New board game lounge and cafe brings nerdy vibes downtown
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Rook Room co-owners Annelise Tarnowski and Tony Tandeski. Photos: Courtesy of Rook Room
A unique gaming cafe is opening in downtown Des Moines — complete with a coffee bar, creative snacks and "gametenders" to curate board games.
Why it matters: In an increasingly lonely world, Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe aims to be a community "third place" where people can play tabletop games with friends and strangers alike.
State of play: The lounge will open in March at 300 SW Fifth St.
- Co-owners Annelise Tarnowski and Tony Tandeski have run the Rook Room as a pop-up business over the last five years and now their "dream" brick-and-mortar space is becoming a reality.
- "We've been searching the city for the exact right space," Tandeski tells Axios.
Details: They'll utilize parts of the former St. Kilda space, including the "giant espresso" machine, bar and kitchen, while adding their own "nerdy touches," like themed beverages.
- For the food menu, they're consulting with Lachele's to offer "elevated" junk food typically eaten during game nights at home, like homemade "Hot Pockets" and hand-cut fries.
Zoom in: They plan on opening in the mornings for coffee, as well as in the evenings for Dungeons & Dragons groups doing "four-hour gaming sessions."
How it works: People can select among hundreds of board games and puzzles to play.
- Visitors can bring friends or signal a willingness to play with strangers by placing a card on their table.
- "It just helps people with some of that social anxiety, especially coming to the space alone," Tarnowski says.
Plus: Rook Room will regularly hold its own board game events and tournaments and is renovating the basement for private events.
- And non-gamers are welcome to work or just hang out.
The last word: "Hopefully it's a comfortable, inviting atmosphere with just enough nerdy touches to make you feel like you're at home," Tandeski says.
