The Best Bars and Cafés for Board Games in Berlin

Many cafés and bars in Berlin now offer a selection of board games
Many cafés and bars in Berlin now offer a selection of board games | © David Tran / Alamy Stock Photo
Lisa N'Paisan

Writer

Berlin is often touted as an adult’s playground, boasting a club night every day of the week and a flexible work culture. And with a café and bar scene that never stops growing, proprietors in Berlin must find a way to differentiate themselves, leading many to offer a variety of games – be it drinking, card, tactical or role-playing board games.

Many cafés and bars in Berlin now offer a selection of board games that’s just as solid as their drinks and food menus. Berlin-based writer Lisa N’Paisan speaks to Jenia Semenova, co-founder of craft beer bar Muted Horn, about the best places to play the likes of Monopoly, Scrabble, Catan and Risk. Let the games begin!

Play your favourite board game at Muted Horn

BrewDog Berlin

Restaurant, Bar, American

This Mitte spot takes customers on a nostalgic journey with vintage arcade games such as Point Blank and a Star Trek pinball machine. Board games including Cards Against Humanity, Jenga, Secret Hitler and Battleship will also keep you entertained for hours. If you’re feeling competitive, come on the first Sunday of the month for the beer and board games night, where you’ll get a chance to reflect on the good old days while enjoying a craft brew, pizza and buffalo chicken wings. For the vegetarians, a battered buffalo cauliflower is offered as a substitute.

Kaschk

Bar, Cafe, Craft Ale Bar, Beer, Coffee

Courtesy of Kaschk

Choose from coffee and beer, Sonar and Catan at this café-bar. Inspired by the founder’s Norwegian roots, Kaschk serves a wide selection of Nordic craft beers – order the tasting board to get a feel for what’s on offer. However, what really sets this place apart is its huge shuffleboard court. Venture downstairs to discover this Nordic delight, with prices ranging from €9 (£7.50) per hour before 6pm to €18 (£15) after 6pm.

k-fetisch

LGBTQ Bar, German

On a cobblestone street in the heart of Neukölln lies the dimly lit café-bar k-fetisch. Attracting a more alternative crowd, this LGBTQ-friendly spot offers comfy vintage sofas and plush chairs to accompany a night of board games, drinking and good times. Scrabble, Monopoly, Labyrinth, Connect 4, Uno… you name it, k-fetisch’s got it. The vegan cakes here are excellent, while a carafe of the house red will set you back just €8.50 (£7).

Schankwirtschaft Laidak

Bar, Cafe, Fast Food

Schankwirtschaft Laidak is the antithesis of sceney bars, drawing an unpretentious and politically engaged crowd. The drinks are reasonably priced, and the vintage sofas and assortment of board games make it the perfect spot to spend hours and hours with a beer or two. Its collection includes the likes of Monopoly, Scrabble, Backgammon, Cabo and Smellory, a German game in which players’ memories of scents are put to the test. Whether you want to focus on your chess game in the quiet room, argue about politics under ceiling-high bookshelves or chatter away in the smoking room, Schankwirtschaft Laidak is always a crowd-pleaser. Just don’t miss out on the delectable quiches.

Muted Horn

Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Beer

Muted Horn, Berlin, Germany.
© Nailya Bikmurzina

Follow the pink neon sign above the door and you’ll be led to Muted Horn, an independent craft beer bar by co-founders Jenia Semenova and Corbin Crnkovic. “We are a beer bar, so the focus is very much on craft beer. We have a rotating selection of 22 different styles of beers on tap and 180-plus more in cans/bottles,” says Semenova. And with beer names such as All the Things They Say, Tell Us All the Things They Are (blood orange and passion fruit sour with vanilla), don’t hesitate to ask the knowledgeable staff for recommendations. If you’re still undecided, you can always take one of the taster trays of four different beers. Challenge friends to a game of Trivial Pursuit, Cash ’n Guns, Pandemic, Jenga, Cards Against Humanity, Exploding Kittens, Dominion or King of Tokyo. For an extra incentive, task the loser with ordering a food delivery – since there is no kitchen on the premises, Muted Horn suggests ordering food from elsewhere, for which the bar will happily provide cutlery and plates.

Spielwiese

Cafe, German

Spielwiese is the definition of eat, drink and play. With snacks and grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, affordable beers and teas, and shelves piled with around 1,800 games, Spielwiese is Berlin’s first game library with a café and store. Indulge in a spot of Settlers of Catan, Risk or Cluedo, or spend hours playing tactical games like Scythe or Twilight Imperium. You can also bring the kids along to this family-friendly joint to play games such as Mouse Trap and Hungry Hungry Hippos. At just €1.50 (£1.25) per hour for adults and with no Wi-Fi, it’s easy to switch off and get lost in hours of fun. It can get quite busy, so making a booking in advance is recommended.

Spontan Coffee

Cafe, German

Head to Spontan Coffee if you’re a serious coffee enthusiast or tactical board games player. Titles such as Jaipur, Sonar, Dungeon Fighter, Qwirkle, War of the Ring, Catan and Dominion barely scrape the surface of its extensive collection. The café has also teamed up with two of Berlin’s best roasters, The Barn and Fjord, to serve some of the best speciality coffee in Moabit. For those looking for a decaffeinated alternative, select from fine organic teas by Rhoeco. There are also pastries, vegan banana cake and chocolate brownies for when you’re feeling a little peckish.

Twinpigs

Cocktail Bar, German

Sip bold cocktails over a game of Cards Against Humanity, Uno or chess at Twinpigs. The brainchild of a Chilean architect and a Swedish filmmaker, this stylish bar, with its candlelit rooms, is perfect for a flirty date or group gathering. Treat yourself to a classic cocktail with a twist, or enjoy a pulled pork burger or tofu burger. On weekdays, it hosts live jazz and film screenings, while weekends see top DJs take to the decks.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article