Which Taproom Games Stand out in the Modern Market?
Most of us have experienced taproom games at some point, as they’ve formed the backbones of many of the shared enjoyment we had across the UK. As we get older and our lives change, however, we sometimes forgo these games in favor of at-home social fun. We forget where we’ve come from, and in doing so we miss out on a key part of the classic taproom night.
Even if we’ve been away, taprooms have never stopped delivering enjoyable shared games. This is how they compete, with some taking the classic route and others evolving to deliver more modern concepts into the taproom process. Having put in the hard investigative work, here we want to explore what’s available, and what you might consider trying with a few friends.
Pool and Snooker
Starting with a classic, we have the hard ball games, usually operating the net of pool and snooker. This set of games has been around longer than you might think — the first versions of pocket billiards began in France in the 1340s. The basics of these experiences remain the same, as something that’s easy to pick up, whilst offering many variants to suit different player tastes. These have been long famous at taprooms like Brigadiers in London, and can be found everywhere for fun that never gets old.
Texas Hold’em
The king of modern poker variants also stands as a continued classic in the taproom gaming space. This game is relaxed, it takes next to no setup, and learning the Texas Holdem rules can be accomplished in just a few minutes. From understanding the basic terms like flop, turn, and the river to figuring out hand odds in your head, even inexperienced poker players can quickly find their way into this eternal classic.
Darts
Another pub mainstay, with the first versions of darts curiously also dating back to the 1300s. This version was apparently played by soldiers using parts of real weapons, which while probably exciting, is not something we can responsibly recommend or expect in a taproom that intends to keep its license. The classic nature of darts also makes it a common inclusion in establishments like Brick Lane Tap Room, so it’s easy to find a way to play darts if you’re interested.
Video Games
Today’s adult generation has grown up with video games, so it makes sense that more bars and taprooms like NQ64 Shoreditchare embracing retro and modern video games. Jump back into old favorites or curse your slow hands in something new as you recapture your youth, and show others that you still have what it takes to claim the top spot on the leaderboards.
Foosball
We almost went with air hockey for this last entry, but having seen more than a few smashed digits, we have to go with foosball as the more finger-friendly choice. Again playable by up to four people, foosball in places like the Fourpure Tap Room makes a great fit for sports fans, and you can hold your own championships to crown an eventual grand champion.
Escape Rooms
The newest options on this list are escape rooms, where you and your friends solve puzzles to find an exit from one of the eponymous traps. There are a few taproom variants across the UK, but we have to recommend the ones at The National Brewery Centre as a first choice. Learn a little about UK history, hit the taproom, and then try your skill in what makes for a fun and educational day out.
If you’ve been out of the game for a while or are a newcomer looking to find their best fit, be sure to try as many different options as possible. Make no mistake, these games are just as fun as they’ve ever been, and there’s a reason they occupy the pantheon of gaming greats.