Introduction to Replay: Our Origin Story & Circular Ethic
Replay officially opened its doors on June 16, 2017, but the spark was lit decades earlier. Founded by two childhood friends bound by a lifelong, passionate love for play, their dream was to create a cozy, bohemian sanctuary where people could hang out, disconnect from screens, and experience the magic of play.
Driven by pure passion, we took a leap of faith on a quirky premises that locals jokingly whispered was "cursed" - no previous business had survived there for more than a year. With almost no budget but a heart full of hope, we quite literally built Replay out of raw determination, tears, and sweat. We taught ourselves carpentry on the fly, upcycling reclaimed wood into our very first tables and chairs.
It was a true adventure, and while taking that initial leap was terrifying, the local community embraced us with open arms. Within just a few short months, our leap of faith paid off as neighborhood locals and familiar, regular faces began filling the space.
Over the last nine years, we have evolved into the bustling, family-run space we are today. We still proudly carry that upcycling charm as our venue's permanent trademark - only now, it’s done with beautifully elevated, professional craftsmanship. For us, Replay represents a deep commitment to a reusing ethic and the circular life of materials; we love knowing that our furniture has a history. To extend that passion for sustainability even further, we also sell pre-loved board games, keeping the circle of play moving from one home to another.
Our Philosophy: The Power of Play
At Replay, we fundamentally believe in the transformative power of play. For us, games aren’t just a weekend hobby; they are a vital tool for everyday life. Whether it’s through our open socials, collaborative team-building sessions, or a casual game night at home, play has an unmatched ability to strengthen relationships, lower walls, and heal the disconnect of modern life.
Our ultimate mission is simply to welcome you into this world. Because of that, we love introducing easy-to-learn but deeply engaging games like Jaipur or Carcassone to get you started. Once you're hooked, we can help you find the right social group or heavier title, ensuring we have something special for every single type of gamer.
Behind our collection is a team with a wonderfully diverse mix of real-world expertise. We don't just hand you a box; we connect you with the right person on our crew to bring your game to life. Some of us specialize in heavy strategy games, others live for fast-paced dexterity matches, and we even have a professional Dungeons & Dragons player on the team who loves guiding guests through the magical process of creating their very own unique characters.
Events & Community: Where Strangers Become Friends
Today, we are deeply focused on structured social gaming and hosting a variety of local community groups. We design our mixer nights so that anyone walking in alone can instantly plug into a warm, welcoming group.
Among our regular events, we are incredibly proud to have grown a dedicated board game social for women that takes place on a regular basis. The aim goes far beyond just introducing women to the hobby; it’s about building a vibrant, lasting social network right here in Bristol within a genuinely safe, supportive, and inclusive setting. We also host a weekly social deduction night playing Blood on the Clocktower, which consistently brings in a roaring, full house of bluffing, laughter, and brilliant chaotic energy.
Over the years, we have had the profound privilege of watching real human magic happen at all of these tables. We have seen total strangers become inseparable best friends, regular gaming groups grow into chosen families, and we’ve even witnessed a beautiful, nerve-wracking marriage proposal right in the middle of a game! Our tables carry the energy of thousands of shared laughs, collaborative victories, and quiet moments of genuine connection.
Food & Drinks
A soul-warming experience requires proper comfort food, which is why we partner with incredible pop-up kitchens. Right now, we are thrilled to serve handmade dishes by Pasta Evangelists. To round out the perfect game night, we champion Bristol's local scene with specialty coffees, locally crafted beers, and delicious cakes - featuring an abundance of vegan and gluten-free options.
Our Specialty: Celebrations & Venue Hire
Replay is also the perfect destination to arrange any celebration. We don’t just offer a blank space for hire, we take complete care of all the logistics in the background to provide the best possible experience. Our unique architectural structure allows us to seamlessly create three distinct "zones" to establish the perfect flow for any parties including the basement: a high-octane space packed with table tennis, retro consoles, and action-packed dexterity games - where you can even bring in your own DJ for a proper, unforgettable celebration.
Why You Should Visit
When you step into Replay, our ultimate goal is for you to feel entirely at home. That is the philosophy that guides how we handle every single person who enters our doors. We are very laid-back, fiercely friendly so don't be surprised if one of our team members pulls up a chair at your table just to play a quick, spontaneous round of Hive with a stranger. At Replay, you aren't a customer; you're part of the family from the moment you cross the threshold.
Where to find us: 196 Cheltenham Road, BS6 5RB Bristol
Opening Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Booking Details: Head over to our website to secure a table for your group or your next social night, though we always keep a few cozy corners open for walk-ins!
Website: https://www.replaybristol.com
Social Media:
Instagram: @replay_bristol
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085568087365
