Stay and Play Game Cafe

Puerto Rican restaurant · Irving Park

Stay and Play Game Cafe

Puerto Rican restaurant · Irving Park

5

3932 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618

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Stay and Play Game Cafe by Stay And Play Cafe
Stay and Play Game Cafe by Stay And Play Cafe
Stay and Play Game Cafe by Stay And Play Cafe
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null
Stay and Play Game Cafe by null

Highlights

Puerto Rican eatery with 500+ board games, cocktails, and coffee  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

3932 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618 Get directions

stayandplaygamecafe.com
@stayandplaygamecafe

$10–20 · Menu

Information

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3932 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618 Get directions

+1 312 685 2255
stayandplaygamecafe.com
@stayandplaygamecafe

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 20, 2025

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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Mana Digital Dive

"A gaming lounge and internet center, this place is stacked with 24 gaming computers, multiple Playstation 4s hooked up to 60” monitors, 3D printers and Virtual Reality goggles to test out. You can even rent out retro consoles like Nintendo 64s and they have Smash Brothers tournaments here every Saturday. Skip the snack stand here and go across the street to Susie’s Drive Thru for your late-night gaming hunger." - Bark Design

https://onthegrid.city/chicago/albany-park/mana-digital-dive
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@infatuation

Where To Have a Unique Dining Experience In Chicago

"Sure, you can host game night at your place, but then you’d have to shop, clean, and find that missing Professor Plum card from Clue that's buried somewhere in your closet. Or, you could go to the Stay and Play in Irving Park. It’s the perfect place to hang out with friends (or a date) and try endearing yourself to them by dominating one of the 600+ games available. As you enter into the second hour of your campaign to take over all four railroads in Monopoly, you can choose from a variety of Puerto Rican dishes including a very tasty steak jibarito. Or, if you’re the one who always ends up bankrupt in the first 30 minutes, there’s a long menu of rum-based cocktails to enjoy while you make friends with the people sitting at the table next you." - veda kilaru, adrian kane, john ringor

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/unique-dining-experience-chicago
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@infatuation

5 Spots For A Not-Boring Date

"Stay and Play in Irving Park is a board game cafe with 600+ games available. And it’s the perfect place to impress someone with how gracious a winner you can be. As you enter into the second hour of your campaign to take over all four railroads in Monopoly and bankrupt your date, you can choose from a variety of Puerto Rican dishes including a very tasty steak jibarito. Plus, there’s a long menu of rum-based cocktails to enjoy after you remember that Monopoly ruins lives, and switch to a game of EL: The Chicago Transit Adventure (yes, this is real, and you can play it at Stay and Play)." - adrian kane

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/5-spots-for-a-not-boring-date
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@infatuation

Stay And Play Game Cafe - Review - Irving Park - Chicago - The Infatuation

"Sure, you can host game night at your place, but then you’d have to shop, cook, and deal with the laundry piled up on your one usable living room chair. Or, you could go to the Stay and Play Game Cafe in Irving Park. For $5 per person, it’s the perfect place to while away a few hours and try of the 600+ games available. There’s a solid menu of Puerto Rican snacks, like tostones or pastelillos, plus a variety of sandwiches (the steak jibarito is great) and rum-based cocktails to keep you going in hour three of your Lord of the Rings campaign." - Veda Kilaru

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/stay-and-play-game-cafe
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@eater

Taco Moro Opens With Halal Quesabirria Tacos in Lakeview and More Chicago Restaurant and Bar Openings - Eater Chicago

"A new board games cafe serving Puerto Rican cuisine, coffee, cocktails, and beer is open at 3932 W. Irving Park Road with more than 500 games to choose from." - Naomi Waxman

https://chicago.eater.com/2023/1/6/23542581/chicago-restaurant-openings-reopenings-winter-2023
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Reyna Estrada

Google
Honestly an amazing spot. I have been here at this point 4-5 times and it’s been great. I am not boricua but I’ve brought my friends who are, and they co-sign it 100%. I honestly just get the jibarito trio as an entree and it’s delicious. I’ve also gotten the cubano and the regular jibarito and it’s DELICIOUS. The drinks are good too, even the mocktails. They have a bunch of games to choose from. Also, the music is great, bc it’s a mix of salsa, bachata and other genres. I recommend this spot all the time. The owners are usually hanging around, and they’re super friendly. It’s 5 bucks to play games and I think they have a minimum you have to pay, but it’s well worth it.

Sophie Lin

Google
Absolutely love this place! The food is 10/10 with large serving sizes and affordable prices. They have a large food and drink menu and all very delicious. Plenty of games everyone. Service was fantastic as well, with our server being very knowledgeable about games that would best suit our party size and giving quick instructions on how to play. I felt very welcomed and well taken care of. Can't stress enough how awesome this place is!

Sasha rodriguez

Google
Went to meet up with friends and my first time won’t be my last. Gluten allergy options are great! Loved the cozy and upbeat atmosphere. Service was great, food was delicious, and the options of games are awesome!! Can’t wait to go back again soon. Appreciate the kindness from service staff to owners interacting. My friends and I had a great time and look forward to going again soon. 🩷

K

Google
Great place! Fun to hang out and play. Large assortment of games to choose from and the people were very nice. Delicious food too. They have special events also. We will be back.

Jodi Meyer

Google
Try the Jibaritos! They are an amazing Chicago/ Puerto Rico fusion that uniquely delicious! The great food, creative drink combinations, and delicious food are enough to bring us there, but the games keep us there for hours! Yesenia, Matt, and the team take great care of everyone. They are conscientious about food allergies and helpfully check ingredients upon request. Check the calendar for the many special events and opportunities to enjoy tabletop games with your friends and family. They have an amazing, searchable catalog to check out any game you may want to try. We will be coming back to this delightful, family-owned business.

Brett Adler

Google
Fun place! Love the games and delicious food! Staff and owners are so nice. Many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on each section of the menu. Can’t wait to go back.

Nell K

Google
Wow! Stay and Play Game Cafe is an absolute gem. The concept of a place for anyone to come and spend time together in community to play from an enormous choice of games is so well done. The interior decorations are excellently chosen and really contribute to the warm vibe. More importantly, the owners and the team as a whole are absolutely amazing. Kind, thoughtful, and really attentive. They've made the space a place where you can gather comfortably (and accessibly!) with community. Whether you're in the area and want a fun place to hang out or planning a small event, Stay and Play is a great choice!

Mary Fidge

Google
Love this place! On a whim we decided to check this place out and the game selection is expansive. The workers were very friendly! The food AMAZING! Best Cubano Sandwich I’ve ever had. Coffee and hot chocolates hit the spot. And the atmosphere is inviting. Great place, you can go wrong if you decide on this place for food or games.
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Maria T.

Yelp
Unexpected, cute & fun find! We had to wait out Chicago rush-hour traffic- drove down from Wisconsin for the Cubs-Brewers game which was postponed. We were in search of a fun place our 16yo daughter could enjoy a 1.5 hour of fun instead of sitting in traffic. We had drinks, desserts & food, which were delicious! Yesenia, Jose & their staff were all very welcoming to these Wisconsinites! Our daughter said it was a fun place, so thank you for exceeding our 16yo's expectations!

Mike H.

Yelp
We were here for Jo and Randy's wedding and the venue was tip top amazing. The staff: super friendly and chill. The place: fun and great energy. The food and drinks: mouth watering and delicious. My wife and I were visiting from out of town but this is definitely a place we'll come back to when we come back to Chicago. 6 out of 5, would highly recommend Run, don't walk, to Stay and Play Cafe!!!
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Elgin B.

Yelp
Board Games, Booze, and Food--What More Could You Ask For? My friend and I wanted a spot to catch up over good food, so we decided to check out Stay and Play Game Café on Irving Park. I had looked at their website beforehand, but honestly, it doesn't do the place justice. We were greeted by a warm and welcoming staff, which set the tone for a great experience. The café is set up with plenty of space for both dining and gaming. Stay and Play offers a wide selection of board and card games, from family classics to games perfect for smaller groups. There's a $5 fee for unlimited play--you simply choose your games and head to your table. The menu leans into Puerto Rican-inspired dishes, along with a full bar featuring themed drinks. I started with a hot toddy, which was great, while my friend opted for the sangria. For food, we both got the Steak Jibarito with fries. It was flavorful and just the right portion to enjoy while playing games. The highlight for me was the atmosphere. Having a big table to spread out and play games made for a fun and relaxing time. We played Speed and were introduced to a game I'd never heard of before: Chicago Shuffle Battle Solitaire. The staff was fantastic--they walked us through the rules, and we ended up loving it! Overall, Stay and Play Café is a great choice if you're looking for a chill environment to eat, drink, and play games. Just keep in mind that it's all about board games--no arcades or video games here. Food: 3.5/5 Environment: 4/5 I definitely recommend checking it out for yourself!
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Melanie V.

Yelp
Absolutely loved this place! They had every game you could possibly think of--perfect for groups, date nights, or just some good nostalgic fun. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. And the food? Amazing. Way better than I expected for a game spot--definitely a place I'll be coming back to. Highly recommend checking it out
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Keith M.

Yelp
Their game selection is INSANE!! Plaintain sandwiches are delicious. This is a super fun spot to come on a date or with a big group of friends. Caleb is also the man if you get him as your waiter!
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Kacey C.

Yelp
I want to stay & play all day on Sunday Funday (and eat brunch!). The interior is whimsical and fun, with dice and chess pieces hanging from the ceiling and murals on the walls. The games are well organized and a wide variety for board game novices and afficiandos. The staff will teach you how to play a game or give recommendations if you'd like. It's $5/person with a $10 food purchase or $15/person for 2 hours. Now onto the food, YUM! My husband and I got the churro waffles and a omelette to split. Their homemade sauces really brought up the game (shout out to the garlic aioli for the breakfast potatoes). The cinnamon hot chocolate and the cafe con leche were great drinks too. They have a wide variety of beer, wine and rum cocktails if that's your vibe. The owner and staff were friendly, and helpful, giving this place the extra boost of community they're wanting to create. Go check it out!
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Diana M.

Yelp
Jose and Yesenia have turned their love story into an amazing concept of great Puerto Rican food and drinks. Bringing people together to engage with each other via board games versus the reality that is usually people looking at their phones while eating out. I've come a few times on different days with one friend and a group of ten. This is a perfect spot for catching up with a friend or ten or even a first date, and bringing your family. All will enjoy their time here. Fave menu items are the Tripleta (3 types of meat) sandwich, Yes Sangria (with Yesenia's extra something something) and maduros, yum! The Coconut French Toast was delish as well. You definitely feel the caribbean vibe throughout the menu. There is a selection of over 600 board games a d the staff is pretty knowledgeable so they can make recommendations based on your preferences. Service has always been great. I think most regulars know Jose and Yesenia, the owners, because they are so approachable and always checking on folks. I appreciate the ability to separate tabs with groups where each guest gets a tab opened under their name. A special thank you to Yesenia for taking the time to share some Puerto Rico travel tips which helped me plan for a recent vacation to PR. Restaurant is located near the Irving Park blue line with a small parking lot in the back but plenty of street parking. To top it all off, they are committed to being social change partners and give non-profits an opportunity to partner for fundraising purposes. For all things above, you will definitely love Stay and Play Cafe.
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Liz W.

Yelp
My friends and I came here and joined the monthly board game night. We had a great time and met some really nice people. As we played I ordered the red sangria and the steak jibarito. The jibarito was delicious and the sangria was good, but a little in the sweet side for me. I asked my friends how thier drinks were and they also said that thier pina coladas and mojitos were also on the sweeter than expected side. Either way we all ordered two drinks and still enjoyed our time. I can't wait to come back!
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Michele S.

Yelp
This place is the best! Niche concept so well executed. Soooo many games to choose from- all organized and taken care of (staff check all games before putting them back on shelf after being played). Solid menu, good variety. My friend and I both had jibaritos- chicken and veggie- both delish. And the yuca bolitas were divine. The space and atmosphere-- so lovely! Bright, spacious, clean, big tables. Colorful, fun decor. Beautiful mural in one of the rooms. Clean, modern bathrooms. Owners Jose and Yesenia greeted all guests, so friendly, and they clearly have a good rapport with a lot of the regulars. Staff Matt and Jesse were super friendly and helpful with choosing food and games. Quite the diverse mix of patrons- young adults, families, older folks, groups, pairs - anything goes. Oh- and full bar with fun drink specials, including a menu of mocktails. I had a rum free passionfruit mojito - refreshing and yummy. Looking forward to my next visit!
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Emily R.

Yelp
Absolutely loved Stay & Play Game Cafe and wish we had one like this in OKC! The cafe was a board game fanatic's dream! It was so well organized first starting with most popular, then categorized not only A-Z but also by family friendly, large group, 1-2 players. The displays were amazing and the games went on and on. What we appreciated most about the cafe was they thought out key details such as having large tables so that no matter how large your game was, you had plenty of space for your game without pieces falling everywhere. They had a full restaurant, bar and coffee. We opted for bar, coffee and dessert. The flan was the best I have ever tasted and was so fresh, the coffee was was also very bright and flavorful. Next time we will come with an appetite to try their food as well. The owners were very friendly and knowledgeable and even took time to teach us a game we were starting to learn. They also have servers who can help explain games and suggest games. We actually tried a new game we had never heard of thanks to our amazing server. The wait staff also clean up, box up, and put away your games once you are done. I think this definitely helped keep the games in such pristine condition that they were. Keep up the great work, Stay & Play! Can't wait to come back next time we are in town!
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Frances B.

Yelp
My 45 minutes of Friday rush hour gridlock had me irritable when I arrived late to meet my sister. Opening the door, Stay and Play seemed to transport me into an island party, immediately erasing my annoyance as if it had never existed. I had not expected the beautiful interior - clean lines of light wood tables and chairs with plenty of open space between them, met with oversized vibrant murals on the walls. In between, and over the bar are lush green plants, making me feel as if I were outside in a summer garden. The Puerto Rican music warmed me, despite the Chicago winter outside, and the owner's genuine welcome to me, from behind the bar, made me feel like a regular, despite it being my first time there. Already, within the first 30 seconds, I felt this is my new favorite place. But things continued to be amazing. The server came immediately to take drink orders. I'd read reviews that the beer selection is limited. I didn't find that the case. They have an IPA but unlike so many Chicago restaurants, they had more than just IPAs and I was thrilled to see a local dark lager on tap I'd not tried: Twisted Hippo puffy Parka. Turns out, it's rich, creamy - perfect for me. We split a chicken quesadilla which came quickly and was heavenly, as cheese tends to be. But I was impressed that it wasn't greasy - just nice soft flour tortilla with cheese and chicken. Simple. We also split a vegan sandwich which was surprisingly good and impressive that they even had a vegan option. The veggies were crunchy and flavorful. Would love to see that expanded with a hummus dip or something but already quite good. The sandwich took a little time - and our server came to tell us the kitchen was backed up and it'd be out in 5 minutes. It still seemed speedy but I appreciated being kept updated. We played a couple games which of course was the main point of the place. If expected that to be fun and it was! Made more exciting by the groups of game players around us - it felt like being at a party with everyone laughing and having a good time. I can see why this is my sister's fav place. Despite the commute, I plan to start going regularly. Whether you want good food, good service, opportunity for games, island warmth and- you'll find it here. Quick note: bathroom is helpfully a single for all humans, regardless of gender. Thank you! Ambience: ***** Service: ***** Food: *****
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Julia P.

Yelp
What an awesome spot! Very friendly service and the games are all organized very well and are in great condition. We tried the sample platter of apps and they were all really good. We also got coconut shrimp that was really fantastic. The drinks are good too. The only challenge is eating this delicious food while trying to play, ha ha! They also take very good care of the games and staff take care of the games after you are done playing with them. When we came in the did let us know that we could have a table for two hours. We went a little over that due to our game taking a little more time and they did not pressure us, but we also didn't abuse the flexibility on the time either and left once we completed the game. It was packed by then. Love seeing this place hopping and so many people enjoying games and time together!
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Aesha E.

Yelp
I am so excited for this place to open! I know there are a few other board game cafes in town but I haven't been to either because they're a little difficult to get into, parking-wise. I love the concept of a board game cafe because I have way too many games as it is and truly do not need to add to my collection, yet there are plenty of games that I want to try or would like to play now and then but can't really justify owning. This will hit the spot. The cafe is the brainchild of Jose and Yesenia, and it's apparently been percolating for about a decade and is finally coming to fruition. The location is excellent; there's public transportation nearby and there also plenty of parking just outside the cafe (make sure you download the ParkChicago app so you don't get a ticket!). There is lots of space and lots of tables. Something that seems particularly unique about Stay and Play is that they aren't just a place to play games with a few light bites or snacks; they have a nice menu which includes some fantastic appetizers and at least one vegan or vegetarian option. The drink menu was larger than I expected it to be too! I ordered a virgin mojito and sometime will explore some of their alcoholic beverages too. Service was good. They have a brand new crew, and from my perspective things were going really smoothly. My server checked on me often, never made me feel like I was being ignored but also wasn't constantly coming over to check on me. Since I was there during a soft opening they were still working out some kinks and getting everyone in their groove, so things took a little longer to come out of the kitchen than will be typical. But you're at a board game cafe, so grab a game! It's only $7 per person per day to play for however long you wish. Jose and Yesenia were really great hosts; honestly, I envy the ease with which they worked the room and visited with all their guests (including me, the one they'd never met before!). I felt entirely welcome and am excited for their official opening so I can come in and try something I haven't played before. The game library is extensive--in fact, it's their own, over 500 games strong! For the most part they're ordered alphabetically, though there is a section for two-player games (yay!) and party games. There are large tables (and tables that can be combined) for larger parties, and also some smaller tables if you're just two or three. Definitely visit and have the staff teach you a new game or two. You can't go wrong, and you'll be hard pressed to find entertainment so reasonably priced for your friends + family.

Willie C.

Yelp
This place is a lot of fun. You should take the kids and have a good time. They have a lot of games and really good food
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Je Tuan G.

Yelp
Great Puerto Rican food. Amazing decor. Any fun game you can think of is there for your enjoyment. Met the owners, who were very nice and attentive. Definitely would recommend trying this place.
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Rebecca B.

Yelp
Cute and fun little cafe with all of the games you could ever want. Great for families and singles alike. The food is puerto rican inspired, generous portions, good service, great overall experience.
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Jpb T.

Yelp
Words can't express how awesome it is that Stay and Play hosts events for Unique Sweets (a non-profit bakery for people with Autism.) The prices here are very reasonable. This is a cafe where for $5 with a $10 food purchase you can play games with your friends and family, they have a few hundred games.
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Anna J.

Yelp
This place is so wonderful, we are obsessed! We came here for Sunday brunch and had iced coquito lattes, which were fantastic, along with French toast and sandwiches. Literally everything we ate was great, especially my Cubano sandwich, and the sweet potato fries were perfect. For just $5 a person, you can play all the games you want. They have a HUGE selection and really knowledgeable staff who can give recommendations. They have a whole section for 2 player games so it's perfect for a date night / brunch (but would obviously be great with friends too). The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable- they will even play a few rounds of a game with you if they're not too busy. We walked there but it looks like they have some parking which is great. Can't recommend this place highly enough and can't wait to go back.
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C.C. H.

Yelp
Good Puerto Rican food in reasonable portions at reasonable prices. Wonderful owner family and staff whose enthusiasm and experience in tabletop games shine through - we really appreciated the recommendations we received and have ended up buying one of the games we played there as a very well-received gift. I'm really glad this business is in the neighborhood and saw many families and friends groups have a great time. Check it out!
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Annie K.

Yelp
Good variety of games, family friendly, friendly service, very good jibaritos and basic cocktails. Unfortunately they were out of pork so we were limited in our food options. Also, it's a bit pricey reserving a table for a large party so that's something to consider. There's no parking lot but I think metered parking is pretty plentiful within a few blocks' walk.
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Yayo T.

Yelp
Stay and play is a great way to connect with your inner child, while sipping drinks and enjoying food. First, they have Medalla beer. Next, they have a great puerto rican menu. Finally, who doesn't wanna play Monopoly and drink away the inflationary blues! The staff is great, and offer suggestions for games as well. Roll the dice and pop in.
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Gabe S.

Yelp
Beautifully laid out, open-feeling, welcoming space. The food is better than it has any right to be, given how incredible the gaming experience is. How can they be so amazing at two things? Staff was super friendly and asked interested questions in the game a friend and I were designing. Just a fantastic place to spend a few hours.

Tim G.

Yelp
What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! The food is good, the decor is adorbs, and I was able to reserve a game ahead of time! Yesenia and Jose have established a wonderful welcoming place to eat and game. Go see them!
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Katie M.

Yelp
This place opened only about a month ago, but it doesn't feel like it. They have already established themselves as a great night out. The space is amazing. Lots of parking that have their own lot, and good street parking. Lots of tables and really cute decor. Our server matt was so sweet and helped us pick the right things. They only have rum cocktails- but they are delicious. I had the sangria which was delightful and my partner had a cuba libre which he said was very balanced. He also had a mojito which he really liked at well. We ordered the croquettes and the maduros as an appetizer. Both were delicious but what was amazing was the jibaritos which was like a plantain sandwich. I has never had one before and they were delicious. We ended with a cuban sandwich and a flan. It was perfection. We played board gamed for almost 4 hours, it's only $5 per person and you can play as long as you want. We ordered a ton of food and we really didn't break the bank. This is great spot if you want to meet up with a large group of people. We will be coming back
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Sabrina M.

Yelp
My new favorite spot in Irving Park area and quite possibly in the city overall. This is a cafe where you come to eat & play games. Plenty of seating The tables have a big surface area to accommodate food & game playing space There sort of two sides to the space and one can be used for private events Food we tried: Steak Jibarito W/fries Crumch factor: excellent Buttermilk Waffles 1 full waffle in 4 triangular pieces This was good Fruit Syrup Games: HUGE library divided into sections (top ranked, classic, 2 player, alphabetical) You can check the "inventory" of games online and you can even get started on reading the rules before you come in Your server is also your game guide that can help you set up the game & with rules. They will take games back for you and even box them up. Parking in the back (10 spaces), paid parking on Irving Some free parking but might be a bit of a longer walk Place gets a lot go natural night Patio (closed for winter season) Bar area (full bar menu) (beer, cocktails, mocktails) Excellent service Owner checked in on us and gave us a game suggestion (Jaipur - 2 player game)
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Mauruca P.

Yelp
What a great place! Great food. Great service. Tons of games and knowledgeable staff to assist you. The decor and ambience is tasteful and fun. I love their drinks, especially the Sangria but you can't go wrong with any of the drinks. Their coconut shrimp is amazing. They have many types of sauces you can ask for. The owners are wonderful and treat you like family. I have never had a bad bite or a bad time at Stay & Play Game Cafe.

Kale K.

Yelp
great food from what Ive tried and great staff. The decor is really nice and I love the music, it's a good volume and not intrusive to me and had me dancing in my chair. They have offerings like dnd night I hope I can join sometime. The staff is truly great, very attentive, helpful, friendly and informative. I really want to see this place succeed. I only played a couple games, one was in a little bit of a "used" state with the instructions needing repair, which isn't a big deal to me but just saying. But there is a good selection and its really fun to have something special to do like board games. The biggest area of improvement I want to see is with them trying to limit time at the table. I was a little embarrassed on my date, and I thought the staff also seemed uncomfortable, when we were told to stay longer we had to pay like iirc $60 for the table. I may be a little confused about it, ie maybe the other option is to keep ordering food, and I forgot. but there were lots of empty tables so it seemed unnecessary. They were nice and gave us extra time. So it's not like they were unreasonable or anything. I just think when it is STAY and play cafe, they should expect people to stay a long time, like 2-3 hours. A lot of games take that long, plus we ate a meal. Maybe it was clearer on the menu than I thought and was fully my mistake, but it wasnt something I picked up on, so maybe they could make it more clear. Id rather pay more up front than have to worry about tracking time and the staff having to remind me if I forget and that awkward stuff. I also often go to cafes and only have a coffee and write for hours and Im not sure if that's cool there now. So I think they should reconsider table time limits. This is just my personal opinion and suggestion. Now that I know the policy I think it's still worth it to go back, it's a nice local place and Im excited for their events.

Meghan F.

Yelp
Fun idea and they gave hundreds of games! Food is tasty and the staff is lovely and attentive. Great for groups and small gatherings, too. And kid-friendly.

George M.

Yelp
Stay and play is awesome the food is good and the company is awesome. The owners a husband and wife are always willing to teach our group a new game we always enjoy their picks and the staff is friendly definitely recommend as a family spot or even for a date night.

Jamille Niewiara ..

Yelp
This place was amazing! Went for the first time with my husband , 3 year old, and 6 year old. My husband and I love board games. We have gone to several board game cafes, but since having kids, it's hard to find someplace that is family friendly. Usually the selection of games for small kids are very limited or there simply isn't any. I was pleasantly surprised to find they had their own shelf of games that are kid friendly. We played so many games as a family, which was such a nice experience. They also had a wide selection of games organized neatly in different categories such as top 100, party games, strategy games, etc. The staff was very friendly and helped make learning the games much more efficient by teaching us the rules to familiar games they knew. They were very attentive. Great service. Good bloody Marias and plantains. Tables were perfect size to fit multiple games and your food at the same time. Would definitely recommend this place.
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PJ S.

Yelp
Super fun place! Nice big space, tons (400+!) of games, super friendly service & owner. Drinks and food were tasty as well (tostones and yuca fries were especially yum)! Excited to go back and check out more games and more food!

Mary M.

Yelp
We were a group of 7 people celebrating a birthday!! Matt took great care of us! The food was delicious and the games were fun!! Can't wait to go back!!
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Rachel O.

Yelp
What a great place! We came as a group of 6 on a Friday evening. There was a domino tournament happening on one half of the restaurant, so we couldn't really browse the games on the shelves over there, but the staff said if we had any requests, they'd retrieve it for us. We ordered drinks and stated checking out all the games! We played some of the classics. I like how the games are organized, by classics, kids, fantasy, etc on each bookcase. There are a ton of games I've never seen or heard of! They all liked like so much fun! Since we were there w our kids, it was best for us to stick with something we already knew how to play, so we played Connect 4 and Pictionary. It was great! The food came and it was good! Not fantastic or incredible, but not terrible either. The portions were just right, I just think I am accustomed to jibaritos that are enormous, so I was surprised that I finished my whole jibarito! But I wasn't short-changed either. It was a great visit and I plan to bring more friends next time!
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Carol T.

Yelp
We loved this place. The staff were very friendly and helpful, the food was tasty. I had the steak and onion sandwich. It was flavorful. I also had a mojito which had a mic flavor. Over 500 games! Super fun!
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Brandi B.

Yelp
LOVE THIS PLACE! My husband and I live just a 5 minute walk away from here and we couldn't be happier to have a place like this nearby. We came here last Friday and they were bustling! Even with how busy it was, food and drinks came out phenomenal and fast (I can't wait to eventually try every item) and the environment was still fantastic to play our board games. This would be so much fun for any couple not sure what to do for a date night or even a large group of friends who want to have some healthy competition. They have endless games to pick from, seems impossible to try them all, but we sure will try! The food and drinks are super reasonable priced and are simple (in a great way). What I love is that they have a whole mocktail section. I don't drink much, so it's nice to know that's an option for the days I want to have something more fun than water. The owners and the staff are all so nice and welcoming! Please give your business to this place because they truly deserve it. I'm attaching pictures, but they do not do this place justice. Go see for yourself!
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Micah V.

Yelp
Really enjoyed spending an afternoon here with my wife, playing cool games and eating delicious Puerto Rican food. Jose, the co-owner, is a cool guy!
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Hannah P.

Yelp
Good food and drinks. Great for all ages! The food and drinks were nicely priced. Clean and spacious for playing games with the family or have a girls night or even have a date! The service was excellent, friendly owners and staff! Parking was on the street but easy to find! I highly recommend it!!!!
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Julie Y.

Yelp
I've been meaning to come here since they've opened, and finally had a chance to visit on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with some friends. The space: They have a small parking lot in the back, which earns them extra brownie points. The space itself is bright and beautifully decorated with game-themed artwork! The acoustics in here were also great - we liked that there wasn't any music so we could have convos at normal volume. The games: Their game library is extensive and brand spanking new - I really hope that the patrons continue to take good care of the games! We were excited to find Everdell (a game that we'd been wanting to buy but chickened out due to the steep price tag), and spent a solid 3 hours on the game. It was a great game, and my friends decided that they'd add it to their collection! Definitely a great way to try out games before biting the bullet. The service: Everyone here was SUPER friendly. Our server checked in frequently to make sure we were doing ok, and made recommendations on popular items! The food & drink: Food portions are pretty sizable, and were delicious. I think I'd stick to the appetizers next time because the finger foods were definitely easier to eat while gaming. The drinks are a bit on the smaller size, but very fair as they were moderately priced! I think I'd like the option of some fancier drinks - but totally understand the beauty of simplicity as well! Overall, this is a super charming little place and we were very happy to see it filled out with lots of people! We will definitely be back!!
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Daniel C.

Yelp
I am going to check your business out soon. I am bringing my service animal. Will this be okay?
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Griff J.

Yelp
Amazing cafe, bar, and game spot! We ordered a cubano, jibarito, yuca fries, and churros, all of which were delicious. The staff are great and attentive and the selection of games is top notch. We will be back!

Mary P.

Yelp
What a great place! I highly recommend it. Great food, good prices, wonderful staff, large assortment of games, and no one is rushing you out the door! Give it a try if you're in the neighborhood. STAY & PLAY GAME CAFE
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Erika K.

Yelp
One of my new favorite places in Chicago! They have a wide selection of drinks, a lot of great food, and the biggest collection of games I've ever seen! You're welcome to bring your own, but I would be willing to bet almost any game you can think of, they have on their shelves. We played through the games we brought, and one of the owners stopped by our table to check in. He made a wonderful game recommendation that we had a blast playing for the rest of the night. I wish I had found this spot sooner, it's such a welcoming environment and a perfect spot to meet up with your friends in the burbs - parking isn't bad (we were there on a Friday evening and easily found a spot), or the Irving Park bus runs right in front of it. Check it out - you won't be disappointed!

Stacey D.

Yelp
This is such a happy place! I am a newbie to board games and I had a great time. It's perfect for date night, family night, or a happy hour. The food and drinks are delicious (and not that expensive!) The interior is so bright and colorful, and there are HUNDREDS of games. We chose one that we hadn't played before, and because we were there at an off hour, one of the owners taught us how to play it. Such a welcoming and friendly place! I can't recommend it enough.
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Stina S.

Yelp
Amazing place overall. Awesome ambiance, beautifully decorated, great selection of food and drinks. You can have a cocktail, a coffee, a snack or get a whole meal. Be sure check out out the churros and mocktails too! Took my son on a Sunday for a "Mama, son date" and was exceedingly delighted at the whole experience. Great for large families, small groups, dates, anyone who wants to just have fun!! Bookcases full of games, and they even have a kid section. Put this on your "to do" list now!!

Ira K.

Yelp
Amazing. This is my platonic ideal of a game cafe. Whether you are an experienced gamer looking for a new venue or a group of family/friends looking for a nice place to eat and hang out, this place is perfect. FOOD: the food was really tasty. We started with the appetizer sampler, which was really yummy. We then had the specialty Jibarito sandwiches which were quite enjoyable. I also had the tripeleta sandwich to try all three meats. I didn't drink, but my wife said the Sangrias were awesome. AMBIANCE: the place is bright, clean, spacious and inviting. Much more welcoming than a lot of gaming stores and quieter than most bustling restaurants so you can chat and game. STAFF: the owners and staff were all incredibly friendly and anxious to advise on games to play and answer questions. GAME SELECTION: an excellent selection of classic games, new Euro style intro games and heavier games, all well tended. There is something for everyone.
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Veronica D.

Yelp
Wonderful atmosphere. You can tell the owners put a lot of care into this place. Very attentive. Willing to help you learn the games. Both food AND drinks were amazing. Freshly prepared. Happy to see a place like this in the neighborhood. Will be back.

Mikaela U.

Yelp
Great new neighborhood spot! Food and drinks were tasty and very affordable and they have possibly the largest game collection I've seen at a game cafe. Very friendly service. Come and support this new local business!

Alissa S.

Yelp
Great food and service!!!! I really loved the Jibarito Trio and the owner was really nice. I definitely recommend going for a fun game night. Will most definitely be going again!

Matthew F.

Yelp
Amazing atmosphere and fun games. Easy to lose track of time. The food and drinks were good too.