Rook Room opens Saturday with 700+ board games
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The board games at the Rook Room. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
The Rook Room, a board game café and lounge years in the making, officially opens its doors Saturday — and Axios got an early look during a media preview Wednesday.
Why it matters: It's the only space of its kind in Des Moines, offering more than 700 unique board games to play alongside a full food and drinks menu.
State of play: The new hangout is situated in the former downtown space of St. Kilda restaurant, which closed at that location late last year.
What they're saying: Co-owner Tony Tandeski tells Axios he hopes the Rook Room becomes a neighborhood hub — a place where, like the 1980s TV show "Cheers," "everybody knows your name."
- There will be regular tournaments and game learning sessions, he said.
The intrigue: Game donations are welcome, and many on the shelves are from local players.
🍽️ On the menu: A range of sandwiches and snacks, including an achiote lime chicken sandwich (mozzarella, pico de gallo and lime cream) and spicy pineapple skewers — a nod to Tandeski's favorite fruit.
- Specialty drinks include the Charisma Check (Jameson, pineapple juice, sour, caramel and vanilla) and the RG&T (Revelton mulberry gin, lavender syrup and tonic).
If you go: Regular hours are 8am–midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 8am–10pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
- A $7 PlayPass fee that includes game access and parking is required after 4pm.
- 300 SW Fifth St, DSM.