Emerald Tavern Games & Cafe

Jasmine is super nice and awesome .
I love this place ! The hummingbird water is good. Nice games. I recommend this place to everyone !

I’m so happy my friend took me to this place! There’s no time limit here, so we easily spent 3 hours here trying out various board games. If you like the game you tried, you can easily purchase it here! The prices for their games were on-​par with Amazon (maybe $ 1 – 2 more) so it’s not terrible and you support a local business!
To borrow their games, you have to purchase a food/​drink. I got a glass of mead and one chocolate chip cookie. Their cookie was soft, chewy, and filled with chocolate goodness. It definitely tasted fresh, and I would get it again!
The only downside is that the place is a bit small which makes it hard to find a table at times.

This is a really cool hidden spot! I stopped by here to kill some time before work. I grabbed myself a panini and a coffee. I’m kinda bummed I don’t live closer! They have beer, coffee, sandwiches, and a large room perfect for tabletop games and the like. They also have a few shelves of tabletop games to purchase. Go have a beer and play some games!

First time here, and we were overwhelmed with a world of games we knew nothing about. But Craig walked us through all the types of games and even walked us through playing our first game. He patiently helped us and answered all our questions and kept checking on us. If it weren’t for him we probably would have left flustered but now we will be back… Regularly… With friends.
Everyone else that worked there was polite and cool and the menu is on point! We loved our coffees, fresh warm cookie and grilled cheese!
We left buying a new game and headed home to play!

I love Emerald Tavern and my sister and my husband frequent it. My cousin comes from out of town to go with us sometimes as he loves being able to drink beer and play games. The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because they started reserving tables for big groups and then not letting the other tables be moved together. I love this place but they really need to expand, I hate marking them down a star for a reason they can’t do much about, but it can truly distract from the experience when you can’t get a table, and you try to wait.

An out of town friend recommended this place and neither my fiancée or I had visited. Its definitely is a unique and welcomed spot in Austin, especially since it seems the hipster locations seem to be the newest rage.
My fiancée and his friend are nerds. Grew up on dungeons and dragons, so this place was amazing for them. In the front of the store there are all sorts of games and memorabilia for sale. Towards the middle/​back, there are communal tables and a nice selection of board games to borrow. It was pretty cool to see everyone hanging out with their friends and games wrapped up in what they were doing. If you like D&D, that’s great but people were playing othello and chess there too.
The food leaves a little bit to be desired but that’s not the reason you come here. They have a nice selection of beer and other adult beverages, including a coffee bar. I’d definitely come again but would recommend with a group. Many of the games to borrow required 4+ players so that limited us to how many games we could select.

Good drinks, friendly atmosphere, and the game library wall. Need I say more. Buy a drink and play board and card games as long as you like. The beers on tap are all great quality with vatious ales and bottles of cider to choose from as well. My favorite on tap is the Paulaner Hefeweissen. A place the alcohol enthusiast and nerd in me can agree on.

Order, sip beer, eat, and stand around with a handful of dishes like an awkward creeper as you wait for the impossibility of table to open up.
This place on paper is the absolute greatest thing on earth! A café/​beer garden that’s also table top gamer hang out… AND a freaking game store?! What’s not to adore about this concept? Well the problem lies with the execution. The tavern is the size of a small restaurant with half the space being utilized for board game shelves arranged in isles… In a perfect world It can seat 25 – 29 people at the most with every table fully seated. Usually you will have a table for 4 occupied by a party of 2 so the average number is closer to 12 – 18 people seated comfortably. Now couple that with a great original concept in a city full of people looking for something different to do with their night. The result; standing around like a confused elderly person waiting for a space to open up in a hang out designed for loitering for long periods of time. Pro-​tip: check to make sure a table is available before you order. The order counter is at the front and the majority of the tables are hidden behind the game shelves, so it’s an easy trap to fall into where you order first before you find a seat. It’s a mistake I will never make again. I had to stand there and hold plates like a jackass in the isles until I got tired of waiting for a table to open up. I had to send my food and coffee back because I couldn’t eat it. This place would be an epic hangout… But it’s way too small to handle being both a game store and restaurant. If it’s peak time prepare to wait. Oh and one more thing of note… On any given night tables are reserved for various game groups thus slimming your chances of finding a seat even further. Sigh.

This is the most difficult review I’ve ever had to write; why? Because I love this place. On a normal night it would receive 4 or 5 stars. So how can I justify a two star rating?
Well, I’ve been a regular here for over a year. Every Tuesday, I and 4 to 12 friends come here, eat, drink, but games, and revel in good company with a welcoming atmosphere. I have spent several hundred dollars here, and my group has easily spent thousands. In addition to this, I know every member of the staff by name. They are wonderful, and I recommend high tips when you do come. The staff usually makes up for a somewhat simple menu.
The problem is with the management. Apparently, it is okay to let a group reserve EVERY table in the joint. I arrived at 4:30 pm to no other guests, but ever table was reserved with the exception of one 4 top. At this point I should mention that emerald tavern has four groups of regulars that show up every Tuesday. EVERY Tuesday. So I thought I would ask the person who reserved all of the tables if we could have one of the six tops. It might be cramped, but we’re flexible, and would happily pull up chairs. He said, «no.» How easy would it have been for him to give up two seats out of more than forty so that my group could enjoy the night?
The important message to take away us that management will screw the garunteed money of it’s regulars, for the potential money of new blood.
I was going to buy 2 games tonight, too…

We never expected to find such a great place to bring a game and have food and drinks! Table space can be limited if you get there late and a couple of them are 4 person tables. The coffee’s and sandwiches are great and they have a whole wall of games you can play. Great nerdy boardgame haven.

My husband and I are regulars here. Aside from my weekly board game meet up every Tuesday, my husband and I go every other week or so to try new games. The staff (Craig and Jasmine especially!) are very nice and extremely helpful.
The food is alright. Nothing too crazy but I do quite like their in house baked chocolate chip cookies. Their coffee is also always on point. Never had a bad latte there.

Fantastic place to play games. Great Coffee, booze, food, food. Friendly staff.
Came here many a time.
Only downside– the games for the mainstream crowd are a little lacking– give me some chess, checkers, monopoly (or maybe those were always occupied when I was there?)
Worth a visit for sure!

A place for young and old game lovers! A variety of games can be found on the back wall to use for free. I would highly recommend grabbing one of their drinks at the front of the store while you’re battling your friends away. They have alcoholic and non-​alcoholic drinks which are comparable to Starbucks prices. I think one of the best things about this place is the temperature. The temperature is never to hot or too cold in this place! Temperature may be one of the last things one would consider when playing a game, but hey, it sure does help when you’re battling for wheat as one of the settlers of Catan.
Drinks: I would recommend getting the organic English breakfast tea with soy!

When I think of «board games,» I think of chess or checkers and not D&G… So take or leave this review as you wish.
I suggested this place for a date because I thought it would be an awesome way to break the ice over some light board games. Little did I know that this is not just your casual Wednesday Family Night board games… This is nerd level 11 out of 10 board games. After not finding neither checkers nor chess, we actually ended up having a ton of fun over Scrabble (me more so than the date since I won… Mwahahaha #competitive).
Note: the beers come in cute tiny goblets, not full-​sized mugs/​glasses that inhabitants of the Middle Earth are accustomed to…

Looking for a rowdy night on the town filled with mead, deception, good company while still keeping it fairly low key? Meet me at Emerald Tavern!
I’ve popped in here a few times. The first time just for a coffee with a friend but the second time I popped in with a group of 8 for all kinds of trouble. We got there early and snagged 2 tables side by side. If you have a large group and require two tables, bear in mind that they require you fill out the tables. If we had had 7 people, we would have had to give up one of the tables and crowd around one smaller one. So come in groups of 4, 6, or 8 unless you like to crowd around a smaller table.
Large selection of games for purchase or to play for free. A whole wall of in house games! Most people are fairly quiet as they play but there are the occasional tables that are playing a game that involves a bit more enthusiasm (Cards Against Humanity, for example). Overall, it’s a great environment for however player you are.
I haven’t tried any food, but I have tried drinks! Their Chai Latte isn’t too bad. Haven’t tried the espresso yet because Miss Kaylee behind the counter tempted me with a special wine smoothie and then one of their menu items: the Beesting. Half cidar, half mead. SO GOOD. SOOOOOGOOOOODDDD.
Come early and nab a table. They go fast and most tables don’t leave quickly.

My fiancé and I love emerald tavern. They are a fun place to hang out with friends and try new board games. Their selection of demo games is superb as well as their menu. They have a good offering of beers and coffees, as well as decent bites for those longer gaming sessions. Their game store is well stocked too. We try to buy here whenever possible to support this great place.
My one warning: space is limited and they will not hold a table for groups. We always call ahead to get an idea of the table situation and have never had a problem.
They will hold games if you call ahead.

This is probably my new hang out place. Awesome game selection. The game prices are pretty much the same I’ve seen anywhere else. They have a nice selection of drinks and you can play games while you relax. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Great atmosphere over all. If you are someone that loves boards games and coffee or beer this is a place to frequent. I can’t believe I’ve been in this shopping center so many times and never noticed this gem.

Update: Food options are now readily available for purchase and they are making their food in-​house. The menu is mostly limited to basic sandwiches (served cold or panini style, with a pickle slice but sans chips), and are pricey for a sandwich you could easily make at home. Their pretzels are inexpensive, but inedible.
Emerald Tavern is a good venue for enjoying board gaming and beverages. They offer smoothies, several beers on tap and a decent selection of coffee drinks. The vibe is laid back and friendly.

I am very new to this concept of being able to drink alcohol, eat yummy food, and play a variety of awesome board games — but I love it!
In exchange for buying something at the café or a game from the store, you can play whatever game is available on the shelf in the back (or if you bring your own) and you can put a flag at your table if you desire for others to join you. It’s a great way to possibly meet new people or kick it with a group of friends. We came here to try out Carcassonne and decide if it was worth buying. We had a wonderful time sipping on cider and beer and figuring out how to play the game with our friends.
The staff is really friendly and helpful. They also make some delicious paninis! They have a good selection of drinks, coffee, and desserts. The atmosphere was very lively and I love the music playing in the background — lots of HP soundtrack songs and other mystical tunes that helps transport you to whatever magical game world you are currently experiencing.
I definitely recommend this place to anyone who enjoys playing games. You won’t be disappointed!

Imagine a place where you can meet with a group of friends, play your favorite games, drink beer, eat snacks, and NOT have to bring your own games or spend $$$ buying your own boardgames?!
This is your new favorite place. You can play any of their multiple games they have available to play and enjoy their delicious beer on tap. They even have created a system for you to find single players for your games that would be «more fun with 5 when you only have 4». You place a flag on your table so people know to join you!
Their menu is very good too! They don’t offer too much, but what they do offer is delicious. Tip: Their chicken salad sandwich; get it toasted! So yummy during your game. Their smoothies are raved about too. A full coffee bar is also included in the store.
Overall: Good food, good drinks (be it alcohol or otherwise), and BOARDGAMES! Who could ask for more?