What we’re about
Seattle Board Games supports a vibrant and inclusive community of board game enthusiasts in the Seattle metro area. Our events and gatherings offer opportunities to have fun, make friends, and deepen our appreciation for the art, design, and strategy of board games. We seek to make games more accessible by removing barriers to enjoying and learning from them.
We host all types of boardgames, from lighter games such as Settlers of Catan and Lords of Waterdeep to heavier Euros like Brass Birmingham, Dune Imperium, and others. We also play thematic games such as Battlestar Galactica, social deduction games, Magic the Gathering, card games, and party games. If it's on BroadGameGeek's list of over 25,000 games (https://boardgamegeek.com/browse/boardgame?sort=rank), we might be playing it!
Anyone can become an event organizer and host events - either specific games or open gaming sessions. If you are interested, please contact the primary organizer.
We are member and organizer driven, and welcome suggestions for improvements and new directions.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- WONDERLAND'S WAR @ Stoup Capitol HillStoup Brewing Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
"One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!"In Wonderland's War, players take the roles of faction leaders who have been invited to the Hatter's tea party. Drink tea and eat cake as you move around the table drafting cards to gather your forces, build your towers, upgrade your leader, and recruit Wonderlandians to your cause — but one must be careful as shards of the Looking Glass are spread throughout Wonderland. Once all the plates are empty, the tea party is over and war begins. Use the forces you gathered to battle your enemies in familiar locations, but make sure not to draw your madness chips or your supporters will abandon your cause and you will be out of the fight. Can you muster enough strength to win the battle, or will you just try to complete quests instead by meeting the right conditions such as gaining region bonuses and set collection throughout the game?
Wonderland's War is a medium-complexity bag-building and area majority/influence game which incorporates open drafting and significant push-your-luck elements. New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.
2 - 5 players
2 - 3 hours expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity. Stoup closes at 10:00 PM, so we're done at that point (and preferably about 15 minutes before then) whether anybody has won or not!Wonderland's War on Board Game Geek
Rules overview: How to Play from Geek & Sundry (Don't worry, we'll go over the rules on the day, too.)A few important details:
- It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Stoup Brewing (formerly Optimism) is on the corner of Broadway and Union, right next to stops for the #2, #9, #43 and #60 bus lines and only about two blocks from the G line, as well as the First Hill Streetcar.
- Stoup is a kid (and dog!) friendly place, and outside food is allowed. There are several eateries nearby and usually a food truck or two parked outside.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open!
- I've already said it but it bears repeating: the venue closes at 10:00 PM, so we need to be finished, cleaned up, and on our way out the door by then.
- FIVE TRIBES and ISTANBUL at Phoenix ComicsPhoenix Comics & Games, Seattle, WA
"I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man"In Istanbul, you lead a merchant and their troupe of assistants through various locations in a bazaar. At each location, you can carry out a specific action. The challenge, though, is that to take an action, you must move your merchant and an assistant there, then leave the assistant behind to handle all the details while you focus on larger matters. If you want to use that assistant again later, your merchant must return to that location to pick him up. Thus, you must plan ahead carefully to avoid being left with no assistants and thus unable to do anything!
Istanbul is a medium-light complexity grid movement and route-building game with a variable board setup that also includes elements of pickup-and-deliver, worker placement, and some chance.
Istanbul Board Game Geek info page
How it's Played with Rodney SmithFive Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala builds on a long tradition of Mancala-style "pick up and move" games. In a unique twist on the worker placement genre, the game begins with the meeples already in place -- and players must cleverly maneuver them over villages, markets, oases, and sacred places. How, when, and where you displace these Five Tribes of Assassins, Elders, Builders, Merchants, and Viziers determine your victory or failure.
Five Tribes is a medium-complexity mancala game with a variable board setup that also includes auctions/bidding, set collection, and light "take that" elements.
Five Tribes Board Game Geek info page
How it's Played with Rodney Smith2 - 5 players
60 - 90 minutes expected play time per game, depending on turnout and player familiarity. Please note the store has a weekly Magic: The Gathering event starting at 6:00 PM, so they'll likely ask us to free up the table sometime before then whether we're finished or not.New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.
A few important details:
- It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Phoenix Comics & Games is only about a block from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Denny stop), less than a block from the Capitol Hill light rail station, and very close to several bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open!
- Let’s Play Amun Re @Phoenix Comics!Phoenix Comics & Games, Seattle, WA
Everyone knows of the pyramids on the Nile — eternal monuments of a powerful and beautiful culture that can still take our breath away. The players (leaders of a royal Egyptian family) choose their sites, build their pyramids, and thank Amun-Re and the other gods for their bounty.
In Amun-Re, each pharaoh wants to build the most pyramids. To accomplish this, they must first acquire a province where they can trade and farm. With their profits, they can buy new provinces and building-stones to erect pyramids. For all their actions players must make clever use of their power cards, and always offer appropriate sacrifices to Amun-Re.
New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.3 - 5 players
90 - 120 minutes expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity.
BBG Link
13-min How-to (Dice Tower)
(Don't worry, we'll go over the rules on the day, too.)A few important details:
- This event is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM PLEASE be on time! Please factor traffic & parking into your commute.
- Speaking of… It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Phoenix Comics & Games is only about a block from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Denny stop), less than a block from the Capitol Hill light rail station, and very close to several bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- If you need to cancel please do so as soon as you know. People on the waitlist and playing that day will appreciate it!
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open as well as posting polls for future meetups!
- SENTINELS OF THE MULTIVERSE @ Phoenix Comics!Phoenix Comics & Games, Seattle, WA
"Don't engage alone. We do this together."
A mad scientist holds the world hostage with his terrifying inventions. An alien warlord from a far away galaxy brings his army of bizarre minions to conquer the planet. A giant rampaging robot cuts a swath of destruction across the coastline. Who can possibly stop these villains? A team of powerful heroes stands between the world and the forces of evil. Take your place as a hero and answer the call to protect the Multiverse!
Sentinels of the Multiverse is the award-winning cooperative comic-book card game in which you and your friends team up as mighty heroes to thwart the nefarious plans of the villains who threaten the entire multiverse!
Sentinels of the Multiverse: Definitive Edition is a medium-weight cooperative hand management game with variable player powers and multiple setup options. New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.
Sentinels of the Multiverse: Definitive Edition on Board Game Geek
Game overview: How to Play from Greater Than Games1 - 5 players
60 - 90 minutes expected play time per game, depending on turnout and player familiarity. We may be able to play more than once.A few important details:
- It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Phoenix Comics & Games is only about a block from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Denny stop), less than a block from the Capitol Hill light rail station, and very close to several bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we'll be using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open!
