Andy also runs the Facebook page Boardgames in Birmingham and below is a round up of what’s happening in and around Birmingham. Many thanks to all the event organisers and cafe owners for letting us know! Please check the links before you attend as Hopwood Games is not responsible for any mistakes in the information provided. Just here trying to help folks!
What, Where & When - Quick Guide - By day of the week
The list below features regular meet-ups either weekly, every other week or monthly. More information on each group is further down the page.
*Events marked with an asterisk are not on every week - check their link for exact dates.
Afternoon Play - Tilt, Birmingham - First Sunday* of the Month - 2pm to 8pm
Board Game Cafe - Sody’s Cafe, Birmingham - Third Sunday* of the month - 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Play More Games - Solihull - Last Sunday* of the Month - From 2pm
Booghe Family Games Evening - Booghe Store, The Fort, Erdington - Monday - 4pm to 8pm
Edgbaston Boardgames Club - The Hop Garden Harborne - Monday - From 6pm
Lichfield Gamers - Duke of York, Lichfield -Monday - From 7pm
Social Gaming Night - Chance & Counters, Digbeth - Monday - From 6pm
Hop Garden Games Night - Harborne - Tuesday - 6.30pm to 10.30pm
October Wargames Association - Moseley All Services Private Members Club, Moseley, - Tuesday - From 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Let’s Play Board Games - Loco Lounge, Kings Heath - Tuesday - From 7pm
Birmingham Central Boardgamers - The Good Intent, Birmingham - Every Other Wednesday* - From 6pm
Bromsgrove Board Gamers - Bromsgrove - Wednesday - From 7pm
Circle Battle Group - Highcroft Community Centre, Stockland Green - Wednesday - 7pm to 10.30pm
Halesowen Boardgames Club - The Stag and Three Horseshoes, Halesowen - Wednesday - From 7.30pm
Sedgley Boardgame Group - The Beacon Centre, Sedgley - Once a month on a Wednesday* - 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Birmingham Playtesters - Chance & Counters, Custard Factory - One Wednesday* & One Thursday* each Month - From 7pm
Role Players Guild Birmingham - Hennesseys Bar, Digbeth - Thursday - 6:30 pm to 11:00pm
South Birmingham Board Games & Wargames Club - Moseley All Services Club - Friday 6.30pm & Sunday from 1.30pm
Walsall Central Boardgaming - The Black Country Arms, Walsall - Every other Friday* - From 6pm
Board Game Night - Four Oaks Baptist Church - Last Friday* each month 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Sutton Coldfield Games Day - Sutton Girls School, Sutton Coldfield - Every other month on a Saturday* - 2pm to 5pm
Wolverhampton Games Day. - Christ the King Church, Wolverhampton - Second Saturday* each month - 11am to 8pm
Shops and Cafes - Available most days
Battleground Gaming - Acocks Green - battlegroundgaming.co.uk - SHOP / SPACE TO PLAY
Board In Brum - Willenhall - www.boardinbrum.co.uk - SHOP / SPACE TO PLAY
Booghe Store - The Fort, Erdington - www.booghe.co.uk/pages/retail-store - SHOP / SPACE TO PLAY / CAFE
Chance & Counters - Digbeth - www.chanceandcounters.com/birmingham - CAFE / SPACE TO PLAY
Element Games - The Minories, Birmingham - elementgames.co.uk/birmingham-store - SHOP / SPACE TO PLAY
Griffins Gaming - Erdington - www.griffinsgaming.com - SHOP / SPACE TO PLAY
The Hideout - City Centre, Jewellery Quarter - thehideoutbirmingham.co.uk - CAFE / BAR / SPACE TO PLAY (Thurs - Sun)
Manaleak - City Centre - www.manaleak.com - ONLINE SHOP / MAGIC THE GATHERING EVENTS
Sidekick Games - Balsall Common - www.sidekickgames.co.uk - SHOP / CAFE / SPACE TO PLAY
Sliced n Diced - Selly Oak - slicedndiced.uk - CAFE / SPACE TO PLAY
Sody’s Breakfast & Lunch - Five Ways - www.sodysbreakfastlunch.co.uk - CAFE / SPACE TO PLAY
Valkryx Gaming - Edgbaston - www.valkyrx.com - SPACE TO PLAY
Waylands Forge - Digbeth - www.waylandsforge.co.uk - SHOP / SPACE TO PLAY
More Information about the groups (in alphabetical order)
Afternoon Play - Tilt, City Arcade, Birmingham, B2 4TX - First Sunday each month - Afternoon Play is a casual monthly board game meet up. Those who like the thought of spending a lazy Sunday afternoon with tea, cakes and games are very welcome to come join us. People usually bring along a range of games, and you’re welcome to bring along your game of choice. Although we’re selling this as a board game afternoon, if there is anything else you’re keen to play within the confines of a pub then we'd love to give it a go. https://www.facebook.com/afternoonplay
Birmingham Central Boardgaming - The Good Intent, 32-33 Great Western Arcade, Birmingham B2 5HU - Every other Wednesday - If you live in Birmingham or The West Midlands and enjoy playing various card games and board games, feel free to join us! We have games for casual gamers or those who are new to boardgaming, and also for more regular gamers who are immersed in the addictive world of Modern Tabletop. https://www.meetup.com/Board-and-Card-Game-Enthusiasts-Birmingham
Birmingham Playtesters - Chance & Counters, Custard Factory, Birmingham B9 4AA - One Thursday a month (and one Wednesday) - We have a growing number of board game designers in the Birmingham area who need playtesters for their games. This event is for those designers to get together, along with playtesters, and gather feedback on their latest designs. https://www.facebook.com/groups/BirminghamGameDesigners
Board Game Cafe - Sody’s Cafe, 226 Monument Rd, Birmingham B16 8UZ - Third Sunday of the month - 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Board Game Night - Four Oaks Baptist Church, Grange Lane, Four Oaks, B75 5JX - Last Friday each month 6.00pm to 10.00pm - Everybody welcome to attend; whether you are a beginner or experienced gamer. There are a range of games available to play, but you are welcome to bring your own too. Free admission and refreshments are available. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090371893575
Booghe Family Games Evening - Booghe Store, The Fort, Erdington, B24 9FP - Monday - 4pm to 8pm - A games afternoon / early evening in the Booghe Cafe. There will be a small library of games from the shop shelves but you are welcome to bring your own. Cakes and drinks are available to buy and there is also a state of the art virtual reality room!
Bromsgrove Board Gamers - The Ladybird Inn, 2 Finstall Rd, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove, B60 2DZ - We are a friendly board gaming group that meets every Wednesday at 7:00pm. Whether you're a board game veteran, recent convert or just curious about the hobby then you will be welcome. https://www.facebook.com/bromsgrovebg
Circle Battle Group - Highcroft Community Centre, 485 Slade Rd, Stockland Green, Birmingham B23 7JG - Roleplaying, wargames & boardgames group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/circlebattlegroup
Edgbaston Boardgames Club - The Hop Garden, 19 Metcheley Lane, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 0HT - A regular group that meets to play games together. Free to play with drinks available from the pub. A private library of games is available or bring your own. https://www.meetup.com/edgbaston-board-games-club/
Halesowen Boardgames Club - The Stag and Three Horseshoes, Halesowen Road, Halesowen, B62 9BB - We meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 in a room upstairs at the Stag & Three Horseshoes pub on the A458 at the top of Mucklow Hill. Additionally we occasionally arrange special sessions, often on Saturdays to play particular longer games that can't be fitted into the time available on Wednesday evenings and from 2014 have begun to hold occasional Games Days on Saturdays allowing a mixture of long and short games in addition to allowing attendance by those who can't make Wednesday evenings. http://www.halesowenboardgamers.org.uk
Hop Garden Games Night - The Hop Garden, 19 Metcheley Lane, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 0HT - Plenty of tables, good lighting all with some cracking games and delicious ales. All gamers are welcome and newcomers will be looked after by resident expert Andy Hopwood. The official games session hosted by Andy will run from 6.30pm but you are welcome to come down and start playing at any stage from 5pm. It is free to play but we do ask that you buy any and all drinks from the venue. https://www.facebook.com/hoponboardgames
Let’s Play Board Games - Loco Lounge, 32-34 High St, King's Heath, Birmingham B14 7JT - Enjoy playing board games? Tired of trying to convince people to play with you? This is the group for you. Don’t worry if you haven’t played board games in a while, all abilities are welcome. The emphasis is on enjoyment and meeting new people. Sessions are free to attend (but please RSVP) and you’re welcome to bring your own games or just join in with those others have brought them. We have two to three tables of games going weekly. It's usually a good mix from those that enjoy light party games to those who like a heavy strategic euro game. Theres something for everyone! https://www.facebook.com/groups/457285055029990
Lichfield Gamers - Duke of York, 23 - 25 Greenhill. Lichfield, WS13 6DY - This is a group for anyone interested in board games in the Lichfield area. Whether you are a veteran tabletop enthusiast or someone who is just curious. We meet on a regular basis to enjoy a variety of games, have a chat and enjoy each others company. https://www.facebook.com/groups/lichfieldgamers
October Wargames Association - Moseley All Services Private Members Club, 91 Church Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9EA - 5.30pm to 10.30pm - Everything from wargames (of all kinds), RPG's and Board Games. New people of all levels beginner and up welcome, First night is free, £3 each night after that. Annual membership is £15 (£7.50 concession's). £4 non-members. And best of all we have a bar, and free car parking!! https://clubwargames.wixsite.com/octoberwargames
Play More Games - Paramo Lounge, 40 High St, Solihull, B91 3TB - Last Sunday of the Month - From 2pm - Bring boardgames, play boardgames, drink beer, eat cake, meet fun people! Everyone welcome! The Paramo Lounge is a great venue, and we'll be upstairs and up for both light nonsense and brain burning cube pushing. With more than 4 hours of gaming time, there's time for plenty of games, and breaks in between. https://www.facebook.com/playmoregamessolihull
Role Players Guild Birmingham - Hennesseys Bar, Digbeth - Thursday - 6:30 pm to 11:00pm - We are a group of roleplayers who get together to play roleplaying games in central Birmingham (that’s UK, not Alabama). We meet every Thursday night, from around 6:30 to 11 in DIgbeth. If you want to get in touch with us then pop on over to our website, but don’t feel like you have to – you’re more than welcome to just come on down! https://rpgbirmingham.co.uk/
Sedgley Boardgame Group - The Beacon Centre, Wolverhampton Road East, Sedgley, WV4 6AZ - Monthly on a Wednesday - 7.30pm to 10.30pm - At Festival Lighthouse we host a varied bunch that like to play anything from the old family classics all the way to the more modern euro games. The venue is perfect with great lighting and a comfortable, spacious gaming area. The bar is well stocked with snacks and cobs. There are hot and alcoholic drink offerings for anyone looking to relax into an evening of gaming. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1292683664954124
Social Gaming Night - Chance & Counters, Courtyard Studio 8, Custard Factory, Birmingham, B9 4AA - Come on your own or with a small group and we’ll help match you up with other friendly folks looking to play similar games! It runs every Monday and you’ll get 50% off your gaming fees if you’re up for joining other people from our wonderful community of gamers. No booking required – just turn up any time from 6pm and let the team know you’re there for Social Gaming. https://www.chanceandcounters.com/birmingham
South Birmingham Board Games & Wargames Club - Moseley All Services Club, 91 Church Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9EA - The club can cater for all forms of gaming; board games, card games, role-playing games and wargames. people can bring any games that they would like to play or join in with one at a table. We do try to encourage group games, such as Avalon, Codenames and Dixit, to facilitate interaction amongst those attending. The wargames do require more planning as there is more components to bring for one of these and a wide range of scales and periods are played. The club promotes social interaction rather than for small independent games who want to play long heavy games in one corner of the room week in week out. https://www.facebook.com/groups/349834595078639
Sutton Coldfield Games Day - Sutton Girls School, Sutton Coldfield - Every other month on a Saturday - 2pm to 5pm - There will be a wide selection of table top games available for you to play - from beginners to strategy experts there will be something to enjoy! Bring your family and friends - there are games for all ages. Our Games Hosts can suggest games and help with the rules if you need some help. There will be treats and drinks available - and it is all provided for FREE! Please let us know if you are coming and we will make sure we have enough for everyone. All under 18s must be accompanied and supervised by at least one adult per group - everyone can play! https://www.facebook.com/sctabletopgames
Walsall Central Boardgaming - The Black Country Arms, 9 High Street, Walsall, WS1 1QW - Our members have a big collection of modern tabletop board games to choose from. We rotate them each time, so there will always be variety. Please feel free to bring along similar games of your own. This is intended as a low-cost evening, but please do keep the owners happy with something from behind the counter/bar, perhaps one of their beers or a cuppa, or maybe their food is tempting enough. https://www.meetup.com/Board-and-Card-Game-Enthusiasts-Birmingham
Wolverhampton Games Day. - Christ the King Church, 76 Pendeford Ave, Wolverhampton WV6 9EJ - Second Saturday each month 11am to 8pm - https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamedayswolves