THE BEST PUBS IN BRIGHTON FOR… BOARD GAMES!
Let’s set the scene – you’re in the pub, surrounded by good tunes, great friends and an even better beer choice.
You hear one of your friends suggest playing one of the many board games they’ve spotted by the bar. You spin around and are thrilled to see some of your favourite choices staring back at you.
Catan, Monopoly Deal, Connect 4… the pub has got them all. Could life really get much sweeter?
What are board game pubs?
As their name suggests, board game pubs are essentially pubs that specialise in the range of board games they have available. And we’re not just talking about one or two. Oh no – we’re talking about pubs with a huge selection to choose from.
From old-school classics like backgammon and chess to more recent favourites like Cards Against Humanity and Noggin, board game pubs are the places you choose to visit when you’re looking for more than just a couple of drinks.
While they obviously offer this as well, they’re mainly there to provide you with an entire culinary and cognitive experience.
Why choose Brighton for board game pubs
Brighton and Hove is home to some of the best board game pubs we’ve ever come across in all our years of pubbing – and we don’t just mean in terms of the games they have available.
The space and the vibe of a pub can make a big difference to the overall board gaming experience, after all. And this is something many of Brighton’s pubs understand all too well.
As a city known for its creativity and, being completely frank, having a fairly nerdy population (we include ourselves in that), it’s probably no surprise to hear that board games are hugely popular here.
In fact, we reckon you’d be hard-pushed to find someone in Brighton who doesn’t enjoy playing at least one board game or another. We even carry our own ones around with us!
But, then again, we are a bit more board game-obsessed than most.
The must-visit board game pubs of Brighton and Hove
If you’re looking for the best board game pubs in Brighton and Hove, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
Here are seven of our firm favourites, as well as some honourable mentions we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave out.
1. The Robin Hood
In one sip… 🍻
A big green pub with one of the best range of board games in Hove (or maybe even the UK).
Where is it? 📍
Just off from Western Road, sandwiched nicely between three other great pubs – The Lion and Lobster, Temple Bar and The Maris and Otter.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
Skittles vodka shots. Although the pizzas are very tasty as well. In fact, you could say it’s all good in the hood.
Fun fact? 🧠
The pub was owned by the TV presenter Martin Webb and was the first in the UK to give its profits to local charities.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: @robinhoodbn1
Website: robinhoodbrighton.com
2. The Shakespeare’s Head
In one sip… 🍻
A hidden gem with a small selection of board games guarded by a skeleton (which we really hope is fake).
Where is it? 📍
Just off of Seven Dials roundabout, a very large stone’s throw away from Good Companions.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
Three words: sausage and mash. Our fave? Farmhouse sausage, cheese and bacon mash with thyme and port gravy. Delicious.
Fun fact? 🧠
The pub has its very own resident goldfish which sit on top of the bar, daydreaming about sausages – or so we imagine.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: @shakies_head
Website: shakespeareshead.pub
3. The Caxton Arms
In one sip… 🍻
A pubbing paradise that’s perfect for fans of football, board games, toads, darts and, maybe most importantly, beer.
Where is it? 📍
A short walk away from Brighton train station that also takes you past The Evening Star en route.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
One of the 50 board games they have next to the main bar. Yes, really 50... we counted.
Fun fact? 🧠
The pub opened back in 1862. Do you know what else happened that year? Plastic was invented. A pivotal year in history.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: caxton_arms
Website: caxtonarms.co.uk
4. Loading Bar
In one sip… 🍻
A gamer’s paradise where you can throw dice, mash buttons, sip cocktails and get in a hissy fit when you lose.
Where is it? 📍
Down on the seafront by Brighton Pier, sort of underneath it, near where the giant zipline is.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
The Pokémon Go cocktail – their unique take on the classic bramble. You’ve gotta drink ‘em all.
Fun fact? 🧠
The bar follows one strict rule: buy a drink, get access to 100 free games. It’s a no-brainer if you ask us.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: loadingbrighton
Website: loading.bar
5. The Foundry
In one sip… 🍻
The definition of an awesome backstreet boozer, with friendly bar staff, great food and a fab collection of board games.
Where is it? 📍
North Laine, on the very aptly named Foundry Street.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
Heading there on a Wednesday for their weekly games night. Although hands off Catan – that’s ours.
Fun fact? 🧠
The pub used to have a landlord who’d make the last people to leave help clean up. He’d then give them a double rum as a thank you, so it wasn’t all bad.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: thefoundrybtn
6. The Great Eastern
In one sip… 🍻
A good old-fashioned backstreet boozer known for its love of live music and whiskey. Oh, and some absolute classic board games.
Where is it? 📍
At the bottom of Trafalgar Street, opposite The Prince George – yet another fab pub.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
One or five of their fab whiskeys. And ideally on a Tuesday evening to take part in their regular chess club. Can I get the check, mate?
Fun fact? 🧠
The pub opened in 1870, the same year England first played Scotland at football. And what do Scots love to drink? That’s right, whiskey.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: thegreateasternbrighton
7. The Islingword
In one sip… 🍻
A pub that's home to fab board games and some of the most eclectic decorations we’ve ever seen, including wall-based traffic lights and a humongous disco ball.
Where is it? 📍
Right on the corner of Islingword Road (unsurprisingly), just down from Haus On The Hill.
What’s the must-try? 🤩
A game of darts, pool or one of the various board games on offer. All while enjoying a delicious Jerk Chicken Burger from Moyos, of course.
Fun fact? 🧠
The Islingword is one of the many LAINE pubs available on PUBBL – an app where you collect points for each drink you buy. Talk about a win-win.
Hit me with those socials…
Insta: @islingword_brighton
Website: islingword.pub
Looking for more board game pubs in Brighton?
Not all of the board game pubs are created equal, and the seven we’ve listed above are the ones which have a love of them ingrained in their DNA.
However, there are several others we’ve found that are well worth an honourable mention.
While they may not have quite made the cut this time around, these pubs should also definitely be on your radar:
Good Companions
While it may only have a small selection of board games to choose from, the spacious layout of the pub and beautiful beer garden make it the ideal place to play a game or ten. Oh, and the Tuesday pub quiz is awesome here too.
Prince of Wales
This small pub on Churchill Square has a lively atmosphere and is well-known for its love of karaoke. It’s got a decent selection of board games as well, making it the perfect place to drop into after spending the day shopping.
Bison Beer
If you enjoy playing board games with a fantastic craft beer in hand, Bison Beer is the place for you. There are only a few games available here, but the long tables they have are great if you fancy bringing some of your own.
The Dice Saloon
This one isn’t really a pub. It’s more of a board game café where you can play some lesser-known games. There are drinks and snacks available too, and the whole vibe is just pretty awesome. So we couldn’t bring ourselves to not mention it.
All of the pubs we’ve listed here are some of the best we’ve come across during our pubbing adventures. But we’re sure there must be some we’re either missing or haven’t encountered ourselves yet.
So, if you know of any other good board games pubs in the city, let us know in the comments below!
Discover Brighton’s best pubs with Off To The Local
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Last updated: March 2025
