PiPS Board Game Café has recently opened up its doors to the public, having taken over the former Loop restaurant space, at 2015 33rd Avenue SW.
As the name suggests, the café, in addition to selling a range of beverages and casual eats, offers a massive selection of board games for patrons to pull out and play with at their leisure.
For $5 a person, patrons have unlimited access to over 400 games from PiPS’ board game library. The board game selection ranges from old school favourites, like Scrabble, to recent board games additions, like Blood Rage.
For those who want to try their hand at a new game but feel unsure about the rules there’s no need to fret, as a game master is on-hand to help groups learn the rules to new games, or even help select games based on time, group size and interests.
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In terms of food, co-owner Yvonne Ashbee says “we are unique in that I believe we are the only board game café in Canada with a full kitchen. We have a head chef with 32 years of experience who has designed a bistro-style menu that includes a daily grilled cheese sandwich, some hearty winter comfort food, shareable plates and a fantastic brownie dessert. We also serve locally roasted coffee, local craft beer and have a Pipsqueaks menu for the kids.”
Owned and operated by co-owners and partners Yvonne and Shea Ashbee and John and Danielle Tam, PiPS was modelled after similar establishments in cities like Victoria, B.C. In fact, it was after a visit to board game-driven café called Interactivity, located in Victoria that the four fell in love with the board game café idea and felt the need to bring the concept to Calgary.
The Ashbees and Tams have tapped into something, not only are game enthusiasts and families flocking to PiPS, but also a number of other board game-focused establishments are set to open up soon too, like Boxcar Café, which is slated to open in Victoria Park in February 2016.
PiPS Board Game Café
Address: 2015 33rd Avenue SW
Phone: 587-349-0047
Twitter: @PIPSbgc
Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday to Thursday 11a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.