Hundreds of board games, locally sourced coffee and craft beer, cocktails, delicious food and exciting events. We can't wait to welcome you.
by Twist Board Game Cafe Bar in Plymouth, England, United Kingdom
£8,000 = initial library increased from 300 to 400 games
£9,000 = install our own beer tap, not owned by a brewery, so we can bring you rotating guest beers
£10,000 = an extra games session token for EVERY BACKER
£11,000 = a complimentary drink for EVERY BACKER
Hi, I'm Hayley, and welcome to the crowdfunding campaign for Twist - Plymouth's first board game cafe. We've got a target of £6,000 and 28 days to raise it... let's go!
So much more than a cafe! In Tripadvisor terms a board game cafe would be a "Thing To Do", something a little different from the cinema or all the usual suspects. It's the perfect place to spend an evening with friends - eating, drinking and of course, playing board games!
1. TURN UP, let us get you seated and get comfy. It's waiter service so order any food and drinks you want directly to your table.
2. EXPLORE the games library, pick an old classic or find a new favourite. A Game Guru will be on hand to provide tailored recommendations.
3. PLAY! Your Game Guru can explain rules and get you started straight away, they'll be around for anything else you need during your visit. You've got full and unlimited access to the library, so play as many games as you like whilst you're here.
Most of the time you'll be able to stay as long as you like and play as many games as you like. At busy times there will be a 4-hour limit.
The games sessions charge will go towards buying new games, maintaining the games and replacing damaged games or lost pieces. It also contributes to the cost of our Games Gurus who are always on hand to recommend and teach games.
Memberships are personal and benefits apply to the member only.
Games session tokens can be used by anyone.
We're taking over an empty shop on Mayflower Street - right in the city centre! The ground floor will seat about 32 people and will open first. Once downstairs is up and running, we'll refurbish the first floor to give us an additional versatile space for events and another 50 seats.
All of the boring stuff is covered, we just need funds for games! Successfully funding will mean we can launch with a library of over 300 games. It is possible to start a board game cafe with fewer games, but we want Twist to have the wow factor from day one. With 300 games available everyone will have plenty to choose from.
You can find our wish list of games here. If there's anything you're keen to see added then please get in touch. The more we raise, the more games we can have!
Every backer will have the opportunity to suggest games for the library.
I have always loved games. My gran introduced me to Rummy when I was about eight and is still to this day the driving force behind family games. Dad taught me Ludo and Pass the Pigs. Saturday mornings were spent sat on the bedroom floor with my sister playing Frustration, Mousetrap and Downfall. And mum? She actually cheats at Cheat, I’ve never forgiven her for that. “But what about Monopoly?” I hear you cry. Monopoly was permanently retired from our family table after Christmas 2005… we don’t talk about Monopoly.
In my early twenties a friend re-introduced me to board games, but these weren’t the same titles from my childhood. These were exciting, strategic, complex, funny, well-thought out, balanced, social games. Board games had got exponentially better… and I was hooked.
This drastic improvement in board games has resulted in an explosion in popularity. Year on year more and more people are choosing to get their friends around a table and play. In recent years board game cafes have been popping up all over the UK to meet this demand. The premise is simple – come in, play games, eat and drink, have fun. In 2016 I moved back to my hometown, and was disappointed to find that Plymouth did not yet have a board game cafe...
There’s a book I love called Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. In it he suggests you “write the book you want to read” - so armed with the desire for a board game cafe in Plymouth, 14 years of experience in the catering industry and Austin's wise words I decided to "write my book". Twist is my dream hangout – chilling with friends, board games, tasty homemade food and quality drinks.
- handwritten, personalised Twist postcard
+ project updates
- a games session token + a drink (anything off the menu!)
+ personalised postcard
+ Twist badge
+ project updates
Want to bring a friend? Select this reward and pledge £20 for 2 people. Even more friends? £30 for 3 people, and so on... or check out the party packages below...
A year's membership, starting from the day we open. Entitles you to half-price games sessions and more!
+ a drink on your first visit (anything off the menu!)
+ 3 games session tokens, worth up to £15 - use yourself or gift to a friend
+ personalised postcard
+ Twist badge
+ project updates
Pick any game in the library and we'll put a certificate in the lid letting everyone know you supported us! You can dedicate it to any person, animal, place or thing you'd like! So pop yourself in Yahtzee, a mate in Monopoly, your company in Cluedo or your dog in Dominion.
+ personalised postcard
+ project updates
This pledge is to sponsor a game only. To get membership too, just add the relevant membership amount to your pledge.
If you'd like us to source a particular game for you to sponsor then please get in touch.
A year's membership, starting from the day we open. Entitles you to half-price games sessions and more!
+ a drink on your first visit (anything off the menu!)
+ 3 games session tokens, worth up to £15 - use yourself or gift to a friend
+ Twist coffee cup & tote bag
+ personalised postcard
+ Twist badge
+ project updates
1 ticket for our launch night, plus a drink on arrival and a souvenir to take away (choose from Twist tote bag, coffee cup or t shirt).
Includes a year's membership, starting from the day we open. Entitles you to half-price games sessions and more!
+ 3 games session tokens, worth up to £15 - use yourself or gift to a friend
+ personalised postcard
+ Twist badge
+ project updates
BE IMMORTALISED IN TABLE FORM!
We'll put an engraved plaque on a table in the cafe, dedicating it to you (or whoever you want!)
+ personalised postcard
+ project updates
This pledge is to sponsor a table only. To get membership too, just add the relevant membership amount to your pledge.
Party time for up to 6 people, includes:
- everyone's games session
- a drink for everyone (anything off the menu!)
- a grazing board & snacks
- request games to be reserved for the party in advance
- 10% off retail for everyone on the day
A Crowdfunder exclusive - be one of the founding members of Twist. Includes your first year's membership, plus half-price membership renewals for life.
Get an exclusive founding member card, available only from this crowdfunding campaign, cards will be numbered, the first founding member will get number 001, the second 002 and so on. Specific numbers available on request.
On your first visit you'll get any main, drink and snack and a game to take away (RRP £10-15, there will be a choice).
+ 5 games session tokens - use yourself or gift to friends
You'll get all the Twist gear - cotton tote bag, t shirt, coffee cup, badge.
+ personalised postcard
+ project updates
Get an exclusive tour around Twist before we open. You and up to three friends can join us for an evening - taste the menu, challenge us to some games and be the first people to drink either a) beers, or b) cocktails at Twist. We'll make sure a favourite of yours ends up on the menu!
You'll all also get the £25 membership pledge and a piece of Twist merchandise of your choice to take away.
EACH TASTING ONLY AVAILABLE TO ONE BACKER!
Party time for up to 20 people, includes:
- everyone's games session
- prosecco on arrival (softs and alternatives available)
- another 2 drinks per person (anything off the menu!)
- grazing boards & snacks
- your own dedicated Game Guru to make recommendations, teach rules and keep the games flowing
- request games to be reserved for the party in advance
- 10% off retail for everyone on the day
Creating fun, that’s why we’re here. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are or what you do as a job, you need to have fun. When was the last time you played? Life can be stressful and serious and play often gets neglected... but we need it. Play builds relationships, unleashes our creativity and makes us smarter.
Everyone is welcome. If you want to be here, we would love to have you. At Twist nobody should ever feel unsafe, unwanted or discriminated against. We will always do what we can to accommodate everyone and we have a zero tolerance policy to discrimination. We are here to spread good vibes, not hate.
We all affect the world around us. At Twist we are conscious of our impact. From where we source our products and the waste we generate, to how we serve the community and meet needs of individuals. We stay up-to-date with the changing world around us and are willing to learn and change when we need to.
A visit to Twist will never be dull. Celebrate your victories and be outraged at your friends’ betrayals. We’ve created an environment where you can escape the outside world and immerse yourself in the excitement of play.
In our increasingly connected world it’s easy to feel alone. We’re all about meaningful social interaction. Twist swaps cat videos for board games and ‘likes’ for laughter. We’re a place to hang out with old friends and make new ones.
We always aim for the highest possible standards across everything we do. From every sandwich and pint to greeting and rules explanation, we give you our very best.
We’re laid back, so you can be too. We definitely don’t take ourselves too seriously. We want you to feel at home, so whether that’s bringing your dog, special requests for your friend’s birthday or food to meet your dietary requirements, we’ve got your back.
I would love to hear from you. Chatting to people who are excited about Twist, or who have suggestions and questions is what keeps me sane and focused on the end goal.
You can contact me directly by email.
You can connect with Twist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.