I just moved to Chicago and didn't know anyone to play board games with. I heard about this place and love the open table Wednesday. Everyone's nice and inviting and I've always had a good time. I recently got into mini painting and the staff was super helpful in what I needed. Great place, I would recommend it read more

The staff was very friendly and super helpful with finding ever on my nephew's Xmas list. I'm not a gamer, but if I was I would hang out there . read more

HUGE selection of games, I found stuff that has been out-of-print for months, and at reasonable prices. Board games, card games, collectibles, Warhammer, expansions, RPG supplies, this store really has something for everyone. The only drawback is that if you don't know to go in the door closer to Bryn Mawr that leads you directly into the game shop, you might enter the Dice Dojo side of the store and have to cross it to get to the goods. They host tournaments in the Dice Dojo side and have play space which is great, but when that room is in action, the place absolutely reeks of unwashed young male. Going in that room as a female elicits reactions ranging from surprise to hostile glaring as well, so they can keep their stink (eyes and smell) to themselves. read more

Dice Dojo/Chicagoland Games is for anyone who loves card games, board games, dice games, figurines, and game games. We were in here looking for European strategy boardgames for adults, and were met with staff that were super enthusiastic and helpful in recommending a handful of options to start, like Puerto Rico, Dominion, Agricola, Ticket to Ride, etc. The wall of boardgames is immense. I'm pretty sure you could find any board game that is ever made here. We walked out with Caylus for $60. I'm very much for supporting local business so I'll be back, but our game was only $45 on Amazon. The backroom is a games room, where you can come on their game nights and play with other fans, or just try out a game before you buy. Very neat. The game room did seem to be a place where little kids like to hang out and play games with their pals, without parental supervision. read more

On north Broadway there is a storefront and in this storefront there is a Mecca of Nerdom so immense, so complete and so magnetic it draws geeks from around town to its warm, inviting tables to sit, kibbitz and share in our common activity: rolling dice and being complete dorks. The Dice Dojo is a necessary, vital part of Chicago's teeming gamer scene. Packed wall to wall with every board, card and otherwise geeky game imaginable. If you're looking for -that- expansion of -this- game, odds are they have it or can get it very quickly. Safely ensconced behind a glass case of rare Magic: The Gathering cards sits one of its helpful employees waiting to advise you on a purchase or shoot the breeze over the latest gaming news. This is a literal candy store for nerds and gamer geeks alike. But ho, that's not all. Dice Dojo serves another purpose and that's one of incubating, nurturing and helping the local Chicago gaming scene thrive through its numerous weekly events. Any given night you can find something to do here with friends and strangers gathering to play games together. From complex board games like Battlestar Galactica to good ol' fashioned pen 'n paper Dungeons and Dragons to social games like Are You A Werewolf you can find groups congregating and sharing their love for all things gaming in these hallowed halls. The Dice Dojo is the epicenter of gaming within the Chicagoland borders and deserves nothing less than our financial, spiritual and moral support. Stand behind your store, Chicagoland. read more

Tonight we were invited to their grand opening by a friend of ours who has haunted their yellow and purple halls since their "opening" on Thursday last. We originally intended just show up to see him, but we wound up having an amazing time! The guys who own and run the place were amazingly inviting and friendly. We actually didn't wind up buying anything due to our enormous couch purchase earlier in the day (see Jeanette D.'s review of Northern Home Furnishings) but had tons of fun meeting new people, learning new games, and checking out their merchandise for the holidays. All we need to do now is go cash in our pennies and dimes and man will they be making bank off of us! They have regular gaming nights that a little bird told me usually go way past closing time and are posted on their website. P.S. Nerd Chicks, this is THE place to go! Surprisingly girl friendly and a good selection of other merchandise, hint hint! read more

If you even slightly enjoy board games, you should check out Chicagoland Games, otherwise known as the Dice Dojo. But be prepared for a seriously nerdy time. My boyfriend has been going there for several years, and I've been dragged along for many open board game nights. In one half of the store, they have a huge selection of board games to purchase, and on most trips, we've left with a board game to add to his extensive collection. The other half of the store is an open space with many tables set up for tournaments and open board game days/nights. The entire wall is pretty much covered with shelves holding open demo board games to choose from, so you can play almost any game your heart desires. They have an open board game night on Wednesdays, which is BYOB and you can bring/order food. People sure work up an appetite while playing games. Any and all are welcome at the Dice Dojo, and you don't have to make purchases to hang out and play board games there. If you love board games, you know and love the Dice Dojo. If you haven't been, you should definitely check it out. We've converted many people to board game lovers after bringing them to open board game night. read more

I was really excited when this game store opened a couple blocks from my house. They have an excellent selection of board games, card games and role playing games. The staff is very knowledgeable and will make recommendations for new games based on your current favorites (or your family & friends' favorites). Do not be surprised if the staff members are playing a board game with customers, and don't be surprised if the other customer's are happy to give you recommendations as well. Since I am new to Chicago, I am really enjoying the fact that this store also hosts gaming events and open board game days. I have played several new games here, and the other players were more than happy to explain the rules to a newcomer. I was even invited to play role-playing campaigns despite the fact that I don't have much experience playing these types of games. The store's website has a forum to connect with other players and arrange which games you'd like to play. read more

This must be board game nirvana. Great selection of board, strategy and deck-building games. I love that they've got a wall of open boxes and a sizable area to test drive games before you buy. Think there were about 5 different games going on when we walked in and about 8 other open tables to join in. The staff were nice and know their stuff with recommendations on the ready. Prices were fair. I'll definitely be back. read more

I feel bad giving 4, I used to work at a gaming/comics shop in another state..I'm a total nerd and this place I can basically see from my apt. -1 store because I "ordered" something, asked to be called about it, they said they would call me and let me know--2 months go by I stop in and they'd forgotten..that made me angry as it was a gift and I was trying to not use online means to order it (give back to local shops etc). I know oversights like that happen at any store though so it's not personal. They weren't able to get it the next time I came in either so I just went the ebay route. Best part of this place is it is comfortable, people are friendly and also they have great hours. It's also clean, which a lot of gaming shops have that 'funk" I'm sure you're all aware of. My only other grip and why I did go w/the full 4 stars is the prices. Given I used to work at a store I really know this merchandise quite well and I can order most games I can buy there from my old shop, w/out discount and shipped for less than the retial cost on 90% of what they stock. Now I do know that most of the stock is harder to get and distribution issues/the city itself/cost being higher to deliver in city all add up and don't forget rent..but when a game is 50 in shop and I can get it online for 29.99 w/free shipping (this was pretty common) it makes it hard to go along w/that especially in economic times like now. read more

Disclaimer: I'm a huge board game nerd. I geek out when I see just a shelf of board games. So....I just love this place. The first time I came here was maybe a couple years ago, and they hadn't remodeled yet. But I also enjoyed coming, checking out the board games I wanted to buy, and chatting with the super-friendly and knowledgeable staff. For a while I came somewhat regularly to the Wednesday Open Board Game night. This past summer, they renovated and connected their empty warehouse-like room to the main store, so now the store is so much cozier and pleasant to be in. There is a really great selection of board games here. So far, I've pretty much been able to find any obscure thing I've found on boardgamegeek. One thing I really like about the staff is that they are okay with you just coming and perusing the games without buying anything. They'll still be happy to talk. I'm a huge advocate of supporting stores like these. Go Dice Dojo! read more

I don't know too much about nerd games, but I'd like to. :) My game-playing has been limited mainly to Monopoly, Uno, and, once in a while, Risk. I came into this store looking for some new things to try and the staff was very laid back and helpful. I felt right at home, even though I was the only person browsing while others were playing a game. They have a great selection of anything you might want, even though it looks small from the outside. Since I'm relatively inexperienced, I greatly appreciated the knowledge, helpfulness, and recommendations the staff had to offer. I walked out with not one, but two that I can't wait to break open. I love their idea of board game nights -- I might even drop in once I'm a bit more confident in my Nerd Game skill set. In any case, I can't wait to come back and visit (and buy) again. Thanks to this place, I'm pretty confident Parker Bros and Milton Bradley will soon be nothing more than vague memories of mine... read more

Man if I wasn't so shy I'd live here. The only thing that's intimidating for me is the community of REALLY friendly people all playing together in the back part of the building (it's like a big room that's sectioned off a bit). A man who didn't even work there greeted us as we walked in as friendly as can be. There was a D&D game going on and everyone was having a BALL! It's the kind of place you want to go to meet other nerds like yourself and have a good time. I personally am more of a shy person so it's harder for me to do, but I dig it man, I dig it. Every night they have a different "theme" even a night just free for all. Wednesday nights are board game nights for example. We walked in not knowing what to expect, and the man behind the desk/cash register was sitting quietly reading a comic book. He answered all of our questions politely and we looked around to find all of the board games we could imagine. All the kind that you really want to play as a grown up nerd but can't always find. Of course a ton of them are mega expensive, but it's still THE place to go to buy games. Card games, board games, roll playing games...it's all there for you to enjoy. And though it was seemingly impossible to find, I think that may be a good thing, it's like a diamond in the rough. Very clean, friendly people, space used efficiently (not too crowded or empty anywhere), easy on the eyes, great variety, all around good time. read more

This store seems to be set up for playing games as much as selling them. If you're in the market for a particular game, you might as well buy it here, because they'll not only have it, but will probably show you an open copy with all the pieces. We were able to find the elusive Bang! bullet pack, and I picked up a copy of All Flesh Must Be Eaten. This place also has probably the finest collection of Cthulhiana in the region. Oh, and their phone number is 773-RAT-DOJO. Indeed. read more

When searching for good gaming stores With boardgames and Minis galore Plus magic and books, and cool playing nooks: Dice Dojo. You need nothing more! read more

Here tonight for my second time ever playing Dungeons and Dragons. Nice big side room for gaming, very friendly and encouraging staff! The events are every Monday night with occasional bigger events. read more

Chicagoland Games - View of the main room (vs. the gaming room) - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You may pass this shop, and think, "Hey, did it get bigger since the last time I was there?" Yeah, it probably did. And there is a reason. Few shops leave an impression like they do. The overall staff spend so much time immersed in this stuff, they clearly know what they're talking about; and you will always find someone who specializes in the kinds of games you like. Their events are to die for. Any calendar month is loaded with tournaments and opportunities to socialize with others in the community, you could go to this shop and no other, and still keep your finger on the pulse of the gaming world. Every convention they attend, I always find myself shopping at their booth, and the employees staffing those booths are equally as helpful. Top notch shop. I'd recommend this place to anyone, and I often do. :) read more

Wednesday board game nights here are awesome. This place has every board game you've ever wanted to play, plus a couple hundred more that you've never heard of. The atmosphere is relaxed and you're welcome to bring food and drinks in to munch on while you play. The store's policy is that they don't close until the last game is over. I've stayed there well past midnight before. The staff is super nice, and they're always happy to explain how a game is played or to give suggestions. Best weeknight activity ever! read more

I've been coming here on and off for the last year. Excellent staff? Check. Supply wise, they have everything. Boardgames? Yes and them some. Heck, even if you're not sure if you want a particular game, they have a mega ton to try out (and even a specific day of the week for board game play). If you're into collectable games (Magic, Heroclix, Warhammer, etc.) they've got a good selection, as well as plenty of space to paint and play. There's generally always someone to play, as well. If there is a down side, some of the clientelle can be a little overbearing, but truthfully, that comes with the territory of things like Magic. I can't knock The Dice Dojo for that. For fostering a great shop that's more interested in getting people to play, and more importantly, enjoy the games they're playing. A must stop for anyone in the neighborhood. read more

Definitely the best gaming store in the city, and one of the best I've ever visited period. They have an enormous collection of the latest and some more obscure titles, all neatly organized by genre. I found a couple of games I haven't been able to find in my local stores in Virginia, and I didn't see them anywhere else in Chicago either. On top of the great selection and friendly service, they have an adjoining space as big as the main store with lots of tables and a giant selection of games to play. There's no charge for using the tables, and no charge to borrow something from the library to play. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. I disagree with the fellow that mentioned a "sweaty nerd funk". Maybe it's just because they had the back door open and there was a nice breeze, but it smelled fine (unlike some shops I've visited). Having a clean bathroom was also a nice plus. Bottom line: if you're looking for a board game and/or a place to play in the Chicago area, this is a must-visit. read more

Amazing choice, the ability to play before you buy. Massive selection of open games and space to play them. The games selection is overwhelming to browse. It would be great to have games put into sections/categories of type of game i.e. Collaborative, war game etc and then some cards with thoughts of the Staff or borrowed from an online source. This would help the newbies. The RPG selection feels more like an after thought. read more

I called a couple of friendly local game stores, and this is the one that had what I was looking for (sorry Wanderers' Refuge!). The staff over the phone was nice, and they were doubly so once I arrived in person. Inside, the layout is pleasant. Well-lit, well-staffed, and clean. The shelves are full of so many board games, including some hard-to-find titles, but it doesn't come across as cluttered. From what I gather, they host Magic drafts and tournaments and such, and it gets pretty packed with sweaty nerds. Being a sweaty nerd myself, I hate to downgrade them a whole star for something some folks might see as minor, but there's a very noticeable funk to the place. The unwashed nerd smell is strong, to the point of being off-putting. Need to set off some kind of deodorant bug bomb in the place. Prices are what you'd expect. MSRP is fair enough. Sure, you can get it cheaper on Amazon, but hey, shop local and what not. All in all, a good store. A real paradise for those who love customer service, and don't mind the malodor of nerd funk. read more

The managing team formerly of Gamers Paradise decided to open their own place in Edgewater and I couldn't be more pumped to live down the street. Although small, the storefront packs in a nice selection of popular board games, as well as cult role playing, strategy, and card trading games. Their website also features a calendar for local enthusiasts looking to meet and play their favorite game. Today I bought the Settler's of Catan expansion (they have all the Catan add-ons). I'll be stopping in again sometime to play a game and see if I should up the stars. read more

Since opening, these guys have done a great deal to foster a gaming community here in Chicago (a community that has always been surprisingly lacking in this city). With weekly boardgame nights, an on-going "living campaign" Dungeons & Dragons game, tables laid out so that customers can play in the store (and the store's stated policy of staying open until all games are done), the online forums that help players connect with each other, and the enthusiasm of the owners it's a great addition to the city. If you just want to browse for a new game to play at your next party, or you want to settle in for an epic game of Risk, this place is worth stopping by. read more

This place is all about community. I quickly went in and saw people playing board games in the back. It was amazing to see people of all walks of life enjoy themselves. The business has reviews from different media outlets posted up on how they are developing the community in Edgewater. Very friendly service and a good selection of games. I'm sure to pick Chicagoland Games as my first choice when I decide to buy a board game. read more

Right off the bat, Dice Dojo doesn't fall into the two basic traps that many gaming stores do. One, the place is clean, well lit and doesn't reek of b.o. How pleasant that is cannot be emphasized enough. Two, the employees are not at all intimidating or condescending. As with any subculture, those that lord over the cash register and sales floor can be stand off-ish and condescending (I'm looking at you, record store clerks) but the crew here is laid back and helpful. After finding my old cards in the garage, a couple friends and I have started casually playing Magic: The Gathering again. In a recession, any form of cheap entertainment is a plus, and my house is byob. I decided to buy some new cards, but had to clue where to start seeing as I hadn't played, or even thought about the game in nearly a decade. Every question I had was answered to my satisfaction, and the prices are pretty fair. The only thing that stops me from going stars is that the last two times I've dropped in I've either dealt with a seemingly new and kind of lost employee, or it's taken a while to get service because there was so much going on. That being said, I won't beat up a new guy, and it's good to see a business inviting people in from the neighborhood to hang out and play games. read more

I suspect Dice Dojo has two experiences: gaming there and shopping there. This review is about my experience gaming there. Simply put, it's fantastic. They have about a dozen tables in the back of their store and shelves with what seems like *hundreds* of games on them. Excluding generic rubbish like Monopoly, they have every game I know how to play, from Carcassonne to Hey! That's My Fish!, and hundreds more. Wednesday nights are an open gaming night, so show up, grab a game and start playing. The crowd is super-friendly, with groups inviting single players to join them, and single players asking to fill out your group. People are always willing to teach you a new game. I've not shopped there, so I can't speak as to their relative prices. The selection seems pretty decent, though. Given how awesome the gaming experience is, if I did want to buy a game, I'd certainly check them out, if only to support their game nights with my business. Oh, and for those of us with cars, while there's pay parking in front, there's always been free parking on the nearby side streets. read more

They have a giant selection of board games. If you can't find it here you'd be hard pressed to find it elsewhere. They have a bunch of Magic singles if that's what you're looking for. It always seems like tons of people are playing games no matter what time you come in. They host tons of events. Too many to list. It's super spacious and easy to get to. The only issue I have is that some employees are pretty rude. Not all employees, and it's a crap shoot on which ones will be helpful, but there are a few bad seeds. It seems to be less of an issue if you're a regular but I've definitely seen pretty bad customer service myself. read more

I really like the Dice Dojo. Great people. All the games. Everything is great. There are 2 small knocks on them that bump them down to a 4 instead of 5. First, if you are there for a busy game night (I play Monday night Pathfinder/D&D/RPG), it gets overcrowded. I admit, this is a good problem to hand. Second, although they provide the space (and minis) for everyone to use, they don't help with mustering. It is a bit of a clusterbomb when people have to organize themselves. Would be great if everything was kinda pre-assigned, and players had to check in with the staff to get a table. Of course, a better system would need to be in place with mustering. I wouldn't mind paying a few bucks to get through the BS quicker. read more

I've been coming here for years now and this place is the best. The folks who work here really put the F in FLGS (Friendly Local Game Shop). Everyone is very knowledgeable and willing and able to answer any questions you may have about their products. The owner, Lexx, is a really nice guy as well. Personally, I go here to buy Warhammer 40K and Warmachine minis and supplies; they have a well stocked inventory of both, as well as several opportunities to get a game in. The Dojo also provides a lot of great opportunities to learn or just play some great board games. I cannot recommend checking this place out enough. Check their event calendar on the site (http://www.chicagolandgames.com/) for everything that's going on this month. read more

This place is fantastic, they have a HUGE selection of free to play games which I find invaluable to purchasing a game. I get to try something out with knowledgeable people before I commit to buying. The store is laid out very well with the sales floor in the front and ample gaming tables in the back for your enjoyment. Each night there is something new going on, which allows the novice and experienced gamer alike to find something that they want to do. I have only been gaming since I found the store shortly after it opened and I have learned a bunch from an extremely experienced management. The regulars are amazing and almost all of them are very friendly to customers and potential gamers. The friendly atmosphere is the store ultimate strength, and I recommend anyone and everyone even remotely interested in learning any type of game come to the store. read more

Probably the best game store in the city. Huge sellection of board games? Check. M:TG singles, packs and events? Check, Check, Check. Games Workshop stuff and mini paints? Super Check, probably the best selection in the city. Huge game rooms for events and open play? Check, again the biggest game room I have found in the city. Plus the have a huge wall of open games to try out at your leisure. Most of the staff is great, friendly and knowledgeable. read more

Hands down, the best game shop in the entire city. Stellar selection, excellent service, evident expertise, and overflowing event schedule. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended. :) read more

Wow, this place rocks! Absolutely AMAZING selection of games free to play (board game night is Wednesday 6p-12a). Really nice people, not overcrowded. Huge selection of games for purchase as well. Really friendly staff. Nice clean store. Can't wait til Wednesday! read more

I am not a games nerd, but my wife and I love to play board games. I headed to Chicagoland to pick up a gift for a friend. The employees were very helpful, and didn't pressure me into anything. The selection was a B+ for the average board game player. The only downside was prices were fairly high, but I forked out the cash to support a local store over Toys R Us. read more

Came in for a game night and was amazed at the selection of games available. Our group played 3 different games and had a great time socializing and drinking some delicious beers. It's BYOB and they even have a pizza place nearby that sells $10 pizzas if you get hungry. If you want to try out a game before you buy it come here and see if it's worthy of coming home with you. read more

Going in this store, you find people that genuinely like to work there and interested in helping you. Coming in with little to no background in their products, they were most helpful in answering my random questions from the most basic card game to the larger games. If you are looking to try out a new game, curious, or just want to try a game, I highly suggest this store. read more

It's exceedingly rare that you find a store that specifically focused on table-top gaming...Most comic book stores have a token pile of Magic: The Gathering packs, but nothing much more than that. Another rare element is that they encourage you to hang out and play, which is hard to find in the city. Warm, friendly atmosphere. You never feel like you're an outsider and the regulars who play there are mostly level-headed and fun to talk to. If you need a recommendation for a new game to try, the staff is helpful and knowledgeable. The only thing I'd wish is that they had Magic: The Gathering drafting on an additional / alternative night other than Friday. Even Thursday / Saturday would be awesome...I think a lot of people usually have conflicting plans. Other than that, I couldn't recommend this place more. read more

This store is great. Populated by some serious gamers, and stays open until everyone is exhausted. They have games from every major publisher, and are eager to order anything that they don't have at the moment. This store has a really awesome vibe. Almost every night of the week is focused on a particular type of gaming (though people are welcome to play anything they want of course) and as has been said there is a massive store library, so if you see something you like chances are you can play a few games before deciding to buy it. read more

This place is freaking awesome. Was in town to hang out with college buds and went here for a day. Games you didn't even know existed we're here, and me and my friends are giant game nerds. There were other helpful nerds there to teach games too! I didn't even ask if they were on the staff or not, but it didn't matter. The overall culmination of the experience was super awesome wonderful. If I lived in Chi-town, I would spend a lot of time here. read more