Nearly a month ago, we told you that the crew from Snakes and Lattes would be opening a sister bar later this month called Snakes and Lagers. Located at 488 College St. W, the city’s newest board game Mecca has been enjoying a soft opening over the past few weeks, preferring not to roll the dice when it comes to working out the kinks. Thankfully, however, it’s finally time to open the doors and let everyone know that this is the place in Toronto to get your board game fix.
Unlike Snakes and Lattes, Snakes and Lagers is 19+. That means when your ‘friend’ builds a road in Catan right where you needed to, you can tell him exactly how you feel without having to worry about any kids listening in. Of course, it also means that there’s a full bar filled with craft draughts, cocktails, and single-malts.
The crowd packed into the two-story bar is a diverse collection of young professionals (YPs). Some are clearly on dates (see: look how fun I am!), while others are relaxing with large groups of friends. There’s obviously also a contingent dedicated solely to the game in front of them and, you know, WINNING.
Just like Snakes and Lattes, at Lagers you’ll find Game Gurus – staff members capable of breaking down the rules for you and getting you into a new game as quickly as possible. You’ll also find some pretty fun and delicious snacks including the Petit Mac (a mini version of the McDonald’s fav), Duck Fat Fries, and Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts. What you’re really coming for, however, is the library of games. Combined with Snakes and Lattes, Lagers has one of the largest private board game collections in all of North America with over 3000 available.
As the board game world can be a little intimating at times, we sat down with Snakes and Lagers Events and Public Relations Manager Sean Jacquemain to get his rundown on the best games currently being played in the new space. This way, you’ll have a good idea of what to get into when you decide to check it out. And from our experience, you should probably decide to do that as soon as you can face the possibility of losing to your friends.
Desert Island Games
The 3 games Sean would want to have with him on a desert island. Hopefully he has someone stuck there with him to play with.
Hanabi
# of players: 2-5
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “a cooperative game in which players try to create the perfect fireworks show by placing the cards on the table in the right order.”
Puerto Rico
# of players: 3-5
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “…assume the roles of colonial governors on the island of Puerto Rico. The aim of the game is to amass victory points by shipping goods to the Europe or by constructing buildings.”
Robinson Crusoe: Adventure on the Cursed Island
# of players: 1-4
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “another epic game created by Ignacy Trzewiczek, the author of Stronghold. This time Trzewiczek takes the players to a deserted island, where they’ll play the parts of shipwreck survivors confronted by an extraordinary adventure.”
Less Than An Hour
The 3 games Sean would recommend if time is of the essence. You know, just a quick win before you peace out and leave everyone pissed off.
The Resistance
# of players: 5-10
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “Players are either Resistance Operatives or Imperial Spies. For three to five rounds, they must depend on each other to carry out missions against the Empire. At the same time, they must try to deduce the other players’ identities and gain their trust.”
King of Tokyo
# of players: 2-6
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “mutant monsters, gigantic robots, and strange aliens – all of whom are destroying Tokyo and whacking each other in order to become the one and only King of Tokyo.”
The Duke
# of players: 2
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “a dynamic, tile-based strategy game with an old-world, feudal theme, high-quality wooden playing pieces, and an innovative game mechanism in its double-sided tiles.”
All Day
You’ve just been laid off, you’re extremely hungover, or you don’t actually have a home. These are Sean’s top 3 games for when you’ve got nowhere to be but on the board.
Chaos in the Old World
# of players: 3-4
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “Chaos in the Old World makes you a god. Each god’s distinctive powers and legion of followers grant you unique strengths and diabolical abilities with which to corrupt and enslave the Old World.”
Trajan
# of players: 2
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “Set in ancient Rome, Trajan is a development game in which players try to increase their influence and power in various areas of Roman life such as political influence, trading, military dominion and other important parts of Roman culture.”
Alien Frontiers
# of players: 2-4
According to Boardgamegeek.com: “Alien Frontiers is a game of resource management and planetary development for two to four players. During the game you will utilize orbital facilities and alien technology to build colony domes in strategic locations to control the newly discovered world.”
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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