CHRISTMAS STEPS
Bristol's original board game café, at the foot of the Christmas Steps
700+ games, six craft beer lines, proper Clifton Coffee and a kitchen full of comfort food, right in the heart of Bristol's old city.
This is where Chance & Counters began back in 2016: the first dedicated board game café in Bristol, and one of the very first in the UK. A decade on, the founding venue still does exactly what it set out to do, only with a bigger games library (around 850 and counting) and comfier chairs. Sit down, browse the shelves, and let one of our gaming gurus pick something out for you, whether that's a two-minute filler or a weighty Euro to see you through a long Saturday afternoon.
- 850+ board games to play
- Six craft beer & cider lines
- Clifton Coffee espresso
- Comfort food all day
- Dog-friendly
- Walk-ins welcome
In the heart of Bristol's old city
You'll find us right at the bottom of the historic Christmas Steps, a stone's throw from the Bristol Beacon, Park Street and the cathedral, and tucked into the city's Christmas Steps Arts Quarter. Wandering up from Cabot Circus, making an afternoon of the independent shops and galleries nearby, or rounding off a night out on King Street? This is your stop.
We're dog-friendly throughout and the back room is tailor-made for parties, work socials and group hire. Board game café Bristol, done properly, in the city where it all started. Walk-ins are always welcome, but on Friday and Saturday nights we'd absolutely recommend booking ahead.
Everything you need before you come
Opening hours
- Mon–Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri–Sat12:00–00:00
- Sunday12:00–22:00
Gaming admission
Full access to our library of 650+ games. Paid up front when you book.
- Off-peak
Sun 5pm–Fri 5pm£2.50pp / hr - Peak
Fri 5pm–Sun 5pm£3.50pp / hr
Kids aged 14 and under play free off-peak. Peak rates apply to all ages.
The details
20 Christmas Steps,
Bristol, BS1 5BS
Dog-friendly. Wheelchair accessible (ask staff for help with the front door step).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book?
Walk-ins are always welcome, but we get busy on evenings and weekends, so for Friday and Saturday nights, or any larger group, we'd strongly recommend booking a table ahead to avoid disappointment.
Is there a charge to play the games?
Yes, a small gaming admission fee gives you full access to our library of 850+ games. It's £2.50 per person per hour off-peak (Sunday 5pm to Friday 5pm) and £3.50 per person per hour peak (Friday 5pm to Sunday 5pm), and it's free for kids aged 14 and under. You pay this up front when you book.
Are dogs allowed?
Absolutely. We're dog-friendly throughout, so well-behaved four-legged friends are very welcome.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
We do. Our all-day menu includes vegan and gluten-free options. If you've got a specific requirement, just have a word with the team when you arrive and we'll help you find something.
Can you teach us how to play?
That's what our gaming gurus are for. Tell them who you're with and what you fancy, and they'll pick the perfect game and teach you the rules, so you spend less time reading instructions and more time playing.
Where are you, and how do I get there?
We're at 20 Christmas Steps, Bristol, BS1 5BS, in the old city. It's a short walk from Cabot Circus and the Bristol Beacon. The venue is wheelchair accessible, just ask staff for assistance with the front door step.
However you want to play it
Date night
The original icebreaker. Grab a two-player game, a couple of drinks and a table for two, no awkward silences required.
Birthdays & group hire
Our back room is built for a crowd. Bring the gang, we'll sort the games, the food and the drinks.
Work socials
A team day out that isn't another round at the pub. Friendly competition, proper food, zero spreadsheets.
Rainy-day plans
Bristol weather playing up? Duck in off the Christmas Steps and lose a happy few hours to the shelves.