Bonus Round Game Cafe

I stopped in from out of state. The staff is knowledgeable, the game selection is good. The people are fun and kind. Btw, the food is really good and affordable! I recommend this place without reservation.

An absolute gem of a cafe. Fig goat cheese was heavenly and the board game offerings are insane. So many board games and they're so well organized and labeled!! The staff are beyond incredible, checking in multiple times to see how things were going and if we needed any help learning games. I'd recommend coming here during happy hour if you can as it gets pretty expensive fast.

Fun experience. We played three games that we have never played before or had even heard of. The staff got us started in each game. Played one round of each. Drinks were good. Didn’t order food though. Highly recommend giving Bonus Round Game Cafe a try located in Wrigleyville in Chicago. It was a great family experience!

Went there with my friends for our first time. We played Wingspan which is an advanced level game but we had all the time we needed to start and finish with more time to spare. We had a big coffee table which gave us lots of space to play the board game and have food and drinks. The food prices were reasonable. Their drip coffee is solid. The atmosphere is awesome. We loved our time and definitely wanna go back there. Customer service is very positive.

So much fun at the cafe. They have so many unique games, ones you havent even heard of. And a wide variety of them. They have them sorted in different categories as well behind the menu into levels, people playing and approx time it takes. The staff was very helpful with suggesting the games according to your preferences. And they explain each game as well so you arent lost lol. As for the food, it was overpriced and underwhelming. A basic grilled cheese was for 11 dollars. And you have to have a minimum order for 10 dollars and a additional 7 dollars for a game pass.

What a great place! Place to play games and enjoy food and drinks while you are! I would not rate this like a regular restaurant because I think it more focused on the game playing with some food. If you are going for the food, probably not your place. It’s good if you go expecting pretty basic stuff, like a microwaved quesadilla. However, everything else completely makes it a great place. The staff is fantastic! They will suggest and/or bring you games from their huge selection. They will explain the games or let you learn on your own. We paid $7 each for a game pass, and played for almost 3 hours. There is $10 minimum order for food and drinks while you are there. I had a root beer float and my daughter had a couple really nice craft beers. Saw other people’s snacks and things looked ok. A quesadilla and a veggie tray I remember. My only small dislike is that the tables are really close together and it took me a bit to get comfortable with that. We had a wonderful time!!

We loved it there! We spent about 1.5 hours there. Ordered some drinks and an appetizer to share. Played two board games. The manager made a game suggestion and quickly explained the rules and got us going on the game. SO fun!!!

This board game café is a slice of heaven for anyone who loves games, snacks, and a cozy vibe! 🎲✨ My partner and I come here all the time, and it’s always a great experience. Whether you’re a hardcore strategist or just looking for some casual fun, this spot has everything you need. If you’re new, here’s the lowdown on how it works: ✅ Walk in and check in with the staff—they’re super friendly and always ready to help. ✅ They’ll get you a table (reservations are a smart move in the winter—it can get busy!). ✅ Browse the back walls packed with games—you’ll find classics, hidden gems, and everything in between. ✅ To play, you just need to purchase something to meet the spending minimum, but that’s no problem with their menu of drinks, snacks, and sandwiches. The options are tasty and reasonably priced! This spot is perfect for trying out a bunch of games without committing to buying them first. Plus, the laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to focus on having fun, whether it’s date night or a hangout with friends. Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to ask the staff for recommendations—they know their stuff and will help you find the perfect game for your group. 🃏🙌 Highly recommend this place for a chill, game-filled night out. 🎉

My bf and I went here on a weekend, and we were able to get a table. We asked the staff for a game recommendation, and he brought back 3 games for us to choose from. We picked Royal Visit. The staff member explained the game very well and even explained some of the tricky parts of the rules that come up during game play. We had a blast and wound up buying our own copy of it (they also sell it at Bonus Round)! For food/drinks, they have a $10 minimum, so I got the bbq jackfruit sliders which were quite good and my bf got root beer and snack mix. He was quite envious of my food, which I think was a better bang for your buck, and a great vegetarian option!

Great date night spot! My partner and I love to go here and they have a great happy hour deal on weekdays! So much fun, great selection of games, and incredibly friendly staff that are able to give great recommendations and easy to follow instructions for the games :)

Great place with so many game options! Deirdre was so helpful in picking out games according to our specific preferences! We had so much fun and will definitely be back.

Even though I've been following Bonus Round since before they opened, I haven't yet been here. Before the pandemic I was a little shy to go but now I'm looking forward to once I feel comfortable hanging out with others. I did visit a couple week sago because I saw they were selling dice with the Chicago flag and I needed to buy them. The dice are really cute! They also have other types of dice but these are the ones that caught my eye. They have a good number of games, one I purchased because it's not like I have enough (that was sarcasm, and actually it was an expansion). They have several tables and a sitting area with couches, and they have light food and refreshments for purchase. I'd like to come for an event sometime, probably starting with POC Mixer Night. The person working when I was there was friendly. Parking is not really plentiful in this part of town. If you're not using public transport, plan to leave early so you can drive around and find a spot.

Service was friendly, and the staff were the best part of the experience, along with the games of course. There's a bunch of interesting board games to choose from, and the staff are real game masters. You can ask for their recommendations and they will happily assist! We asked for more light-hearted games using little brain power as it was a Saturday after all. Five people including myself had hours of fun with the suggested games--especially enjoyed Hues and Cues! You can play unlimited for $7 if you spend $10 per person on food, which isn't a bad deal. I ordered a drink and snacks for the group. The hot chocolate was a little too sweet, and the snacks were okay; the dip to veggie/cracker ratio was definitely off. Overall a good experience and would totally check out some of their events.

This place offers a truly unique experience. Combining a board game collection with a cozy cafe, it's a delightful spot for an enjoyable and memorable time. The staff at Bonus Round impressed me with their knowledge and passion for board games. They were not only friendly and welcoming but also well-versed in the wide variety of games available. They were more than happy to recommend games based on our preferences and took the time to guide us through the instructions, ensuring that we had a smooth start to our gaming sessions. Their expertise added an extra layer of excitement to our visit. The menu at Bonus Round is limited, focusing mainly on alcoholic beverages and snacks. While the options are not extensive, the quality of the offerings is noteworthy. The drinks were well-crafted, and the snacks were delicious, providing a satisfying accompaniment to our gaming experience. One aspect that may pose a challenge for some is the minimum spend per person. Given the limited menu, it could be a bit difficult to reach the minimum requirement. It would have been nice to see a wider range of food options to cater to different preferences. However, this minor drawback didn't overshadow the overall enjoyment we had. The atmosphere at Bonus Round is cozy and inviting, making it an ideal setting for gaming sessions. The well-designed space offers comfortable seating arrangements that facilitate gameplay. The vibrant and eclectic decor further enhances the lively ambiance, creating an immersive environment for hours of fun. In conclusion, Bonus Round is a hidden gem in Chicago, perfect for board game enthusiasts and anyone seeking a unique and entertaining experience. The knowledgeable staff, their assistance with game instructions, and the thoughtfully curated menu contribute to a memorable visit. While the limited menu may present some challenges in meeting the minimum spend per person, the overall atmosphere and fun factor make it well worth a visit. Whether you're a seasoned board gamer or a casual player, Bonus Round promises an unforgettable time.

Lovely spot to spend an afternoon or evening with friends! Knowledgeable and friendly staff (shoutout to Deirdre!) who can steer your group to a game that fits your vibe, then explain the rules of the game. They also stock new games for purchase, we bought two expansions of Everdell to play at home. Book ahead of time as they can get busy, and take advantage of their happy hour!

Fun games and friendly staff. Food was a bit pricey and they have you order a minimum dollar amount but I liked the games and environment

A chill place to have a light dinner and play some board games! This was my first board game cafe experience. Went here on weekend in the middle of the evening, and they had a great spot with two couches to seat a large party. There is a $10 per person minimum and each person is charged a game pass. There were about 6 main menu options, but there's also a selection of shareables and a menu of drinks. Great selection of board games. Staff can recommend board games to your party and explain the rules (they're all super knowledgeable!). Ended up playing Betrayal (with the help of the staff) and Codenames while eating my buffalo chicken quesadilla. Quesadilla was as expected; casual food, nothing too fussy in order to fit the vibe of the cafe. Definitely would come here again!

Great spot to come with friends to play familiar games, learn about new games, and buy games! The employees were all so kind and patient while explaining games and asking what games were were interested in. My friend and I enjoyed both games that we were introduced to. On the other hand, I didn't love the drinks. Love the concept of this shop and wish there were more of these around!

Love Bonus Round! Such a welcoming atmosphere. Solid food and really fun drinks to keep you going through your gaming. There is an incredible variety of games available and the staff helps pick some out based on what vibe you're looking for. Super fun for a date night or to hang out in a small group.

This place is SO MUCH FUN! I came here with a group of 6 people on a Friday night and it was a super chill cafe with tons of game options!! We stayed for probably 2 hours and played over 4 games. They have a variety of beer options, coffee, baked goods, and more! They do charge a $5 game pass per person to play, however. Just an FYI. I would definitely come back! The service was awesome, the cookies, and the vibe!! Great experience overall.

This is a local coffee shop and they also have food! A few people around us got sandwiches and they looked really good. The service is outstanding, the staff somehow know all about the games and help you learn and make great suggestions. We love board games so I'm so glad we found this! The suggestion our host made was King of Tokyo and I will be purchasing it for my home. They're really friendly and helpful with all their recommendations! The amount of games is definitely overwhelming but so cool! So many options and they list staff favorites. It wasn't crowded on a Sunday afternoon so it's definitely a fun activity!

Wow, what an amazing place this is! Wish I had one of these in my hood. I came here with my wife and two of our close friends after a New Year's Day lunch, and thankfully they were open. We were given seats at the two large couches near the front, and I immediately started perusing their board game selection. It's pretty large, and pretty much any board game I've heard of they had along with several expansions. We managed to fit in games of Legendary, One Night Ultimate Werewolf and Superfight while we were here. As we played their kind staff came by to take our snack and drink orders. We ended up with a bit too much sugar and caffeine in our systems after, but I guess that's on us for ordering the mug of M&Ms. They also recommended games and expansions to us as we played - they definitely know their stuff. There is a small cover charge, but hey, they need to make their money somehow. The facilities were clean, well lit, and just overall really friendly. The only thing to be wary of is they don't really have duplicates of any game, which is great since it means they have more variety, but if someone is sitting on the game you want to play you may need to pick something else. Overall great place, and if I knew they had a NYE party I may have just made the trek up here instead of the local bar we did go to. Definitely will return!

Fun full-service board game cafe with knowledgeable employees to recommend games. I came here on a Saturday with 3 friends around 3pm. We were seated at the only open table. We grabbed Ticket to Ride from the extensive selection of board games and ordered lattes. After that game ended we decided to try something new. Board game and drink-wise. An employee, or should I say a board game connoisseur, recommended 3 games to us based on our request that it be competitive and not too difficult to learn. We decided on Dikit which is a pretty quick visual game that relies on creative thinking and reminded me of Apples to Apples. Beer, wine, and a caramel apple were ordered. The friend that ordered the caramel apple raved about it since it was delicious and cut in an easy-to-eat way. After that game, we wanted more! We played another new game for us called Letter Tycoon which is scrabble+monopoly, so Scrabble for capitalists. Great game. We stayed in total around 4 hours! We met the food and beverage minimum pretty easily. The food and drinks are average-priced and very solid. While it's not a cheap outing, it is a fun one and it's worth it if you try new games.

Went here on a Saturday afternoon with a couple of friends. They have a great variety of games, new and old, and employees that are more than willing to help with set up and explanation, which was super helpful. There is a $5 game pass charge for just using their board games and then also a food/drink minimum of $10. If you're a board game fanatic you can get a membership of $14/month or $39/quarter. I ordered beer to hit my minimum since I had just eaten lunch and wasn't hungry, but they were out of my first two drink choices so it was kind of annoying to be forced to buy something I didn't really want. Overall, it was a great atmosphere and we got to try out some really fun, new board games!

We had a small group come in here on a Saturday. Great experience all around. We ranged from someone who plays a fair share of board games to someone who never does, and they were great about recommending games that may appease the whole table. Service was friendly. Solid snacks/food (grilled cheese, quesadillas, cookies, etc.) and drink options. The layout is nice, too, because it's open enough that you can sneak a peek at what other people are playing but spread out enough that you feel like you've got your own little section where everyone isn't up in everyone else's business.

As a non board game player this place is great! The servers not only get you your drinks (both the alcoholic and non alcoholic ones are delicious) but also help you choose a game (collaborative or competitive? Social deduction?). They are like board game sommeliers! Place has very hipster nerd chill vibes. As a nerd-who-pretends-to-be-normal, I felt comfortable here.

This board game cafe is my newly discovered hidden gem of a cafe! New favorite hangout spot to bring friends. For experienced board game players and the beginner as well, this cafe has something for everyone. The space is very homey and welcoming, with wooden tables and couches set up for small and large groups. Great board game selection too. The more surprising aspect for me was how attentive the staff was in greeting us as we came in, giving us the laydown of how the cafe and board game selection worked, asking us our board game preferences, and doing a great job at personally selecting board games that he thought we would enjoy. That level of attention to detail is something that someone can't get elsewhere, of game selection pros and cons, explanation of game rules, and time-to-time check-in of our progress and for any questions we might have. On our first visit to the cafe, we played Okey-Dokey, which is a numbers card game that the staff member said was a very popular choice and easy to learn. We stopped by here incidentally when we had 2 hours to spare before heading over to the Krypton VR Lounge for some virtual reality games. There is a cute drink and snacks menu that is pretty affordable. I'm not entirely sure what their pricing model is, and it's not clearly shown in the café. I do know that by the end of 1.5 hrs, it was $5 per person for a 2-person table and I paid $3 for a chai latte. I do wish that their pricing is more transparent at the beginning, or there was clear signage available when you walk in to show that.

Really fun atmosphere with a ton of games. Came here with a group of friends on a Sunday afternoon. They have a massive selection for games and are happy to provide recommendations. The staff will introduce you to the game to get you spun up. The expectation is that you will spend about $10/person/hour. The food options were mediocre but there's a nice drinks range at reasonably prices so I'd go that way next time. While it would be more cost effective to buy a board game and have people over, this is a great option if you: 1) Don't have the space 2) Want a convenient meet up location 3) Don't have that many board games/want to try something new

I've been visiting Bonus Round for a few months now. They are absolutely fantastic. They go above and beyond for their customers and really try and create an amazing experience every time. A fantastic selection of games that they take the time to carefully learn so they can share with others. On top of that, that they have a simple and great menu. Fun choices and an awesome selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks! If you're looking for a unique cafe experience like no other, this should be your first stop!

Amazing fun place to relax and play games! And I love that they really care about customers health and safety. Thank you to Courtney the owner!

This place has so much on Guthrie's, which I previously thought was the only place around with board games. You pay $5 to play whatever game you want. You can describe the type of game you're interested in (sorry, they don't have boggle), the amount of time you want to spend playing, and the level of difficulty. They have food, beer, wine, tea (which was perfect for the chilly night we went there). We played Santorini...sort of, and then a comedy show started. It was hard for us to play and pay attention, and the comedy didn't quite rival second city, but this definitely made my list of date places to frequent.

If your looking for a group activity and some fun while in Wrigley area check this place out. It's got a great selection of board games. The team is very attentive and also knowledgeable. Enjoyed it. Spent to much time at this spot.

The owner is super rude to the customers and very wrapped up in saving money as opposed to running a business and making people feel welcome. Both instances we've been here, my friend and I have felt very unwelcome by the owner. Telling us we can't sit somewhere because it's meant for larger groups--which okay buddy, it's a Sunday morning and no one is here--and sitting us right next to another group instead of an open space where we are not cramped. He also made a big deal about my friend being the only one at our table trying to order a mimosa. He made a big stink over the fact that he'd have to open a bottle of champagne JUST for her and what a waste it would be if no one else from the table orders one. I mean??? If you're concerned about something like that then maybe don't serve it or just don't run a business! Just overall a very miserable and rude person, who by the way deleted my last negative review! Which is fine considering that there are other reviews demonstrating the owner's rude behaviors.

Bonus Round makes a wonderful hobby accessible for everyone while also building an inclusive community. The staff are kind and helpful, the food selection is good, and the games they have are just fantastic -- they have games for newbie players who want something light all the way through to heavy strategy Euro-style games. My spouse and I have made a point of searching out board came cafes when we travel (one of our favorites is Game Haus in Glendale, CA), and when we decided to try to find one near home we were happily surprised at what we found in Bonus Round! Whether we've gone just the two of us or invited friends to join, we've always had a great time. During the pandemic they have made modifications to be able to continue serving the board and tabletop gaming community even when we can't go hang out in their shop. Their pandemic programming has included figurine paint alongs, D&D games, and more. Anyway, to sum up: this place is great. Go there. :)

So much fun! My boyfriend always talks so positively about BRGC but I hadn't gotten to try it yet. So glad we went last night! Very friendly (and knowledgeable!) team, incredible selection of games --all around a great time. Can't wait to come back!

Excellent venue to play board games while enjoying some coffee and snacks. We held a pre-wedding gathering here for our friends. Drew (the owner) helped us set everything up and reserve a space in the cafe. The cafe has a large selection of games, from simple to complex, and the staff helped all our guests find something that they enjoyed. Overall a great place to spend an afternoon!

This is one of my favorite places in Chicago. The owners, Drew and Courtney, are so welcoming and helpful. They give great game recommendations based on your preferences. They are genuinely passionate about what they do and it shines through. I will be coming back very, very soon.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a friendly local gaming store. If I lived in Chicago, I would be here all the time. This was on our itinerary as part of a bachelor party weekend, and the staff was great. They gave us a congratulatory surprise, which went above and beyond our expectations, and everyone was all around very nice, laid back (but not inattentive), and happy to help select or teach games. Our group of board game geeks was very satisfied. The space is really nice, with very good light, and the tables aren't crowded together at all, so you have room to breathe (and to get up and walk to the bathroom without sidling past a dozen people). I also love that they stock ladies' products in the bathroom. I've never seen that anywhere. Overall, a great experience, and I would definitely come back.

Owned by a local couple, incredibly warm and adorable cafe where you can nerd out on board games and have delicious coffee and sandwiches to boot. I go in at least once or twice month and am always greeted as a returning customer :) Oh and they have wine and beer!! Nothing better for a group!

The staff here were awesome - they really know their games and were so helpful in getting us started on our first. Two of us popped in one night and got to play two new games for us - Century Golem Edition and Patchwork Doodle (because we both enjoy Patchwork.) It's the perfect place to test out some new games or just to relax. We enjoyed their coffee/tea selection and got the last slice of pumpkin pie (from Bang Bang Pie, no less!) to split while we played. Such a nice relaxed vibe, and the perfect choice for winding down your night or on a rainy day.

Love this place! Very queer friendly and great environment :) Good selection of games. Little overpriced.

This place is GREAT. The staff is really nice and has tons of game knowledge. The game library has hundreds of games (many of my personal favorites, many I've always wanted to play, and some I've never heard of). The atmosphere is super relaxed and there was no pressure. Boyfriend and I came in to scope the place out and were EXTREMELY pleased with our experience. Can't wait to come back from some game nights with friends! I'm so glad this place is open and exists!!

This place has: - Excellent selection of games for everyone; - Excellent service. Their staff can recommend a game and explain the rules; - Excellent coffee, beer list and snacks. It's also clean, bright and welcoming. Go play a game and support this business!

I enjoyed visiting here very much, the game selection and the staff was so friendly. I had a bit of a hard time doing anything unfortunately because I'm hard of hearing and the acoustics make it so loud there. I really did have a good time, and sadly they can't help how sound travels in their space.

I stopped in with a friend of mine and we had a great time here. We had our server choose a couple games for us and both of them were a lot of fun. The staff was very friendly and super attentive while also not interrupting our games too many times. I've been addicted to board games for a few years now and their selection of games is really great. They had plenty of games for pretty much every comfort level. In my quick browse of their games I noticed Ticket to Ride (with expansions), Dominion (with expansions), Carcassone, Isle of Skye, X-Com, Star Wars Rebellion, Mysterium, Arkham Horror, and many many more. There's a small one-time fee you pay for the games when you arrive (I believe it was 7 dollars), but that fee was waived for their first month, so hurry in and try it out! They serve sandwiches, snacks, and drinks and the prices were pretty good. The menu noted that they will be adding beer, wine and cider soon, so that will make a great cafe even better. Can't wait to stop back in.

Let me start by saying that this review is more directed towards the guy that runs this place as opposed to any of the other employees that work their: they do a great job and the other times I've been there they were very kind and helpful. The owner, however, was nothing short of rude to my friend and I the moment we walked in--so this one star rating has to unfortunately be representative of the entire cafe. We sat down on the couches when we walked in and he said he had to move us since it's for bigger parties. Okay no problem--but he seats us next to a really loud and rowdy group of people! He could have sat us down in the other vacant tables, but he herded us in to this spot. He also came back with an empty glass and told me that I need to pour in my drink into the glass, and snapped at me that they make money off selling their drinks and food. I do understand that outside food is a huge no-no when patronizing a cafe or restaurant, so it is my mistake, but geez! If it bothered him so much I could have stepped out and finished my coffee. So I just said I'd buy something. I bought my friend a coffee and we played a game together; it was one that we picked on our way in and no one walked us through it or anything. Also, they don't bring waters over which is kind of annoying. Afterwards, he brings the bill over and it's something like $15. We asked why it was that high since we only ordered a coffee. He got super aggressive and said it's because we played games and that's what we pay for! Jeez, this guy should learn how to manage his emotions and learn how to explain things in a friendlier tone. I thought this place would be cool and chill, but he totally ruins it; never going here again.

I love love love this place! We need more cool hangout spots like Bonus Round in this city. Supported by crowd funding and offering a great alternative to a typical night out, Bonus Round is the perfect mix of coffee shop vibes and friendly group fun with games and delicious food/snacks to make for a perfect afternoon/evening with a friend(s) or hot date. Here's how it works, you pay a small free to chill and take advantage of their huge selection of multiplayer games. They have a nice menu for snacks, sandwiches, lots of delicious coffee options, and other beverages. Soon they'll be offering beer and wine as well. So grab a seat, let one of the nice folks working there help you pick out a game and teach you how to play while having refreshments brought to you!

Closed during posted hours (twice). Thanks for wasting my time dragging over there....

This CAFE is an incredibly cool idea, and I wish it would have worked out.... When you enter and sit down you'll notice the plethora of games they have for you to play, which is awesome. You'll see on the menu that they have a fairly limited food section, and that to play the games it is $5/person You'll play some games for a while, get a few beers, and think to yourself, "This place is great!" ...until you have the pleasure of meeting two of the most heinously rude and depressing business owners you've ever met. After rudely shaking down our group to get more food and more drinks out of us after only being there for 2 hours, they were taken aback when we politely questioned their methods. Stating: "We aRE a REsTaURanT!!1! THIS IS HOW WE MAKE ARE MONEY! YOU CANT JUST EAT AT A RESTAURANT THEN SIT FOR THREE HOURS." Even though they have a GAMING FEE enabled, and every piece of marketing they had clearly stated CAFE, and made no other mention about being a restaurant or needing customers to buy 8+ drinks per hour to continue playing games. (Mind you we spent $50+ in food and drinks already.) I would also like to add that at a CAFE, you could probably buy stuff then sit for three hours... AND I WOULD ASSUME THE SAME FOR A GAMING CAFE WHERE SOME OF THE GAMES TAKE HOURS TO PLAY. The truth is, these owners are horrendously sad people that were rude to us every time we came in. Even with a thriving business they just can't shake the disgusting attitude. Go home. Let your other actually nice associates interact with the customers. They're much less vile. Great idea. Great Games. Horrendous human beings.

This is one of the coolest board games cafe in Chicago. Me and friend kinda stumbled upon it but had a great time here. Courtney-Drew and their staff did a great job in making us feel home... explaining us the game while serving awesome coffee!

We come here often for date night, and it's always a great way to spend a few hours. The cafe is bright and welcoming with an impressive library of games. Sometimes we ask for a game recommendation and other times we go for one of our favorites, like the Unlock series. They have a nice selection of rotating beers, and we can't pass up the key lime pie if they have it! Can't say enough great things about this place--I'm so glad Bonus Round is part of the Lakeview neighborhood.

This review is about my second time here. The cafe itself, while very bright, is nice. There is an amazing amount of games and the majority of the gamer guides/servers are so nice and helpful. The cafe could have easily become our new weekly gaming hangout: delicious drinks, great location, and friendly & supportive of those like myself in the lgbtq community. However, as is stated at the top of the page, several times in my review, and in the name of the business; this place is a cafe. Why is that important to know? I showed up at 7pm, earlier than the rest of the group. I hadn't planned the night so while I knew there would be at least three of us playing, there could be as many as five as well. There were several open tables and no one was lining up to get in. At 7:25 the second member arrived and at 7:40 the third one did, he had been late due to an emergency situation. We ordered drinks and the other two ordered desserts to eat. The owner of the cafe came over and asked if we wanted game suggestions, we did and asked for complex/backstab styles. She gave us three very simple games with almost no replay value. The other server was much more helpful and seemed genuinely interested in us having a good time. At around 9:45 the owners partner/significant other came over and started complaining that we hadn't ordered any food and that being a restaurant of course we should to keep the lights on, of which far too many are on, it's very bright in there. He kept badgering us about playing for three hours and not being fair to them and after us asking for a minute to discuss we decided to grab our checks and leave. The owner brought over our checks and continued the rude discourse about our lack of orders. Look, if you were a restaurant we would have ordered food. Four sandwiches and eight coffee/six tea drinks falls in line with a cafe. There's no signs posted about keeping playing time down and ordering with each game. $5 for access to the gaming library and gaming guides is all that's stated. This coupled with the bad vibes we got from the owners treatment of us the previous week led us to end our patronage for good. Yelp yeilded two reviews with the same situation occurring, they gave three stars. Three strikes; you're out. Suggestions: maybe $5/2hrs and $3 each additional hour? Or $5 for the first game and $2 for each game after. Add more food items if you really want to be a restaurant. And don't call yourself a cafe if you don't want to be one. But above all else: stop being rude to customers. We're not trying to take advantage of you. Just make your intentions for the business known.

Very overpriced - they have a food/drink minimum on top of their game fee. The game fee gets added on to if you stay long. One of their waiters was very rude, especially during last call / regarding the restroom. Hours are incorrectly noted on their website (they close at 11pm, not midnight). Food service stops early, which makes it even harder to hit the minimum. Don't get the M&Ms unless you want to spend $7 for a small cup to try to reach your minimum.

Turns out I *really* shouldn't have procrastinated on taking my friend's advice this time. Bonus Round is (as promised) a fantastic place! We spent several hours last night playing games that were totally new to us. They have everything from your childhood favorites to the weirdest Spiel des Jahres winners. We didn't eat, but coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were piping hot and delicious. The owners were friendly and helpful without checking in too often. I can't wait to go back! PS: I love love love how welcoming the atmosphere is - from the gender neutral restrooms to the free period supplies to the posted anti-harassment policy to the game nights for ladies and gender non-conforming folks. Games are for everyone!

Cool place with good coffee/beer/games selection. Loved the girl with the bangs who was so adorable and welcoming, but the guy (maybe the owner) kicked us out at 10:45 on a Saturday night (they closed at 12) because we had wrapped up playing games and hadn't ordered drinks in the last hour. We each had bought two drinks and the game pass..so at least $15 each. He was super rude about it. There were open tables and nobody was going to come in at the time to start playing on Halloween weekend.

My husband and I stumbled upon what we thought was a board game store and realized after a brief convo with the staff that this was also a cafe where you could play games, eat, drink and be merry! What an awesome idea! The staff (owner, maybe) were very friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back (grilled cheese looked and smelled awesome) and let our family and friends know!

Bonus Round Game Cafe is a DREAM. Not only do they have a LOT of games, but they are all well-maintained and the people working there are knowledgeable and can recommend games, teach you them, and help you set them up. It's basically like a game night where you have access to a huge collection of games and you don't have to do any of the tedious deciding what to play, deciphering of the rules, and teaching your friends. And of course there's drinks that get brought to you! My s/o and I come here regularly and they have plenty of 2 player games to keep us coming back, but we've also brought our friends and my parents and so far everyone LOVES it. I also have family in California who I've told about it and they've never wanted to come to Chicago more. Speaking of which, I don't have children but my family in CA do so I've asked and Bonus Round has games for kids and experience with setting them up to play as well. So it's fun for everyone! I could not recommend this place enough!