I try to choose good places. The Rook and Pawn did not disappoint. I wanted to try a Monte Cristo sandwich; the Rook and Pawn has it, so off I went. It was excellent as was the side salad I ordered to go with it. Service wise, you order at the counter, and they bring your food to your table when it's ready. It works. I washed mine down with iced tea as one does. It's a nice space. Cheers! read more

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Incredible espresso martini!!! Great, friendly service. Jacob (?) was very welcoming to a mid 50s couple getting a drink before dinner reservations, we looked at the great menu with some unique items, and lots of options. We were surprised at the menu. Definitely will go back for coffees, and amazing cocktails, and we will be trying the food next time!! Great spot in a great location. read more

I had an absolute blast at Rook & Pawn. Out of all the game board cafes I have been to, this one had the best vibe. It was so cozy and they had a huge wall of game boards, it was fun to look at and choose games from. I definitely felt like a kid again here. We came here on a football game day, and it was empty as everybody was out watching the game. Which was fine because more game options for us! I'm not sure how busy it gets, but there are lots of tables for seating. There is a $7 charge for each person playing. We spent about 2 hours here and played 3 different games. It is so easy to lose track of time here. I definitely could have stayed longer and tried out more games, but we had to leave as it was getting late. The workers here are very friendly and welcoming. They give great game recommendations! You'll need to ask them to grab the games for you, as the board games can be difficult to get to and they are set a certain way. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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I immediately fell in love with this place. An intimate, wood-grained interior with a coffee shop and a decent kitchen attached? What's not to like? The first thing you notice is the wall full of games. Pick one out or bring your own. There are plenty of tables to get your game on with your friends. The second thing is: the people were super friendly. All-around, people were able to give polite explanations. They explained what they liked on the menu, and made good recommendations. The menu itself has a number of tasty and fulfilling options on it. From a ginger salad, to a Philly cheesesteak, you can go as light or as hearty as you want. And then there's coffee. But coffee really isn't my thing. We hung at Rook & Pawn for a good 2 to 2.5 hours playing our game. It was an awesome experience, and I'd happily go back for more. Holler if you're coming with. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Games! - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Nice little place to play a variety of games with any number of people. Good atmosphere.

Friendly staff, great atmosphere. The food was really tasty - we had the pub chips to start and loved them, and I had the Monte Cristo and was so pleased with it! Great drinking options too; had a really nice dry cider. Loved playing trivia and then a couple games from the game wall afterward. Really cool little place that I can't wait visit again! read more

The honey vanilla latte was soooo goood! I got the smaller size but would definitely get the bigger size next time. I really liked the vibe of the place and so excited to go back and play some games with friends with another latte. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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This eclectic cafe was downtown Athens offering bites such as sandwiches, coffee and teas, charcuterie boards, and brews. We were short on time and decided to come here for a quick dinner before a show. We didn't have time to play any games, but did enjoy the game wall and seeing patrons exchange games and laughs with friends and families. The deli meat is all boars head. The sandwiches and charcuterie boards were both great. The decor was quirky and unique. The restrooms were clean and gender neutral. The wait for our food was 30 minutes which felt long for what we ordered-- and the fact only one other table had a number for food. That being said, I know people were ordering drinks at the bar/cafe. Overall, this is a cool concept, eclectic cafe, and great spot for light bites! read more

By far the best coffee I've had in Athens and an amazing sandwich as well. This place is so unique and a great study spot or just a fun place for lunch. The staff was very friendly and helpful with suggestions as well. 10/10 would go back in a heartbeat. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Beautiful and cozy place! The service is nice but very inattentive :/ I ordered an affogato and was given a lemon fog, then 20 minutes later finally got my affogato and it looked... half drank? There was basically no ice cream, just 2 shots of espresso. Other than that, their sandwiches are very tasty and the environment is ambient and beautifully decorated. Board games are plentiful and interesting. read more

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Such a cool idea! All the games you want for as long as you want for a flat price! Alcohol and coffee Loved the environment. Lots of games for groups. read more

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We ordered the turkey & ham Cuban and the BYO grilled cheese. Both were delicious and we enjoyed eating inside. Didn't play any board games but would definitely recommend! Loved the interesting interior! read more

Cute place. Would be fun for a family or group of adults wanting to relive some board games from the last.

Really nice cold brew, the ambiance is eclectic but calm and the service is great. Will be coming back! read more

The Rook & Pawn - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

My friend and I were looking for a place to grab lunch this Fourth of July and Rook & Pawn was one of the only places open. I'm so glad we got to check it out!! We split a sandwich- it was good, but nothing special. The real appeal of Rook & Pawn was the board game experience: picking out a couple games from the massive wall, taking a seat in the dark cool hallway, and just letting the time fly as we hung out together. I didn't know cafes like this were a thing. Now on a mission to find one in my hometown!! read more

The Rook & Pawn - Avocado Realness Sandwich w/ turkey! - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Amazing place, great food and drinks, free chess is awesome as well. The bartender/cafe lady was very cool. I plan on coming here often!

I waited 30 minutes for my order only to get the wrong one. I cannot eat pork and did not realize I was served pork until I had already taken a bite. The three employees seemed to not take this seriously, especially considering I had to stand at the counter unaddressed with the incorrect plate of food for a solid minute while they ignored me to arrange board games. Alas, after 45 minutes, I finally got to eat a mediocre turkey sandwich. My coffee was good, minus the couple of ounces that spilled all over my laptop because of the wobbly table I was sitting at. The ambience is the only reason for 2 stars. The dining area was spacious. But $7 to play board games? This business thinks too highly of itself. Do not recommend if you have dietary restrictions. They are definitely not kosher or halal friendly. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Dining area. Lots of room. - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Fun vibe inside and the espresso martini was pretty good. Huge variety of games but not a ton of seating. Overall super cool place to visit between dinner and downtown read more

The Rook & Pawn - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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Interesting little hang out spot in downtown Athens. Came by with some friends to spend some afternoon time playing games and grabbing a bite to eat. FYI: if you want to play board games, you will have to pay a flat fee to get access to board games. At the time that I went, it was $5. The Rook & Pawn specializes in salads and sandwiches with trendy and unique flavors that I haven't seen anywhere else. Its clear that whoever designed the menu felt no fear when thinking of trying out new flavors. I tried out the Monte Cristo and a side salad. The Monte Cristo was like a sandwich I've never had before with the highlight being a raspberry habanero jam which gave a sweet and tangy kick that I've never tasted before. Be sure to try this one out. The side salad tasted extremely fresh and the quality was great. Dressing was slightly too sweet for my liking, but interesting nonetheless. This is a great hang out spot above all else. Not a restaurant that you should expect to sit down for a normal meal. Come here with the mindset of fun and you will not be disappointed. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

One of the best lattes I ever had. I got the honeysuckle latte. I also tried the date & goat cheese sandwich. Tip ask them to add spicy strawberry jam. read more

An excellent date spot, especially if one is not drinking. You can smoke your boo at monopoly and have tasty coffee while staying T Total. The beer selection is surprisingly good though if you are looking to drink. The food tends to be snacks and sandwiches rather than dinner courses. Do not skip the hummus and veg plate. The bartenders are some of the best in town. The more you come and the better you get to know them, the more likely you are to be adopted by them. read more

Passing through Athens, noticed that this shop was so well rated and many people commented on it being a nostalgic part of their time living in Athens. Went in and totally understand why! 800+ boardgames for people to enjoy with their friends and a mix of different offerings including coffee and cocktails. Just had to get the Ocarina of Lime because of my nostalgia for that game (Zelda) in my own childhood. The staff was super friendly and made me feel like a local. Would definitely have played a game or two here if I could've stayed longer! read more

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Great cheap fun. Rustic and hip. They charge $5 a person, however, they have a few games you can play completely for free. I went on a Saturday night and it was packed, we actually had to wait a few minutes to get a table. The environment is super friendly. If I brought my family down to Athens, this is the place I'd spend the night at. It's friendly, fun, and affordable. Verdict- super family friendly fun. read more

The Rook & Pawn - All the Games - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Excellent! Great sandwich spot. Off the road a bit so you may have to look for it. Lots of board games to pick from if you want to seat and relax. Service was quick and very pleasant. UGA had not started yet so I'm sure I could get very busy and crowded. read more

This place is really cool. If you like boardgames and coffee shops combined then you might have found a favorite. Place has a bar, coffee, cookies, and fresh sandwiches made to order with a humorous menu. Upon entering you see a wall of boardgames or the bar. The back seating area is a little dimly lit but comfortable. We didn't really play any games when we went in, but ordered a few sandwiches which looked really good and weren't half bad taste wise. Would be nice to hang out and chill in too. Parking isn't too bad. They have a few spots at the front beside the brewery. read more

WARNING!!! Do not come here if you're hungry/ in a rush/ or just want to be in and out in 30 or even 40 mins with a coffee and sandwich. We wouldn't have come here if we knew how long it would take. I ordered a black cold brew coffee and it took over 30 mins for me to get. I understand the barista had other drinks to make/ orders to take, but if its something quick like that I feel like that should just be taken care of first. She also just had a could care less attitude. Our food took almost an hour for two basic sandwiches. They were decent, but it should never take that long to make a sandwich & maybe we should have been warned about the wait at the very least. Besides that, we were happy they allowed us to sit there with our pup in the AC while we waited, the ambiance is cozy and casual, & it seems like a fun spot to hangout and play board games but I found it interesting that you had to pay $7 to do so. Definitely wouldn't come back here if we're back in town. read more

Here from out of town and this place is such a gem. It cost $5 to play any games you want for the entire night. They have a wide selection of beer/IPAs. The aesthetic was super cute read more

The Rook & Pawn - Game wall - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

Pretty fun place to have a fun time in small groups. The food looked delicious on our friends plate (we had tea having previously eaten) and the atmosphere is eclectic....the thing here is board games. Read other reviews for prices, but overall it was fun!! We got to benefit from the games having the actual illustrator present with us for one of their games! Awesome coincidence! read more

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Good food. Good drinks, both caffeinated and alcoholic. The people they hire are chill and respectful. It's a sweet spot to park your butt and do whatever. read more

The place is more focused on the environment, not the food. The food isn't that great. The service is okay you just order at the counter. Their coffees are amazing but for lunch or dinner don't recommend. read more

A few months back, I was in Athens to see a show and when my friend didn't show up to my place on time, I just decided to head to Athens solo and wait for them since I was ready to go. After checking into the hotel, the next thing I did was try to find some food to grab because I was starving by 6:30pm. The Rook and Pawn was within walking distance of the hotel, and seemed like a really solid place based on the reviews and the fact that it's a board game bar with affordable food. SOLD! I seriously wish a place like this was within walking distance of me now, because I'd be there allllll the time. I was the only person in there initially, and the wait staff was so charming and nice. They're kind of girls that one gets a straight girl-crush on, because they seem fun and cool, and they play Brand New and early 2000s pop punk. I decided on the cocktail dubbed 'We're Sailors on the Moon.' It included "Michter's Rye Whiskey, Tattersol Cherry Herring, Grand Marnier, Gingerbread orange simple syrup, and lemon, build in a tall glass and lightly stirred. Garnished with cherries. Served in a tall glass." Other drink options during that time that I was debating about (I was there in May) also included: 'You Remind me of the Babe,' 'Mad Moxxie.' I was giggling like a dork just from reading those, and from other people's images it looks like the drinks change up a lot, and occasionally the menu. So onto the food! They serve sandwiches and salads, made with some local ingredients, and a lot of them are under $10 (actually most!). I ended up getting the Monte Cristo, which consists of "ham, turkey, swiss cheese, cheddar, powdered sugar, raspberry habanero jam by Piedmont Provisions," with a side salad, and hung out drinking my slightly too-sweet drink. The sandwich was interesting, a combination of sweet and savory, and I actually really enjoyed it. The whole time, they played pop punk music, and all I could think was that I wished a place like this was near me. PROS: -The food was really good! -A lot of the food is less than $10, so it's both affordable and delicious. -Very cool, chill atmosphere with a nerdy twist. -They serve local beers and local ingredients (my sandwich came with local jam). -The proximity was within walking distance of my hotel, and it was an excellent place to hole up while waiting for my friends to also get into Athens. -You can do all-day board game play for just $5. And they have a literal wall of games to choose from. -If you come Monday-Friday, and order lunch, then games are FREE for your to play. -If you're not in the mood to pay for games and have that all-day commitment, they do actually offer some "light" card games and chess for free, so that's a nice touch. CONS: -The parking lot is verrrry small. By the time my friends came, the place was pretty hopping, and the lot was filled up. I'm not sure if they have an overflow lot, since I ended up parking at the hotel and walking here. -The food selection is pretty limited, so if you're in the food for something heavy you won't find that here. It's what I'd call "light bites" and "shareables," which is enough for me because I don't eat a ton in general. THE VERDICT: I loved the atmosphere of this place, and the close proximity of it to my hotel. It's a very chill spot to grab a bite, drink a local beer, and play a bunch of board games with your friends all day. The $5 all-day cost is per person, however, which was something I was curious about. I don't think that's a bad deal, but if you've decided to treat your friends to both lunch and board games, it's good to know you'd be adding on $5 for each of those friends. They stamp your hand, so you can come and go that day as you please. It's located very centrally in downtown Athens, especially near a few hotels, and I honestly would have loved to come back and play board games if I'd had the time. Next time I'm in the area, I will 100% be coming back for the great atmosphere and delicious, affordable food. read more

Rook & Pawn is such cool experience. I'm a huge board game lover so I absolutely love this place and it's one of my favorite places in Athens. There is something to do for all ages. Their board game wall is incredible. Learning new games can take some time, but it's fun & exciting. For $5, you can play any of their board games for that day. Coffee & beer is served and they are open until late. Local beer such as Creature Comforts is served. Food is also served, but I didn't get to try any. The place is small but comfortable. The decor is very fitting with the board game themes. Great place for small and large groups. It can get crowded during certain times. But overall, I love Rook & Pawn & it's definitely a place to try. read more

The Rook & Pawn - Extra seating in the back - Sandwiches Near Me - Athens, Georgia

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"I don't understand the laughter. The object of "Settlers of Catan" is to build roads and settlements. To do so requires wood. Now I have sheep; I need wood. Who has wood for my sheep?" -- The Big Bang Theory: Season 5 | Episode 13 Let's start by saying one of these needs to open in Atlanta (preferably on the West side near Georgia Tech). We stumbled upon Room & Pawn thanks to a little book in our hotel room. We read about a pub with all the board games and card games you could imagine and we knew we had to go. So after eating (and drinking) our way around downtown Athens, we made our way to R&P. You walk in and are immediately presented with a wall of games, like a library, complete with ladder to reach the high shelves. There is a small bar to pay to play ($5 daily Membership) and to order drinks and food. Then you make your way to the back where there are tables and chairs. There is also tons of decoration for the nerd-set. Even the menu has nerdy references! Pick your game and go grab a set. Play as long as you like and eat and drink. You can't bring your own games in, however. But why would you need to, they have most games. In the couple of hours we were there, we played two different games (Dixit and Codenames) a few times and enjoyed it immensely. We ordered drinks and were able to drink a the table while playing. People around us were playing and eating as well. This is a common courtesy type place - plug the games away as you found them - make sure you don't misplaced any pieces and don't spill anything. Games are marked with green (easy), yellow (medium and takes 45-60 minutes to play, and red (complex) stickers to let you know what you are grabbing. No customers on the ladder, though! Tell the employees what you want from a high shelf and they will get it for you. For those of you who live in the city and may frequent the joint, you can save money by buy a monthly, or even annual pass. And the hardcore folks can buy a lifetime membership. Seriously, when will someone open one of these in Atlanta? read more

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I love love love this place. you get an underground bar type of feel and the atmosphere is amazing. Their workers are also extremely patient and helpful. they recommend games for me and my friends all the time!! They have a bar and cafe as well so get some coffee and drinks and have a blast. 5$ to play all day ! read more

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This is the place I miss the most now that I have moved. I had so much fun playing games here, and this was the place I took my daughter to when she was only 7 and introduced her to Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Patchwork and so much more. We spent a whole day there as it was a teacher work day. Her entrance was free, mine was free with my lunch purchase. Throughout the day, I had different friends come in and play games with us. It was a memory like no other. I wish the food menu was bigger but I know this is not meant to be a big restaurant. I hope they would open something like this in Alpharetta. read more

I've kicked it here a few times in between classes. Good atmosphere, great coffee, and amazing people-watching. I'll occasionally come in for a cafe con leche and a monte Cristo or the avocado realness, and sit back and watch the goings-on of college life. It's a flurry of activity at times, but always a good place to hang out. Definitely better than Starbucks any day. read more

I'm a big fan of board games so I figured I'd go here and check out the scene. Since it was my first time I had a couple of questions and was met with rude, sarcastic responses that undermined me as a customer. Drinks are overpriced and the service is absolutely awful. I don't recommend this place if you're new to the area. You are better off buying a game from somewhere else where at least you'll be treated with common courtesy. read more

Amazing restaurant!!!! Love it!!!! The menu is huge and the sandwiches are sooo good. There's lots of seating and a huge selection of board games. 10/10 time read more

The food here is hit/miss. Do NOT get the pizza, it's slightly bigger than a lunch-able and not as tasty. The vegan Bahn mi was great. No refills on tea. They charge 7 bucks to play the games. All in all over priced and well below average place that would go out of business if it weren't in a college town. read more

So a little explanation: We went to Athfest 2019. After all the times my best friend has told me about this place, all the times she's tried to convince me to drive to Athens so we could go there, all the different games and events she's seen happen there, my heart seriously breaks for her. She felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed she now will never go there again. I'm so disappointed in the staff and I hope the owner hires people that actually want to bring in more business. This is what happened: We go inside so my friend can get a drink during athfest. She's always wanted to go in that bar due to their amount of games and her favorite shop is next door (epiphany). I got a beer outside before we went in and then waited for her inside on the couch while she ordered. I over hear her say "I love this place! I've always wanted to come here! I work nearby... is there anyway you can make a Green Tea shot for us?" After about 5 minutes she comes up to me really upset and says she wants to leave. I immediately get up and go outside with her. She's about to run off when I stop her. She proceeds to tell me about how she saw they had Jameson, Peach Schnapps, and Sour Mix. So she asked them for a Green tea Shot (our favorite drink between the two of us and how we celebrate that we've gotten of the house/Also it's the easiest recipe ever that I've posted below) and this chick proceeds to tell her "um, we don't make that here. This isn't 'Wonder Bar.'" My friend is now outside embarrassed and on the verge of tears. The employee could have said, "I can't make that for you, is there something else I can make?" Or "we don't do shots here, is there another drink that I can serve?" And neither one of us would have been upset because we've been told that before. To go so far as to make her feel horrible for ordering her favorite drink is just sad. I've been a server and she's been a server. There is no excuse to make someone feel that horrible when they come in, complimented your establishment, told you how bad they've always wanted to visit, then order a drink that's easy to make, and made to feel unwelcome there. Recipe for a Green Tea Shot: *1/2 ounce Jameson *1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps *1/2 ounce Sour Mix *afterwards we went across the street to Clocked and even though they didn't know how to make the drink, they still asked how to make it and happily made it for us without making us feel like horrible people. So shout out to them! read more