Gaming in Groningen
Game On, a massive exhibit at Forum Groningen celebrating 50 years of video games, just kicked off this week, so we thought we'd share all the gaming goodness Groningen has to offer!
From disco bowling to escape rooms, from gaming enthusiast bars to game development collectives, Groningen has a little bit of everything when it comes to playing.
Gaming bars:
It’s not an uncommon sight in a Dutch kroeg to spot patrons of all (legal drinking) ages focused attentively on a board game, beers in hand. Groningen has lots of bars and cafes that invite their visitors to enjoy some good old fashioned entertainment, too:
In De Buurt put together a great overview of all the drinking establishments in town where board games are more than welcome:
For chess lovers in particular, Hooghoudt Proeflokaal is the place to be. They even host scores of chess matches out on the sidewalk in front of the café during the summer – and they have plenty of other board games to choose from inside.
Another special spot is BOEL, a bar that’s all about jeu de boeles.
Pub quizzes:
If pub quizzes are more your speed, you’re truly spoiled for choice in Groningen.
De Toeter has two quizzes a week, and Usva hosts monthly quizzes during the school year.
De Drie Gezusters, Vera, Pathe, Café Oblomov, d’Ouwe Brandweer, Hemingways, O’Malleys and Café De Kale Jonker also all host regular pub quiz nights
Escape rooms:
Het Hout 1
Oosterhamriklaan 117
Suikerlaan 35
Arcades:
The Drie Gezusters has their very own speelhal, and a brand new arcade, the Game Box, is set to open at Oosterstraat 15 sometime in the coming months!
Board games:
Nieuwe Ebbingestraat 86a
Oude Kijk in ‘t Jatstraat
There’s also a dedicated gaming association in Groningen: Rabenhaupt
Laser tag:
Oosterkade 6
Mini golf:
Kardinge
Bowling:
Gedempte Kattendiep 4
Kartracing & Bowling Groningen
Kardingerweg 50
Game developers:
Game Bakery (collective)
Did you know there's even a game all about Groningen? Visit Groningen.nl to explore Become a Virtual Groninger!
And: City Central’s own Gezellig Games Night will be back this autumn! Don’t miss out on the fun: be sure to follow us on Instagram and Eventbrite