I first visited Hexagon when they were located on the east end of Whyte Ave. They pulled me in with some specialty root beers they had on the menu. When we got their, they didn't have them anymore but we enjoyed our visit all the same. It felt a little dark and certainly very busy. The space was small and it felt even more so with every table full. It was cramped. So then, why a five star review? Because of their new location! Now on the west end of Whyte Ave closer to the university, Hexagon is in a beautiful well-lit facility that just draws you in. From the street, you can see the front of house with its gorgeous lighting, industrial-style ceiling, hexagon inspired motifs and a full cafe for beverages and snacks. Not only have they created a stylish gaming cafe, they created a cafe on Whyte where you can stop in for a beverage, sit and chat at window seating overlooking 1950's era architecture without even staying to game. Smart way to expand business. After registering and ordering, you go around back to find table upon table of open space for small and large groups. The hexagons continue with a half wall that separates the well organized games from the seating so you are not bothered by people selecting games while you are trying to play. Yet, because it's partially open, you can still look at new gaming options from your seat. Such a smart layout in my opinion. Different from other locations, Hexagon went with an hourly rate per person rather than the flat rate per model used elsewhere. Hard sell when it was $2.50 an hour here and everywhere else was $5 to play all day. However, over time the other places have gone up to $7 flat rate and Hexagon has stayed at $3 per hour. Now, they have an advantage if your only staying for two hours which is plenty of time when gaming is an activity on a date rather than an all day outing. Also, the hourly rate helps turn over tables on busy nights. Some like it, some don't but it works for me. read more

Awesome place! My husband and I are visiting from out of town and my husband is an avid board gamer so this place was perfect. Friendly staff, excellent tea and good cookies!! Great selection of board games to play/rent/buy. Very clean and well lit. Wish we lived closer read more

Bright airy vibe. Young happy staff. Assorted coffees and teas. Chill eclectic music. They have desserts but not much for food. They even have craft beer. They have games. Seating is very limited in the front, but a lot of room in the back. Good for enjoying some sun in spring and fall. I like their lattes. read more

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Great locally owned board game shop where you can come and pick up the latest and greatest game to take home (like I did with Cards Against Humanity) or better yet, stay and play! That's right, come grab a cup of joe and stay a couple of hours and play any of their games! Prices are pretty reasonable at $2.50 an hour/person. They have treats and eats on hand as well. The can even recommend games to you if you're not sure what to try :-) And if you fall in love with the game, you can likely buy a new edition to take home! Great way to test-drive games! Be sure to follow them on FB/Twitter to find out about upcoming events and specials! Long live Hexagon Board Game Cafe! read more

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Checked out their new location on a Tuesday night with half a dozen friends from work, and we were very impressed. They have a nice cafe counter up front and offer the normal coffee shop type drinks, as well as a small selection of pre-made foods they'll grill/toast for you (e.g. personal pizzas, grilled sandwiches) and bring to your table while you play. I had a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich and it was hot and melty and, while not gourmet food, totally acceptable; and a hot chocolate that was good quality and even had a fancy foam picture on top, no cheap Tim Horton's quality powder mix here. I believe they also have alcohol, if you're so inclined. The deal is that you check in when you arrive, and pay $2.50 per hour until you leave. There's a larger back room with plenty of tables, and a wall lined with shelves of games that are free for all to use. It's an impressive selection and they seemed to be in good condition. We grabbed "Joking Hazard" which is good for a big group and had fun trying it for the first time. It wasn't too busy on a Tuesday night, there were 3 or 4 other tables full but still plenty of room for more. It seemed like a better place to go with your own group than to go alone; though maybe they have open game nights? I didn't think to check. But great location, nice and clean and spacious, and very affordable. If you're looking for a place to game, I would definitely recommend this place. read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - grilled cheese & tomato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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This was the first time coming to play board games where people can chill and also grab a coffee. Not only can you drink a cup of Joe but you can also order beer, wine and any specialty coffee. We played domino however they offer hundreds of different games. From strategy to chess I am sure anyone can find what they like. There is lots of room and the establishment is very bright. Go check it out!! read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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No need to go into great detail here but I loved this place! What an awesome selection of board games and such knowledgeable staff. Loved the size of the cups for tea, it was never ending! Good selection of snacks and sandwiches were surprisingly decent. I can't wait to go back! Games I played this time and really enjoyed (for a group of 5): Dixit, Clue and Mysterium. Check them out! read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - Unreal selection! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Definitely a fun place: I visited for the very first time on September 1st, which was their official grand opening! Not only was playing for 3.5 hours a reasonable price, but this is Edmonton's first Board Game cafe in the Whyte Avenue area. I had a delicious (very foamy/smooth) chai tea latte and played a number of games with my friends (Power Grid, Arbos, and Fluxx the Board Game). I kind of wish that they offered more substantial food options, but being within walking distance of so many other Whyte Avenue area food service establishments makes this aspect less than essential. The board game selection is very diverse with many classics and family friendly games along with the more trendy (or newer) eurogames that board game geeks are enthusiastic about. The tables range in size (for groups as small as 1 or 2 to much larger groups). Additionally, they are open fairly early in the day, which could be helpful for an unexpected day off trip to try out some new games! read more

This is a very classy adult board game cafe. Some places feel young or child like, but the lines, decor and menu is very mature, clean and open. This is a great place for a date or to come out with friends. It's inexpensive and offers a wide variety of games. The staff is very friendly and very knowledgeable when it comes to explaining the games. I highly recommend read more

Very cool cafe, friendly service Tasty coffee Mellow music Highly recommend a visit ! read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Offers a great experience for all ages. The staff are very kind and willing to help with anything. Would totally recommend it for a fun date night or team bonding activity. read more

I absolutely love this cafe. It's bright, airy, clean, trendy and has an insane amount of games in good condition. They make great espresso drinks, lattes (coffee and tea) and teas. They have a selection of pastries and desserts. The staff here are always friendly and polite. Best of all they have beer and wine! I usually stop by here for a hot drink and to people watch in the sunny windows. I have yet to play one if their games but the game selection is STACKED. During the weekdays it's nice and quiet and there's plenty of space. read more

We LOVE Hexagon! The coffee, the desserts, the games and the space are in perfect harmony! Gorgeous, modern, incredible service. This is our new favorite place to visit, unwind from the day, play a few board games and laugh out loud!! read more

We i've been here a couple times but this was the first time at the new location. The new location is nice and bright and quite big to fit all the gamers. They have a great selection of games to play and games to buy. They have a café full of things such as coffee, sweets and hummus etc. the staff are very friendly and Will help you pick out a game to play or to purchase. read more

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This quaint little board game cafe has a great selection of games, nice drinks and a cozy vibe. The staff were very friendly and helpful which is a must for this kind of business. It was busy when we came to play but people seemed to be cycling through and no one waited long for a table. I will definitely be back to try something new. It's a great way to test drive games before buying them. read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - Games arranged alphabetically. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

This place was alright :P I came here to met up with some new gaming friends; we were starting up a new Pathfinder group. It was nice inside, open and clean, with nice decor that felt very cafe-ish. The game selection was pretty good, though we didn't play any. The staff were fairly friendly. For me, the things that take this place down a notch are: the price - $2.50/person, *per hour*, rather than a flat $5/person like some other places charge (and that adds up when you're playing a game like Pathfinder, where it's not uncommon to play for 4-5 hours). I suppose it'd be fine if you were just popping in for something fairly quick, but I tend to like tabletop RPGs and very involved, typically long board games like Risk or Arkham Horror, so it worked out to be more expensive for me. Also, I found the menu a little lacking compared to similar places I've been to, & was a bit pricey for what you get. So yeah, this is a pretty good place to go, but for me personally, given the option I'd probably pick a different game cafe. read more

My 8 year old son and I spent a lovely afternoon here. It was a great way to connect and try something new. The staff were polite and helpful and I loved that they were available to make game suggestions or figure out the rules. The cafe was clean and welcoming with plenty of games to choose from for all ages. We can't wait to bring the rest of the family and try it out again! read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I spent months walking past the papered windows of The Hex Cafe (the short name for The Hexagon Board Game Cafe), waiting for it to open. Now, I'm sure that makes me sound like someone who spends all his time playing board games, but the truth is that I don't play much at all, but I'd like to play more often, I just lack the time, and the knowledge of what's out there. 5 days after they opened I managed to find the time to sneak over at 10am. The place was rather quiet (AKA no one else there), so I had a chat with Randy, one of the owners of the cafe. We talked about the area of Whyte (East Whyte, which is up-and-coming), and why he opened the cafe, and what he hopes to achieve with the space. It was a good chat, and I vowed to return as a paying customer (I had my toddler with me, and didn't have time to stay). I also got a chance to quickly look at the 400 (four hundred!!!) board games he has to play. The location is excellent, and the space inside is really nice. I like the color combination (a blue/teal accented with white. Stylish white chairs are pulled up to tables; there are 4 tables that sit 4-people each, 3 tables with 2-people each, and (I believe) 4 long tables that can fit 6 people each. The games are stored at the back of the store, with a small (though Randy assured me it would be growing) retail space at the front. I took note of a couple of the prices of the games he's selling, focusing on Settlers of Catan (he had a number of versions of it). I compared it to prices I knew from around town, and he's about 20% cheaper than the other places (Chapters, River City Games). A few days later I found myself on Whyte at 9am with 20 mins to kill, so I stopped in to see Randy and pick up a quick snack. They have various sodas (not Coke/Sprite, but fancier stuff), as well as coffee, tea, and various sweets. I grabbed an orange juice and a cinnamon bun and chatted with Randy for a bit because it was slow. If you want a quiet time to go and learn a game, early mornings would be the best time, as Randy said it doesn't really pick up until around noon. We walked by last night (a Friday) a 10pm and the place was PACKED! Every seat was taken, and there was a line of 5 or 6 people at the front, which was really nice to see. Randy also told me he's working on getting a liquor license, and he'll have some food available once that goes through. I can't wait to find the time to go in and actually play games in the cafe. There are so many to choose from that it may take some time to actually pick one. The cafe charges $2.50/hour to play the games, with the money going towards buying new games, or fixing ones that need repair. That sounds very reasonable to me! Just don't be one of those people that sits there sipping on water the entire time; the cafe needs to make money selling coffee, tea, sodas, or sweets! read more

This place get a 5/5 for sure. Cheap eats, drinks and games. What could be better? So I came here with 3 friends and we all got a table. Its $2.50/hr per person to play games and we were there for literally 4 hours. I am not even kidding. They have hundreds of games to choose from and the staff is really helpful with getting you the right type of game for your table. We got suggested the game "coup" which ended up being one of our favourites!! We also played Funemployed and Scattegories which are two really fun games. The night went by so fast I had no idea we had been there for 4 hours already! I also tried the iced chai lattes which were great (I had 2) and the jamaican beef pie, which was great and super cheap! I was happy with my dinner and had such an awesome night! It was super lowkey and I really enjoyed switching it up from your typical friday night! read more

On our way home this evening, the Hubba Hubby and I made the spontaneous decision to pop into The Hexagon Board Game Cafe to check it out. After being outfitted with our drinks (black cherry soda = yum! and chai tea), Randy (co-owner of The Hex Cafe) helped the Hubby pick out a two player game. Randy pulled up a chair to help us set up and understand the rules of our game, and was available to assist when we had a few additional questions as we played. It was fun the play a new game, to spend some offline time together, to enjoy great drinks and to experience a new place in Edmonton. We really enjoyed the space from the location, decor, to the game selection (over 400!), the great customer service and the overall experience. It was our first time at a board game cafe and we'll definitely be back to The Hexagon where we're excited to bring along some friends, as well as make new friends there! read more

You have to go here! This place is so much fun, has a great friendly staff, looks amazing, has a great selection of board games, delicious treats to eat and drink, and an overall awesome atmosphere. This is a fun spot to go on any day at any time, and a great place to meet up with friends and play some board games - they have all your old favourites, along with some interesting new games, everything you'd want to choose from! It's in a great spot on Whyte Ave and it's filling such a needed niche here in Edmonton. I got some of the vegan chocolate chip cookies (a MUST!), a chai tea, and played games for 2-3 hours. Very excellent price for all of this (less than $15). I've only been here twice, but I loved it and will definitely be back! read more

I'm normally a brutal reviewer, but I was quite blown away by the environment and customer service to be found at the Hex (could be a bias that their main colours are a rich royal blue and white, two of my favs!). I was met at the door by one of the co-owners, Kell(e?)y, who graciously and patiently explained the process. One picks a table, adds the name of all attendees at the cashier area, then choose a boardgame from the diverse and deliciously alphabetized collection present or you're welcome to bring your own. Food orders may be made from your table and employees circulate regularly to clean away empty cups/bottles/plates, without feeling like helicopter parents. A hallmark feature of Hexagon are the Hexperts! Linh taught us Tokaido (and watched us play Five Tribes after her shift), whereas Kell(e?)y herself taught us Splendor and Forbidden Island. This is amazing that a boardgame café owner is so approachable as well as educating all staff on such a diversity of boardgame rules and regulations, but participating in the teaching aspect as well is most fantastic! Clear, concise and patient explanations as well as saving poor befuddled blondes from 30+ minutes of setup. They did not make any effort to hustle us out despite finishing our last game of Five Tribes near 22:45 and asking Kell(e)y about her fantastic enterprise at the end of the night! How refreshing! $2.50/hr or a flat $5 from 17:00-23:00 on Monday Nights are most reasonable rates for Whyte avenue location and steep rental rates. The space transformation is most clean, beautiful and well-laid out. My hot date for the night found it quite loud as sound tends to carry well within the confined area, however sound absorption is very difficult to control. The bathrooms were very modern, extremely clean and very impressive despite a packed night (hygiene is key with such a high male gender ratio at gamer spaces). I tried 3 different Stewart's sodas (Black Cherry, Orange Cream and Vanilla Cream) and they were all delicious! Floats were an amazing addition to the perfect gamer menu as well as an assortment of teas and caffeinated beverages. Snack foods are just that (the pies were the size of small meat pies that one can buy $3/6. It was however wonderfully hot and delicious). My date's various teas were served in massive mugs, which he greatly enjoyed at very good prices. For constructive feedback, I would suggest an increase to the menu (though I'm glad that inebriation wasn't an issue in fellow gamers, despite a vocal group of CAH right next to us at the Monday Mingler). Though limited physical kitchen area may hamper this, perhaps have pretzels/chips/other hunger abaters on hand may be in the works? In addition to the great library of games (viable online from their website, as well as the menu - thank you 21st century!), they do have a small collection of games for sale. Hope to see you next Monday, Kell(e?)y and Company! read more

Great staff and food. Every time I've gone the staff has been more than welcoming and always offering to reccomend games and even explain how to play them. Only problem I have is that their pay per hour fee instead of other places pay once fee can make you feel anxious at times. read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

This has been a place of refuge for my friends and I for a very long time. I've found that over time as I out grow my club days I'm searching for places like this where you can go and have a great time while still waking up the next day without post ranch depression. Great service, great quality, great games. read more

Hex hosted my birthday party shortly after it opened in September, and it was an amazing evening. They don't advertise reservations on their website, but I emailed (before they even opened, actually) asking if they would be able to reserve a table, and they were incredibly accommodating. If you have a large group, I'd definitely recommend sending an email and asking if they can hold something for you, especially if it's an evening or weekend. We had 10 people, and they seated us at a huge table and made suggestions for games we could play with everybody. We played a game called "Snake Oil," which like a lot of their titles, I'd never heard of before. It was excellent, and one of my friends like it so much she bought a copy. The owners are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the games they carry, and can teach you how to play just about anything. The decor is beautiful and the atmosphere is great. It was packed, but everyone in the cafe was clearly having a great time, lots of laughing and talking. Everyone had a great time, and although they didn't have their liquor license yet (I hear they do now), the hot chocolate, tea and coffee were so good that I don't think anymore missed having beer. I have a decent collection of board games at home and play with friends at our respective homes on a fairly regular basis, but going to Hex is definitely going to be a regular thing for me. The experience is more than worth the $2.50 an hour and not having to make my own snacks or drinks. read more

This was only my second visit to a boardgame cafe, and it was a great experience from beginning to end! Tons (I mean TONS) of games to choose from, and the worker there took her time to help me select a game that me and my friends would enjoy. I was really impressed by how much time she spent making sure we understood the rules, and she even came back to see how we were doing. read more

I was so so pleased with the afternoon I spent working at Hex. Delicious tea latte and friendly welcoming service. Cozy and lovely. Surprisingly charming rush of D and D players that came in around 8p. read more

Most annoying cafe EVER. While I do love the idea of community coming together and playing games that stimulate the mind and promote face to face interactions...it is EXTREMELY loud, the seating is not comfortable and the drinks are not cheap. Never coming here again. p.s. Cards Against Humanity should be banned from their roster of games- No one needs to hear the shrill tones of shrieking teens thinking they are clever and "edgy". read more

Hexagon Cafe is a great place to meet up with friends and connect while playing games. I've been here since they first opened up. When we walked by and peeked in they informed us that they weren't quite ready to open yet but offered us a free cup of coffee and chatted about their upcoming business. That just captures how friendly and welcoming the owners, Randy and Kellie, are to everyone. There are great drinks and snacks here as well. The atmosphere is really nice and the shop is just really great looking. They have a background as architects and it really shows. In terms of games they have over 500 games that was built as their personal collection as they got ready to open up. In addition they have tons of boardgames for sale and have ordered some in for me by request before as well. No Cards Against Humanities since it's only sold in Canada at Snakes and Lattes in Toronto. They are also great at helping you get started and teaching you how to play. Way easier than trying to shift through the instruction manuals. If you haven't been here yet I highly recommend you go. It's a great place to spend some quality time with friends and family. read more

The new location is great. Bigger location means more space. They have a good selection of snacks and the price is now $2.50!

The newly opened Hexagon is a welcome addition to Whyte Ave, serving as a great place to spend a whole day or just a few hours. It offers yet another unique place on Whyte that you can integrate into a nice day in Edmonton's most exciting area. With over 400 games and room for 50 people, the Hexagon offers a wide variety of things to try for groups of any size. The board game selection is fairly robust, offering options for experienced gamers and newcomers alike. They have a good blend of hobby games and traditional ones and there's no shortage of things that you'll want to try out. With tables that can accommodate small groups or larger ones and different games available for different sized groups, there are plenty of options for couples or different sized groups. The staff is knowledgeable and willing to not only help you select a game that you'll enjoy but also to teach you how to play. In addition to the games available to play, they also have a small selection of games at the front for sale. Their selection of games on sale is limited for now but I suspect that this will continue to grow. Everything at the café works on a tab system with a $2.50 hourly rate per person for playing games and a selection of snacks and drinks that can be added to your tab. The café offers surprisingly good coffee and a good hot drink selection as well as a few cold drinks in bottles and cans. For snacks they have a variety of baked goods available but the selection beyond that is fairly limited.*** Unlike other board game cafes in the city and elsewhere, their food menu is limited to only the baked goods in the case at the front with no hot food or even chips, fruits, or other snack food options. While the coffee is fantastic and the baked goods are fairly good, the lack of selection is challenging for those with certain dietary restrictions or who aren't in the mood for a sweet baked treat. Thankfully the Hexagon's location on Whyte Ave makes it very easy to leave for a little while between games to get some food or drinks at one of the myriad gems in the area. What makes the Hexagon truly special is their friendly and attentive staff. The owners of the café are incredibly welcoming and show that this is truly a labour of love by offering excellent service and demonstrating their enthusiasm. As noted before, the staff is keen to offer their expertise when giving board game suggestions or assisting you to learn a new game. Since the café is very recently opened, the owners are eager to listen to suggestions from their patrons and interested in making their café a unique and comfortable destination. From the selection of games to the sleek interior to the very helpful staff, the Hexagon is a great addition to Whyte Ave and serves as a great destination for major board game nerds and the average passerby alike. Like any recently opened business they are still adapting and improving but the eagerness and enthusiasm exhibited by the staff at the Hexagon make me certain that it will continue to establish itself as a valuable addition to Whyte Ave. UPDATE: October 15, 2014*** I recently returned to the Hexagon with a large group and am pleased to update my review to reflect the addition of a few more food items and, most importantly, that the Hexagon is now licensed! The café now offers 3 different beers from the Calgary-based Village Brewery. The presence of beer at the Café now makes it an ideal spot to have a drink or two before moving on to a late night on Whyte and serves as a pleasant alternative to the hot beverages that have always been offered. It is clear that the owners of the Hexagon wish to make the cafe a Whyte Ave staple. The ability to create an inviting, friendly environment and to continuously work to make the Hex a great destination make me sure that their ambitious goals will be realized. read more

I really hope these guys make a go of this super little spot on Whyte. The owners clearly care about their venture. The people who work here are all wonderful as well. It's an inexpensive way to spend a few hours getting together with friends rather than the bar circuit. They will take the time to learn what you like, make recommendations for games you haven't played before and even walk you through set-up and game play to avoid having to start with the rules book from scratch. I've been three or four times already and the only pitfall is that they are getting so popular that it can be difficult to get in if you go too late! read more

Food, coffee, beer, board games! What an excellent library of games, as well as friendly and knowledgeable staff who are truly passionate about the games they stock. The interior is nicely decorated and it is easy to spend a whole afternoon here without looking at your phone once! A great place to unplug and engage with friends over a fun game - if you can figure out how to choose one from the insane selection! read more

This place is great. You can sit and play board games for hours for not much money, and it's a great opportunity to try out new games. Today we tried a game called Power Grid for the first time. If we had been playing on our own at home, it would have probably taken us an hour just to get the hang of the rules, but at Hexagon one of the owners came over and walked us through the setup and our first few turns so that we could get straight into playing without having to spend ages puzzling over the rule book. The hot drinks are good, too, and they now have added a few sandwiches and savory pies to their menu. I had a chicken, swiss, and mushroom pie and it was quite good with a really tasty crust. My husband had a sandwich and he said it was only okay, but it's not like you're really going there for the food. You could also get bowls of snack mixes and chocolate covered pretzels and things like that. read more

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe - A great big hot chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I don't see why anyone wouldn't come here to spend their leisurely time. THERE ARE SO MANY BOARD GAMES!!! A very inexpensive and fun time with friends :-). read more

Really affordable place to hangout and play a large selection of games. The owners are friendly and will suggest games for you and show you how to play and setup the games when they are available. I like playing board games before buying them and this place lets me try them all. I would definitely recommend this for a place for friends to hangout and have s beer or for a nice date idea: read more

Great food and awesome servers. I liked the spinach cheese dip with nacho and bread, as well as the pesto turkey panini and matcha blackberry cheesecake. The sweetness of the cheesecake was well balanced, so was the warmth of the food. Unlike some cafes, Hexagon Cafe definitely never overheat paninis. Also, the games were fun. I played Riff Raff and Animal upon animal for the first time. Meanwhile, Connect 4 never gets old for me. Finally, the interior design of the cafe is excellent and modern. read more

Great place for groups or just two people. They make delicious drink here and their game selection seems endless. The inside is very clean and modern looking. Love it. read more

I enjoyed very much being here. Staff were very friendly and patient while explaining to me some of the games I wanted to play. My chai tea latte was also well prepared and brought to my table. Very nice place to go on a date or with friends. read more

Great place, even if you just want to hang out and have some coffee. A place to go if you are around town.