Sip, Play, Repeat: A New Place to Play in Downtown Fayetteville
Fayetteville has an abundance of experiences, and this past month has introduced a new one to the mix – for competitive board gamers and coffee drinkers alike, Thirsty Gamers Cafe has you covered!
Thirsty Gamers Cafe is a new establishment In 103 Person Street that held its soft opening on August 4th. The Sweet Palette’s nextdoor neighbor has introduced a unique vibe to downtown, offering an extensive list of board games to play alongside a menu of coffee. The coziness of the space is only enhanced by the vintage, homely atmosphere inside of the space.
I took the liberty to visit with my brother, and the crisp air inside felt nice versus the humidity before walking in. We ordered two chai lattes off their menu and, upon asking about any further additions, Matthew Jackson, an employee specializing in coffee, explained that the full menu is available since their grand opening this September.
He went on to compare the structure of the cafe to his improv work and job at the bakery: in acting, there is a “joke” and a “gimmick,” and in baking, there is a “cupcake” and “frosting.” Jackson explained that if you were to only rely on the second half of the puzzle, people will lose interest quite fast (“The joke’s punchlines are too similar,” and “This cupcake has too much frosting.”) However, if the first half proves compelling enough for the person, they will return specifically for it and have the second part as more of a bonus (“This joke is so natural that I couldn’t catch the punchline,” and “This cupcake is so good that I could eat it plain.”)
With all that being said, Jackson hoped that the cafe’s coffee could be the key “cupcake” with the board games being its “frosting” – visitors will fall in love with the coffee before realizing they could play while drinking it, enhancing the cafe experience for everyone involved. As my brother and I drank our chai lattes, we could already taste the amount of care that was being poured into manifesting that environment and were excited to return for the grand opening.
In terms of games, Thirsty Gamers Cafe has the most impressive assortment downtown Fayetteville has to offer. From classics such as Uno and Trouble!, to others like Herd Mentality and Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard, there is a vast range of games for visitors to try. Strategy, puzzle, party – all kinds are welcome. Additionally, Jackson and barista Courtney shared their own recommendations for household staples consisting of Clue, Chutes and Ladders, and Disney Trivial Pursuit – once you get a copy for your family, you can bring them to the cafe for a cozy place to play!
Since we left our personal games at home, it wasn't long before we felt the excitement of choosing a game from all the full shelves. A flat fee of $5 per person is necessary for playing, and once you’re all set, you’re given a wristband. This accessory grants you an unlimited amount of playtime all day, meaning you can play all the available games plus your own from opening to close, or you could leave and return so long as you have it on.
Patsy Crawford, owner of The Sweet Palette next door, let us know that the cafe’s full game catalog – curated by her son, Zack – was accessible online through their website as well as descriptions for each game and a YouTube video explaining how it's played. Once we decided on our games, whether it was racking our brains in Movie Night, trying our luck in Flip 7, or sparking chaos with Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (if you’ve never heard of the game before, I seriously recommend it for your family or friends), we greatly enjoyed the atmosphere and had completely forgotten how close games can connect people.
Jackson explained that that was one of the goals when bringing the store to life. He fondly recalled times when visitors would come together and play a game with each other, even when they were total strangers, showcasing the community games can create. With a smile, he wished that the space could continue being used to bring people together in all kinds of ways, not just through games.
Our experience at this establishment was only positive as we shared tasty drinks and enjoyed games together, and I’m sure you’ll have the same fun we did when you visit. With that, make sure to check out Thirsty Gamers Cafe at 103 Person Street whenever you can for a guaranteed time of delicious coffee, friendly competition, and pure vibes!
Bianca Santiago
Editorial Intern
FAYNC Magazine
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