Molly Sword enjoys a slice of fun at West Didsbury’s board game cafe
What: Goodtime Games
Where: Burton Road, West Didsbury
Type of food/beverage: Lunch, dinner, pizzas, cocktails, coffee
When: Mon, Wed, Thu: 17:00-22:00 // Friday: 17:00 – 22:30 // Saturday: 10:30 – 22:30 // Sunday: 10:30 – 22:00
Independent or chain: Sovereign
Photo: @goodtimegames_manc / Instagram
Decor
With walls stacked to the ceiling and options, this board game cafe is a great way to liven up your evening and combine good food with fun activities.
I was first introduced to this place when a friend of mine went on a date. As someone who disliked the awkwardness of small talk, she enjoyed the idea of having something else to focus on. Whether it’s your first date or your fiftieth, this place will give you something beyond the generic “how was work today” and make you think outside the box.
I was skeptical about Goodtime Games; Because I put so much emphasis on keeping things active, I was afraid that the food and drink would be more of a side dish to the main event. Was this a fun and delicious dining experience or a one-off novelty?
The main event
Although the menu is quite limited – pizzas, flatbreads, nachos and sides – the food that arrived was surprisingly delicious with homemade pizzas, particularly the margherita (£10), putting some of Didsbury’s bigger pizza joints to shame. one of the best base sauces I’ve had. The pesto, tomato and feta bread (€7.50), although a bit dry, was covered in delicious pesto and sun-dried tomato. I would have this again, but next time I would take them up on the offer to add feta. How stupid I was.
![2024 02 22 Good Times Games Flatbread](https://s.com/uploads/imager/299deb39facbb0c50fa0371390d9cd0c/1276087/92e2c338761d5df613e3f12d00f7b73c.jpeg)
Photo: p
The shared pizza and bread took all of five minutes and of course it was only right to wash it down with a few cocktails. For the price, two for £12 during happy hour, I was expecting a pre-mixed sweet juice. However, these were fresh and striking. The pina colada almost made me forget about the rain in February.
I visited twice with two different groups, each creating a different experience. First as a group of five girls in the early evening drinking smoothies and Chai lattes (£3.60) and putting the world on trial with a few card games. The staff here were quite persistent about us playing more challenging or unusual games and were instructive in explaining the rules.
The drinks here were again good and my friends commented how it is one of the best Chai Lattes they have ever had. It looks like this place works as an activity, a pizza place, and a barista-made cafe.
My friends who shared the sticky toffee biscoff cake (£4) were adamant that “a vegan cake can’t taste like this”. Meanwhile, Ollie, a rugby player and keen carnivore, is almost offended that he’s been tricked into liking vegan food. Surprises everywhere.
![2024 02 22 Good Times games, friends](https://s.com/uploads/imager/299deb39facbb0c50fa0371390d9cd0c/1276088/34d2029ed773b6b5e94361b28e4cc401.jpeg)
Photo: p
After a few different board games and luckily a couple of wins, we called it a night and paid a very reasonable bill, and everyone agreed to come back here again with our partners or other groups of friends.
The following week, my partner and I were back in the game much more than I thought I would be. The atmosphere was very different from the quiet early evening I had been to before, and instead we secured the last table in a lively environment with music, laughter and the occasional disgruntled whisper of the losing side. We both had a great night, although I may have lost a couple of times.
Doomsday
If you want to dress up in your Sunday best and enjoy a fine dining experience, this is not the place. However, if you want quality food and fun, I recommend Goodtime games. A new activity, a change of scenery, a nice atmosphere and of course a good meal – this is a place I will return to. Only next time I will win more.
Goodtime Games212 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, M20 2LW
15/20
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Food
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Service
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Atmosphere