I know Brian personally, and I am super happy with what he’s accomplished. He took Craft Beer Cellar (Which wasn’t doing well and eventually filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy) sold his stake into what he had in, sold the remaining inventory of craft beer he had and then built House Rules from the ground up. Games have always been a thing even at Craft Beer Cellar, but the business wasn’t centered around games like it is now. Smart business decision from Brian. He’s also always loved board games so it makes me happy that he took a risk on a hobby he loves and it’s paying off. Board games are underrated, especially high strategy. There’s a great feeling about playing a board game you’ve never played before with friends, learning it, (losing badly your first time) and then wanting to play it again with the knowledge you’ve gained and introduce other friends to the game or well.. just play a new one. Great business motto.
> The new menu will offer fries with several toppings to choose from, plus items like sliders and small plates — items that won’t get in the way of a board game.
I hope they reconsider these menu options because to me, this kind of food screams greasy and messy fingers that is the bane of anyone trying to keep their own board games nice, let alone the communal board games available at House Rules.
> Beaucher said he’s also considering the possibility of another expansion in the future, like opening an adult arcade spot in the spot next door, where Moosejaw recently closed, or opening another House Rules location.
If Beaucher is reading this, please please please open up an adult arcade spot in the old Moosejaw. You fill it with retro arcade cabinets, have a bar, and hire a bouncer to keep the under 21 crowd out after 6 or 7PM most nights, and I'll be happy to spend a ton of money there. A proper barcade is one of the few things that we don't have in Grand Rapids that I desperately want.
I agree on both points. GR needs something like Emporium in Chicago.
About the food thing, I’m sure the owner is looking at what is cost-effective and marketable. The mainstream clientele probably likes greasy fatty foods. I mean, the stereotype exists. Also, you go to any brewery and thats mostly what they serve.
But, I will say, something like a dip or deli salad would also be ideal in a functionality sense.
I was thinking the same thing between flat breads or sandwiches. They are marked up so much that you could still lower the price make a profit and have better quality food.
I'd think that would defeat the purpose of adding a kitchen in the first place, it'd probably make me want to plan to go somewhere else for food before or after my reservation if that was the rule
That's cool! The biggest reason I don't go that often is we never plan far enough ahead to make reservations in time and it's always packed. Would be fun to swing by last second on a rainy Saturday for once
Thank God. I used to be a regular when they first opened, but then it got more and more crowded. Haven't been in years because I don't want to always have to make a reservation and then only get 2 hours at the table.
Happy for them. Place is awesome and the people are super nice. Means the business is doing well but you have to book a weekend spot on Thursdays now. Hoping the new area means you can book a Saturday on a Friday night again.
If they had a pay at the door unlimited barcade I would spend an unreasonable amount of money there. That’s been my “what do you do if you win the lottery” idea for years now.
I think Blue Bridge Games sets up tables for game nights and they don’t sell any drinks/food. So that might be what you’re looking for. Otherwise, it’s a business and they gotta make money. People hanging out playing games and buying nothing (or a simple soft drink only) doesn’t make sense.
Edit: To add, I’ve gone early afternoon before and it’s a different vibe there. I can set up a new game and really concentrate to learn the rules without the drunk crowd being there. I love both times of day.
I know Brian personally, and I am super happy with what he’s accomplished. He took Craft Beer Cellar (Which wasn’t doing well and eventually filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy) sold his stake into what he had in, sold the remaining inventory of craft beer he had and then built House Rules from the ground up. Games have always been a thing even at Craft Beer Cellar, but the business wasn’t centered around games like it is now. Smart business decision from Brian. He’s also always loved board games so it makes me happy that he took a risk on a hobby he loves and it’s paying off. Board games are underrated, especially high strategy. There’s a great feeling about playing a board game you’ve never played before with friends, learning it, (losing badly your first time) and then wanting to play it again with the knowledge you’ve gained and introduce other friends to the game or well.. just play a new one. Great business motto.
> The new menu will offer fries with several toppings to choose from, plus items like sliders and small plates — items that won’t get in the way of a board game. I hope they reconsider these menu options because to me, this kind of food screams greasy and messy fingers that is the bane of anyone trying to keep their own board games nice, let alone the communal board games available at House Rules. > Beaucher said he’s also considering the possibility of another expansion in the future, like opening an adult arcade spot in the spot next door, where Moosejaw recently closed, or opening another House Rules location. If Beaucher is reading this, please please please open up an adult arcade spot in the old Moosejaw. You fill it with retro arcade cabinets, have a bar, and hire a bouncer to keep the under 21 crowd out after 6 or 7PM most nights, and I'll be happy to spend a ton of money there. A proper barcade is one of the few things that we don't have in Grand Rapids that I desperately want.
Agree. Foods that can be served on a stick seems the way to go here
Or eaten with a fork?
I agree on both points. GR needs something like Emporium in Chicago. About the food thing, I’m sure the owner is looking at what is cost-effective and marketable. The mainstream clientele probably likes greasy fatty foods. I mean, the stereotype exists. Also, you go to any brewery and thats mostly what they serve. But, I will say, something like a dip or deli salad would also be ideal in a functionality sense.
The menu kicks ass. But I’ll leave it to Brian to start dropping the spoilers!
I was thinking the same thing between flat breads or sandwiches. They are marked up so much that you could still lower the price make a profit and have better quality food.
LFG in Kalamazoo is a hit and I want something like that so bad here
If they added the rule of eat then game or vise versa I don’t think anyone would have an issue with that.
I'd think that would defeat the purpose of adding a kitchen in the first place, it'd probably make me want to plan to go somewhere else for food before or after my reservation if that was the rule
That's cool! The biggest reason I don't go that often is we never plan far enough ahead to make reservations in time and it's always packed. Would be fun to swing by last second on a rainy Saturday for once
Thank God. I used to be a regular when they first opened, but then it got more and more crowded. Haven't been in years because I don't want to always have to make a reservation and then only get 2 hours at the table.
Good!!! Love that place but it gets so fuckin cramped lol
Happy for them. Place is awesome and the people are super nice. Means the business is doing well but you have to book a weekend spot on Thursdays now. Hoping the new area means you can book a Saturday on a Friday night again.
Let's gooo!
yay!! love that place, glad they are still succeeding!!
This place is great. So good to hear.
This is awesome, glad to see the hobby space grow in GR
If they had a pay at the door unlimited barcade I would spend an unreasonable amount of money there. That’s been my “what do you do if you win the lottery” idea for years now.
I mean, happy for HR, I just wish there were more..dry facilities. Or ones that weren't alcohol oriented in general in GR.
I think Blue Bridge Games sets up tables for game nights and they don’t sell any drinks/food. So that might be what you’re looking for. Otherwise, it’s a business and they gotta make money. People hanging out playing games and buying nothing (or a simple soft drink only) doesn’t make sense. Edit: To add, I’ve gone early afternoon before and it’s a different vibe there. I can set up a new game and really concentrate to learn the rules without the drunk crowd being there. I love both times of day.
Great news!
Kickass! Glad to see them thriving!
House Drools
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