We’re Opening a Board Game Bar — Here’s Why

We drink in Nighthawks.
They shop at Rules of Play.
And one day, we started talking...

What began as friendly conversation between two local independent businesses slowly became something more - a shared vision for a place that combined what we both do best: good drinks, good food, and good games.

So, after a lot of chats, late nights, and just maybe one or two beers, we’re proud to say:

We’re opening a board game bar.

It’s called Brân – Belgian Beers and Boardgames, and it’s coming soon.

Brân is a brand-new board game bar in the centre of Cardiff, created by the teams behind Rules of Play and Nighthawks. It’s a space designed for people to relax, connect, and play - whether you’re a lifelong gamer or just curious to try something new over a pint.

We’ve taken the best parts of a buzzing local bar - good music, cold drinks, great food – and combined them with everything we’ve learned from years running a board game shop, thousands of events, and regular pop-up #boardgamebar for over 15 Years.

At Brân, you’ll find:

- The best curated, ever-growing library of modern board games
- A premium downstairs space for private bookings, longer epic games, and events
- A plethora of Belgian beers and street food-style snacks
- Specialist and private RPG booths for your adventuring party
- Staff who know the games - and can help you learn them!

It’s not a pub with a shelf of old games in the corner.

It’s not a café where you have to book a table just to roll a few dice.

It’s something unique - a bar where board games are part of the experience from the ground up. A space to socialise, play, or just have a beer with like-minded people.

Right now, we’re doing everything — fitting the space, prepping the food, building the games library, and trying not to get distracted by all the amazing titles arriving at the door.

Soon, we’ll be launching a Kickstarter campaign to help bring some of the bigger ideas to life and to give you a chance to be part of Brân’s foundations. Literally. (There may be goblins involved.)

You’ll hear more about the launch and the Kickstarter very soon.

In the meantime, follow @brancardiff on social media, keep an eye on your inbox, and let us know what games you’d love to see on the shelves.

This is a project built by people who love games - and built for people who love games too.

See you soon for a beer,

Ian (aka Mr Rules)
Owner of Rules of Play
Co-owner of Brân – Belgium Beers and Boardgames