What Is A Board Game Cafe?
At Black Lily Gaming Café, we’re creating more than just a café — we’re building a welcoming community space for gamers, families, students, and curious newcomers alike. Whether you’re diving into an epic tabletop adventure, competing in a strategy game, or relaxing with a latte and a quick card game, Black Lily is designed to bring people together face-to-face in a fun and comfortable atmosphere.
Black Lily Gaming Café is being built with the belief that communities need more places where people can truly spend time together. We want to create a local destination that gives people a reason to leave the house, meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and enjoy memorable experiences in a welcoming environment. We are working to bring something unique to the New Hartford area — a space that blends entertainment, comfort, creativity, and community into one experience. Our goal is to establish a business that people return to regularly, not just for games or coffee, but because it feels like a place they belong.
The Location And Features
We're coming soon to the New Hartford, NY area!
- A curated library of board games for all skill levels
- Dedicated gaming tables designed for comfortable play
- Trivia nights and community events
- Casual social gaming nights
- Themed event nights
- A fantasy-inspired atmosphere with cozy, immersive décor
- Food and drinks designed to keep players energized and comfortable during long sessions
- We also hope to bring dedicated rooms for long campaign sessions and streaming for those who don't have the room at home
Funding And Support
Funding for Black Lily will help transform this idea into a fully realized space by supporting:
- Location buildout and renovations
- Furniture, décor, and gaming tables
- Kitchen and café equipment
- Licensing, permits, and startup costs
- Expansion of our tabletop game collection
- Community events and local outreach.
We want Black Lily to grow into a long-term gathering place that supports local culture, encourages social interaction, and provides a positive environment for people of all backgrounds and experience levels. Every bit of support helps move us closer to opening our doors and creating a space our community can be proud of. Whether you contribute financially, share our vision with others, donate your unused games, or simply help spread the word, you become part of helping Black Lily come to life.
The Vision
Black Lily Gaming Café was created with one goal in mind: to build a welcoming community space where people can gather, relax, and connect through games, food, and shared experiences. Our plan is to combine the comfort of a modern café with the excitement and creativity of tabletop gaming. Guests will be able to enjoy quality coffee, specialty drinks, snacks, and café-style food while exploring a large library of board games, card games, and tabletop roleplaying games. We want Black Lily to be more than just a place to eat or play games — we want it to become a social hub for the community. Whether someone is a longtime tabletop gamer or completely new to the hobby, they’ll have a place where they feel comfortable, included, and encouraged to join in. Our goal is to create an environment that encourages face-to-face interaction in a world increasingly dominated by screens. Black Lily Gaming Café is meant to be a place where friendships are formed, stories are shared, and memorable experiences happen around the table. We also plan to support the local gaming and creative community by hosting events, introducing new players to the hobby, and creating a safe, inclusive space for everyone. At its heart, Black Lily Gaming Café is about community, creativity, and connection — a place where anyone can sit down, share a game, and feel like they belong.