Hongdae board game café date with private seats: Hero Board Game Cafe

After dinner in Hongdae, I went to Hero Board Game Cafe Hongdae Branch 1 to find somewhere indoors to spend time together. It was a hot day, but the interior was cool, and the private seating made it easy to enjoy board games.

Is it easy to walk there from Hongik University Station?

The café is on the second floor at 31-10 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It is about a nine-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station, and it felt a similar distance from Hapjeong Station and Sangsu Station. I had dinner near Hongik University Station, then walked over slowly while looking around the streets. There was plenty to see along the way, so it did not feel far.

What is the seating like for a date or group visit?

Every seat was set up privately, so I could play without worrying as much about the people around me. The seats were cushioned and the tables were wide, making it easy to spread out board games. I arrived exhausted from the heat, and the cool interior also helped me cool down.

I could choose between table seating and floor seating, and there were spaces for up to eight people. The floor-table area had a cozy, attic-like feel.

How much were admission and the weekday unlimited pass?

At the time of my visit, standard admission was ₩3,000 per hour, or ₩2,000 per hour for teenagers. The weekday unlimited pass was ₩6,000. Since two hours at the standard rate cost the same as the unlimited pass, the unlimited option was cheaper if you stayed longer than two hours on a weekday.

What board games can you choose from?

There were more than 300 board games available. The selection ranged from familiar games to ones I do not usually see.

There were several varieties of Rummikub, and I could play poker as well. I was happy to see poker again after a long time.

They also had Kkochi-ui Dallin (Master of Skewers), Splendor, Da Vinci Code, and Halli Galli. Even versions of the same game, such as Splendor or Rummikub, varied slightly, and popular games were stocked in multiple copies, so I could play without waiting.

What did I enjoy besides board games?

At the time of my visit, paying the board game café admission fee also gave access to arcade machines, PlayStation, and pool at no additional charge. I tried the pool table myself, and it was nice to enjoy alongside the board games.

For board games that day, I mainly chose thinking games I like, including Splendor and Clue. In Splendor, I enjoyed thinking through which cards to buy with the gem coins. There were many games that required thought, so I felt it would be nice to come with children too.

What drinks and food were available?

I ordered cider, while the people I went with ordered Peach Crush and Jack Coke. Highballs were also sold.

Food options included tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), chicken, and ramyeon. I had eaten enough for dinner before visiting, so I did not order any food and could not check the taste. It was convenient to put my drink in the holder on the table, which made me less worried about spilling it while playing.