"Had to dismiss individuals"
Düsseldorf's Spankin' New Board Game Café: Meeple and Macchiato
Who'd've thought that bursting board game cabinets meant a café? That's Katharina Overhage and Patrik Lauterbach's brainstorm for ya. Their baby, "Meeple and Macchiato" - a magical mix of café and board game haven - popped up on Brunnenstraße in Bilk in mid-May.
The reservation books are brimming, especially on weekends. Lauterbach muses, "We didn't anticipate such a warm welcome from the get-go. We even had to bounce folks on weekends." Once you start playing, it's hard to quit; some gamers stay from start to finish - up to seven hours!
At the moment, "Meeple and Macchiato" boasts an impressive collection of over 460 board games, many sourced from the Operators' personal collection, others second-hand or brand new. Overhage says, "We cater to beginners and diehard gamers, classics and niche games, even twosome games." The duo will guide you through your gaming adventure, or you can bring your own game. Classic drinking games are a no-go to keep the noise down. There's also a mini secondhand market for people who want to take a game home.
Gamers pay eight euros per head per day. For Düsseldorf pass holders and kids, it's a discounted four euros. Lauterbach explains, "It's necessary because we rake in less per table if it's only booked once per day."
While the café gets busy on weekends, it's less crowded during the week. "You can snag a table spontaneously then," says Lauterbach. The café can seat 30 indoors and another 30 in the cozy courtyard. There are also 15 chairs and small tables outside on Brunnenstraße for those who just want a cuppa.
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The charm of the previous unpackaged store, "Pure Note," that once resided in the premises has been mostly preserved. Tables too small for board game nights were replaced, and the stage was eliminated. However, the wood from the stage was repurposed to create benches.
Board game newbies are sometimes unaware they can drop by just for a coffee without playing. Alongside coffee specialties, there are mainly vegan and gluten-free cakes, ice cream, and a rotating menu of warm quiches and curries. Overhage explains, "We try to source everything locally and support mom-and-pop businesses." The coffee, ice cream, and altbier are all local. There's no entry fee for pure café dwellers.
Support and solidarity are already a part of their concept. For instance, they offer their walls as an exhibition spot for struggling artists lacking formal training.
The board game café, "Meeple and Macchiato" (Brunnenstraße 30), is open Wednesday to Friday from 5pm to 10pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 10pm. Reservations can be made online at www.meepleundmacchiato.de.
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- In this home-and-garden transformation, the former unpackaged store, "Pure Note," has been reimagined to cater to a different crowd, creating a unique home-and-garden-meets-entertainment venue, Meeple and Macchiato, on Brunnenstraße in Bilk.
- To complement the vibrant lifestyle of their board game café, Meeple and Macchiato offers locally sourced vegan and gluten-free treats, appealing to the diverse tastes of their home-and-garden-and-entertainment loving patrons.
