What we’re about
If you are into modern board games, then this is the group for you! We play all sorts of titles from Ticket to Ride to Game of Thrones to Codenames. If you were expecting Monopoly or Cluedo, there's a link for you at the end of the description.
We are very welcoming of people new to the tabletop gaming hobby, and nothing makes us happier than helping another person discover new games. Many of the events have a variety of lighter games which are easy to get into, with plenty of interaction and opportunity to have fun. We are focused on the friendly, social side of gaming for both strategy and casual gamers alike!
We've come a long way since a dozen people in a pub and have running costs. If you like what we do please support the club on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/EdinburghBoardGamers
We have a Facebook page: ( here ).
The group also has a Discord server: https://discord.gg/CYb5JC3
Join them to be up to date with announcements, last minute changes etc. Meetup is not 100% reliable.
We also have a guild on BoardGameGeek ( here ).
Confused about why we don't play Monopoly? Take a look here for more info: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/28/20-awesome-board-games-you-may-never-have-heard-of
For RPGs in Edinburgh see this group: ORC Edinburgh or Role Play Haven
SUITABILITY: EVERYONE! New to the Hobby and Regulars Welcome!
VENUE: Large Community Hall plus Café Area & Side Rooms.
FOOD/DRINK: Café: Breakfasts, Sandwiches/Toasties, Tea/Coffee, Cake etc.
GAMES: Library + BYO.
We're back with our good friends at the Grassmarket Community Project (GMCP) for another big full day of gaming and fundraising!
Loads of games, loads of space, loads of fun!
And loads more time!
For anyone who doesn’t know GMCP are actually an incredible charity that do a lot of local homeless people and vulnerable adults. They're a genuinely worthy cause that I would recommend even without the games days. Check out their activities here (https://grassmarket.org/)
GMCP are hosting us for free so please don’t bring your own food or drink. Be encouraged to buy their lovely cakes, coffee, and lunches to make sure it works for them too.
These events are perfect for newcomers and casuals to just drop in and out. With games starting and ending throughout the day, its unusual to need to wait more than 10-15 mins for a game. You can also use the comments below to arrange specific games and times.
Featuring!
* Bring and Buy Table (10% of sale donated to GMCP). CLICK HERE for Guidance.
* Other stuff being confirmed!
* Got something you`d like advertising here. Let us know!
Finally we`ll have a few ways to donate to GMCP on the day.
Suggested donation is £5.
This is entirely voluntary and comes with absolutely no pressure or obligation. We would rather you spend cash in the café if you are deciding between the two, or not at all if money is tight. Just joining in and adding to the atmosphere is plenty.
I'M NEW AND UNSURE WHAT TO DO! Dont worry at all! We know it can be daunting for newcomers and do what we can to keep it easy. The truth is we have a fantastic base of regulars who have all been new at some point. You`ll find people are very friendly and the organisers even actively keep an eye open to make sure you get a warm welcome. If we've missed you, just ask one of the tables. What to Expect: The day is very informal. Some people will have pre-planned a longer game (feel free to use the comments), but the vast majority will honesty just form tables with whoever is free using the big pile of games we keep on site. It’s a great way to meet new people. Finally - No you dont need to know the games before you arrive. That would be an impressive feat in its own right, but in general tables pick games that someone can teach.
HANG ON, I THOUGHT THESE USED TO START AT 10:30? Yep, but the venue have staff on from 9. We need a little time to set up, but they are happy for people to arrive from 10. There's a chance some smaller rooms might not be set up right at the start, but the main hall should be.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Friday Night Games @ The Hampton By Hilton HotelHampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End, Edinburgh
TYPICAL GAMES: Everything from party games to strategic epics!
GAMES LIBRARY: BYO, plus small library on site
FOOD & DRINKS: Bar + Starbucks, small food menu (20% Discount for EBG attendees).What better way to celebrate the end of another week than with some drinks, chat and games! The Grassmarket centre is busy (and briefly closed) over Christmas, so were over with our new friends at The Hampton by Hilton near fountain park for a few weeks!
The tables are smaller than we have at other venues. We can move them around as long as we put them back. Please dont take too many, we need to leave some for others.
The hotel is giving us the space for free on the understanding that we encourage people to buy their lovely food and drink. Please don't bring in your own. The staff preparing the food are also serving at the bar and manning the hotel desk. Please be patient with them if they are slow serving!
* 20% Discount at the Hotel bar if you use the phrase: "Can I get the discount, im with the gamers over there. Cheers!", or they just realise youre with us.We`ll be there from 7pm until 11:30-12:00 ish. Don't worry if you're going to be late. Games will be starting and ending throughout the evening. It’s unusual to need to wait more than 10-15 mins at events like these. We do need to be out of the door by 12 exactly though due to their licencing rules. So please keen an eye on time.
Bring games if you like. We'll have some on site too. A wide range get played from lighter stuff to big chunky ones.
Want to help with EBG running costs? We will have our usual cash donation tin and/or there's our Patreon below. Huge thanks to everyone donating already. Its genuinely really helping and very much appreciated!
https://www.patreon.com/EdinburghBoardGamers
As ever, please do not donate if money is tight. There is absolutely no pressure, obligation, or judgement here. You are helping us plenty by just adding to the friendly atmosphere and we`d much rather you spent cash at the venue if deciding between the two.
I'M NEW AND UNSURE WHAT TO DO! Do not fear! We know it can be daunting for newcomers. But please don’t worry, we have a fantastic base of regulars who have all been new at some point. You`ll find people are very friendly and the organisers even actively keep an eye open to make sure you get a warm welcome. If we've missed you, just ask one of the tables. What to Expect: The day is very informal. Some people will have pre-planned a longer game (feel free to use the comments), but the vast majority will honesty just form tables with whoever is free using the big pile of games we keep on site. It’s a great way to meet new people.
DO I NEED TO KNOW ALL THE GAMES? Not at all! Honestly, that would be an impressive feat in its own right! Dont worry, people usually find a game someone knows how to teach, often something they brought from home and we try to keep a good number of easy to pick up ones in the library.
I CANT ATTEND BUT STILL WANT TO PLAY GAMES.
If you can't make the event in person but would still like to play games, an online board games session is still running on our discord server from 7pm.
