A Board Game Cafe Is Set to Open in Fairmount This Spring
Thirsty Dice owner Matt Hendricks hopes to create "a warm environment where you can really hang out."
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You’ve probably been to a bar that keeps a shelf of games — like Jenga, Monopoly, or Cards Against Humanity — on hand for patrons to play while they’re sipping and socializing.
Now, a cafe whose draw is the board games rather than the booze is set to open in a 3,000 square-foot space at 1642 Fairmount Avenue in a historic building newly renovated by MMPartners.
Owner and area native Matt Hendricks, a longtime tabletop gamer, visited gaming cafes in Toronto, Vancouver, New York, and Washington, D.C. before bringing his concept, Thirsty Dice, to life.
“Until you go to a board game cafe, it’s difficult to really understand what the vibe is,” he said. “It’s not as much a bar…it’s this environment designed to make you feel comfortable.”
In terms of the menu, Thirsty Dice will serve food, alcohol, and other drinks, although, Hendricks notes that they won’t be doing early mornings or late nights: “We’re not setting this up as a bar that people are going to go and get bombed at, there’s not gonna be loud music blasting through the speakers,” he said. Rather, customers will find a menu of “what’s gonna make them feel comfortable” at this family-friendly spot — be that a milkshake, a latte, a glass of wine, or a craft beer.
In terms of games, Hendricks wants to offer a wide variety; some will be from his personal collection, and there will be multiple copies of games that are especially popular. And, of course, there will be a wide variety of games to choose from.
