Recreation in Bend might stereotypically look like snowboarders hurling through the air or mountain bikers screaming downhill, but there’s an enthusiastic subset of locals who like to crowd around tabletop board games to laugh, drink, strategize and relax.
These are the gamers. Some love Dungeons and Dragons, Sorry! or Code Names, while others are drawn to Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer or Gin Rummy. These days, gamers of any kind can meet up outside the confines of someone’s living room and stake out a table at dedicated hubs such as Modern Games, a game shop in Bend, and Pangaea Guild Hall, a bar and restaurant in Redmond.
“It seems that the event space and cafe model has been trending in game shops in the post-pandemic era,” said John Stacy, executive director of the Game Manufacturers Association, a national nonprofit trade organization dedicated to advocating for the hobby games industry. “People want to hang out together, and it’s been a useful way for owners to diversify revenue streams.”
Modern Games in Bend
The isolation and dynamics of the pandemic inspired avid gamers Peter Askew and his wife Lindsay to buy Modern Games in The Box Factory between downtown Bend and the Old Mill District in 2022. Peter wanted to realign his life around his values and passions. He quit his management position at a commercial bakery to build this gathering spot for people who wanted a “third space,” a place to relax and hang out outside of work and home.
“There’s something magical about sitting around a table with people to play a game,” said Peter. “It unlocks a special social dynamic. People come to the table without phones in hand and enjoy a connective moment.”
That magic could be why the gaming industry is exceeding pre-pandemic growth. “The scope of the $12.4 billion industry is forecast to grow to $20 billion in the next 10 years,” said Stacy. This is a growth industry.”
Peter saw his business grow around 25% in 2024 as he positioned his store as a modern rendition of the traditional game shop. Not only does Modern Games have snacks and beer for sale, the newly designed space has a completely different vibe.
“I’ve been going into game and card shops for 35 years,” said Peter. “Shops all look the same: dark with wobbly folding tables and chairs and stained carpet. At Modern Games, we have skylights, a bay door and custom-made tables and shelving. It’s a welcoming space for everyone. I have no qualms about bringing my 12-year-old daughter to play with whoever is there.”
Most days of the week, there are themed gatherings at Modern Games, with Sunday morning Magic: The Gathering and Wednesday night Wargaming sessions being the most popular. But people are welcome anytime during opening hours to crack open a game and settle in.
Play and Stay Awhile at Pangaea Guild Hall, Redmond
In downtown Redmond, customers are also encouraged to play and hang out at Pangaea Guild Hall, a bar and cafe dedicated to gaming which opened in May 2024. Though Pangaea doesn’t sell games, it has tables for gaming and private game rooms decorated with different themes, including Dungeons and Dragons, Tarot Fortune Telling and a Zen tea room.
“We named it Pangaea after the supercontinent,” said Christopher Trulsen, co-owner, general manager and Dungeon Master of multiple Dungeons & Dragons games. “It’s a space for everyone of all different backgrounds to come together, whether it be business folks looking to hole up with their laptops, families with kids or senior citizens meeting for happy hour.”
Trulsen and his wife Keri had noticed there was no tabletop gaming spot in Redmond. “There were dive bars that would tolerate gaming, but nothing else. The pandemic taught us that humans need face-to-face interaction. People need a place to play and geek out about games together, so we went for it.”
Trulsen left his career in food manufacturing and food science and partnered with his brother, a bartender and bar manager. Every day they offer a different cocktail special, including Cosplay Saturdays—$1 off a drink for anyone dressed up as their favorite game character. Their events aspire to bring the community together, such as a Murder Mystery dinner party series. So pull up a chair, grab an ale, and play through the winter in good company.
