What we’re about
Meet gamers from all over town! Come to one of our events to discover new games or play old favorites with new friends. We play all kinds.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- East Side Game NightBoard Bard Games, Portland, OR
Game night every Wednesday on the east side of Portland!
What ? --- FREE, hosted board game night at Board Bard Games (BBG).
The East Side Game Night (ESGN) host team is here to play AND to help you get playing! We love including friends and new acquaintances alike. Let's Play!
Games ? --- Players choose.
Casual to medium-heavy complexity board/card/dice games hit tables with a mix of strategy games and big group/lighter games.
Forecast: Share what you want to play here in Meetup - or on the BBG Discord server. Discord is super easy after a quick learn (happy to help) - and helpful with each channel typically focused on a specific topic. Best place to plan future plays!
The BBG in-store demo library is available - free to play!
Games are always taught since there are usually new players, or it has been a while since that game was played. Remember to thank your rules explainer. :)
You are awesome for bringing games you can teach and would like to play. There is typically one or more players new to every game. See the games we have played in the past event recaps and the pictures.
New Games ? --- Yes. Learning new games is common here at ESGN.
In addition to playing our favorites (something we discover together), East Side Game Night is a space where many different games are played every week. You can typically several different games on the same night. "Game learning" (experiencing new games) is part of the fun. Excellent brain exercise!
At ESGN, we find it works best to play games someone has prepared to teach. Have a game that called your name, but now is gathering dust? Or, the latest hotness you need to get played? There are many videos online that can help you prep to teach the game. Or, post here in the event and ask if anyone can teach.
Prep for success! Un-played games in our collections is a common tension. Let's help each other out - but let's not "start from scratch" at game night. Referencing rules to answer a question is good. But, there are too many fun games we already know how to play to be sitting watching someone read the rulebook for the first time.
RSVP ? --- Yes, please!
Your RSVP helps others know that plenty of people will be there and fun games will get played! Note in the comments if you have any questions. Let people know which games you’re bringing or want to play. RSVP not required - join us if your plans change last minute!
Food ? --- Outside food welcome.
Options are abundant: Food in Montavilla. BBG has snacks and non-alcoholic drinks for sale in house and welcomes players to bring food in.
Alcohol may be brought into BBG if it is in a sealed container. To-go pints can be purchased next door at Tinker Tavern.
When ? --- Arrive when you can.
5:00pm is the initial start, but people arrive when they are able. We often play short, big group games you can join on the fly as people show up. Longer playing games typically start between 6 and 7pm. New games start up throughout the evening. Can arrive early? Let others know, maybe they can too. The tables and games are there. :)
Parking ? --- Mostly on-street.
Find what you can. Obey posted signage. 80th typically has available on-street parking south of the Stark and Washington couplet.
New ? --- Give ESGN a real chance!
Dropping by just one week is never a good measure of a weekly group - no matter what the activity. Many of our regulars come and go depending on what is going on in life.
If you are attracted to the activity, plan to give the group a month of visits to really see if it is for you. See you soon!
