Edinburgh Board Gamers

Edinburgh Board Gamers (EBG) is a sociable board game club based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Founded from a dozen people meeting in a pub, it has grown into a thriving community of 5,232 members on Meetup, with 171 members in its Board Game Arena group and an additional presence on BoardGameGeek (guild 993). The group is run by EBG Team and 9 other organisers, and is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 4,079 reviews on Meetup. Members consistently praise the welcoming hosts, engaging atmosphere, and inclusive attendees. The club focuses on modern tabletop board games – from light party games like Codenames to heavy strategy epics like Game of Thrones and Ticket to Ride. They explicitly avoid traditional games like Monopoly and Cluedo, instead encouraging newcomers to explore the rich world of modern board gaming. Beginners are especially welcome; many events feature lighter games that are easy to pick up, and regulars are happy to teach. The group welcomes both strategy and casual gamers, introverts and extroverts alike. EBG runs multiple weekly events across different venues: - **Friday Night Games** at the Grassmarket Community Project (GMCP) & Coffee Saints Cafe, 86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh. This is the flagship event, running from 6:30 PM to around 11:30 PM. The venue offers a large hall with big tables, great lighting, quiet spaces, and excellent disability access. Food and drink (including a bottle bar and meals) are available – guests are asked not to bring their own, and to support the cafe. Parking is available on nearby single yellow lines after 6:30 PM. A donation tin collects for charity, with card donations accepted at the till. The venue is a charity supporting homeless and vulnerable adults. - **Hub Board Gamers – Saturday** at Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drum Brae Drive, running from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Features a mix of solo, co-op, light, Eurogames, and heavier strategy games. The library provides large well-lit tables, free tea, coffee and biscuits until 3 PM, and a kitchen for washing up. Players can bring their own games or use the library's collection. Hosts Andrew and Craig help newcomers find games. Attendees are asked to comment if arriving after 10:30 AM to reserve a space, and to tidy tables by 4:30 PM. - **Monday Night Strategy Games** at the Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End, 166 Fountainbridge, from 6:55 PM to around 10:00 PM (must leave by midnight due to licensing). Focuses on medium/long Euro-style and strategy games. There is no charge to attend as the hotel provides the space for free; in return, attendees are encouraged to buy drinks or food from the bar (which also offers a 20% discount for EBG members). The hotel bar also serves Starbucks coffee and a small food menu. Games are bring-your-own, and attendees should be prepared to teach their games. - **Monday Night Online Games** via Discord and Board Game Arena, starting at 7:00 PM BST. Participants connect via the EBG Discord server (https://discord.gg/S3AvsJpC2v) and play online board games through Board Game Arena (group ID 2860025). A free Board Game Arena account is sufficient – no premium membership required. The evening often starts with lighter games and splits into separate voice channels for different levels of play. - **Big Gaming Day and Charity Fundraiser** is a quarterly all-day event at Grassmarket Centre, typically on Saturdays from 10:00 AM. Features a games library, bring-and-buy table (10% of sales donated to GMCP), special games like Blood on the Clock Tower and Klask tournaments, and a suggested donation of £5 (entirely voluntary). The venue has a cafe serving breakfasts, sandwiches, toasties, tea, coffee, and cake. GMCP, the charity partner, supports homeless and vulnerable adults. EBG maintains a strong online presence: a Meetup page (https://www.meetup.com/edinburgh-gamers/), a Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/EdinburghBoardGamers/), a Discord server (https://discord.gg/S3AvsJpC2v), a BoardGameGeek guild (https://www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/993), and a Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/EdinburghBoardGamers) for voluntary donations. The Patreon currently has 35 paying members and generates approximately $232.5 per month, which goes entirely to club running costs (Meetup fees, games library updates, and a reserve for potential venue rental). Organisers do not take any cut. The club's ethos is inclusivity and free access. All regular events are free to attend, with no membership required. Donations are appreciated but never expected; the club stresses that spending money at the venue (cafe or bar) is more valuable than donations if money is tight. The community is described as enthusiastic, open, and legendarily friendly – their Friday Night Pub Gaming events have grown from a dozen to 80–100 people weekly, with the quarterly all-day events attracting double that.