Where to host a game outside of your house? (1 Viewer)

[paulkersey]

Myself and all of our players have fairly small houses and young children at home. Any ideas on where we can host a game away from home?

Some initial thoughts have been a hotel room with a dining room table, conference room, or some other event space?

Any suggestions?

 

[LeLe]

Does anyone own like an office or workshop ?

Might not be a bad alternative as well.

 

[Brantof]

Does anyone own like an office or workshop ?

Might not be a bad alternative as well.

I'd say this is one of the best alternatives, otherwise you could rent a cheap Airbnb for a night

 

[merkong]

I’d say try to stay on the cheap… I mean how small is small and unless these are like seriously small residences I’d say rethink it and make it work. If it’s a monthly then yeah maybe rent something. Many folks can find access to warehouse or open office space. Good luck.

 

[umbkcshah]

Hey Bob, our wives and kids get along. Think they're up for a sleepover once in a while?

 

[Munchies11]

An office space is a great idea! Especially if it’s weekly games. If it’s just a one time thing every once in a while maybe just rent out private room at a local community centre if available

 

[mikem_nyc]

This is from my own experience as well as from others I know: if it’s regularly and depending on your state laws, you can host at a bar in a back room, but probably would need to strike a deal with the owner on minimum spend amount.

I know in cities like NYC there’s also apps like Peerspace where the host can rent out a space for like $15-$20/hr that people have used to host, everyone just chips in.

Myself and all of our players have fairly small houses and young children at home. Any ideas on where we can host a game away from home?

Some initial thoughts have been a hotel room with a dining room table, conference room, or some other event space?

Any suggestions?

 

[buzzmonkey]

Nobody has a garage?

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

We had an agreement with an auto shop down the street as kids that we could set the table up and gamble after 8pm when they closed, felt particularly grungy but it had a sick sound system!

Sometimes people in housing developments have a community building that can be reserved or rented?

 

[shorticus]

Following. Very interesting topic of conversation here.

 

[merkong]

This is from my own experience as well as from others I know: if it’s regularly and depending on your state laws, you can host at a bar in a back room, but probably would need to strike a deal with the owner on minimum spend amount.

I know in cities like NYC there’s also apps like Peerspace where the host can rent out a space for like $15-$20/hr that people have used to host, everyone just chips in.

My guess would be that most bar/restaurant owners would shy away from this. But any other business that has space after hours might be on board. I like the community room thing someone mentioned. Also, garage? I mean too how little space it too little? There’s not a couple guys in the group that can swing it? If not you’re doomed.

 

[ChipMonster]

A local VFW, American Legion or similar community type organization could work. Co-op office space or even smaller restaurants with a private room.

 

[CraigT78]

Elks Lodge would be my first suggestion. Become a member and find out if they have a regular game already, and if not, start one.

Second suggestion - local brewery. On a week day night they may not have an issue setting up a Barrington off to the side. Assuming y'all partake in beers/food if offered.

 

[iLogik]

Why not buy a 20x10 portable canopy and set up in the yard or driveway?

 

[Huskerchipper]

I occasionally host tournaments at a local (HUGE) liquor store that has a bar in it. They host trivia nights bi-weekly and have 12-15 tables set up and we play there. I know the manager and she likes it as we drive some extra business to the bar.

I have also hosted recently at an apartment complex. They have like a two story clubhouse that tenants can request to rent for free. They put a deposit down but get it all back as long as no damage has been done.

 

[mdt11]

I occasionally host tournaments at a local (HUGE) liquor store that has a bar in it. They host trivia nights bi-weekly and have 12-15 tables set up and we play there. I know the manager and she likes it as we drive some extra business to the bar.

I have also hosted recently at an apartment complex. They have like a two story clubhouse that tenants can request to rent for free. They put a deposit down but get it all back as long as no damage has been done.

Bars I get. But I'm curious how does an apartment complex management feel about the common areas being used for real money poker? What stakes were you playing?

 

[Huskerchipper]

Bars I get. But I'm curious how does an apartment complex management feel about the common areas being used for real money poker? What stakes were you playing?

Nunya. You ever play for that?

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Why not buy a 20x10 portable canopy and set up in the yard or driveway?

Because, Cali boy, they've got a high of 50F today lol. Its definitely doable for degenerates like us but that's a hard sell for my casual buddies.

 

[mdt11]

Nunya. You ever play for that?

Fair enough. I had never thought about asking about apartment common areas because I assumed they wouldn't be happy about poker games out in the open like that.

 

[upNdown]

Fair enough. I had never thought about asking about apartment common areas because I assumed they wouldn't be happy about poker games out in the open like that.

I don’t know if it makes any difference legally and of course laws vary state to state, but if we’re talking about a situation where legality is a concern, I’d have to think the the game in the bar is far more likely to be a problem, than the game in the common area of the apartment.

FWIW, we were talking about having a Boston meetup and since nobody has the right hosting house, we were just going to rent a conference room at a hotel.

 

[Huskerchipper]

In all seriousness, the clubhouse was something that nobody except for the invited people would be entering. Casual people would not be walking thru.

At the bar we are way off to the side and back away from everyone and we keep it very low key...no money laying about.

We play tournaments with pretty low stakes so i cant imagine anyone wasting their time chasing us down.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

In all seriousness, the clubhouse was something that nobody except for the invited people would be entering. Casual people would not be walking thru.

At the bar we are way off to the side and back away from everyone and we keep it very low key...no money laying about.

We play tournaments with pretty low stakes so i cant imagine anyone wasting their time chasing us down.

This might be a difference in some places, easier to play off chips that say "1,000" (or nothing at all) on them versus $1s and $5s.

 

[ChipMonster]

Some people just see cards and chips/money and automatically think it’s some illicit affair. I taught my kids how to play poker and when my daughter was in 3rd grade she got in “trouble” during summer camp for playing poker with friends and they were using like beads or something as the chips. At that level it’s the same thing as playing a board game or Yahtzee but certain people see cards and automatically judge negatively.