New York City has untold numbers of gamers, and many groups get together for all kinds of games. Sorting through the crossword, trivia and party game fluff on Meetup to find real game acivities can be time-consuming, and clicking on store site calendars to do one’s own research involves going to multiple sites. Instead, this weekly report will spotlight board game and RPG events occuring in and around NYC each week. Where possible, notes are included about the venues and the people running them.
MEETUP GROUPS
Brooklyn Strategic Board and Card Games: 1 event
1) Friday Night Fantasy
Every first and third Friday of the monthof this Meetup group is dedicated to RPGs, TCGs and CCGs. There is a $10.00 charge for first-timers and a $5.00 charge for repeaters.
When: Friday, February 10, 7:00 p.m.
Where: TBA
Queens NYC Board Games Meetup: 1 event
1) Friday Night Boardaming in Bayside Queens!
This group plays games such as Scotland Yard, Citadels and Ticket to Ride.
When: Friday, February 3 from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Where: Panera Bread
23-58 Bell Blvd
Bayside, NY 11360
New York City Boardgames & Card Games Group: 3 events
1) Tuesday Chelsea Meetup
This is a weekly event in a rented space – THERE IS A $4.00 ENTRY FEE to help defray the cost. Also, gamers are encouraged to bring snacks, soda, etc. to restock the fridge. Details are on the site. Be sure to RSVP before going, as the space tends to fill. Games played are varied, and newbies are encouraged to bring their own.
When: Tuesday, Feb 7 from 6:00 p.m. until the last one leaves; come no later than 11:00 p.m.
Where: 225 10th Ave
New York, NY
The site also gives these instructions: “Buzz “War Club” (bottom of 4 buttons), say
hello, wait to be buzzed in, go through 2 doors, squeeze past bikes on left and go
downstairs.”
2) Weekly Boardgames at Kings Games
This is a weekly event in a game store. Participants are required to either buy at least $5.00 of drinks or snacks, or to put $5.00 in the raffle at the front desk.
When: Tuesday, Feb 7 from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. (close)
Where: Kings Games
1685 E 15th St
Brooklyn, NY 1129
718-336-1955
The site also gives these instructions: “Upstairs in the back of the gaming room, buy
some drinks & snacks on the way up.”
3) Friday Evening Gaming
This is an open space for public use. There are many tables available. It is best to RSVP at the Meetup page to get an idea of who is going and which games are being played.
When: Friday, February 10, 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Citigroup Center’s Atrium
Lexington Ave and 53 Street
New York, NY 10022
New York Tabletop Meetup Group: 1 event
1) Sirlin Games Meetup Manhattan @ Citi Center
Play Flash Duel and other Sirlin Games titles.
When: Monday, Feb 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Citigroup Center’s Atrium
Lexington Ave and 53 Street
New York, NY 10022
The Club New York Gamers Meetup: 1 event
1) Sirlin Games Meetup Manhattan @ Citi Center
Play Flash Duel and other Sirlin Games titles.
When: Monday, Feb 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Citigroup Center’s Atrium
Lexington Ave and 53 Street
New York, NY 10022
World of Darkness NYC: 2 events
1) Vampire the Masquerade –> Sabbat Session (set in Moscow)
This is an Advanced Vampire: The Masquerade game session.
When: Tuesday, Feb 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Cafe Feaastro
307 5th Ave
New York, NY 10016
2) Changeling: The Lost
This is set in Savannah, GA in 2031.
When: Thursday, Feb 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Cafe Au Bon Gout
276 5th Avenue (at 30th St.)
New York, NY 10001
OTHER GROUPS
New York Wargamers Association: 1 event
NYWA is a miniature wargaming group that meets each Thursday. They specialize in WW II armor and navals; American Civil War; Napoleonics; Seven Years War; and Ancients.
1) Thursday Night Wargaming
When: Thursday, Feb 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 225 10th Ave
New York, NY
GAME STORES
The Game Table
167 E. Jericho Turnpike
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 280-7644
An excellent store with lots of space for gaming and video gaming.
Monday: 10% off TCGs; 6:00 p.m. Star Wars Minis; 7:00 p.m. EDH
Tuesday: 10% off minis; 5:00 p.m. Yu-Gi-Oh Casual; 6:00 p.m. Heroclix
Wednesday: %10 off boardgames; 7:00 p.m. Cube Draft; Boardgames night
Thursday: 10% off RPGs; 7:00 p.m. Pokemon; RPG night
Friday: Friday Night Magic (Standard $5.00, Draft $10.00)
Kings Games
1685 East 15th Street
(Corner of Kings Highway)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 336-1955
This store seems to be well established with the collectible card game crowd. Tournaments generally give boosters as prizes. Special prizes are noted below.
Monday: 6:30 p.m – 10:00 p.m.. Heroclix Hulk Season Tournament ($5.00 or buy $12.00 booster) – Prize: limited edition Hulk figures; 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. M:TG Box Tournament (Standard $10.00)
Tuesday: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament ($3.00)
Wednesday: 7:30 p.m. to 11: p.m. M:TG Draft ($15.00)
Thursday: Meetup: New York City Boardgames & Card Games (see Meetups above)
Friday: 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Yu-Gi-Oh, 7:00PM to 11:00 p.m. Friday Night Magic
Twenty Sided Store
362 Grand St.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 963-1578
Magic events at this store tend to run to as late as 1:00 a.m., particularly on weekends. This weekend looks like Magic all weekend, though the store does have a variety of boardgame and RPG events on its calendar generally. The proprietors are really nice folks – Luis and Lauren run a great store. The store can seat at least 50 when needed.
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. M:TG Draft; 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. D&D Encounters ($5.00) Beyond the Crystal Cave
Thursday: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m Board Game Social – play various boardgames and get entered into a raffle
Friday: 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday Night Magic (Standard $10, Draft $15)
