BoardGamers in Chicago

[Sigfurd]

Hi BGA community,

Me and the wife just moved to Chicago this month. We are still adjusting but we are looking forward to grow our social circle here and from previous experiences I learned that the boardgame community is an awesome place to start because spending quality time together trying to beat each other on a game is really good for friendship
So we are looking for fellow gamers here and also requesting recommendations of places to check some boardgames. We never been to US before and i was amazed that on Target there were a few good games (and some promotions even) but i'm not sure there is the best place to go for BGs.

Any help is appreaciated,
Sigfurd

[ThreeTrees]

Hi, in the Chicago area two of the oldest and most-recommended game stores are:

Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo
5550 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
773.728.3656
https://www.chicagolandgames.com

and

Games Plus
101 West Prospect Ave
Mount Prospect, IL, 60056
(847) 577-9656
https://www.games-plus.com

They are both known for their large selections of games and well-attended game nights. The Dice Dojo is convenient to the Red Line of Chicago's CTA metro. Games Plus is in a northwest suburb, but is near one of the regional light rail lines. Having said that, I usually go to a newish (less than two years old) game store that has a very nice game room, Another Realm Games, in a suburb that borders Chicago and is in fact accessible to the CTA (by bus or metro):

Another Realm Games
4509 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076
847-410-7053
https://www.anotherrealmgames.com

I started a Meetup group and hold my boardgaming events there:
https://www.meetup.com/skokie-strategy-boardgames

(I took a look at the games you are playing on BGA, and they look "lighter" than the games we like to play — "gamers' games" I think they call them on BGA. But you can look at the previous events I have held and see if you would like to try them!)

One way to look for games and gamers is to look through Meetup.com . You will find all sorts of gaming meetups and events beside mine. One group that may be useful is the Chicago Game Lovers:
https://www.meetup.com/chicagogames

which is sort of a group of groups; you can find events hosted by different groups in various places all over the city and suburbs.

Finally, there is a BoardGameGeek.com forum that you can use to ask about local/regional matters:
https://boardgamegeek.com/forum/83
(the United States/Regional/Midwest forum)

[Dennis W]

Welcome to the Windy City!

Just shopped at the Dice Dojo (Cubs game was canceled) a few weeks ago and found so much stuff. (ex: Space4X expansion for $65 that I had watched on Ebay for $100 for months)

As ThreeTrees mentioned - Actual Board Game stores are a world unto themselves. Don't go if you have plans later.....

[Sigfurd]

Thank you Dennis and Three Trees
I've joined the Meet up group and yesterday since we had some free time and its near the train station we went to Snakes and Lattes, it was really awesome. Coming from a small town seeing a place that really devotes to boardgames is awesome. Me and the wife had a really great time.

We are planning on going on a game night to meet more people and also trying some online group meeting here in BGA.

Once again thanks for the help and tips. Looking forward to play with you guys