Level 2
Always remember to scan and/or sign in upon entry, and remember your masks! Staff will be masked at all times, and hand sanitizer is available.
It would be incredibly helpful to have some games in mind before you come in. We will of course be here to help you find a great game, but any help is appreciated!
New operating hours:
Monday : 4pm – 10pm
Tuesday : Closed
Wednesday: 4pm – 10pm
Thursday : 12pm – 10pm
Friday : 12pm – 11pm
Saturday : 11am – 11pm
Sunday : 11am – 9pm
Be aware that under the Level 2 restrictions our tables are very limited, and we may not be able to seat more than you booked for.
If numbers or plans change, please call ahead and let us know!
2021/2022 Holiday Closure
This year, we will be closed from the 24th December until 4th January. Happy holidays!
How It Works
- We have over 900 board games to play & friendly game gurus to help you pick.
- Game passes are $5 with any food or beverage purchase (Kids 12 and under = $2.50).
- If you are not ordering food or drink, the game pass is $10 per person.
- You can then play as many games as you like for three hours.
- Ask a friendly game guru for advice.
Our Story
In 2002, Emma and Ahmed met and moved into a super cool inner city apartment together. It was on the corner of Vivian St and Victoria St. Ahmed taught Emma how to play Catan. A few years later, they moved to Abu Dhabi. Had a couple of kids. Met fellow game lovers. Bought more games. Played. Worked. Rode camels. On a trip back to Ahmed’s hometown Toronto one year, they stumbled across the fabulous Snakes & Lattes. A board game cafe! Coffee and beer and food and board games. What a revelation. The germ of an idea started to form, and desert life was beginning to get hot and monotonous, so… they moved back to Wellington. They started looking and looking for a place to open a board game cafe and share their love of board games and coffee and beer and food. One day, they saw a TO LEASE sign underneath their old super cool inner city apartment. In a mad chaos of sleepless nights and ‘What ARE we doing?’ moments, they opened the doors of Counter Culture Board Game Cafe and Bar on 1 June 2017. Now, they’re marvelling at the huge range of enthusiastic people who come through their doors to play games and the super positive response they’ve had to opening Counter Culture. The first year still included loads of ‘What ARE we doing?’ moments, mistakes (missing the deadline for WOAP!! Aargh…), hospital stays (nothing like multiple brain surgeries on your child to keep things edgy) and other fun and games (ha ha, so punny). So, onwards & upwards. Counter Culture will keep striving to provide a welcoming space for you to get your game on.
