Pair-A-Dice Games

Very limited selection (nothing close to new releases) with prices that are on par with standard board game retail. When we walked in, the first thing we saw was a large gaming table, around which several guys were sitting and chatting. We got the distinct feeling that we were intruding on a private party. The employee behind the counter didn’t acknowledge us, just kept talking to the guys at the table. Wasn’t impressed by the selection, the service, or the atmosphere.

3.5 out of 5. –1.5 due to small selection in store. But don’t dismiss this place yet!
I know I generally write restaurant reviews, but, let’s face it, I’m a nerd. A huge nerd. And this place fulfills my nerd fantasies.
I use to play D&D with a small group of friends, and we needed a nice central location to meet up at for our first 2 plays (before our friends house was available), we chose P-​A-​D because the name seemed awesome and we had heard they had some tables for gamers.
Our first trip we walked in and found a cozy little shop, not very large, and not a with a big selection like Millennium, but the atmosphere is 100 times better. The owners & employee were actually sitting at a table playing a game themselves and didn’t hesitate to get up and ask if there was anything we needed. We decided to look around before sitting at our own table and told them this.
We noticed their assortment of snacks and decided to grab some drinks & munchies before we began our quest. We then browsed their games, I felt really bad as I noticed how limited their options were, and just how small of a ‘small business’ they were.
While playing our own game their tables laughter put a warm feeling in the air and we enjoyed our day greatly. The second visit went the same way and we decided to make this our permanent hub instead of our friends house.
As our games went on they began asking us what they should stock with for us. They would go buy snacks based on what the players wanted, and occasionally do Wegmans runs. One time I gave them money to bring back a sub. Honestly some of the nicest store owners I’ve met in a long time, who genuinely care about the people shopping there.
They have a stack of free games you can play for free in the back room to check out before buying as well.
Pros :
+Welcoming atmosphere
+FREE games to play there (They have 2 shelves of opened games that you can play without buying to test/​try!)
+LOCATION! It’s in Village gate, which puts it in the same building with multiple restaurants of multiple styles (Sushi, mexican, american)
+Cleanliness
+Excellent staff
Cons :
–MUCH smaller selection than other gaming stores. Probably ¹⁄₁₅^th the size.
In short :
I’d recommend seeing if they have something first by calling ahead and asking, they might not have it, but they might be able to get it. I feel bad rating it so low, but as it is a STORE, and I would like my reviews to stay very reliable, I have to rate it on the selection as well. But if you just need a place to game, this is it for sure.

Even as I begin to write this review I feel bad. I *WANT* this to be a four or five star review. I *SO* want it to be. What life-​long gamer doesn’t want to be able to give every gaming shop a stellar review? But, Pair-​A-​Dice just falls flat. Frankly, the review only gets THREE stars because, if the owners are working, they greet you with a smile and hearty, «Hello.» Additionally, the place is always very clean. If the shop wasn’t so clean and the owners (not necessarily the rest of the limited staff) so friendly… I wouldn’t feel bad about giving it two stars.
During later visits, when the mature Tenders O’ ye Olde Shoppe aren’t around, I’ve stumbled into an RPG taking place in the middle of the store with the person whom I assume is an employee. The need to check out or otherwise assist a non-​pLaying customer has seemed, each time, to put them fairly out. This, generally and quickly, turns me into a non-​paying customer.
Here’s the deal– the place is small and selection is, meh; Boardgames, clix, some interesting selection of oddities, and 40k and outdated DnD materials. Obviously less than [REDACTED] over in Henrietta and [REDACTED]‘s [REDACTED] around the corner or [REDACTED] in Victor, so the friendliness/​cleanliness is appreciated.
With Comics Etc no longer in the Gate, and the toy store moved to the new, even more cramped location, we geeks have fewer reasons to visit this shop, because we have fewer reasons to be in the Gate at all. Heck, even when these places were still attracting me to the Gate I’d only spent a few hundred bucks over the years at Pair-​A-​Dice (on things I could have gotten anywhere else, and in many cases cheaper) to throw a small business a bone. Ultimately, I can’t give four or five stars to a place that gets my business out of pity. I WANT them to succeed, I WANT them to be awesome, but, I also want them to have a greater selection and more drawing me in than a hearty, «Hello» and the HOPES that they have something I want.

Every time I come home, I try to stop at Pair-​A-​Dice. Let’s look at why:
1) They are called Pair-​A-​Dice, and I love a great pun.
2) They are a local gaming store, and deserving of support
3) They have tables set up for actual gaming (I don’t know the games or the schedule, bcs I don’t live in Rochester)
4) They have a decent selection
5) I’ve had good luck with the staff
6) Seriously: Pair-​A-​Dice… like, pair of dice… bcs you game with dice, but… also paradise, bcs the place is so great for gamers! HAR!
7) They have a cooler of drinks and a carny-​style nacho machine. Don’t worry, the drinks consist of more options that just mountain dew ;)
However, it is still quite the tiny store, and the selection is somewhat limited as a result. (they can order for you). I find myself struggling to make a purchase sometimes. Last trip, Joe just ended up grabbing some heroclix. I’ve grabbed a couple board games here and I some Malifaux minis, but like most gaming stores, it’s mostly warhammer and munchkin.
But unless you want to schlep to Henrietta, this is a great place for gaming needs in the city. Besides, it’s a gaming store AND it’s in Village Gate… that’s like being an orphan AND an abandoned puppy. Support your LGS!

Pair-​A-​Dice Games, LLC is Rochester’s most enjoyable location for all your non-​video game, gaming needs. PaD stocks an incredibly diverse selection of games and accessory products. Stop in and check out a ton of different board games, war games, card games and accessories products to support them.
From a gamer perspective it is a pleasure to stick around and play. The community gaming space provided for play is clean, appropriately temperature controlled with access to basic snacks and drinks on site.