Welcome to Bard and Baker Board Game Cafe
Bard and Baker Board Game Cafe combines the thrill of gaming with a delightful dining experience in Troy, NY. As a unique café destination, it offers a vast selection of board games to play while enjoying a menu filled with delicious comfort foods. Highlights include the crispy BBQ Bacon BLT and vegan treats that cater to diverse dietary needs, including the mouthwatering Vegan Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cake Bread. The inviting atmosphere, friendly staff, and creative drink offerings foster an engaging vibe for both casual hangouts and date nights. Whether you're gaming or just enjoying a meal, Bard and Baker promises a memorable experience.
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501 Broadway, Troy, NY 12180 Hotline: (518) 948-6693
Welcome to the whimsical world of Bard and Baker Board Game Cafe, a delightful haven nestled in the heart of Troy, NY. Located at 501 Broadway, this charming cafe seamlessly blends the joy of culinary exploration with the excitement of strategic and casual board gaming. With a diverse menu that caters to every palate and a vast library of games waiting to be played, it's a perfect spot for families, friends, and couples alike.
As you step inside, you're greeted by a warm ambiance that invites relaxation and friendly competition. The cafe thrives on its unique concept, encouraging patrons to indulge in gourmet food while engaging in hours of engaging gameplay. According to customer feedback, guests have found Bard and Baker to be not just a cafe but an experience that stirs laughter and camaraderie around the gaming table.
Food Highlights
- BIG Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie - A house-made delight that promises to satisfy your sweet cravings for just $5.00.
- The Babadook Burrito - A filling combination of mozzarella sticks, pulled chicken, and bacon, all smothered in sundried tomato sauce for only $13.50.
- BBQ Bacon Mac House - Indulge in four-cheese mac and cheese topped with crispy bacon and a garlic ranch Cheez-It crust for $13.00.
- Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Cake Bread - A heavenly slice for just $5.00, perfect for those who prefer plant-based treats.
- Hot Halloweentown Beverage - A seasonal chai-spiced pumpkin drink that’s sure to warm you up as the weather turns crisp, priced at $5.00.
The culinary offerings have received rave reviews, with one patron, Liza H., noting, "Food was amazing.... Great concept.... My bagel was delicious and beautifully presented." Similarly, Emily B. echoed the sentiment, praising the freshness and appeal of the menu items. For those who believe that a delightful meal enhances the gaming experience, Bard and Baker does not disappoint.
Drinks and Atmosphere
The drink selection is equally impressive, with options ranging from unique bubble teas to artisanal coffees infused with house-made syrups. Players have commented on the exceptional boba, made with love and vegan-friendly ingredients, which has become a highlight of the menu.
As you enjoy the enticing food and drink, the lively atmosphere buzzes with laughter and strategic plotting, with tables filled with friends and families engaging in their favorite games. There’s a magic in the air as you roll the dice, flip the cards, and partake in competitive friendly banter.
A Place for Everyone
Bard and Baker Board Game Cafe has carved a niche not only as a place to play games but also as a welcoming community hub. Customer Sarah M. emphasized the importance of making reservations, as the cafe often draws a crowd, reflecting its popularity in the Capital District.
Whether you’re a board game aficionado or simply seeking a delicious bite with friends, Bard and Baker awaits with open doors and a warm spirit. So gather your favorite gaming buddies and prepare for a memorable outing where food, fun, and friendship collide!
Food was amazing .... Great concept ... we had a great morning .. we will be back . My bagel was delicious and beautifully presented
So good!! Packaged so cutely and beautifully! They tasted so fresh and delicious :) I would definitely go back!
My girlfriend and I absolutely love coming to this place! It's a perfect date night/day/whenever. We come and play board games for hours while having margs. What a vibe this place allows us to have! I will say I'm always so focused on kickin my gfs butt in games that I forgot to get adventurous with the food and baked goods. Love the drinks. The food I've had so far has been pretty decent but can't wait to try more.
We spent a delightful afternoon here. After visiting a board game cafe in another city we looked for one while in Albany and were not at all disappointed! There were plenty of games, though we do think there could be a few more to round out the selection, particularly for 2 person strategy games. We made a reservation and are glad we did because all the tables were taken. We enjoyed the hot beverage selection and found the staff friendly. Great place to spend several hours!
I haven't had any of the food here yet but tons of drinks, their boba and tea selection is incredible! Boba and jelly are all homemade and vegan and exceptional. Always stop by for a drink when in Troy.
They food is so unexpectedly delicious and perfectly tuned to the game atmosphere it all looked so good a definitely over ordered. Had the phoenix chicken sandwich and a pepperoni pizza bagel. I'm drooling just thinking of both. Decent assortment of adult beverages, mostly a bit off the normal radar but if you know you like sweet and fruity give something new a whirl. Really fun games as well. Many I be er heard of but thoroughly enjoyed. After some of the adult beverages you may be way overly excited to find a Kenny g board game. Not kidding.
Loved this place! Great example of a board game cafe. Their selection is huge and varied. Their staff are kind. Their food is delicious, and so are their cocktails! They also have the best boba I've had in the Troy area. The fam had a wonderful time playing Horrified. We played it twice and the place never felt too crowded and we didn't feel rushed at all. They have a great system for reservations and it was a ton of fun! Highly recommend to anyone in the Capital District (or just passing through). The only complaint I have is that I wish it was around earlier so I could've spent many long days here while at RPI
I've been waiting to bring my husband here for a date night/afternoon. He's an avid board game enthusiast and despite his reservations I thought it would be a fun opportunity to get out of the house and do something together around a theme we could both enjoy. While he parked the car I went in and paid our cover charge to use their game library and then grabbed a table. Depending on the time of day finding a table can be challenging and since there is no set limit on game play who knows when one will become available. I was really glad we didn't have to wait. I had heard good things about the menu but we came from a late breakfast elsewhere so we only ordered drinks and a snack. The bubble tea was good but the portion if you order in house is small for the price. They can ice any tea if you have time to wait but I suggest getting the order to go and opting for the larger size. From what I could tell it was one price but only the to go option offered a larger cup. The boba I'm guessing was sweetened with brown sugar or something other than simple white sugar because they had a slight flavor which I haven't experienced other places when ordering boba. The gummy worms we ordered came in a large bowl for $4 and were probably enough for 4 people. They were soft and looked like they were portioned in plastic tubs behind the counter. Their library is extensive and a bit daunting if you don't know what you're doing but the staff will help if you ask. It also gets quite loud which can make it difficult to hear your fellow gamers. A large group sat behind us about half way through and it was really difficult to hear each other across the table. Luckily we were playing a lighter game at that point and leaving soon. I had a fun time and if I wanted to try new games before purchasing them for my library I would considering this one way to try them out. If you check their website they have different events through out the week and month.