Stay and Play Game Cafe pairs a Puerto Rican menu with a library of board games in Irving Park. It's run by a couple who describe themselves as college sweethearts, and who spent more than 25 years using food, drinks, and games as the foundation of their own family and friend circle before opening the concept to the neighborhood.
The idea is to strip out the work of hosting — guests order off the menu, pull a game off the shelf, and settle in without having to plan, prep, or clean up afterward. Regulars point to the game masters and staff on hand to help pick a game or explain the rules, along with a kitchen that accommodates dietary needs. The space also books private events for groups looking to do the same thing at a larger scale.
The cafe has built a following around its cozy, welcoming feel and its combination of solid food and drinks with a deep game selection — the kind of spot where the games are as much the draw as the menu.
The idea is to strip out the work of hosting — guests order off the menu, pull a game off the shelf, and settle in without having to plan, prep, or clean up afterward. Regulars point to the game masters and staff on hand to help pick a game or explain the rules, along with a kitchen that accommodates dietary needs. The space also books private events for groups looking to do the same thing at a larger scale.
The cafe has built a following around its cozy, welcoming feel and its combination of solid food and drinks with a deep game selection — the kind of spot where the games are as much the draw as the menu.