Arkansas’ first board game cafe

Caverns & Forests has the interesting distinction of being Arkansas’ first board game cafe. The cafe, which is co-owned by Matthew Quin and Radiance Beltz, is located in downtown North Little Rock at 711a Main Street.  

“We are an all ages space, though under 18 needs adult accompaniment, featuring over 500 board and card games from all genres and levels of complexity,” said Matthew Quin. “Our staff is on hand to help groups with game recommendations and table teaches. We also feature a full menu of grilled paninis, wraps, salads and desserts as well as beer, wine and non-alcoholic hot and cold beverages. We are the place for those who want a game night without any of the overhead, for those who are interested in getting deeper into the hobby and for those already devoted hobbyists.”

The cafe’s collection is large and also growing. “We want to stay on top of the hotness in the hobby and make sure we have the games that people want to play,” Quin said. They also have a smaller, curated selection of games to purchase. 

Along with board games, the cafe also has a food menu, including a separate brunch menu available on the weekends. “We view ourselves as an equal restaurant and entertainment hybrid,” said Quin. “The owners have a combined nearly four decades of experience working and running restaurants and bars in central Arkansas. We want our patrons to be as amazed at our dining options as they are in our gaming options.”  

Quin came to the venture with a restaurant background that has included Zaza Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza Co. and Boulevard Bread Company. “Our desserts seem to often surprise and delight our patrons,” he said. “We have frozen chocolate covered bananas, plain, or topped with either peanuts, coconut, or graham cracker, and we’ve just added house-made butter pecan bread pudding to the menu. The paninis definitely steal the show, though. Our most popular are the Italian and the Caprese, all served on Boulevard ciabatta or pagnotta. Besides a great selection of wines from De Nux Distributors, over half of our beer menu is from Lost 40. During our year of pop-up events leading to the brick and mortar opening, the folks at Yellow Rocket [Lost 40, Camp Taco, Zaza, etc] were gracious in letting us hold many events at their various establishments. We feel honored to be a go-to in Argenta for fans of their brews.” 

The venue is a first for Arkansas and so far, the only board gaming cafe in the state. “Most medium to large sized cities in the U.S. have at least one board game cafe,” Quin said. “We are so excited we get to be that place for folks in central Arkansas.”

If you want to check out Caverns & Forests, the cost per person is $5 and kids 8 and under get in free. Memberships are also available. For more details, including the menu, visit cavernsandforests.com.