Looking for a screen-free haven where you can relax with a drink in your hand and a snack at your fingertips?
Stepping into this bubble tea cafe, you are immediately greeted by rows of tables, cozy lights, charming wall art, and just to your right, a wooden shelf filled to the brim with all kinds of board games.
“I can play all these games online, but the important aspect is connecting with people, meeting people, and I think that’s why Y Not Today is doing so well,” said Gill Lafleur, a founding member of the board game community.
Lafleur, who has published his own board games and RPG books, emphasizes the unique value of in-person play.
“People crave and need that physical interaction, and a board game’s a nice way to sit down and do something with someone without talking,” said Lafleur.
Zet Le, the owner of Y Not Today, hosts these board game events every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, giving people from all over a space to gather and connect face-to-face.
Mohammad Al-Salmani, a recent attendee, describes the impact of unplugging from his phone, soaking in the lively energy, and diving into the game.
“I would rather see how people react, their facial expressions and their emotions when they win, they lose. It’s way better than facing a screen,” said Al-Salmani.
While new faces arrive every week, the backbone of this event is its longtime regulars.
Regulars like Peggy Pickering, who has been attending for nearly three years as of this October, have witnessed the event’s growth from the very beginning
“We started with humble beginnings, and there would be only a couple of us playing and then after that there was a million people,” Pickering said, “so it’s grown almost exponentially”.
She says two main things she’s learned from being a regular keep people coming back: the kindheartedness of the people who come there and Le’s dedication and hard work for the community.
Pickering points to two key reasons why people keep coming back week after week: the welcoming community and Le’s dedication to his guests.
“He goes out of his way to make sure that it’s friendly and open to people playing,” said Pickering. “He will adjust his schedule sometimes to make sure that we can all get in here.”
Physical gathering spots that welcome people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds are essential to why cafes like Le’s succeed. They allow communities to step away from social media and technology for a few hours, engage in genuine face-to-face conversations, and build a stronger sense of connection without digital distractions.
Beyond board game nights, Y Not Today hosts a variety of other exciting activities throughout the weekdays and weekends. For anyone thinking of dropping by for the first time, Al-Salmani offers one simple piece of advice:
“Even if you lose, it’s just a game, don’t take it home. If you do, I don’t think you’re gonna have fun ever.”