The Bard and Bear Games Cafe

“10/10 experience! Great service and can get busy so make sure to make a reservation. Been to other board game cafes in Toronto and this one in comparison has a lot more! Ambience is nice. Will come back and try their food and drink options too :)”

“All the staff are amazing and friendly, the food is delicious, and they have such a large selection of board games to play. Can't recommend highly enough. They also have great stock of boardgames and Magic the Gathering cards for sale, as well as tons of events for people to try new games! A great place to spend an evening or weekend day with friends/family. I try to go here as much as I can!”

“As someone who recently got in magic the gathering, Bard and Bear is one of my favourite spots in town to shop and support. Prices are reasonable, maybe a little higher than some TCG stores but the ability to pre order without a deposit, or a price tag that’s way over market price is awesome. The staff are welcoming and knowledgeable. They want you to love the games like they love their games. Coffee and food are a great yummy bonus. Game cover is cheap and lasts for hours. A great spot for downtown :)”

“Stopped off for a round of late night board games at the Bard and Bear, and our group of 7 had an absolute blast. The owners are so kind and helpful with learning new games. Plenty of beverage (both alcoholic and not) and snacking options (didn't have any food but I imagine the offerings would hit the spot). The assortment of games they offered was also AMAZING - a super cool collection for both casual and advanced players, tied together with a very cozy and clean atmosphere. I believe they also offer a service to order in games for purchase if you find one that you love. Next time I'm in Hamilton I will definitely be returning. A must try!”

“If you just want to have a coffee and enjoy the ambience, this place might not be the best choice. They charge $9 per person just to play games, which feels quite expensive. This is actually the first coffee shop I’ve seen in Canada that charges separately for playing board games. Also, if you don’t want to play games, you really can’t just sit and enjoy your coffee comfortably — the whole setup is mainly for gaming. Overall, it’s a fun concept if you’re going specifically to play, but not ideal if you’re simply looking for a relaxing coffee experience.”