does anyone have recommendations for inclusive/welcoming board game stores/spaces in Toronto? i have a friend who wants to get into D&D/board games but she doesn't really know where to start and i don't want to send her into a Shitty Boy Nerd game space
Good starting point might be checking events at the libraries. Extremely inclusive/welcoming. For example, board game nights every Monday at Malvern, and RPG nights last Monday of the month. We just played The Quiet Year and had a blast, with 4 girls, 3 guys.
Might have to register so they know how many people to expect, but otherwise it's free and you know the librarian will keep things in line. They're not going to tolerate someone being a jerk. Something to have fun with while looking for a perfect space/group.
oh this is such a good idea i'm mad at myself for not thinking of it first 😭 i love public libraries too
The Toronto libraries are the absolute best. Ultimate community spaces with an incredible variety of services. Aside from being able to request books from 100 libraries, you also can borrow musical instruments, tools, use 3d printers, sewing machines, and self publish your own books.
There are services for helping with citizenship, job searches, legal help, housing searches, basic necessities, and relief from heat/cold. They just held a romance readers/writers all-weekend event that I attended, and it was A+. Heartbeat of the city.
reposting for visibility! hope you get some good recs
thx!! i really want to find a positive space for her bc she's so new to this and that's exactly the kind of person the shitty boy nerds would be the worst to
What part of Toronto? Toronto can be over an hour and a half from Toronto, heh.
Yorkville i believe!
@wongobongo.com, seems like this might be in your wheelhouse?
I think 401 games is okay. If they're looking for a group to play some D&D with there's room at our table currently
i'll let her know!
If you're looking for buying board games or ttrpg or mtg stuff, then I recommend 401 Games. If you're looking to meet people, Snakes and Lattes has social nights at both of their locations at least once a month. I've never had an issue playing mtg at A&C or Face to Face Games.
Though I too would love to find more spots.
Hairy Tarantula has queer / trans employees and I've always liked it there. I don't go to game nights so I can't comment on the regulars.
Not in Toronto so can't give specifics, but honestly none of the FLGSs near me these days could be called boy nerd game spaces anymore and I live in a red county in FL. There's Pride stuff up on the walls and they have unisex bathrooms with free period products. The broader culture's changed a lot
oh yeah for sure, i think broader nerd culture has shifted to the left by a lot but those misogynist nerds do still exist (i have personally experienced them) and i want to be sure i'm sending my friend into a place that's putting effort into filtering those guys out
@emmy.baby if you don’t know the answer here I’m sure you know someone who does right
Ha I can probably query some friends, I usually just buy board game-y stuff at 401 games historically but that's more of a "dip in, buy the thing I was looking for" vibe vs. using it as a *space* per-se.
I do know 401 games has trans employees that I remember running into buying cards for friends there and I've never had a negative experience but not sure if one went for events etc. and not just interacting with employees for purchasing.