New dating craze hits Digbeth in Birmingham - how to get on board

There’s so many places to enjoy a date night in Birmingham these days.

Cocktail bars are aplenty, there’s a host of quality independent restaurants to enjoy good food, and there are some great cinemas where you can check out the latest blockbusters too - whether it’s Barbie or Oppenheimer or something a little less mainstream.

But what if you want to try something altogether different? Well, BirminghamWorld has been given an insight into a whole new dating craze which is proving so popular with city couples - and you may be surprised to discover what it is.

Don’t worry, we won’t keep you in suspense any longer. The new dating craze attracting couples far and wide is board games. Yes, you don’t have to wait for a family Christmas to enjoy board games any more - there are more than 600 waiting for you to discover with joy and intrigue at Chance & Counters in the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Forget Monopoly and Cluedo - there are just so many amazing games you can play at this bar and cafe, which serves craft beers, wonderful milkshakes and cocktails. There are delicious dishes incluidng burgers, loaded fries and grilled cheese toasties. And it doesn’t break the bank either - just £2 per hour gives you access to all the games and a whole new world of adventures.

Assistant manager Tom told us all about the most popular games in the venue, including Onitama where you can asset your martial prowess by harnessing the power of animal spirits, no less. And it takes just a few minutes to learn. Tom also explained how popular the venue has become with couples.

“We welcome so many different people to Chance & Counters - groups of friends and solo visitors, as we have a wide range of games that suit both.

“And we’ve become really popular with couples. It’s a great place for a date night, a chance to try something different. Sometimes we get a couple of couples playing against each other too. There are world of adventures awaiting in our huge selection of board games from family favourites to th latest and greatest new releases.

“With so many games to choose from there’s plenty of variety to enjoy throughout your visit. It’s a great icebreaker, if it’s a first date. And a great way to spend quality time with your partner if you’ve been together a while. The games can get a bit addictive though, we get a lot of regular visitors here.”

Tom explained how staff are on hand to talk Chance & Counter guests through how to play the games, if needed. Many are straightforward. It’s a fantastic way to spend time away from phone screens and be in real life with friends and loved ones. So if you’re looking for something a bit different on a date night - you know where to head!