LOGAN SQUARE — The team behind Cards Against Humanity is opening Chicago Board Game Cafe, a restaurant/bar and game shop with two escape rooms, in the Margie’s Candies building, it was announced Wednesday.
The cafe, set to open in the Margie’s building on the Logan Square/Bucktown border Jan. 10, will function like a full-service restaurant/bar. But, unlike a traditional eatery, diners will be able to choose from hundreds of games to play while they eat and drink.
The games, stored in a floor-to-ceiling board game vault next to the dining room, will range from Scrabble, Monopoly, and, of course, Cards Against Humanity — the subversive, sometimes raunchy, card game — to indie games from all over the world, according to a news release and the Tribune, which was first to report on the opening.
The Cards Against Humanity team is also converting the building’s bank vault into a game library, where teachers will be on hand to recommend games to diners and help them learn the rules.
Food-wise, folks can expect a menu inspired by markets and sidewalk cafes in Spain, Vietnam and Mexico, according to the release. Entrees will range from $14-60. Wine and cocktails (starting at $10) will also be served.
Aaron McKay (Schwa, NoMi, Le Lan) and Evan Behmer (Mercat a la Planxa, North Pond) have been tapped to craft the menu. McKay will serve as chief operating officer and Behmer will serve as chef de cuisine.
In addition to food, drinks and board games, the cafe, occupying 14,000 square feet of space in the Margies Candies building, 1965 N. Milwaukee Ave., will also offer some interactive gaming.
The Cards Against Humanity team is teaming up with longtime creative collaborators and friends The House Theatre of Chicago on two escape rooms, The Last Defender and Nova to Lodestar. Tickets for the rooms, situated in the building’s basement, will range from $39-49 depending on the time.
The nonprofit theater company’s escape rooms have the endorsement of Max Temkin, co-creator of Cards Against Humanity.
“I’ve done dozens of escape rooms all around the world, and The Last Defender is far and away the best,” Temkin said in the release.
“The House was able to use theatrical lighting, sound design, and story to elevate the escape room format to something extraordinary. It’s like being inside of a great play or movie. You’ll leave high-fiving and hugging total strangers. And hopefully you’ll buy $10 cocktails at our bar.”
The Chicago Board Game Cafe is now accepting online reservations.
Private tables can be reserved for a $30-per-person deposit. That deposit will be applied to food and drink purchases.
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