BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham's board game café, in the heart of Digbeth's Custard Factory
600+ games, 10 lines of craft beer, smash burgers and proper coffee, in the coolest neighbourhood in Britain.
You'll find us in the Custard Factory, the iconic Victorian complex at the centre of Digbeth, Birmingham's creative quarter and recently named the coolest neighbourhood in Britain by the Sunday Times. The site that once made Bird's Custard is now 15 acres of restored factory buildings packed with independent shops, studios, bars and street art, and we've parked ourselves right in the middle of it. Café by day, bar by night, with a team of gaming gurus on hand to pick the right game for your group and teach you how to play.
- 600+ board games to play
- 10 craft beer & cider lines
- Smash burgers & loaded fries
- Speciality coffee & tea
- Dog-friendly
- Walk-ins welcome
In the heart of Digbeth's creative quarter
We live in the Custard Factory, the restored Victorian complex at the centre of Digbeth, surrounded by independent shops, studios, street art and some of the best nights out in the city. Our neighbours include Golf Fang, the Mockingbird Cinema, NQ64, Red Brick Market and the buzzy new Alfred Works food hall right in the courtyard, with the Old Crown, Birmingham's oldest inn, just across the road.
We're ten minutes' walk from the Bullring and Grand Central, easy from Moor Street and New Street stations, and right on the doorstep of Digbeth's street art trail. Looking for things to do in Digbeth, an original date night, or somewhere to settle in for an afternoon? Step into the Custard Factory courtyard, look for the dice, and come and find us.
Everything you need before you come
Opening hours
- Mon–Sat12:00–23:00
- Sunday12:00–22:00
Gaming admission
Full access to our library of 650+ games. Paid on the day when you settle your bill.
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Off-peak
Sun 5pm–Fri 5pm£2.50pp / hr -
Peak
Fri 5pm–Sun 5pm£3.50pp / hr
Kids aged 14 and under play free off-peak. Peak rates apply to all ages.
The details
Courtyard Studio 8, Custard Factory,
Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA
Dog-friendly. Wheelchair accessible. Between NQ64 and Mockingbird Cinema in the courtyard.
However you want to play it
Date night
The original icebreaker. Grab a two-player game, a couple of cocktails and a table for two, no awkward silences required.
Birthdays & groups
Bring the gang for a birthday, a work do or a big night in Digbeth. We'll sort the games, the food and the drinks.
After-work drinks
Handy for the Bullring and the city centre. Friendly competition, craft beer and gaming grub to round off the day.
Sunny days outside
The Custard Factory courtyard is a proper sun trap, and we've loads of outside tables. Grab a game, a cold drink and a spot in the sun.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book?
Walk-ins are always welcome, but we get busy on evenings and weekends, so for Friday and Saturday nights, or any larger group, we'd strongly recommend booking a table ahead to avoid disappointment.
Is there a charge to play the games?
Yes, a small gaming admission fee gives you full access to our library of 600+ games. It's £2.50 per person per hour off-peak (Sunday 5pm to Friday 5pm) and £3.50 per person per hour peak (Friday 5pm to Sunday 5pm), and it's free for kids aged 14 and under. Just pay at the bar when you arrive.
Are dogs allowed?
Absolutely. We're dog-friendly throughout, so well-behaved four-legged friends are very welcome.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
We do. Our all-day menu includes vegan and gluten-free options. If you've got a specific requirement, just have a word with the team when you arrive and we'll help you find something.
Can you teach us how to play?
That's what our gaming gurus are for. Tell them who you're with and what you fancy, and they'll pick the perfect game and teach you the rules, so you spend less time reading instructions and more time playing.
Where are you, and how do I get there?
We're in Courtyard Studio 8 at the Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA, between NQ64 and Sobremesa in the courtyard. We're ten minutes' walk from the Bullring and close to Moor Street and New Street stations. The venue is wheelchair accessible.