Get Your Game On!

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Pinball and Pacman, Catan and Dungeons and Dragons, Jack Box and Soul Calibur…

Not everyone defines fun as dancing all night or baking in the sun; some are content to play games indoors. Or maybe you're not a gamer but you’d like to try it out; these places have friendly staff ready to help you have your first great gaming experience!

Below, you can find a place to nerd out that fits your vibe whether you’re more a retro/alternative, classic beer and snacks or cozy cafe style person.

House of Targ

House of Targ is a pinball wizard’s dream. In this dark, basement grotto your ears will be filled with the sounds of soaring balls, bells, screams of victory and announcements that “your perogies are ready.”

You’ll find rotating pinball machines and retro arcade games alongside trippy art and delicious sips and bites.

lEAD VOCALIST OF mAOU MINDU PERFORMING AT TARG. Photo: J. Black

I recall from my pre-gluten-free days, the perogies are delicious; since then, they’ve added a lot of variety for toppings. (They do have chips available for us gf-folks.) The drink menu is filled to the brim with geeky themed drinks like Romulan Ale and Dragon Slayer (they also provide mocktails!)

On weekends, Targ has free-to-play open on all the machines, just a small cover charge to get in. In addition to gaming, Targ holds live music events of various genres from folk to death metal.

 

Why I love House of Targ: it’s not often you get to play pinball and Targ wraps it up in a unique experience and venue. I enjoy live music, so that's an extra cherry on top. The trippy, bright colours and alternative vibe of the decor is chef’s kiss.

photo: J. Black

Level One

Level One: your kitchen table in the middle of the city. With its relaxed vibe, you’re sure to feel comfy spending hours here. Downstairs are gaming consoles spanning the years and platforms from NES mini to GameCube to PlayStation 5. Upstairs there’s a gallery of board games fitting for any group of any size. Worried about finding a game you’ll like? A Game Master will be happy to help. Level One also holds trivia nights, TTRPG games and Magic the Gathering events.

While you're there, be sure to check out their extensive food and drink menu. It’s filled with fusion dishes from kimchi perogies to taco miso chili salad and they make gummy candies (my favourite) in-house. For the gluten-free among us, THEY HAVE A DEDICATED FRYER! I repeat, they have a DEDICATED FRYER! 

For the drinkers you can find a rotating tap, the usual bevvies and a themed cocktail list featuring gems such as Plum and Plummer. They also offer a mocktail list for our sober/younger crowd with beauts like Orange Ya Glad.

okami fries and gnomes at midnight photo: J. Black

 

Why I love Level One: board games are expensive! I love having the chance to play a new game without having to dish out 80 dollars and risk not even enjoying it! The laid-back atmosphere makes it feel just like home (without the clean-up.)

Wizard Tower

Wizard Tower is not your average Friendly Local Game Store (FLGS.) While it has a large wall of board games, heaps of minis, stacks of trading cards and a selection of table-top roleplaying games (like D&D and Pathfinder,) it also has a large section of seating and a cafe which makes it a place to hangout as much as a place to buy your Magic cards.

Nearly every day of the week there’s an event (Magic, Pokémon, board game nights and Adventure League.) Whether you are new or old to the hobby you will be able to jump into these gatherings with the help of staff and community. If there isn’t an event going on, the tables and chairs are still there for you to pull up with a friend or two, and play Magic or rent one of their board games to test out! Not to mention they have simple snacks and cafe style drinks to make your stay all the more comfortable.

Photo: J. Black

 

Why I love Wizard Tower: The plethora of events is what draws me to Wizard Tower as opposed to other FLGS I’ve visited. I like how much open space they have available because it creates a sense of community.

For the nerds that don’t wanna host, for the geeks that are actually extroverted, for the gamers that wanna get their groove on there’s a place for you. There are new and interesting people to play games with. In this time of being chronically online, sometimes it's good to step outside and touch some physical Magic cards and dice.

Jerrica Black (She/They) is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. She has lived in Ottawa for over a decade (and grew up in the Valley where driving into the city was an activity.) Working in the restaurant industry strengthened her love of food and her recommendations will always include the gluten-free girlie stamp of approval. Jerrica enjoys exploring the outdoors when it’s warm (but not too warm,) and prefers gaming when it gets too cold. Throughout Ottawa you will find her playing a board game with friends and a refreshing bevvy, cozying up with a book and hot coffee in a cafe, or blazing a trail while chugging a gatorade.