Snakes and Lattes Chicago is a board game café located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, offering a large library of games, food, and drinks for a per-person cover charge. It is part of the Canadian-born Snakes and Lattes chain, which opened its first U.S. location in Chicago in 2018. The café operates as a casual venue where guests pay an entry fee to play any of the hundreds of board games on shelves while ordering from a full café menu.
What Is Snakes and Lattes?
Snakes and Lattes is a board game café concept that started in Toronto, Canada, in 2010. The founders wanted a space where people could gather to play games without the pressure of buying them or the time limit of a typical restaurant. The Chicago location, at 2311 N. Clark Street, follows the same model: a large open room filled with shelves of games, long tables, and a kitchen serving coffee, tea, beer, wine, and food like sandwiches, flatbreads, and nachos.
The name is a playful reference to the game Snakes and Ladders, but the café stocks far more than that classic. The library includes party games, strategy games, cooperative games, and two-player games, with titles ranging from Catan and Ticket to Ride to newer releases like Wingspan and Gloomhaven. The staff, called “game gurus,” are trained to recommend games based on group size, experience level, and how long you want to play.
How the Café Works
When you arrive, you pay a cover charge per person, which grants unlimited access to the game library for your entire stay. In Chicago, the cover is typically around $10–$12 per person on weekends and slightly less on weekdays, though prices can change. Children under a certain age (usually 5 or under) are often free. There is no time limit, so you can stay for an hour or an entire afternoon.
After paying, you are seated at a table and can browse the game shelves yourself or ask a game guru for a suggestion. Once you pick a game, you bring it to your table. The staff will explain the rules if needed, and they often check in to see if you want a different game. Food and drinks are ordered separately from the table, and there is no minimum purchase required—you can come just for the games and a coffee.
Choosing a Game to Play
With hundreds of options, picking a game can feel overwhelming. The game gurus are the best resource, but you can also narrow it down yourself by considering a few factors:
- Group size: Some games are designed for exactly two players, while others work best with five or more. Check the box for player count before you commit.
- Time available: A game like Monopoly can take hours, while Love Letter takes about 15 minutes. If you are on a lunch break, ask for a short game.
- Experience level: If your group rarely plays games, start with a party game like Telestrations or Just One. For experienced players, strategy games like Terraforming Mars offer more depth.
- Mood: Do you want to laugh, compete, or work together? Cooperative games like Pandemic let the whole group play against the game itself.
If you are unsure, the game gurus can suggest a “gateway” game that is easy to learn but still fun, such as Azul or Kingdomino. These are popular choices for first-time visitors because they take under an hour and have simple rules.
Food, Drink, and Pricing
The menu at the Chicago location includes standard café fare: coffee drinks, teas, sodas, beer, and wine, plus food like burgers, salads, mac and cheese, and desserts. Prices are typical for a sit-down café in Chicago, with entrees in the $10–$15 range and drinks around $3–$8. The cover charge is separate from the food bill, so a visit for two people with drinks and a shared appetizer could easily cost $40–$50 total.
One thing to note: the café does not charge for game rentals on top of the cover. Once you pay, you can play as many games as you like. There is also a retail section where you can buy games to take home, often the same titles you just played. This is a good way to test a game before purchasing it.
Common Issues and Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that Snakes and Lattes is a children’s place. While kids are welcome, the majority of the crowd is adults, and many games are complex strategy titles that require reading and patience. The café does host family-friendly events, but it is not a daycare or a play space.
Another common issue is table availability. The café can get very busy on weekend evenings and during bad weather, and there is no reservation system for walk-ins. You may wait for a table, especially with a large group. Weekday afternoons and weekday evenings are generally quieter. Also, the cover charge is per person and is required even if you only want to watch others play—everyone seated at a table pays.
Some visitors are surprised that the game library is not organized alphabetically. Games are grouped by type (party, strategy, family, etc.) and then by popularity, so browsing can take time. If you are looking for a specific title, ask a staff member rather than searching the shelves yourself.
Comparing to Other Game Cafés in Chicago
Snakes and Lattes is not the only board game café in Chicago, but it is the largest and most established. Other options include The Chicago Board Game Cafe in Logan Square, which has a smaller library but a more neighborhood feel, and Dice Dojo, a game store in Edgewater that hosts free game nights but does not serve food. There is also Bonus Round Game Cafe in the West Loop, which focuses on retro video games and board games with a bar menu.
What sets Snakes and Lattes apart is the combination of a full kitchen, a large game library, and trained staff. The cover charge is higher than some competitors, but the unlimited play time and the ability to try many games in one visit can make it worth the cost. If you are on a budget, Dice Dojo’s free game nights are a good alternative, but you will need to bring your own snacks.
Safety and Etiquette
The café has standard health and safety practices for food service, but there are a few game-specific rules to know. You must handle the games carefully, and if you lose a piece, you are expected to tell the staff so they can replace it. Spilled drinks on a game are a real risk, so the café provides drink coasters and asks that you keep cups away from the board. There is no charge for minor wear, but intentionally damaging a game could result in a replacement fee.
Etiquette-wise, it is polite to return a game to its designated shelf when you are done, though the staff will also collect games from tables. If you leave a game mid-play, you can leave it on the table with a note saying you are coming back, but be aware that staff may clear it if they think you have left. The café is wheelchair accessible, and the staff is trained to accommodate guests with disabilities, though the game shelves are high and may require assistance to reach the top rows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation to visit Snakes and Lattes Chicago?
No, reservations are not accepted for regular seating. The café operates on a first-come, first-served basis. For large groups (8 or more), you can call ahead to ask about private event space, but standard tables are walk-in only.
Is there an age limit or minimum age to enter?
No, all ages are welcome. Children under a certain age (typically 5 and under) are free, but everyone must pay the cover charge. The game library includes many family-friendly options, but there are also games with mature themes, so parents should check the box before handing a game to a child.
Can I bring my own board game to play?
Yes, you can bring your own game, but you will still pay the cover charge. The café’s library is extensive, so most visitors do not need to bring anything, but bringing a favorite game is allowed as long as it does not interfere with other guests.
How long can I stay?
There is no time limit. You pay the cover once and can stay from opening to closing if you like. Many visitors stay for 2–3 hours, but longer stays are common on weekends. The only limitation is table availability—if the café is full and people are waiting, you may be asked to wrap up after a reasonable time, though this is rare.
Is the cover charge worth it for a short visit?
If you only plan to stay for 30 minutes, the cover may not feel worth it. But for most visits, which last at least an hour, the unlimited game access and the ability to try multiple games make it a good value compared to buying a single game. The food and drink prices are also reasonable, so you can keep the total cost moderate.
Does the café host events or tournaments?
Yes, Snakes and Lattes Chicago regularly hosts themed nights, trivia, and game tournaments. These events are often announced on their social media pages. Some events have a separate entry fee or require a team sign-up, so check the details before attending.
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