New website
  • Counter culture

    Wellington's board game cafe & bar

Chunky Game nights are back!

Join us for heavier games your regular friends won’t play on the second Tuesday of each month.

  • How it Works

    We have over 1000 games to play and are always adding more. 

    Check out our full list of games.

    Lots of our base games include expansions, which aren’t always kept on the shelf, but are available upon request. 

    Game passes are $5 per person for a 2 hour booking with a $5 minimum spend on food and drink.

    You can play as many games as you like for the time you’re here.

    Ask a friendly game guru for advice.

  • Regular OPENING HOURS

    Monday: 4pm – 10pm

    Tuesday: 4pm – 10pm

    Wednesday: 4pm – 10pm

    Thursday: 4pm – 10pm

    Friday: 4pm – 11pm

    Saturday: 11am – 11pm

    Sunday: 11am – 7pm

    **CLOSED ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS**

Now open tuesdays

Our story

As of March 2024, Jono and Jade are the proud new owners of Counter Culture Board Game Cafe & Bar, taking over the great legacy built by previous owners Ahmed & Emma.

Jono hails from Palmerston North and Jade from the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire in the UK.

They met in 2013 during a theatre production of “Sweeney Todd”, where their showmace, turned into a romance.

A road trip to the South Island, a skydive and a move back to London later, they found they shared amongst many other similar interests, a love of board games and a love of community.

Jono and Jade, frequented Stoke Newington based Board Game Bar, Loading Bar for years and dreamed of being able to open a similar place of their own. 

Fast forward to 2024, they are back in New Zealand and have taken the leap and found themselves running Counter Culture, proof that dreams do come true!

  • ★★★★★
    Good atmosphere, and, a huge selection of board and table top games. There's also a game master on hand who is able to help you learn about new games should you wish.
    Thomas Huthwaite
  • ★★★★★
    Such an amazing idea!! Perfect for grown ups who want to go out and socialise but don't like the Courtney Place scene
    Amy Rowe
  • ★★★★★
    Have been twice in the last week and love it! The staff are helpful and chatty about the games, the food is awesome (plenty of vegetarian options too) and the selection of games is big enough to keep you busy for aaaaaages    Jesse PorterSuper LGBTQ-friendly and very tasty curly fries
    Mel Campbell
  • ★★★★★
    If you love boardgames and want to have fun, this is the place for you
    Camille André
  • ★★★★★
    The place to be in Wellington! We were in town for 10 days and spent 4 here!!! Welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable staff
    James Lumley-Parkin
  • ★★★★★
    Absolute gem in wellington
    Lakshmi Devi