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Gaming in Groningen

Game on in Groningen! From disco bowling to escape rooms, from gaming enthusiast bars to game development collectives, Groningen has a little bit of everything when it comes to playing.

Gaming bars:

It’s not an uncommon sight in a Dutch kroeg to spot patrons of all (legal drinking) ages focused attentively on a board game, beers in hand. Groningen has lots of bars and cafes that invite their visitors to enjoy some good old fashioned entertainment, too:

In De Buurt put together a great overview of all the drinking establishments in town where board games are more than welcome:

  • d’Ouwe Brandweer
  • Chaplin’s Pub
  • Kult
  • Het Concerthuis
  • Gelkinge 9
  • Time Out
  • Inspiratie Café Oso
  • De Minnaar
  • For chess lovers in particular, Hooghoudt Proeflokaal is the place to be. They even host scores of chess matches out on the sidewalk in front of the café during the summer – and they have plenty of other board games to choose from inside.
  • Another special spot is BOEL, a bar that’s all about jeu de boeles.

Pub quizzes:

If pub quizzes are more your speed, you’re truly spoiled for choice in Groningen.

  • De Toeter has two quizzes a week, and Usva hosts monthly quizzes during the school year.
  • De Drie Gezusters, Vera, Pathe, Café Oblomov, d’Ouwe Brandweer, Hemingways, O’Malleys and Café De Kale Jonker also all host regular pub quiz nights

Escape rooms:

Arcades:

The Drie Gezusters has their very own speelhal, and a brand new arcade, the Game Box, is set to open at Oosterstraat 15 sometime in the coming months!

Board games:

There’s also a dedicated gaming association in Groningen: Rabenhaupt

Laser tag:

Mini golf:

Bowling:

Game developers:

You can even play a game about Groningen: Become a Virtual Groninger!

City Central’s Gezellig Games Night will be back this autumn! Don’t miss out on the fun: be sure to follow us on Instagram and Eventbrite!

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