Our boardgames collection includes the classics, new releases, games for young kids, bigger boardgames for experienced long format gamers, party games and quick mini games for gamers with only a short time to play. We are very proud of our retro boardgames section which is the center of our collection. We have acquired original games from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s for guests to enjoy including Game of Life from 1984, Downfall from 1971, The Crystal Maze from 1991, and Pokemon Master Trainer from 1998. Our VHS boardgame collection is also a very exciting addition to our collection, we host our Atmosfear VHS game every Halloween season and it is always a big hit.
Our location at 121 Saltmarket has given us a great opportunity to be part of Glasgow City Centers small business community in the Merchant City. Over the years we have collaborated with many local businesses to bring retro video games and community board gaming to places and people who would not otherwise choose to play games, and it has been such a wonderful experience!
Our cafe menu is small, simple and tasty. We offer our classic toasties, soups, noodles and paninis alongside our cakes and coffee, the perfect treats to enjoy while playing board games. Most of our menu is available with vegan alternatives, and we also offer gluten free bakes and toasties too. We have also collaborated with a number of local businesses for our menu items too. We offer gluten free vegan cakes from The Dorky French, our hot chocolate is supplied by Bare Bones Chocolate (vegan too by the way) and our coffee beans are supplied by Pure Roasters Coffee.
We have created a space for people to experience retro games and physical media the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Our games transcend generations and cliques, we have entire families spend the day at R-CADE playing retro video games together and then battling it out with a game of Carcassonne right next to our young adult gamers who share the cafe space, play TCG’s and invite others to join in a game of Smash Bros.
We also host weekly quiet game sessions for our community members who want to enjoy R-CADE in a more chilled out atmosphere.
Our over 18’s game sessions have been a welcome addition to Glasgow nightlife as a place for adults to socialise, meet new people and enjoy the city later in the evening without the pressure and noise of a bar or club.
Over the years we have hosted hundreds of date nights, first time meetups, tournaments, kids friendship clubs, adult board game socials, movie and music nights, and more, all with the aim of bringing people together through the medium of retro gaming, board gaming and nostalgia. We have a very vocal and supportive community of people who may not be big gamers, but they enjoy the space and the opportunity we have created to make new friends.
We are so proud of our little retro game venue, and the community we have grown over the past 8 years. It is extremely tough trying to run a small business these days, but community driven venues are what keeps the city alive. We have been hit hard in the past with COVID restrictions and financial issues from being a hospitality venue in the city centre, but our community has been so supportive and that’s what keeps us going.
So if you are in Glasgow city centre and are looking to meet some lovely new people, if you want something fun to do for the whole family to enjoy on a rainy day, if you are in charge of your next works night out party, then pop into R-CADE for a browse, a chat, and a cuppa. We are family friendly, open from 12-7pm, and then over 18’s only from 7-10pm. You can book game passes at www.rcadeglasgow.com . We are also very active on our socials to bring you updates on our special events, you can find us everywhere using the tag @rcadeglasgow.
