Best Places to Play Board Games in Chiang Mai
Board game cafes, bars, and meetups around the city, for whenever you want to play somewhere other than home. Hours and prices can change, so it is worth checking each place’s Facebook page before you go.
1. Game Tree Cafe
Chiang Mai’s original board game cafe, tucked away on Suthep Road. The shelves hold more than 200 titles, from quick party games to heavier strategy boxes, so there is always something new to try even if you visit often. Order fries, a burrito, or a coffee while you play, and settle in, since the space stays open until 11 PM most nights. At around 40 THB per hour, it is one of the most affordable ways to spend an evening in the city.
2. Game Mezz
A board game cafe tucked inside the Veggie First Market building in Si Phum, close to the Old City. The collection leans toward easy, social games that work well for mixed groups, from light party games to longer strategy titles for more serious players. Open from 10 AM, it is a good option if you want to start playing earlier in the day than most other spots in town.
3. Chubbcat Boardgame
A board game cafe on the Suthep side of the city, open every day from 3 PM until midnight. That late closing time makes it one of the few places in Chiang Mai where game night does not have to end early, ideal for a longer session after dinner. Expect a casual, friendly atmosphere with a solid rotation of party and strategy games.
4. Kadka Board Game
A board game spot with a relaxed, friend’s-house feel rather than a formal cafe setup. Staff are on hand to explain the rules if you are trying something new, and both groups and solo players looking to join a table are welcome. Long opening hours, from 11 AM to 11 PM, make it easy to drop in whenever you have free time.
5. Camello, Boardgame Cafe
A board game cafe on the south side of the city in the Hang Dong area, a good option if you are staying outside the center or closer to the airport. Pair a game with food and drinks in a relaxed setting, open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.
6. Bamboo Board Game & Cafe
Located near Chiang Mai University, directly across from DK Mansion, this cafe is built for players who like to keep going late. It stays open until 3 AM, Tuesday to Sunday, with a big selection of games and staff happy to help you pick something if you are not sure what to play. Pricing is simple: 40 THB per hour, or 120 THB for the whole day if you plan on staying a while.
7. Chiang Mai (Nimman Area) Board Games Meetup
Not a venue, but a community of local players who organize casual game sessions around the city, mostly in and around Nimman. It is one of the easiest ways to find people to play with if you are new to Chiang Mai, or just want to meet other board game fans outside of a cafe setting.
Also worth knowing: where to buy your own games
Golden Goblin Games
Golden Goblin Games is a hobby store, not a cafe you can walk into and play. It is a retail shop selling board games, card games, and miniatures, and an official Games Workshop and Wizards of the Coast retailer, so it is the right stop if you want to buy a game to keep rather than rent or play on the spot. They do run occasional organized events (like Magic or D&D nights), so it is worth checking their Facebook page if you are after a specific event rather than a casual drop-in.
Prefer to play at home?
Rent board games in Chiang Mai and set up game night at your own place, no table booking needed.
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