Nightlife: Knight Moves

Love board games but can’t find a decent place to play them? You’re in luck. Knight Moves, which bills itself as the Boston area’s first board game café, has been attracting gamers from all over the city since it opened in Brookline in January. Offering a library of approximately 300 games, as well as coffee, tea, snacks, and a knowledgeable staff, it’s the place to pursue a game of Forbidden Island, Wiz War, or Cities and Knights—all at a reasonable price. What’s more, you can bring in take-out food, and there is a BYOB policy for guests 21+. Located on Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner, it’s only a 20-minute stroll from campus.

When we arrived recently to check out the novelty café, we were greeted by owner Devon Trevelyan, who worked for over half a decade at Eureka, a puzzle and game store across the street, before opening Knight Moves. Since we were newbies, he gave us the grand tour, showing us around the café’s three rooms and explaining that the back room can be rented for events like independent screenings, murder mystery parties, and private gatherings. Looking like a cross between a traditional café and your grandfather’s study, the café has a warm, comfortable vibe, with funky lamps and throw pillows scattered about along with an atlas, a globe, and a microscope.

Two tables were still available the Friday night we visited at about 7 p.m. There’s no limit on how long visitors can linger, and while many come to play board games, it’s not a requirement. It costs $10 per person to play, and that charge covers an unlimited number of games.

With hundreds of games to choose from, it can be hard to decide. We could have chosen one we already knew—like Risk, Battleship, Clue, or Cards against Humanity—but Settlers of Catan, Attack, and Castle looked promising. Then again, so did Lords of Waterdeep, Dixie, Spy Alley, Quiddler, Power Grid, Wiz War, Nuns on the Run, Blokus, and Macao. The towering shelves stacked high with unfamiliar games were rather intimidating, so we asked Trevelyan to suggest one with simple rules. He led us to Tsuro, a tile-based game where players travel along the inside of the board and attempt to push other players off. It was quick and easy, and we played two rounds.

We next moved on to Chocoly, where players use tiles to try to build the largest chocolate bar (sady, it wasn’t real chocolate). It’s similar to Tsuro, but calls for a bit more strategy; pieces can double-stacked, completely changing the outcome. Wanting to sample as many games as possible, we asked for more recommendations. Trevelyan played several hands of the card game Coup with us, where you bluff and bribe your way to power, assassinating or launching a coup until you’re the last one standing.

The attentive staff at Knight Moves knows the inventory. They give players a bell to summon assistance during game play and are on hand to teach a game step by step or answer questions about confusing rules.

Chances are, you’ll need some sustenance to keep you going. Knight Moves offers coffee, tea, and a variety of snacks. Enticed by the cheese and crackers, we ordered a portion ($10). The plate had four types of cheese: standouts were a flavorful mozzarella with basil and a cinnamon cranberry chèvre, which was scrumptious. Those 21+ bringing their own alcohol pay a $5 corking fee per table.

We were startled when we spied a clock to realize it was 1:30 a.m. We couldn’t believe we’d been there more than six hours.

At $10 per person, Knight Moves offers an affordable night out—less than the cost of a movie ticket and about the price of a single drink at a bar. Keep in mind, however, that there are cafés and bars that provide free board games (try Battery Park or the Mass Ave. Tavern), though none offer the Knight Moves selection or expertise. It’s a great place to meet up with friends or for a date when you’re looking for something other than a bar or club. And if you should try out a game you really like, you can just head across the street to Eureka and buy it.

Knight Moves, 1402 Beacon St., Brookline, is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The general price for playing board games is $10 per person; there’s also a $50 pass for six entrances and membership options for frequent gamers. The venue hosts free pizza nights on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. By public transportation, take an MBTA Green Line C trolley to Summit Avenue.

This is part of a series featuring Boston nightlife venues of interest to the BU community. If you have any suggestions for places we should feature, please leave them in the Comment section below.

Irene Berman-Vaporis can be reached at imbv@bu.edu.