How big should my starter library be?

Aim for 20–25 titles covering party, gateway strategy, two-player, co-op, and classic pub games; expect £150–£500 to get set up.

How do I stop pieces from going missing?

Label and zip-lock every component, keep a returns trolley for staff to check, and log damages so you can recharge deposits if needed.

Should I charge a cover fee?

Many pubs make it free but require a booking with food; if you charge, keep it under £5 and include a drink/snack voucher.

Do staff need to be gamers?

Not necessarily—give them one-minute teach cards so they can explain basics confidently and escalate deeper questions to a “games captain.”

What KPIs prove the night is working?

Track table bookings vs walk-ins, average dwell time, food attachment rate, and punch-card returns so you can evidence uplift to your area manager.

How big should my starter library be?

Aim for 20–25 titles covering party, gateway strategy, two-player, co-op, and classic pub games; expect £150–£500 to get set up.

How do I stop pieces from going missing?

Label and zip-lock every component, keep a returns trolley for staff to check, and log damages so you can recharge deposits if needed.

Should I charge a cover fee?

Many pubs make it free but require a booking with food; if you charge, keep it under £5 and include a drink/snack voucher.

Do staff need to be gamers?

Not necessarily—give them one-minute teach cards so they can explain basics confidently and escalate deeper questions to a “games captain.”

What KPIs prove the night is working?

Track table bookings vs walk-ins, average dwell time, food attachment rate, and punch-card returns so you can evidence uplift to your area manager.

Board Game Night 101: Formats, Libraries and Teaching That Win

Board game nights turn sleepy Mondays into steady revenue: long dwell times, relaxed rounds of food and drink, no stage tech required. This playbook covers formats, starter libraries, teaching scripts, room layout, marketing, metrics, and safeguarding.

Why Board Game Nights Work

Low cost: once you buy the games, you reuse them weekly.
Inclusive: introverts, families, students, and “dry” guests can all join.
High dwell: most tables stay 2–3 hours, ordering multiple rounds and platters.
Community-building: leagues, ladders, and social media shout-outs keep people coming back.

Pick a Format

Format	Description	Best for
Open library	Guests borrow from your curated shelf	Casual Mondays, drop-ins
Learn-to-play table	Staff teaches one gateway game per week	New gamers, students
Tournament ladder	Structured bracket for 2-player games	Chess/cribbage clubs
Party pit	Fast, loud games (Codenames, Just One)	Work socials, hen/stag warm-ups

Mix formats across the room so regulars can try something new without pressure.

Curate a Starter Library

Aim for 20–25 titles covering different moods. Include classic pub games so older regulars feel at home.

Category	Examples	Notes
Party (10–20 mins)	Codenames, Linkee, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza	4–10 players, loud corners
Gateway strategy (45–60 mins)	Ticket to Ride Europe, Carcassonne, Azul, Splendor	Teach table features these
Two-player staples	Chess, draughts, Jaipur, Patchwork	Reserve quieter tables
Co-operative	Pandemic, Forbidden Island	Good for mixed groups
Pub classics	Shut the Box, cribbage, dominoes, darts ladder	Keep scoreboards handy

Sleeve high-use card games, label every box with player count and approximate duration, and keep a parts-replacement list (meeples, dice, cards).

Teaching Scripts (copy-ready)

Use a simple framework so team members can explain unfamiliar games:

Goal in one sentence: “In Ticket to Ride you’re scoring points by building train routes between cities.”
Turn structure: “On your turn you either draw cards, claim a route, or draw new tickets.”
End condition: “Game ends when someone has two or fewer trains; add route bonuses.”
One gotcha: “Remember, uncompleted tickets lose you points.”
Start playing: “Let’s take two practice turns together.”

Print these cues on A6 cards and keep them with each game.

Space and Flow

Zones: Classic Corner (cribbage/dominoes), Strategy Tables, Party Pit, Quiet Nook.
Signage: “Looking for Players”, “Teach Me”, “Tournament Table”.
Lighting/music: brighter than quiz night, playlists low enough for rule explanations.
Storage: Kallax-style shelving labelled by category; returns trolley for pieces needing cleaning/drying.

Run-of-Show (150 minutes)

Time	Action
18:30	Doors, welcome, punch-card stamping
18:40	Warm-up challenge (e.g., Shut the Box quick-fire)
19:00	Play Block 1 (60 mins)
20:00	Break + table swap invitations
20:10	Play Block 2 (45 mins)
20:55	Leaderboard reveal, prize draw
21:00	Wrap, plug next week’s spotlight game

Community and Retention

Punch cards: play five nights, get a limited enamel pin or free platter.
Leaderboard: highlight teams that completed the most games or achieved “King of Carcassonne”.
Discord/WhatsApp group: share teaches, vote for next spotlight, arrange off-site meetups.
Photo consent system: opt-out stickers/wristbands for anyone who doesn’t want to appear on socials.

Food and Drink Pairings

Table platters: sausage rolls, scotch eggs, pickles (£12). Minimal cutlery so games stay clean.
Low-spill drinks: tankards, cans, stemless wine glasses.
AF focus: flight of 3 x 1/3 pints for designated drivers.
Bundle example: “Meeples & Munchies” — platter + 2 drinks for £25, bookable with a table.

Budget and Kit

Item	Cost range
20-game starter library	£150–£500 (mix of classics + modern titles)
Storage & signage	£80–£200
Replacement parts fund	£20/month
Table coverings + cleaning kit	£40–£80

Encourage guests to donate games in exchange for bar credit, but vet condition and content first.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Provide colour-blind-friendly options (e.g., Catan base pieces with stickers, ticket overlays).
Offer quiet tables away from party pit noise.
Print large-type rule summaries and provide magnifying glasses for text-heavy games.
Keep adaptive scissors or card holders handy for younger players or guests with dexterity challenges.

Marketing Toolkit

Visuals: overhead shots of colourful boards, “hands-in” moments.
Copy-ready caption: “Board Game Night every Monday, 7pm. Library provided, teaches included, solo players welcome. Reserve a seat 👉 [link].”
Cross-promo: tie into Quiz Night 101 (“Prefer tabletop strategy? Join us Mondays”), Music Bingo 101 (“Same crowd, different vibe”).
Community outreach: drop flyers at local game shops, universities, community centres.

Compliance & Housekeeping

Board game nights rarely trigger licensing requirements, but you should still:

Keep walkways clear (fire safety).
Wipe components with baby wipes/sanitiser between sessions.
Log accidents/spills and replenish PPE (gloves, plasters) as part of daily closing.

Metrics to Track

KPI	Target	Notes
Tables booked vs walk-ins	70/30 split	Encourages advance planning without deterring spontaneous players.
Average dwell time	2+ hours	Use booking logs or QR checkout form.
Food attachment rate	50% of tables order platters	Add to till prompts.
Repeat attendance (6 weeks)	60%	Monitor punch-card redemptions.

Post-event, ask: Did we run out of specific games? Which teaches were requested? Should we rotate the spotlight title?

Need backup?

Tap the sticky “Get in Touch” button on orangejelly.co.uk or email peter@orangejelly.co.uk for a curated game pack, staff briefing, or help sourcing branded boards.

Boardgame & Team Night 101: Licensee Guide

Quick Answer