this place is adorable and I had such a lovely time here with my friends. they have a vast collection of different games and it's clear that the games are the real mvp. their staff is really knowledgeable, can recommend games based on what you're looking for and explain the rules. they also check the games and make sure they're complete and neatly sorted before returning them. the food and drinks were great too! very reasonably priced cocktails and yummy food. if you love plantain and games, this is for you! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - veggie sandwich with plantains - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Decided to look for a game night and quick meal and Stay & Play fit the bill. When you enter the building, you'll be greeted by a host, who will sit you to a wooden table or booth. The building is decorated nicely with paintings hanging on the walls and other walls have shelves filled with games. If you would like to play a game, it is $5 per person. Games- The games are organized alphabetically with featured shelves for two players games and Hispanic artists because this is Hispanic Heritage month. Food- I ordered the house special sandwich, a Jabanito. On this sandwich, the buns are replaced with tostones. It was an average size sandwich cut in half containing a decent amount of lettuce, tomatoes, and meat. I felt the sauce was on the lighter side as some bites would have sauce, but not consistent throughout. Additionally, the cheese on the sandwich was an American single, which did not fit the flavor profile. read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Board Games, Booze, and Food--What More Could You Ask For? My friend and I wanted a spot to catch up over good food, so we decided to check out Stay and Play Game Café on Irving Park. I had looked at their website beforehand, but honestly, it doesn't do the place justice. We were greeted by a warm and welcoming staff, which set the tone for a great experience. The café is set up with plenty of space for both dining and gaming. Stay and Play offers a wide selection of board and card games, from family classics to games perfect for smaller groups. There's a $5 fee for unlimited play--you simply choose your games and head to your table. The menu leans into Puerto Rican-inspired dishes, along with a full bar featuring themed drinks. I started with a hot toddy, which was great, while my friend opted for the sangria. For food, we both got the Steak Jibarito with fries. It was flavorful and just the right portion to enjoy while playing games. The highlight for me was the atmosphere. Having a big table to spread out and play games made for a fun and relaxing time. We played Speed and were introduced to a game I'd never heard of before: Chicago Shuffle Battle Solitaire. The staff was fantastic--they walked us through the rules, and we ended up loving it! Overall, Stay and Play Café is a great choice if you're looking for a chill environment to eat, drink, and play games. Just keep in mind that it's all about board games--no arcades or video games here. Food: 3.5/5 Environment: 4/5 I definitely recommend checking it out for yourself! read more

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I enjoyed this cafe for the most part. The bartender helped us find games to play and the waitresses were nice and they had many different types of games to play. I ordered the sweet plantains and the steak and egg breakfast sandwich. The reason for my 4 stars: The sandwich was great but could have had more flavor. The plantains were delicious. I came with one other person and the service was slow because there were larger parties also there that the waitresses were tending to. I've also been to many game café's and many of them don't charge for gameplay or restrict you with a time limit. I didn't get to play many games because the time spent eating, looking for a game, and also reading game directions. read more

I really enjoyed my time at this place for the most part. Pros: staff checked in often, game selection was pretty large, and the desserts were delicious Mid: Food was solid, but wouldn't sing its praises too much because it left me thinking "could have been better if..." Cons: waiter didn't remember who ordered what and my friend ended up eating my food before I even received my order, which we realize was his. Sides were wrong as well unfortunately but we dealt with it. Overall good experience, I would give it another chance but be more thorough about who orders what. read more

This cafe is a true gem. I came here for an event they graciously hosted and cannot wait to bring my family back to enjoy some board games, drinks, and food. They have vegan options, too, which I'm excited to try. read more

Unexpected, cute & fun find! We had to wait out Chicago rush-hour traffic- drove down from Wisconsin for the Cubs-Brewers game which was postponed. We were in search of a fun place our 16yo daughter could enjoy a 1.5 hour of fun instead of sitting in traffic. We had drinks, desserts & food, which were delicious! Yesenia, Jose & their staff were all very welcoming to these Wisconsinites! Our daughter said it was a fun place, so thank you for exceeding our 16yo's expectations! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Wisconsinites, games, drinks, food, family bonding, 16yo-approved, postponed Cubs vs Brewers game - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jose and Yesenia have turned their love story into an amazing concept of great Puerto Rican food and drinks. Bringing people together to engage with each other via board games versus the reality that is usually people looking at their phones while eating out. I've come a few times on different days with one friend and a group of ten. This is a perfect spot for catching up with a friend or ten or even a first date, and bringing your family. All will enjoy their time here. Fave menu items are the Tripleta (3 types of meat) sandwich, Yes Sangria (with Yesenia's extra something something) and maduros, yum! The Coconut French Toast was delish as well. You definitely feel the caribbean vibe throughout the menu. There is a selection of over 600 board games a d the staff is pretty knowledgeable so they can make recommendations based on your preferences. Service has always been great. I think most regulars know Jose and Yesenia, the owners, because they are so approachable and always checking on folks. I appreciate the ability to separate tabs with groups where each guest gets a tab opened under their name. A special thank you to Yesenia for taking the time to share some Puerto Rico travel tips which helped me plan for a recent vacation to PR. Restaurant is located near the Irving Park blue line with a small parking lot in the back but plenty of street parking. To top it all off, they are committed to being social change partners and give non-profits an opportunity to partner for fundraising purposes. For all things above, you will definitely love Stay and Play Cafe. read more

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Kind and friendly owners and staff. Interesting concept - pay a small fee and can play board games with friends for hours. Large selection of games and menu items. Large space, not cramped at all. Got a coffee, which wasn't that good but isn't their core specialty. Nice spot to hang with friends! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Latte and seating area - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an awesome spot! Very friendly service and the games are all organized very well and are in great condition. We tried the sample platter of apps and they were all really good. We also got coconut shrimp that was really fantastic. The drinks are good too. The only challenge is eating this delicious food while trying to play, ha ha! They also take very good care of the games and staff take care of the games after you are done playing with them. When we came in the did let us know that we could have a table for two hours. We went a little over that due to our game taking a little more time and they did not pressure us, but we also didn't abuse the flexibility on the time either and left once we completed the game. It was packed by then. Love seeing this place hopping and so many people enjoying games and time together! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Coquettes, empanada like snack, and testones. All really good! And all approved by my onion adverse husband except the croquettes. - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I want to stay & play all day on Sunday Funday (and eat brunch!). The interior is whimsical and fun, with dice and chess pieces hanging from the ceiling and murals on the walls. The games are well organized and a wide variety for board game novices and afficiandos. The staff will teach you how to play a game or give recommendations if you'd like. It's $5/person with a $10 food purchase or $15/person for 2 hours. Now onto the food, YUM! My husband and I got the churro waffles and a omelette to split. Their homemade sauces really brought up the game (shout out to the garlic aioli for the breakfast potatoes). The cinnamon hot chocolate and the cafe con leche were great drinks too. They have a wide variety of beer, wine and rum cocktails if that's your vibe. The owner and staff were friendly, and helpful, giving this place the extra boost of community they're wanting to create. Go check it out! read more

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I am so excited for this place to open! I know there are a few other board game cafes in town but I haven't been to either because they're a little difficult to get into, parking-wise. I love the concept of a board game cafe because I have way too many games as it is and truly do not need to add to my collection, yet there are plenty of games that I want to try or would like to play now and then but can't really justify owning. This will hit the spot. The cafe is the brainchild of Jose and Yesenia, and it's apparently been percolating for about a decade and is finally coming to fruition. The location is excellent; there's public transportation nearby and there also plenty of parking just outside the cafe (make sure you download the ParkChicago app so you don't get a ticket!). There is lots of space and lots of tables. Something that seems particularly unique about Stay and Play is that they aren't just a place to play games with a few light bites or snacks; they have a nice menu which includes some fantastic appetizers and at least one vegan or vegetarian option. The drink menu was larger than I expected it to be too! I ordered a virgin mojito and sometime will explore some of their alcoholic beverages too. Service was good. They have a brand new crew, and from my perspective things were going really smoothly. My server checked on me often, never made me feel like I was being ignored but also wasn't constantly coming over to check on me. Since I was there during a soft opening they were still working out some kinks and getting everyone in their groove, so things took a little longer to come out of the kitchen than will be typical. But you're at a board game cafe, so grab a game! It's only $7 per person per day to play for however long you wish. Jose and Yesenia were really great hosts; honestly, I envy the ease with which they worked the room and visited with all their guests (including me, the one they'd never met before!). I felt entirely welcome and am excited for their official opening so I can come in and try something I haven't played before. The game library is extensive--in fact, it's their own, over 500 games strong! For the most part they're ordered alphabetically, though there is a section for two-player games (yay!) and party games. There are large tables (and tables that can be combined) for larger parties, and also some smaller tables if you're just two or three. Definitely visit and have the staff teach you a new game or two. You can't go wrong, and you'll be hard pressed to find entertainment so reasonably priced for your friends + family. read more

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Absolutely loved Stay & Play Game Cafe and wish we had one like this in OKC! The cafe was a board game fanatic's dream! It was so well organized first starting with most popular, then categorized not only A-Z but also by family friendly, large group, 1-2 players. The displays were amazing and the games went on and on. What we appreciated most about the cafe was they thought out key details such as having large tables so that no matter how large your game was, you had plenty of space for your game without pieces falling everywhere. They had a full restaurant, bar and coffee. We opted for bar, coffee and dessert. The flan was the best I have ever tasted and was so fresh, the coffee was was also very bright and flavorful. Next time we will come with an appetite to try their food as well. The owners were very friendly and knowledgeable and even took time to teach us a game we were starting to learn. They also have servers who can help explain games and suggest games. We actually tried a new game we had never heard of thanks to our amazing server. The wait staff also clean up, box up, and put away your games once you are done. I think this definitely helped keep the games in such pristine condition that they were. Keep up the great work, Stay & Play! Can't wait to come back next time we are in town! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Rhino Hero- as suggested by wait staff! - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Absolutely loved this place! They had every game you could possibly think of--perfect for groups, date nights, or just some good nostalgic fun. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. And the food? Amazing. Way better than I expected for a game spot--definitely a place I'll be coming back to. Highly recommend checking it out read more

My friends and I came here and joined the monthly board game night. We had a great time and met some really nice people. As we played I ordered the red sangria and the steak jibarito. The jibarito was delicious and the sangria was good, but a little in the sweet side for me. I asked my friends how thier drinks were and they also said that thier pina coladas and mojitos were also on the sweeter than expected side. Either way we all ordered two drinks and still enjoyed our time. I can't wait to come back! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Their game selection is INSANE!! Plaintain sandwiches are delicious. This is a super fun spot to come on a date or with a big group of friends. Caleb is also the man if you get him as your waiter! read more

My 45 minutes of Friday rush hour gridlock had me irritable when I arrived late to meet my sister. Opening the door, Stay and Play seemed to transport me into an island party, immediately erasing my annoyance as if it had never existed. I had not expected the beautiful interior - clean lines of light wood tables and chairs with plenty of open space between them, met with oversized vibrant murals on the walls. In between, and over the bar are lush green plants, making me feel as if I were outside in a summer garden. The Puerto Rican music warmed me, despite the Chicago winter outside, and the owner's genuine welcome to me, from behind the bar, made me feel like a regular, despite it being my first time there. Already, within the first 30 seconds, I felt this is my new favorite place. But things continued to be amazing. The server came immediately to take drink orders. I'd read reviews that the beer selection is limited. I didn't find that the case. They have an IPA but unlike so many Chicago restaurants, they had more than just IPAs and I was thrilled to see a local dark lager on tap I'd not tried: Twisted Hippo puffy Parka. Turns out, it's rich, creamy - perfect for me. We split a chicken quesadilla which came quickly and was heavenly, as cheese tends to be. But I was impressed that it wasn't greasy - just nice soft flour tortilla with cheese and chicken. Simple. We also split a vegan sandwich which was surprisingly good and impressive that they even had a vegan option. The veggies were crunchy and flavorful. Would love to see that expanded with a hummus dip or something but already quite good. The sandwich took a little time - and our server came to tell us the kitchen was backed up and it'd be out in 5 minutes. It still seemed speedy but I appreciated being kept updated. We played a couple games which of course was the main point of the place. If expected that to be fun and it was! Made more exciting by the groups of game players around us - it felt like being at a party with everyone laughing and having a good time. I can see why this is my sister's fav place. Despite the commute, I plan to start going regularly. Whether you want good food, good service, opportunity for games, island warmth and- you'll find it here. Quick note: bathroom is helpfully a single for all humans, regardless of gender. Thank you! Ambience: ***** Service: ***** Food: ***** read more

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We were here for Jo and Randy's wedding and the venue was tip top amazing. The staff: super friendly and chill. The place: fun and great energy. The food and drinks: mouth watering and delicious. My wife and I were visiting from out of town but this is definitely a place we'll come back to when we come back to Chicago. 6 out of 5, would highly recommend Run, don't walk, to Stay and Play Cafe!!! read more

This place is the best! Niche concept so well executed. Soooo many games to choose from- all organized and taken care of (staff check all games before putting them back on shelf after being played). Solid menu, good variety. My friend and I both had jibaritos- chicken and veggie- both delish. And the yuca bolitas were divine. The space and atmosphere-- so lovely! Bright, spacious, clean, big tables. Colorful, fun decor. Beautiful mural in one of the rooms. Clean, modern bathrooms. Owners Jose and Yesenia greeted all guests, so friendly, and they clearly have a good rapport with a lot of the regulars. Staff Matt and Jesse were super friendly and helpful with choosing food and games. Quite the diverse mix of patrons- young adults, families, older folks, groups, pairs - anything goes. Oh- and full bar with fun drink specials, including a menu of mocktails. I had a rum free passionfruit mojito - refreshing and yummy. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

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Good variety of games, family friendly, friendly service, very good jibaritos and basic cocktails. Unfortunately they were out of pork so we were limited in our food options. Also, it's a bit pricey reserving a table for a large party so that's something to consider. There's no parking lot but I think metered parking is pretty plentiful within a few blocks' walk. read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Steak jibarito w/ yuca fries - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is so wonderful, we are obsessed! We came here for Sunday brunch and had iced coquito lattes, which were fantastic, along with French toast and sandwiches. Literally everything we ate was great, especially my Cubano sandwich, and the sweet potato fries were perfect. For just $5 a person, you can play all the games you want. They have a HUGE selection and really knowledgeable staff who can give recommendations. They have a whole section for 2 player games so it's perfect for a date night / brunch (but would obviously be great with friends too). The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable- they will even play a few rounds of a game with you if they're not too busy. We walked there but it looks like they have some parking which is great. Can't recommend this place highly enough and can't wait to go back. read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - French toast - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place opened only about a month ago, but it doesn't feel like it. They have already established themselves as a great night out. The space is amazing. Lots of parking that have their own lot, and good street parking. Lots of tables and really cute decor. Our server matt was so sweet and helped us pick the right things. They only have rum cocktails- but they are delicious. I had the sangria which was delightful and my partner had a cuba libre which he said was very balanced. He also had a mojito which he really liked at well. We ordered the croquettes and the maduros as an appetizer. Both were delicious but what was amazing was the jibaritos which was like a plantain sandwich. I has never had one before and they were delicious. We ended with a cuban sandwich and a flan. It was perfection. We played board gamed for almost 4 hours, it's only $5 per person and you can play as long as you want. We ordered a ton of food and we really didn't break the bank. This is great spot if you want to meet up with a large group of people. We will be coming back read more

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Had a great time here. Yummy food and good sangria. I had the cubano with fries and it was tasty. Fun games and friendly staff who will explain the games. Reasonable rates for table time. Highly recommend for a chill hang with friends. read more

My new favorite spot in Irving Park area and quite possibly in the city overall. This is a cafe where you come to eat & play games. Plenty of seating The tables have a big surface area to accommodate food & game playing space There sort of two sides to the space and one can be used for private events Food we tried: Steak Jibarito W/fries Crumch factor: excellent Buttermilk Waffles 1 full waffle in 4 triangular pieces This was good Fruit Syrup Games: HUGE library divided into sections (top ranked, classic, 2 player, alphabetical) You can check the "inventory" of games online and you can even get started on reading the rules before you come in Your server is also your game guide that can help you set up the game & with rules. They will take games back for you and even box them up. Parking in the back (10 spaces), paid parking on Irving Some free parking but might be a bit of a longer walk Place gets a lot go natural night Patio (closed for winter season) Bar area (full bar menu) (beer, cocktails, mocktails) Excellent service Owner checked in on us and gave us a game suggestion (Jaipur - 2 player game) read more

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Great Puerto Rican food. Amazing decor. Any fun game you can think of is there for your enjoyment. Met the owners, who were very nice and attentive. Definitely would recommend trying this place. read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute and fun little cafe with all of the games you could ever want. Great for families and singles alike. The food is puerto rican inspired, generous portions, good service, great overall experience. read more

Words can't express how awesome it is that Stay and Play hosts events for Unique Sweets (a non-profit bakery for people with Autism.) The prices here are very reasonable. This is a cafe where for $5 with a $10 food purchase you can play games with your friends and family, they have a few hundred games. read more

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First time coming here. This place is amazing such a chill spot Kid friendly also. Food is amazing the atmosphere is awesome. Owners are super friendly! read more

Fun idea and they gave hundreds of games! Food is tasty and the staff is lovely and attentive. Great for groups and small gatherings, too. And kid-friendly. read more

Good Puerto Rican food in reasonable portions at reasonable prices. Wonderful owner family and staff whose enthusiasm and experience in tabletop games shine through - we really appreciated the recommendations we received and have ended up buying one of the games we played there as a very well-received gift. I'm really glad this business is in the neighborhood and saw many families and friends groups have a great time. Check it out! read more

This place is a lot of fun. You should take the kids and have a good time. They have a lot of games and really good food

Beautifully laid out, open-feeling, welcoming space. The food is better than it has any right to be, given how incredible the gaming experience is. How can they be so amazing at two things? Staff was super friendly and asked interested questions in the game a friend and I were designing. Just a fantastic place to spend a few hours. read more

Stay and play is a great way to connect with your inner child, while sipping drinks and enjoying food. First, they have Medalla beer. Next, they have a great puerto rican menu. Finally, who doesn't wanna play Monopoly and drink away the inflationary blues! The staff is great, and offer suggestions for games as well. Roll the dice and pop in. read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Games and food - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! The food is good, the decor is adorbs, and I was able to reserve a game ahead of time! Yesenia and Jose have established a wonderful welcoming place to eat and game. Go see them! read more

Super fun place! Nice big space, tons (400+!) of games, super friendly service & owner. Drinks and food were tasty as well (tostones and yuca fries were especially yum)! Excited to go back and check out more games and more food! read more

What a great place! Great food. Great service. Tons of games and knowledgeable staff to assist you. The decor and ambience is tasteful and fun. I love their drinks, especially the Sangria but you can't go wrong with any of the drinks. Their coconut shrimp is amazing. They have many types of sauces you can ask for. The owners are wonderful and treat you like family. I have never had a bad bite or a bad time at Stay & Play Game Cafe. read more

We loved this place. The staff were very friendly and helpful, the food was tasty. I had the steak and onion sandwich. It was flavorful. I also had a mojito which had a mic flavor. Over 500 games! Super fun! read more

LOVE THIS PLACE! My husband and I live just a 5 minute walk away from here and we couldn't be happier to have a place like this nearby. We came here last Friday and they were bustling! Even with how busy it was, food and drinks came out phenomenal and fast (I can't wait to eventually try every item) and the environment was still fantastic to play our board games. This would be so much fun for any couple not sure what to do for a date night or even a large group of friends who want to have some healthy competition. They have endless games to pick from, seems impossible to try them all, but we sure will try! The food and drinks are super reasonable priced and are simple (in a great way). What I love is that they have a whole mocktail section. I don't drink much, so it's nice to know that's an option for the days I want to have something more fun than water. The owners and the staff are all so nice and welcoming! Please give your business to this place because they truly deserve it. I'm attaching pictures, but they do not do this place justice. Go see for yourself! read more

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great food from what Ive tried and great staff. The decor is really nice and I love the music, it's a good volume and not intrusive to me and had me dancing in my chair. They have offerings like dnd night I hope I can join sometime. The staff is truly great, very attentive, helpful, friendly and informative. I really want to see this place succeed. I only played a couple games, one was in a little bit of a "used" state with the instructions needing repair, which isn't a big deal to me but just saying. But there is a good selection and its really fun to have something special to do like board games. The biggest area of improvement I want to see is with them trying to limit time at the table. I was a little embarrassed on my date, and I thought the staff also seemed uncomfortable, when we were told to stay longer we had to pay like iirc $60 for the table. I may be a little confused about it, ie maybe the other option is to keep ordering food, and I forgot. but there were lots of empty tables so it seemed unnecessary. They were nice and gave us extra time. So it's not like they were unreasonable or anything. I just think when it is STAY and play cafe, they should expect people to stay a long time, like 2-3 hours. A lot of games take that long, plus we ate a meal. Maybe it was clearer on the menu than I thought and was fully my mistake, but it wasnt something I picked up on, so maybe they could make it more clear. Id rather pay more up front than have to worry about tracking time and the staff having to remind me if I forget and that awkward stuff. I also often go to cafes and only have a coffee and write for hours and Im not sure if that's cool there now. So I think they should reconsider table time limits. This is just my personal opinion and suggestion. Now that I know the policy I think it's still worth it to go back, it's a nice local place and Im excited for their events. read more

Good food and drinks. Great for all ages! The food and drinks were nicely priced. Clean and spacious for playing games with the family or have a girls night or even have a date! The service was excellent, friendly owners and staff! Parking was on the street but easy to find! I highly recommend it!!!! read more

Stay & Play Game Cafe - Second place - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois