Recently, there has been a huge increase in customers for the newly opened cafe called the board game cafe. 

In July last year, Hero Board Game Cafe announced that it has been experiencing a series of increases in sales since the lifting of social distancing.

It added that sales in all branches rose up to 150% on average in July compared to the same month last year.

Board game cafes are a new type of  cafe that many Koreans visit with their friends in order to enjoy playing a variety of board games together.

Board game cafes may  be an unfamiliar concept to some people; it is a cafe where they provide a place to enjoy board games serving food and drinks like general cafes do. 

Board game cafes provide a diverse range of board games, including some which may not be even recognized by anyone. 

One of the many reasons why people continuously visit board game cafes is because each has its own special features.

Once customers tell the staff member the number of people coming with you, they will lead the group to the privately opened place to play the game. 

A privately opened place is an area with 3 surfaces blocked with a wall without the door, so that the room is not completely surrounded by the walls while also having a space to enjoy the game by themselves; this is due to security reasons as well.

Moreover, different types of rooms are prepared such as a place where people have the option to sit on the chair or on the floor with a cozy carpet. 

Due to the characteristics of the cafe that it is not completely blocked, while also being a place where groups of teens and youths visit to chat and play, the noise of chatter and rarely screaming are clearly heard by others. 

However, as people are having their private place with their friends, this makes it easier for them to enjoy board games within their comfort zone. 

There are various games displayed on the rack outside the room. 

There is no register system to record in advance to pick the board game, and hence if you want it, then pick it. 

In the case that none of the people in the group knows the rules, there are iPads located in each room that provide a brief explanation video on the game from the downloaded cafe app; speeding up and slowing down the video is also possible.

Once everyone in the room understands the game rules, they can enjoy playing board games.

Not only are game explanation videos provided through the app, but also ordering food is also possible.

Usually at least 1 drink per person is required—there are small holes for people to put their drink in on the table— and actual food other than drinks such as tteokbokki and fried chickens are available to order. 

Customers can order food at the counter,come back to their rooms and receive their food once their bell rings.

Good quality food is one of the many factors why people often visit board game cafes. 

It is priced per hour, which is about 2600 - 3000 ₩ in korean won, not including the price of compulsory drinks. These affordable prices attract many teens who are keen to do something active.

During rush hours, there are waiting lists where people can put their names, number of people coming, and their phone numbers on the provided ipad, so that they can quickly get a call from the staff when there is an available room, while doing something else. 

This kind of efficient system is also a factor that makes people loyal to this cafe, and visit more often with their friends and families. 

Furthermore, particularly youths who would like to do some activities around Gangnam, Hongdae, or other places where many people visit for entertainment, meet their own needs in these cafes. 

Yujin Son
Australian International School
Year 10