Next Level Board Game Cafe

I love this place! They have an amazing collection of board games, great food, and friendly staff who can teach you how to play the games. The staff here are the real gems; their recommendations are spot on and they have a knack for explaining game rules swiftly, getting you into the action quicker. They create a welcoming atmosphere that complements the fun vibe of the cafe. Highly recommend for a unique and enjoyable gaming experience!

Still in their soft open, but they host meetups and have a wide selection of games. Great place to come with friends and try out games or come alone and meet new people!

Introduction Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited by a friend to play Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) at the Next Level Board Game Cafe. It was their first time hosting a DnD game day, and the turnout was fantastic. Despite forgetting to book a game for my daughter and myself, the staff managed to get us into a game, and we had a memorable time. Here’s a detailed account of our experience. Game Day Experience Warm Welcome: The staff at Next Level Board Game Cafe were incredibly friendly and helpful from the moment we arrived. They ensured we got a spot in a game even though I hadn't booked in advance, which was a great start to our day. Comfort and Amenities: We played DnD for about three hours. For those who find wooden chairs uncomfortable, the cafe offers table cushions—a thoughtful touch that adds to the comfort of the gaming experience. Food Policy: The only downside was the no food policy, which I totally understand. They do have a snack bar with chips, cookies, and sodas, but as someone who prefers a more substantial meal, I found this a bit lacking. However, I heard they’re building a cafe section, which is fantastic news. It’s difficult to sit for 3-4 hours without a comfortable place to enjoy a small meal, so this addition will be a great improvement. Pricing and Value Affordable Entry: The entry fee was extremely affordable at $7 per person. While I appreciate the low cost, I believe a slightly higher fee of $10-15 would be more sustainable for the business. With the addition of the cafe, maintaining a balance between affordability and profitability will be crucial for their growth. Crowd and Atmosphere Diverse Age Group: The crowd was mostly my age (I'm a millennial), though my 13-year-old daughter enjoyed the event as well. If you're planning to send your children, I recommend taking them or sending them in groups, as the crowd tends to be older. Parking: Parking can be a bit challenging since the cafe is located in downtown Mountain View. Be prepared for a bit of a walk to reach the venue. Final Thoughts Overall, our game day at Next Level Board Game Cafe was fun and interactive. The staff’s friendliness and the comfortable gaming environment made for an enjoyable experience. I look forward to them hosting another DnD day and wish them nothing but the best. Despite the minor inconveniences, the event was well worth attending, and I can't wait to see how they evolve with the addition of the cafe section. If you’re a fan of board games and looking for a welcoming place to play, I highly recommend checking out Next Level Board Game Cafe. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newbie, you'll find a community of like-minded individuals ready to roll the dice and embark on adventures together. https://iwashere.blog twitter: @RealPreciado

Yunduo Qian

Really amazing place!! We spent 3 hours here for $8 each person. There are a wide variety of board games to choose from. The staffs are really nice and helpful (help you find the suitable games). You can also have drinks here. Overall, we had a really happy and cozy afternoon here!

Kylee Burgess

Had a great time! Very helpful staff to help you pick out a game. They have food and drinks now for very reasonable prices. And only $7 per person for all you can play (no time limit). Loved getting to try out a new game with friends while having some snacks. Will definitely be back.

Dafna Gal

Great place if you want to play boardgame! Nice staff and few vegan food options and a decent game collection. It's pretty busy so not sure if staff would help you pick a game / learn the rules but then I never actually asked so maybe yes. We had a great time there!

Wendy chen

Amazing place! They have a large selection and we got to try multiple different board games. The place is welcoming and staffs are friendly. Price is very affordable . Highly recommended for anyone who likes board games.

Jennie Huo

I love that this board game cafe opened up right in the heart of Downtown Mountain View. The space is portioned off nicely with partial walls and nooks so people can play games of different group sizes in different spaces and have a section for their group if they like, without feeling too closed off. The walls for each section are painted in pretty different themes, as well. And lighting is excellent! There's open play, which means you don't need to come with a group and people are welcoming if you'd like to join their game. On Thursdays, we usually start with several quick (10-15 min) party games to warm up. Then, the staff takes a few minutes to highlight some games from their extensive collection (they highlight different games each week), a combination of games that some groups already know they want to play and have open space for more players as well as other games that people might be interested in learning more about. Then we break off into different groups depending on our interests and usually play a long game for most of the evening. The evening wraps up with the option of a quick party game for those waiting on friends at other tables. Shelf-stable snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Complimentary water carafes and cups are also available. Restrooms are clean. The space doesn't feel stuffy, and I love that it is safe and inviting (you don't have to worry about unwanted people aggressively hitting on you unlike some other settings). I only wish they were open more weeknights. And I hope they open a hot menu bar with delicious and thoughtful non-greasy food selection soon!

Carolina Minami Oguchi

I love this place so much! You can play any boardgames in their shelf and the staff will explain you the rules if you have any questions. It’s like a huge living room where you can stay with your friends and have fun. You can make new friends too! I’ll definitely come back!

Jess Dominick

This place is super cute and is an amazing addition to downtown Mountain View! They just opened and are still getting the cafe part set up, but it already feels so fun and welcoming. They have a huge selection of games and the owners are very kind and knowledgeable. I imagine this space will be a great hang out spot, party venue, cafe, and more! I will definitely be back soon

leisy

I've been visiting this board game cafe since June 2024 every month, and every visit is always amazing! I am so happy the kitchen got opened up, all the food I've tried is delicious, and everyone who work here is always helpful and nice. Also, it's easy to book events for larger groups via email. Definitely highly reccomend and I will be back many times 😊

Anne Jolene Cuaresma

Collection: $7 per person for all-day access to a surprising selection of new releases, like Wyrmspan. They even have the latest expansions for Wingspan and Everdell. Cafe: They're still setting up the cafe, so I'll update this section at later time. At the moment, they sell snacks and bottled drinks. Comfortability: They provide seat cushions which are a great touch! We returned them to the stack afterwards. Tables were expandable and collapsable depending on group size, very sturdy and didn't shake. Noise levels were managable. The extra walls helped muffle the noise from larger groups. Overall, I love the friendly atmosphere and I can't wait to see them grow into a complete board game cafe!

Andrew Fasano

I love this place! They have an amazing collection of board games, great food, and friendly staff who can teach you how to play the games. The staff here are the real gems; their recommendations are spot on and they have a knack for explaining game rules swiftly, getting you into the action quicker. They create a welcoming atmosphere that complements the fun vibe of the cafe. Highly recommend for a unique and enjoyable gaming experience!

Nicholas Pun

Still in their soft open, but they host meetups and have a wide selection of games. Great place to come with friends and try out games or come alone and meet new people!

Francisco

Introduction Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited by a friend to play Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) at the Next Level Board Game Cafe. It was their first time hosting a DnD game day, and the turnout was fantastic. Despite forgetting to book a game for my daughter and myself, the staff managed to get us into a game, and we had a memorable time. Here’s a detailed account of our experience. Game Day Experience Warm Welcome: The staff at Next Level Board Game Cafe were incredibly friendly and helpful from the moment we arrived. They ensured we got a spot in a game even though I hadn't booked in advance, which was a great start to our day. Comfort and Amenities: We played DnD for about three hours. For those who find wooden chairs uncomfortable, the cafe offers table cushions—a thoughtful touch that adds to the comfort of the gaming experience. Food Policy: The only downside was the no food policy, which I totally understand. They do have a snack bar with chips, cookies, and sodas, but as someone who prefers a more substantial meal, I found this a bit lacking. However, I heard they’re building a cafe section, which is fantastic news. It’s difficult to sit for 3-4 hours without a comfortable place to enjoy a small meal, so this addition will be a great improvement. Pricing and Value Affordable Entry: The entry fee was extremely affordable at $7 per person. While I appreciate the low cost, I believe a slightly higher fee of $10-15 would be more sustainable for the business. With the addition of the cafe, maintaining a balance between affordability and profitability will be crucial for their growth. Crowd and Atmosphere Diverse Age Group: The crowd was mostly my age (I'm a millennial), though my 13-year-old daughter enjoyed the event as well. If you're planning to send your children, I recommend taking them or sending them in groups, as the crowd tends to be older. Parking: Parking can be a bit challenging since the cafe is located in downtown Mountain View. Be prepared for a bit of a walk to reach the venue. Final Thoughts Overall, our game day at Next Level Board Game Cafe was fun and interactive. The staff’s friendliness and the comfortable gaming environment made for an enjoyable experience. I look forward to them hosting another DnD day and wish them nothing but the best. Despite the minor inconveniences, the event was well worth attending, and I can't wait to see how they evolve with the addition of the cafe section. If you’re a fan of board games and looking for a welcoming place to play, I highly recommend checking out Next Level Board Game Cafe. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newbie, you'll find a community of like-minded individuals ready to roll the dice and embark on adventures together. https://iwashere.blog twitter: @RealPreciado

I love Next Level! It's great for playing board games with my little kids - they have a shelf that's sorted by age. It's also great for advanced strategy games. The staff give great recommendations based on what you like to play. They have lots of newly released and independent games that I hadn't heard of but ended up loving!

NLB is one of our favorite spots in the Bay Area. It's a great space for socializing! They have events multiple days each week. The food and beer selection is pretty great, and the staff are AMAZING. Their game selection is perfect - you'll find any game you're looking to play and the staff will help you learn if you ask! If you're looking to spend an evening having fun, look no further!

The staff here is genuinely so nice and welcoming, and they really put a lot of effort into organizing the many events they host. I'm so glad a place like this exists in Mountain View, and I really appreciate the low cost of entry for the organized events. It's great to know there's always a drop in board game meet-up or one-shot DnD campaign or trivia night right just around the corner!

Great selection of games and really friendly and helpful staff! They always take the time to explain new games which makes the experience much more fun

Excellent place, very good entry price, lots of games to choose from. They do meetups to bring new people together. They also have a tasty little menu if you need to fill up while playing.

Aditya Sudarshan

Great selection of games and really friendly and helpful staff! They always take the time to explain new games which makes the experience much more fun

Manav Sanghavi

NLB is one of our favorite spots in the Bay Area. It's a great space for socializing! They have events multiple days each week. The food and beer selection is pretty great, and the staff are AMAZING. Their game selection is perfect - you'll find any game you're looking to play and the staff will help you learn if you ask! If you're looking to spend an evening having fun, look no further!

Sarah Loos

I love Next Level! It's great for playing board games with my little kids - they have a shelf that's sorted by age. It's also great for advanced strategy games. The staff give great recommendations based on what you like to play. They have lots of newly released and independent games that I hadn't heard of but ended up loving!

Jerry Wang

The staff here is genuinely so nice and welcoming, and they really put a lot of effort into organizing the many events they host. I'm so glad a place like this exists in Mountain View, and I really appreciate the low cost of entry for the organized events. It's great to know there's always a drop in board game meet-up or one-shot DnD campaign or trivia night right just around the corner!

Gi Hong

Stopped in while visiting the area for a short trip- super kind and helpful staff! I spoke to one staff member about different types of games and his recommendations. Will definitely be back next time I’m in town.

Mustafa Said Mehmetoglu

Excellent place, very good entry price, lots of games to choose from. They do meetups to bring new people together. They also have a tasty little menu if you need to fill up while playing.

Lindsey Wang

What a gem! The staff is super helpful and offer great recommendations for games. Whether you’re an experienced player or new to board games, there’s something for everyone. The food and drink selection seems solid. I had a beer and the turkey blt sandwich which was excellent. This is a great place to hang with friends and play some games.

Jacob

This place is amazing and most of the staff is lovely. The owners are patient and so kind so of course 5 stars. They have one employee that always rolls his eyes and looks like he just could not be bothered to be there or answer a simple question like “do you have x” this has happened a few times with him. So if you avoid the more overweight man sorry his jacket covered his name you will have an amazing time!

Overall this experience was amazing! Staff were friendly and very kind! Plenty of games to play as well as different food and drink options. I recommend going to this place if you're going on a date because it's a very cozy place!

They had a great amount of games to rent and buy from. You’re also able to bring your own. But the place smelt like eggs, the customer service felt really rushed. There was this one dude that would just walk around the place and take your food and drinks away without even asking if we were done. My friend has some ice cream left over and in the middle of our game when we are pre occupied he would just snatch it without even saying a word. The kitchen wasn’t even gonna be closed for another hour when he took everything. 😒