Board game fans can now unleash their competitive streak at Northern Ireland's newest café.
Roast & Roll has just opened its doors in Banbridge, catering for people who love board games, role play games, card games and much more.
It's the brainchild of Co Down schoolfriends and board game enthusiasts, Aaron Bushby and Harry Singer.
Read more: Northern Ireland's newest board game café set to open - with hundreds of games to play
Based in Church Street, the café has been founded by Aaron, 26, and Harry, 25, both former pupils of New Bridge Integrated College, whose business has been inspired by their passion for all things gaming.
They hope Roast & Roll will allow people of any age to come together to take on the challenges posed by a huge range of table top games or to simply relax with great coffee and a bun.
“Roast & Roll is an all-encompassing table top hobby café where you can sit down for a family board game, fight it out on a table top battlefield, explore magical realms with your pen and paper, or compete for the card game crown,” Aaron said.
The café has a wide selection of games ranging from classics like Scrabble and Monopoly to modern favourites like Root or Catan and trading card games including Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokémon, and this collection will be expanded over time.
There will be regular events, including table top role playing games on Monday nights and a quiz on Thursday, and a programme of special events - the first of these is a Halloween 10 Candles Night on October 31.
One of the café’s main aims is to establish a community and introduce people to a hobby they may not have considered before.
It is also rare in that all edibles on sale, including the cakes and buns baked in-house by Harry, are nut free.
Aaron, a nut allergy sufferer, explained: “I find that it is becoming increasingly difficult to eat at cafés and restaurants without having to take a risk based on the policy most businesses take.
“This is why we want to provide a place for nut allergy sufferers to try those traybakes they've always wanted to have without feeling anxious about their health.”
Customers can chose from a range of sweet treats including brownies, flapjacks, carrot cake and cookies, confectionery and crisps, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available every day.
Roast & Roll also boasts a great range of coffees, teas, hot chocolate and soft drinks and all within a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Opening hours are Thursday to Monday 1pm-10pm, with takeaway drinks and snacks available from 10am, and the café is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Visitors are welcome to call in, but tables can be secured by booking in advance.
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