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Best Bars With Board Games In The Bay Area

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If you're bored with run-of-the-mill game boards that some dive bars have to offer, and you find there's not much else to do in the world of bar hopping but to sit and drink and watch a game on the tube while you daydream for a great, cerebral game of chess, CBS has the bars that will answer your call. The following bars are great places that offer board games where you can show who's best. These are the bars to attend when you want to outwit, out fool and happily overrule your friends. Let the games begin!

The Hobnob
1313 Park St.
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-1011
www.thehobnobalameda.com

There's nothing better than beating your friends – in board games. Taboo, Life, Monopoly, Apples to Apples and a plethora of more games await all guests who enter The Hobnob. It is just the place for a great, entertaining night complete with IPAs, happy hour, karaoke, good bar food, a full bar and trouncing your mate in a good game. The truffle fries are said to be a must try in the food realm. Owners Mike and Amy's idea to devote "game night" concepts to this bar started with their love of playing Scrabble with friends and family. Stop in and get to know Amy and Mike a little better – maybe even wallop them in a game or two.

The Albatross Pub
1822 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 843-2473
www.albatrosspub.com

If games, books and beer are all you require for a great night, The Albatross Pub delivers the goods, along with free popcorn, great desserts, trivia night, pool and darts. This bar is big with ample seating. It is a laid-back bar, not too loud and serves cocktails done right. In exchange for your I.D., the bar will dole out its impressive stash of board games. You have a bevy of choices or board games to choose from like Connect 4, Apples to Apples, Yahtzee and the tried-and-true Scrabble. You'll surely find the right game for you. This is a cash-only bar, which isn't exactly 'Taboo.'

Trials Pub
265 N. 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 947-0497
www.trialspub.com

If you want to experience an Old World, dim and cozy, English pub feel, whilst playing a good ol' board game, this pub is your one-stop shop for all of those accouterments. The games are fun, especially Operation. Try playing that after a few ciders, and the fun and tomfoolery really gets going. If the games get to be too much for your tummy to handle, try a sample of the bar's curry fries. For the best spot to play board games, and partake in darts and booze, you can't lose.

Singlebarrel
43 W. San Salvador St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 792-7356
www.singlebarrelsj.com

This speakeasy-style bar is well worth the wait to get in. This jazzy, cool, friendly joint opened in 2010 and has been quickly gaining in popularity. There are plenty of booths and sofas to sit comfortably on while playing your chosen board games or cards. Order one of the bar's inspired cocktails, which are crafted by master bartenders. This is a place where you can roll up your sleeves and order a fine stogie and sample a few whiskey variations from the bar. The bar takes its drinks very seriously. You will be asked how you like your drinks. The employees dress in tucked shirts, dress pants and suspenders – harkening back to the 20s era. This is a place to chill, relax, play board games and drink well.

The Little Shamrock
807 Lincoln Way
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-0060

This relaxed Irish bar has an enormous selection of board games such as Cranium, Connect 4 and Candy Land. Take a seat on The Little Shamrock's cushy furniture and unwind and go back in time. This place still has a clock that stopped ticking when the 1906 earthquake struck. The beer selection is top notch, and priced reasonably well. This old-time, unsophisticated bar is a perfect place to play games with friends, listen to mellow music and eat plenty of popcorn. This pub has a little bit of everything to attract any kind of group. This is a bar for all kinds of gamers – from the novice to the hardcore.

Kelly Gullo is a freelance writer in San Francisco, CA. Kellys topics are about music and nightlife. Kelly has also written a variety of articles on health and dieting and topics related to the environment. Kelly has a degree in journalism and public relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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