Inside King and the Pawn: The Couple Behind Singapore’s Premium Board Game Café

Meet the couple who turned their love of gaming into a popular board game café & bar. What began as a simple idea is now a cozy space where people unwind, try new games, and enjoy comfort food — a vibrant spot filled with laughter, connection, and board-game fun.

Photo credits (right): tabletoptavern

King & the Pawn is a stylish, centrally located board game café and bar in Singapore, housed in a renovated vintage shophouse on Purvis Street, right beside the iconic Raffles Hotel and a short walk from City Hall and Bugis MRT. The café offers over 300 board games, from strategy and party games to family-friendly options, with staff on hand to teach and recommend games. Their menu goes beyond snacks, featuring brunch dishes, hearty mains, small plates, indulgent desserts, craft beers, cocktails, and locally roasted coffee. The two-floor space includes a dynamic ground floor for serious gamers and a cozy, couch-filled upper floor for relaxed play. Entry fees are around $10–$15, often waived with sufficient food and drink purchases. King & the Pawn also hosts private events like team-building sessions and birthday parties, providing a welcoming and sociable atmosphere for all visitors in Singapore.

Q: Please give the readers a short introduction about yourself and your company. What is your “origin” story, and how did you come about starting this business?

We are a husband-and-wife team who share an interest in both board games and food. Almost a decade ago, we stumbled upon Draughts – a board game café in London – with a strong focus on both games and F&B. And we immediately thought this concept was not only a natural fit for both our interests, but also something we wanted to bring to Singapore. 

We also spent time brainstorming our name, and finally settled on King and the Pawn based on an Italian proverb – “At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back into the same box”. We felt this reflected the ethos of our café, a social space where everyone could connect over good games, good food, and good vibes.

Beyond casual gaming, we also host corporate and social events, including birthday parties, baby showers, and more. Our two-storey café, complete with a cozy attic space, is the perfect spot for friends and family to gather, enjoy delicious food, and have fun together.

Q: What do you believe makes King and The Pawn stand out from other board game cafes in Singapore, and how does it shape your approach to customer experience?

We don’t think of ourselves as providing a space to play board games, but as providing a full gaming and social experience.  So, don’t be afraid to ask our friendly “game gurus” for recommendations or for a quick lesson on any game.

Beyond that, we offer cosy vibes and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can relax and have fun. Our board game rates are priced per person, so guests are free to stay and enjoy themselves until closing. Even if you’re just here for the food and drinks, you’re always welcome and don’t miss our special weekend brunch menu!

Q: What is the most rewarding part of running a board game café?

We love how the café brings people together. We have hosted birthdays and bachelorette parties, met couples who have gone from first date to wedding afterparty in the café, and seen everything from tears of joy to tears of frustration!

Every moment reminds us that our café isn’t just about playing games. It’s about creating memories, fostering connections, and sharing experiences that people will remember long after they leave. Seeing our guests bond, celebrate, and simply enjoy themselves is what makes everything we do truly worthwhile.

Q:  What were some of the biggest challenges you have faced in the early days of King and The Pawn, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges we faced in the early days was our first location. Being on the second floor of a shophouse with a small entrance and poor visibility, it was difficult to get the word out and attract people to the second floor to experience our new concept.

But thankfully news spread by word of mouth, and a few months later, one of our fondest memories was begging our neighbours for more chairs when we ran out! It was incredibly rewarding to see our little café start to grow into a space where people wanted to spend time, connect, and have fun.

Q: What impact does the community aspect have on the success of King and The Pawn? Do people return more for the social connections or the games themselves?

It’s a little of both – our customers enjoy socialising over games! We have loyal customers who return with the same group of friends to try different games, and we also see customers who enjoy introducing the café (and new games) to different groups of friends.

We also run a regular meetup every Tuesday, with a community of like-minded people who both enjoy games and enjoy each other’s company.

Q: How does King and The Pawn decide which new games to add to its collection, and what strategies do you use to stay ahead of the board game industry?

At King and The Pawn, we carefully curate a wide variety of games to suit every taste, mood, age and player count. We are always on the lookout for new games that are fun, easy to learn and teach, and fill a gap / niche in our collection. This includes party games and bluffing games for larger groups, to challenging strategy games, family games, and 2-player games perfect for a unique date night. Sometimes our customers also recommend games to be added to the library, and if we believe it fits our collection, we are happy to oblige.

But we try not to buy new games just because they are new. Some classic games are classic for a reason, and games like Splendor, Ticket to Ride, Avalon and Exploding Kittens continue to be perennial favourites.

Q:  Are there any exciting changes or new events coming up at King and The Pawn that customers should look forward to?

Earlier this year, we moved into a brand-new space, with an expanded food and drinks menu. We can’t wait for our customers who have only experienced the old space to revisit us in our new home.

Q: Where can we find out more about your shop?

You can check out https://www.kingandthepawn.com/ to learn more!