We'd been wanting to check out Vigilante for a long time & finally got the chance. After I had a major, successful work event we (me & the boyfriend) decided this would be the place to celebrate. Its location is in a weird spot, one of those mixed properties with apartments/condos and retail space underneath on the first floor (street level). More and more that's the going theme around the country (mixed use spaces). Anyway, do not let that fool you. When you first step inside you're immediately transformed to another world. A landscape of fantasy, steampunk, goth, & industrial interior design await you in this adult gaming room. By adult, I don't mean "adult"; I simply mean that it's a space for grownups to have high-end craft cocktails (or mocktails), beer, and top quality food while playing board games. They have a large library of games to choose from--over 100. Each reservation allows guests two hours at the pub-plenty of time to eat & play. It's a $7 per person game fee & this includes a Game Master who explains the game you're playing. Anyone from the serious game player to the novice player will feel at home here and have a blast. It's really a great vibe. The game we chose was Catch the Moon, sort of a reverse Jenga. For our meal we shared the ribeye & mashed potatoes with chimichurri. The steak was juicy and perfectly cooked. The potatoes were flavorful and fluffy. The sauce packed so much vibrant taste and brought the meal together. Every month they have "special menus". My boyfriend had the Gin of a Killer cocktail (of which I had several sips lol). It was a twist on a Tom Collins with Still Austin Gin, St. Germain (my fave) & more. The service is fab. They do team-style service, meaning you won't have the same server throughout. I've been to places who've done this and it was a sh*t show. Not here! They've nailed it. It was actually fun because we got to come in contact with a variety of folks working there, all with great personalities bringing their own vibe to our event. When first seated, a server comes to the table with water and menus. After that, you push a button each time you need someone (Accio Server). The buttons are located on the sides of the dining tables. So, as I mentioned, whether you're a casual game player or a serious D&D player, this is the place to be. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Update! Still a great place. I've been here with groups of varying sizes and still have to highly highly *highly* recommend getting a reservation. Even during a week day this place can get pretty crowded. On my most recent visit, I showed up with my immediate family and a close friend. There were six of us total. I had made the reservation for five, but they were able to seat us in a spot with an extra chair. We all had a good time, even my dad who is over 80 years old. We just spent our reservation time playing Timeline. The game instructor was really nice and helpful, had no problems answering some obvious questions and repeating things for my dad. So we sat at one of the open tables next to another party. The separation screen next to us was knocked over by someone on the other side. It landed on me and my husband. Thankfully it was only a cup of water that was knocked down. The other person was apologetic, but it took a while to flag a server down to help us clean up the spilled water. We managed to get most of it with a few extra napkins we had, and all the ones I carry in my purse just in case. So this floundering and the fact that the food portions have seemed to have gotten smaller. I took a star off. I still enjoy my time here, and will come back. read more

Went here for a birthday gathering with myself and 6 friends on a Saturday night. I reserved a standard booth for the occasion. Make sure to reserve in advance as this place is very busy and books up! I've wanted to come here before but without a reservation it's hard to get in. The staff were very nice and attentive. And they have a nifty table button for when you need service so you're not waiting for a drink refill forever. The food was very tasty, basically standard pub fare, while their drinks were more inventive. They offered me cookies for my birthday, which were honestly really good. All the food was so good that I forgot to take photos before I ate it all . The only downside was our booth being right by the door and being blasted by the cold every time a new group came in. But that's just because it was one of the rare cold Texas nights. The decor is very cool and they even have a few hidden game rooms for reservation. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Our group of 11 people had such a fun evening. We played about 3 games in about 2 hours. The people who explained the games to us did a pretty good job. The games themselves were very engaging and appealed to most people in our group. The vibe is cool, laid-back and almost nerdy- I love it. The warm mulled spices apple cider drink was particularly nice on a cold Austin evening. The food options were ok, could be better though. I understand that the focus is not on food but on the games. Overall, such a great experience. Highly Recommend. read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - The "call for ordering/help" device - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I love Vigilante so much! Such a unique + creative concept and gorgeous space. The pub food, drinks, and dessert are outstanding. Their chocolate chip brown butter cookies are probably one of the best things I've ever eaten. They boast an impressive selection of board games for various party sizes. Reservations can be made for two hour blocks of time, during which you can play as many games as you like. They have "game masters" who do an amazing job of making rounds and explaining rules of your chosen game, which greatly simplifies game play and allows you to optimize your time. I've been a few times with different sized groups and always had a blast. I believe there's a set charge per person for game play, in addition to food and drinks purchased. However if an entree is purchased, it either waived or discounts the game play fee. Highly recommend for a fun evening out! read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I'm conflicted. We had a 5p reservation and we got there maybe at 4:52p, by the time we were seated and realized there was a HH menu plus we inquired as soon as the server got to us but it had turned 5p on the dot. So the server's reaction to us asking if we made it on time for HH was a cold and hard NO. I mean, I understand but we had never been here before so I just think it could be a pass or maybe allow one drink only. Or just a little more finesse with the no. We had about 3-4 different servers/waiters throughout our 2-hour stay. It didn't feel consistent. I think we were asked who was our server like two, three times plus our food order too. Drinks and food were above average and it went well with the bar food theme. It was dark inside to create a dungeon like ambiance with adequate lighting to be able to play . Lo-fi music in the background for the entire time we were there, with some renaissance style beats here and there but overall, it was nice to have background music without lyrics or popular music that could be distracting. As we were leaving, the place got more and more guests. I really liked the "game menu" layout plus the game masters. Five stars for that. They had an ability to concisely explain the games to us. We played a total of 3 games. The condition of one of the clue/detective games, which appeared to be popular by its wear and tear, was hard to play because you couldn't see some of the critical pictures on it. It probably should be taken out of commission or address the missing images before putting it out in circulation again. I would go back and give it another shot, for sure. I truly love a game night, typically at my house, so I really like the concept this place carries. It's wholesome, you can have a drink and fried pickles plus do an activity. Maybe the experience will be better the next time around. read more

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Looking for a fun experience with delicious food and drink? Then Vigilante is for you! This place is so fun to go for a game night or just for food and drinks. I went and did not play any games since I did not realized it was a gaming bar but saw their game selection and it was amazing. As well, their staff is super nice and attentive, the whole concept of having a button for whenever you need to be helped, is great so you do not have to wave down your server. read more

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This place is so much fun. I love board games, and combining food and games is such a genius idea. I came by on a Friday night with friends, and we had such a fun time playing games and hanging out. It's pretty cheap to play, so this is a great spot if you don't want to commit to buying a ton of games and you want to try out a variety. read more

I was so excited when my friend suggested us to go to Vigilante for a board game night. I have seen so many Instagram reels and wanted to experience it for myself. We came on a Wednesday night and were immediately sat. There was a parking lot as well as a parking garage that they validate parking for. The dark interior and lighting are so intimate, and the board games are stored on beautiful floor to ceiling bookcases. It is $7 for endless play on Wednesdays, and if you order an entree any night, the game night fee is $6. I ordered the Vigilante burger, which comes with the choice of fries, pretzels or a side salad. We played Sh*t Happens, Boop, Isle of Cats, and Azul. We asked for the game master to come teach us how to play the game. There was a little bit of a wait, but the game master was great at explaining the rules and giving us tips. Whenever needed help or wanted to switch games, we pressed the button at our table to turn on the light above our table, alerting the staff we were requesting assistance. All the staff members were so friendly and informative. I would highly recommend this gastropub for a fun date night or friend gathering, and I love how they serve food and drinks! read more

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This is a great place! You can make a 2 hour reservation and pay $6-7 per person to play games ($6 if the person orders food). If the place isn't too busy they won't make you leave at 2 hours, but if it is they'll give you a 30 min warning. They have a great selection of games, attentive game masters to teach you simple games, and a clear categorization system to help you quickly find a game at your difficulty and genre. It's on my bucket list to check out their secret game room that's hidden in the bookcase too! I haven't had the food but my friends and partner say that it's better than Emerald Tavern's food. The tables are tricked out with cup holders and such too! Fun ambience! read more

Let me tell you.. I loved this place. We ran a 4 hour DnD session in their private wizard room. Had 4-5 waiters throughout that brought food and drinks swiftly without interrupting the game too much, as well as provided miniatures and terrain to make it more immersive. Also had a speaker for good dungeon tunes and the food and drinks were fantastic. The chicken felt super fresh and the cocktails were honestly amazing. I had 5 different ones and was never disappointed. I will be coming back at least once per quarter to run a campaign. Love this place! read more

My wife and I have visited Vigilante Bar several times now, and it's become one of our favorite spots in Austin. As relative newcomers to the board game scene, we weren't sure what to expect, but the staff made us feel completely at ease from the start. What really sets this place apart is the expertise of the team. Every game recommendation comes with staff members who genuinely know their stuff. they have rules and strategies memorized and can guide you through gameplay without missing a beat. It's the kind of knowledge that turns intimidating game boxes into something that's really accessible. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance: dim lighting with strategic spotlights creates an intimate, focused vibe. The tables themselves are brilliantly designed with recessed drink holders, so you can relax without worrying about an errant elbow spilling your cocktail onto the game board. The food exceeds typical bar fare, and with full table service and a well-stocked bar, you're never left wanting. Whether you're planning a date night, an evening with a couple of friends, or even a larger gathering -- there's a private room tucked behind a hidden door! I've never heard of this kind of establishment in other cities, this place is so special to Austin. read more

Three years later and we still drive the 3+ hours a few times a year to visit this gamer's paradise! The updated menu is delish and I'm so happy with the rotating game library and game master staff to keep teaching us new games. Please open a DFW location read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Epic Gaming Table - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I've been to Vigilante three times now, and I'm not sure I'll be back. Every visit, they've been out of multiple food items I tried to order, which is frustrating given the prices. The space itself is cute, and I like that they have a big game selection, but the service has consistently been disappointing. I went on Sunday 8/24, and the servers and game master seemed more interested in hanging out with each other than helping guests. When I asked the game master (I think his name was Adam or Aaron) to show us how to play a game, he was really nonchalant and acted like he didn't want to help. We ended up not playing that game at all because of how unhelpful he was, which killed the vibe for the night. On top of that, food took forever even though it wasn't busy, and we waited a long time just to get started. Overall, the lack of attentiveness and poor service made the experience pretty unpleasant, and we ended up leaving early. read more

What an awesome concept! Came here got husbands 34th bday. Part of 5. Rented the table for 2.5 hrs - which was definitely not long enough, I think next time we'll do 3 or 4 hrs! Parking was pretty easy at the parking garage, and vigilante validates parking for up to 4 hours so that's awesome too. The food is kind of like small bites, so we ordered a few things here and there. Tab was actually lower than we thought it be! The alcoholic (or even the virgin cocktails) is where they get you in terms of price. From what I ended up eating, I'd give the food a 3.9/5. We brought our own games but also "checked out" one of theirs. We had such a blast, and definitely see ourselves returning! read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Inside, Friday night. Place was bumpin! - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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What a fun place and concept! We had a nice dinner (burgers and sides, all were great) and we played two games: Timeline and Cabo, which we'd never played before. The staff delivers the game you've chosen off their game menu and also fully explains the game to you. They have an interesting selection of games, most of which I have not heard of before visit f Vigilante. They also have THC infused cocktails-I was intrigued so I tried one and really liked it. A fun night out! read more

What a fun time! Solid food, a great selection of games, and helpful staff. I enjoyed my mushroom burger, and the fries + fried pickles were good too. I sort of wish I got the caesar salad since I felt bogged down the rest of the night from the heavy food. Not their fault though! We played a few really fun games that I hadn't heard of before, and the staff were very helpful when explaining how to play. Great date or hangout spot! read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Mushroom Burger, truffle fries - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Set at the bar Friday night, easy to grab a seat and grab a quick bite to eat. The prices are really fair. I would recommend the Chicken Caesar at $12 its a great deal. The bartenders were quick to serve us and teach us about the 200+ board games they offer to play while you are there. There are a lot of tables as well as bar read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Chicken Cesar and fries - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I hadn't been here since pre-COVID times, but I was glad to see so many of my favorite things still there. The food was good even though I missed the slider options from before. Our server and the game master were both very helpful. It was easy to make a reservation. We had to park in the garage but Vigilante will validate for you. I love the casual ambiance as it contributes to a fun night of gaming with friends. read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Interior of Vigilante - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Big fan of the service and games. For $5 unlimited game play, it's a hell of a good time. The finger foods are good and not too distracting from the game at hand. I'd recommend any of the foods/drinks, but I'd be remiss if I didn't encourage you to check out "awkward guests or coup" Side note: parking garage charges you after 2 hours Cheers! read more

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Great place to hang out! love the food, the people and the games! also love the events!

Such a fun spot to grab drinks and bites, and also play some games you've never heard of! They have plenty of non-alcoholic options, in addition to their tasty cocktails, which was nice. The game masters are impressive with their knowledge and ability to explain such complex games to novice players like myself. My friends and I had so much fun playing different games while nibbling on some of their appetizers. read more

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A great place to spend an evening with friends. Large selection of games, great food and a very helpful staff.

This place exceeded my expectations! I thought the dark atmosphere would kill the vibes if I wasn't playing dungeons and dragons but I was gladly mistaken. We played fun casual games with mocktails in hand and it was perfect. I forgot to take pictures of the food but it was better than just expected. Nothing 5 star but definitely creative and not your average bar food. Everything on the menu has a fun name and is made with a twist! We ordered - "never let you gyoza" 9/10 wanted to order more' "hummucide" (5/10) nothing special but refreshing "brussel crow" (4/10) spicy and overdressed but has potential "spot the pretz" (5/10) not the average softness of pretzel but cheese was good "grilled cheese incident" (7/10) nice spin on a classic "hen and teller" (8/10) hit the spot "chocolate chip cookies" I mean you can't go wrong with this As for the service - they were so attentive and friendly! The tables are really thought out- with service buttons and extensions built on to hold you drinks and phones so you don't clutter the table & have space for the games! Along with the food coming spaced out and on small dishes to minimize the clutter too! Well done Vigilante! Seamless!! read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Bird of Paradise - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

It is dumb how cool this place is... you're not missing out if you hate amazing things. But great place to enjoy good company, uniquely wonderful service and incredible cuisine. 10 out of 5! Cocktails slap too. read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Sailor Moon (top), Jelly Jubilee (bottom). - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Very fun, great food and knowledgeable staff. The entire set up was great as well. We'll definitely be back.

Vigilante is a great place to nerd out with friends or family. The exterior of the establishment makes it blend right in with other shops in the area, but the interior is reminiscent of an old time tavern complete with wooden tables and lanterns to accompany them. I ordered a burger and seasoned fries that hit the spot. When you're seated the employees bring you a food menu and an entertainment menu with card/board games for groups of all sizes. You pick the game and food and they bring them out to you at the table. My crew ordered games we had never heard of from the menu and had a great time, and there were many tables who were there to play D&D and had their own set. At the bar there were a couple of people playing Super Smash Bros on Nintendo Switch. I felt right at home as I could tell this place is a safe space for gamers of any type. Drinks were about $5-$10 depending on your order, they have specialty themed cocktails, craft beer, and your normal drink choices. Food was about the same, the entrees were about $10-$15 and they offered enough variety that everyone should be able to find a bite they really enjoy. read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is a hidden gem of Austin! If you love boardgames and a unique ambiance, please visit this place. Not only do they have strong, yummy cocktails, but also some pretty decent food and desserts! The staff is friendly and the prices are fair in this crazy Austin market! Perfect place for a first date or to catch up with your nerdy besties. Will come back again and again. read more

I love this place. I came here for my birthday and my group and I had a great time. The concept is great where you get a separate menu for all the games present, as well as a regular menu for drinks and food (which are quite affordable). Be sure to get a reservation ahead of time because when we went in it was crazy busy. I honestly recommend and really want to go back soon. read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Falafel bites - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place is fantastic. The gaming is clearly a major appeal for their customers, but let me tell you, the food is no afterthought. The burgers were very, very good. The Brussel Crowe (everything has a cutesy name) was among the tastiest brussel sprouts I have had lately and the Jason Samosas were also delicious. A great drink selection and the variety of games they have is impressive. The service was excellent. read more

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Ambiance of Vigilante is fantastic and that's why we chose to catch up with friends there. Being avid board gamers we brought our own games. We all ordered entrees and drinks. Food and drinks are pretty mid. Their sandwiches and burgers are small for the price. Then the $5 per person fee hit us with the bill (usually $7 but with entree $6 and because we brought our own games down to $5). If it's cheaper for me to take my own game to a brewery where there's better food, I'm not sure why I would ever come back to Vigilante since the ambiance isn't worth the extra money to just sit inside the establishment. Service and waitstaff are great and I'm sure helpful if you need a game. read more

I love this place! Great game selections, nice handy dandy tools to help with gaming (card holders, cup holders off table etc), impeccable vibes. Fantastic for duos or groups of all sizes. The fries SLAP. I wasn't expecting the food to be so good, but it was good. Some minor gripes is that it can take a while for game masters to come and explain the game if they're backed up but we make do. read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I'm updating my review to highlight some new menu items they're testing - the fried green beans (awesome) and the onion rings (slightly better than your average bar onion rings). Great additions! They're $5 each at the time of writing. read more

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If you're looking to grab some drinks, food, play board games, and hangout with your friends, this is a great spot for all that. Service: everyone working there is super friendly and on top of the service game. They do have a game expert that can show you how to play any board game or answer any questions you may have about a game. Games: They have a large collection of games you can pick from. It costs $5 per person or if you go the first or fourth Tuesday of the month, games are free. Drinks: drinks are pretty good. They don't have a huge selection tho. Food: quality of the food is great and everything tastes pretty good. My only con with the food is the price. Everything is a bit overpriced for the amount that you get. The shareables are too small to share and even the entrees aren't big enough. When you look at the menu, just think of it as finger food or a light snack. Overall great experience. read more

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I've come a few times with groups of friends and it's always so much fun! Food and drinks are always great and staff is always friendly. I've only gone with a reservation made ahead of time and there's never been an issue getting seated. read more

Their food is always fantastic, and the play on words with the menu items never fails to bring me joy. I recommend the Thai Fighter (the fried chicken sandwich) it's absolutely delicious. It's such a fun way to try new board games you've never played before, this isn't just Monopoly or Sorry, it's way more than that. If you can name it, they probably have it. We always bring friends who have never been to Austin here, and it's the perfect spot for either a competitive night or something more relaxed together. read more

Super fun place to hit up with friends! Love the theme and the vibe of the place. Lots of games to choose from! I would highly recommend reserving the Wizard room if you have a larger group. It's bigger behind a bookcase which is so fun. Plus it's so much quieter inside as it gets pretty loud outside. I ordered the Brussels Crow. They were really salty, wouldn't get again. Great place to check out though! read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Brussels Crow - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Service was spot on and almost magically efficient. Our drinks and meals were delicious. And finally, another amazing and imaginative D&D experience with our DM Tyler. Even with a large group of seven of new and experienced players, he managed to keep the game constantly exciting for everyone. We'll definitely be returning! read more

A very fun experience. There are over 200 games you can choose and they will teach you anything. We were introduced to 2 which looked fairly easy based and the drawings on the box, but we're quite strategic in nature. One was called "boop" and the other was called, " battle sheep". -our server, Kenzie introduced both, and we were taught by our game master. I can't remember his name, but he was very passionate about the games, explained them patiently and had the coolest pair of hexagonal glasses!! The food was also pretty good. Lots of tasty little sandwiches and nibbles. They come out hot and taste fantastic. We tried four different cocktails and by the way, each of those were great too. We will definitely be back. Super fun experience and the staff is very friendly. read more

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Moving up to 5 stars. We had amazing service yesterday with Taelor and will 10000% be back. Best thing on the menu so far is the Thai fighter, but I am working my way through it all and will report back ;) read more

Vigilante Gaming Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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