs, including open board game nights.
Libraries are open and friendly places, making them ideal locations for a gaming group. They are very welcoming to groups and tend to have a decent collection, including some genuine co-op games.
Meet-up groups often gather in these communal spaces but aren’t easy to find unless you know where to look. Facebook groups and meetup.com are the best places to start.
The Auckland Board Gamers group is the largest in the city, running groups for players of all skill sets, from beginners to long-standing professionals.
Finding a gaming group is perfect for those looking to meet new people, as co-op gaming fosters a natural back-and-forth that breaks down social barriers and unites people.
When Your Crew Wants a Different Kind of Night Out
Weekly gaming sessions with friends are great, but sometimes, you just don’t feel like setting up another long campaign. You get the itch to do something different.
Something gaming-based, with a stronger focus on socializing. It’s not about getting away from games, but more about trying something new and having a good time together away from the kitchen table.
A trip to SkyCity Auckland ticks all the boxes. There’s food and drink, and the casino floor offers a fresh take on gaming. People are surprised at how blackjack and craps tables provide such an intense social experience. Crowds gather and cheer players on, closely resembling the social dynamics of co-op board games.
However, not every group wants to head out and try something new. Family and work lives have often been planned around a weekly gaming session but leave little room for changes of plan. For groups who cannot make it down to SkyCity, there are other options.
As just one example, the trusted online casinos by NZCasino offer a welcome break from board games and deliver an experience similar to visiting a physical location.
Another is recreating the experience at home with low-stakes poker nights or blackjack tables, where the focus stays on conversation and group interaction rather than competition.
Your Next Move in Auckland’s Gaming World
Auckland’s co-op gaming scene might not have the glitz and glamour of other gaming niches, but it is growing and offers a great variety.
From community centers rented by the hour to evenings spent at dedicated board game cafés or at organized events showcasing new releases, there is something for everyone in the Auckland board game community.
Every venue welcomes newcomers, with experienced players keen to share their love and knowledge of the game’s rules and lore.
Most people who visit these gaming venues do so for the love of the game and the interaction around it. They turn up and play for fun, rather than to win. This further enhances the social aspect of the sessions and cements the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of each group.
