Bars are constantly reinventing themselves to break away from the traditional place where only alcohol is served, and reach out to a new clientele. In Paris, for example, we've seen the emergence of cat bars where you can drink your coffee and spend hours surrounded by cats.
But there's one trend that's been growing steadily in recent years: the games bar. While games have always been part of the café world, with traditional darts games for example, some establishments have made them a feature in their own right.
This type of fun bar is becoming more and more common in big cities, and their success is growing all the time. And with good reason: in a games bar you can rediscover the games of your childhood and enjoy a good time with friends or family.
In Quebec, game bars are nothing new. The concept has recently been imported to France, and numerous game bars are now springing up in every major city.
If the first opens in Paris, others will follow in Toulouse, Rennes, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice!
In these playful bars, which are neither toy stores nor toy libraries, the principle is as simple as child's play: you pay for the consumption and/or rental of the games, then have fun.
It's safe to say that Monopoly and Scrabble are no longer just games for country vacations!
Vous pouvez désormais jouer entre amis après le travail, ou aller au bar en famille le mercredi après-midi…
Whether you like strategy games, word games or darts, you're bound to find what you're looking for, as some game bars offer up to 800 self-service board games.
Card games, board games, dice games or quizzes... there's something for every taste and age.
Le succès des bars à jeux ne s’explique pas par le recul et la joie jubilatoire de jouer comme un enfant.
The success of the games bar can't be explained by the fact that, above all, people want to meet up in a friendly, playful place where they can bring their children. And then there's the desire to disconnect from all those games you can play on smartphones and tablets, and to step back and enjoy playing like a child.
Generally speaking, the game bar concept has won over a large number of customers because :
Finally, you don't need to be an expert to have fun: some so-called "party games" have simple rules and can be played in less than an hour.
We kick off our list of the 10 best gaming bars in Paris with an unusual spot in the capital. Les Petites Flèches is the first and only theme bar to offer darts.
So this is a far cry from the traditional darts games you'd find in bars back in the day.
Scores are displayed on screens, and you can replay your best shots.
All this while sipping a delicious house cocktail, a good craft beer or tasting delicious tapas.
Les Petites Flèches, in Paris's 11th and 10th arrondissements, is without doubt one of the capital's best theme bars.
This themed bar is located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, a stone's throw from the Voltaire metro station. On two floors, it boasts a toy library packed with games. On the second floor, there's a Tetris bar and a few tables, while the basement is a more private area with sofas.
Vous pourrez déguster un plateau de fromages et de la charcuterie et profiter d’une large gamme de bières artisanales et de cocktails sucrés.
This self-proclaimed "space for the expression of imaginary cultures" is located right in the center of Paris, and is home to all things geek, science fiction and fantasy.
Le Dernier Bar avant la fin du Monde est un paradis de 400 mètres carrés pour jouer à une grande variété de jeux, boire de délicieux cocktails originaux et se détendre dans un bunker anti-zombie.
Themed evenings are held regularly, but the atmosphere is always a little offbeat: life-size dolls, comic books, carefully selected medieval and steam-punk settings, and a science-fiction library.
Ce bar à jeux caché de Saint-Germain à Paris tourne autour des dessins animés, des bandes dessinées, de Disney et des jeux d’enfance. Chaque cocktail (oui, c’est un bar après tout !) porte le nom d’un personnage de dessin animé.
To get your very own Olaf or Lucky Luke - served in a personalized glass - you first have to draw the character on a small board!
Des jeux de société sont à votre disposition, et parfois, lorsque les clients sont d’humeur, un jeu de questions-réponses est organisé, les gagnants recevant des sucettes et des shots gratuits ! Il est recommandé d’appeler à l’avance pour réserver, car ce bar à jeux est aussi populaire que minuscule.
Dans le quartier calme de la Sorbonne à Paris, face à la place de Cluny, Le Watt est un bar à jeux aéré, lumineux et ouvert où étudiants et familles se remplissent le ventre d’assiettes simples et délicieuses (un excellent brunch le week-end).
On the second floor, there's a library with books, board games and cards. The atmosphere is so relaxed and familiar that even a full poker game is encouraged! With a generous happy hour and a wide, customizable menu, entertaining is made easy!
If you're strolling down the rue Mouffetard in Paris and fancy sitting down for a pint (Happy Hour 3.30pm - 8am) in a cosy bar, Teddy's bar is the perfect choice.
The walls covered in leopard skins, Teddy's Bar serves a wide selection of beers and cocktails that change every month, which you can sip while playing one of their board games.
During opening hours - until 5 a.m. on weekends - you'll have the chance to bump into this themed bar's mascot: René, the house cat with more Facebook friends than you.
Entre Arts et Métiers et Étienne Marcel, le bar à jeux le Nid Cocon-ludique a des airs de chalet de montagne. Mais ne vous y méprenez pas, c’est une véritable caverne d’Ali Baba qui renferme plus de 500 jeux disponibles. C’est aussi un charmant bar en bois qui deviendra votre refuge durant les après-midi pluvieux.
They host a variety of events, Sunday brunch and the friendly staff will help you with any advice you might need, if you're feeling a little too overwhelmed by the choices.
Le Nid is also a boutique, in case you want to take the games home with you! Open until 1am, it's just a few euros to play plus a drink, and you're free to try out as many games as you like!
At L'Oya, the concept is very similar to that of Le Nid, but what makes this place special is the games themselves. The games are offered in their original version, but don't panic: the team is on hand to help you understand the rules.
What's even more special, they sometimes publish their own games, with stunning illustrations and fun rules, adapting each one to make it unique.
Not so much a bar, it's more like a club: no food is served, but for a few euros, you get a drink and one of the 500 games you might want!
The Meisia theme bar isn't in the center, but it's well worth the effort. In Belleville's creative space, open from 2pm to midnight, you'll find everything a board player could wish for.
Theme evenings are held almost every day, and there's a video game night every Wednesday, as well as tournaments and happy hours to make it even more attractive.
The Meisia is also a restaurant serving delicious burgers, salads and milkshakes, and the only requirement to keep the dice rolling is to have something every hour or so.
If that sounds more convenient, they've recently opened a Meisia 2.0 at 84 rue René Boulanger, just off République.
So, have you already tried out one of these Parisian gaming bars?
If you are looking for a more original or more festive setting, you can also consult our Top 10 unusual bars in Paris as well as Top 10 dancing bars in Paris. So, unless you prefer to stay in your slippers on the sofa, you've got no excuse to find a nice, open bar in Paris!
See you soon,
Les Petites Flèches
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Les Petites Flèches Parmentier
Tel : 01 43 55 65 89
Les Petites Flèches Strasbourg-Saint-Denis
Tel : 01 53 62 19 05
lespetitesfleches.ssd@gmail.com
Les Petites Flèches Parmentier
49 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
Les Petites Flèches Strasbourg-Saint-Denis
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