Explore Portland’s vibrant gaming community, where cozy neighborhood game stores invite families to connect through fun and friendly events. And with a diverse selection including board games, Dungeons & Dragons and Magic the Gathering and more, there’s something for every player. And because all good times should include snacks, these places also sell food and drinks, from basic provisions like soda and chips, to full menus offering sandwiches, burgers, desserts and more. Game on!
Cloud Cap Games
This cozy and friendly neighborhood game store has a separate casual gaming room that hosts smaller kid-friendly weekly events.
Neighborhood: Sellwood
Games available: Lots of board games, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer, Star Wars, and more.
Food and drinks: There’s a small fridge of drinks and candy and chips to snack on.
Admission: Depends on the game being played.
Special events: Every month they host adult-focused RPG one game and Blood on the
Clocktower. Sundays are Magic the Gathering tournaments, Wednesdays are board games, Thursday
are Marvel, Fridays are Star Wars (which welcome children).
Paladin’s League
With a number of of kid-centric events, and a menu that will have most children clamoring for more, this in-person gaming destination that offers community and connection is a win with families.
Neighborhood: Cully
Games available: 600+ board games, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer and more.
Food and drinks: Sandwiches, shareables, and a hearty menu of ice cream sundaes,
sparkling sodas and milkshakes. Plus beer, wine, cider and cocktails for adults.
Admission: $5 per person to play unlimited games. 10 and under free.
Special events: Tuesday after school Dungeons & Dragons and evening trivia, Wednesday night strategy
games, Friday night Dungeons & Dragons for ages 10-14.
Mox Boarding House
Housing a vast and free board game library, a proper (but pricy) restaurant menu that includes vegan and vegetarian options, and a full store selling all your gamer needs, this downtown location is a destination on it’s own, and includes 90 minutes of garage parking.
Neighborhood: Goose Hollow
Games available: 1000s of board games, card building, role playing games and more
Food and drinks: Locally sourced and fancier than most, with cocktails and drafts as well.
Admission: Free!
Special events: nightly in-store Warhammer, Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons events.
Guardian Games
Portland institution and one of the largest gaming venues in the city, this large store buys and sells cards, hosts proper and sometimes spendy tournaments, and offers numerous classes and events relating to games, for a wide-ranging audience.
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Games available: Any of the collectibles plus a number of board games.
Food and drinks: Case of beverages with small snacks for purchase, and outside food is welcome.
Admission: Depends on the event.
Special events: Extensive daily and nightly calendar of events.
Red Castle Games
A well-designed and kid-friendly neighborhood staple with two separate but central public gaming areas, this store features plenty of tabletop miniature supplies, plus card games, board games, role-playing games, as well as tarot cards and puzzles.
Neighborhood: Foster Powell
Games available: Board games, Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer
Food and drinks: Small adjacent Rube Brews Café means staying caffeinated, plus a limited menu of real food fare to tide you over.
Admission: Game cost vary per event and pack; $5 to rent a boardgame.
Special events: Nightly Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Warhammer or Star Wars events, as well as new deck release parties.
Puddletown Games
Smaller local hobby game store that offers an intimate and welcoming feel, and although all the evening events are for adults, kids and families are emphatically welcome to play at their tables any time during the day.
Neighborhood: Beaumont
Games available: Extensive and unique board games and puzzles — including some you can rent — plus Dungeons & Dragons and deck building games.
Food and drinks: Small fridge of drinks and a few snacks.
Admission: Varies per event
Special events: Weekly game night options for adults: Mondays for queer people and allies; Wednesdays are Magic the Gathering and Thursdays are strategy skills.
The Portland Game Store
This is a laid-back place to head to to buy, trade, sell or play any of your favorite card games.
Neighborhood: Humboldt
Games available: This store is hyper-focused on all the deck building games, although
they have a wealth of board games as well.
Food and drinks: Four beers always on tap plus some snacks like chips, nuts and cookies.
Admission: Free. Board games are available to rent and take home.
Special events: Extensive in-store play is scheduled for specific games.
Capes and Crepes
One of the newest game stores to open in the city, this brightly lit, kid-friendly venue has free board game rentals and yummy bubble tea that has proven popular.
Neighborhood: Richmond/Mt. Tabor
Games available: Board games plus deck building and role-playing games.
Food and drinks: Extensive bubble tea menu plus fresh sweet and savory crepes.
Admission: Free to borrow games on site. Different events have different costs.
Special events: Nightly Magic the Gathering and Pokemon.