The Hexagon Board Game Cafe

Town Square Brewing Co. is all about supporting community! So support back by trying one of their beers at Hex YEG. We've just added their Forged Rye Amber Ale and Chainsaws For Hands Rye & Ginger Sour (currently only available at our YEG location).
We also have Happy Hour everyday until 6pm! 🍻

There are thousands of board games in the world, with more being published every year, vying for a space on your shelf and on your table. Behind each of these games lies one or more core game mechanics which create the engine through which the games are played. After learning the basics behind how these systems work and becoming familiar with them, picking up new games that share the same mechanic becomes much easier.
Check out our blog to learn about tile placement and cooperative games in Game Mechanics: Part 1.

#TRIVIATUESDAY
Did you know...
The game Carcassonne is named after the medieval fortified city, Carcassonne, in southern France? It has a population of about 50,000, and it's known for its city walls consisting of 53 towers and barbicans. Game designer Klaus-Jürgen Wrede created the game while on vacation. Carcassonne has become one of the most popular games, with numerous expansions and spin-offs. The original game even won the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2001!

Board games are great for everyone, not just kids! Here are a few reasons why:
✅ Help develop focus ✅ Increase logical reasoning ✅ Reduce stress... ✅ Strengthen bonds
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Board games are one of the best ways to spend quality time with friends and family. We're open from 11am-11pm today.
From our Hex Family to yours, HAPPY FAMILY DAY!

#WEEKENDREPOST
Stop on by to Hexagon for a great time! Bring your friends and it will always be a blast!
📷: just_craft_beer_xtina (via IG)

#WEEKENDREPOST
A games night without friends is like a latte without espresso. We'd love to host your games night!
📷: wild_wanderer20 (via IG)

Game of the Week - Reef
Primarily found in the Indo-Pacific seas, Coral is one of nature’s most beautiful organic structures and is vital to supporting a plethora of aquatic lifeforms. It takes thousands of years for coral reefs to grow, and this little patch of ocean floor could really use your advice on how to as beautiful as it can be.
Reef is a game where players are challenged to create patterns on their reefs matching the cards in their hands. By matching patterns toget...her, players earn a variable amount of points and help grow their coral reef. For their turn, a player must either add one of three face-up cards to their hand or play a card from their hand, growing their reef and possibly scoring a pattern. When at least one colour of coral pieces run out, the remaining players take one last turn before the game ends. If the card deck runs out, however, the game ends immediately. Whoever has acquired the most victory points wins the game.
Quick Facts: • 2-4 players • 30-45 minutes • Hand management, pattern building, abstract strategy • Novice gamers
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We've witnessed first dates, to engagement parties, and bachelor(ette) parties, marriage signing ceremonies, and hosted a wedding reception. It's incredible what board games can do!
#TBT to this engagement shoot at Hex YEG, where this couple had their first date. 💕
Happy Valentine's Day!
... 📷: darionbalfour (via IG)
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Valentine’s Day is 1 DAY away! Here are 20 games specifically designed for 2 players.

"Are there any good games for two people?”
That’s a question we get all the time, and the answer is YES! Read our latest blog post on games for 2. New posts go up every Wednesday, so check back next week!

#TRIVIATUESDAY
Did you know...
Tak was originally a fictional game that existed only in the fantasy novel “The Wise Man’s Fear” by Patrick Rothfuss? In the novel, no rules were given. The game was only described as being “the best sort of game: simple in its rules, complex in its strategy.” Taking inspiration from the novel, James Ernest created the version of Tak we now know and love. It is a simple to learn, two player abstract strategy game that only takes minutes to learn... but could take a lifetime to master.
“Bredon beat me handily in all five games we played, but I am proud to say that he never beat me the same way twice.” -Kvothe, The Wise Man’s Fear
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#NationalInventorsDay
Board game designers are inventors. They start with with an idea, create a prototype, playtest their game, refine their game, playtest their game again, refine their game again...again, and again...until it's ready to be published. They spend hours upon hours crafting their invention, in this case a board game. It's a huge accomplishment when people other than your friends and family can enjoy your creation.
So congratulations to local game designer, Rya...n Leininger, for successfully publishing Tiny Ninjas. If you backed the Kickstarter campaign and live in the Calgary area, you can pick up your copy of Tiny Ninjas at Hexagon Calgary. Tiny Ninjas is also available for play at both Hexagon locations.
📷: tinyninjasgame (via IG)
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#WEEKENDREPOST
Have you tried Bloom Cookie Co. cookies? We love them and think you will too! 🍪 (Currently only available at our YEG location).
... 📷: corinneassistant (via IG)
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#WEEKENDREPOST
We love these adorable mittens! Take your mitts off at the Hex Cafe to take a break from the chilly weather. We've got lots of hot drinks for you to try, and a warm community vibe for you to hang out with anyone in!
📷: yycjolt (via IG)

Game of the Week - Keyforge: Call of the Archons
You’re an Archon of a mysterious construct called The Crucible, a mash-up of foreign worlds and creatures all brought together to form an artificial planet which hides ancient secrets locked within vaults. Although your followers call the Archons gods, there are many things you don’t know that you wish to learn, such as why the Archons exist and how The Crucible came to be. The answer could be within those hidden vaults. Unfort...unately, you’re not the only Archon interested in opening them. When two Archon’s discover a vault, only one can gain its knowledge…
Keyforge is a game by the renowned creator of Magic: the Gathering, Richard Garfield. Whereas Magic: the Gathering primarily revolved around building a custom deck with specific cards, Keyforge is a game where each deck is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation, that cannot be added to or changed. Whatever 37-card deck you get, all you have to figure out is how to use it.
The goal of the game is to unlock three key tokens by accumulating a psychic substance known as Æmber. Spending six Æmber will unlock a key token, putting one step closer to breaking open the vault. On your turn, you must select one of the three houses your deck is affiliated with. Only cards from those can be activated, played, or discarded for this turn, so choose wisely! The upside is that you can play as many of those cards as you want. The downside is that unless you choose the same house next turn, you might not really be able to use them. Some cards in your deck might be focused on earning you Æmber, while others might be focused on dealing with your opponent’s creatures. While battling each other, it might feel like head-to-head conflict, however, the real goal of the game is to unlock all three key tokens. The first player to succeed wins the game!
Quick Facts: • 2 players • 15-45 minutes • Card game, hand management • Novice gamers
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NEW GAME RELEASE!
Are you a fan of escape rooms? Have you already played all the other UNLOCK! games?
We've just added the latest adventures of the series, Exotic Adventures, to the library! Includes Night of the Boogeymen, Scheherazade's Last Tale, and Expedition: Challenger. Also available for purchase.

Don't have Valentine's Day plans yet? How about an evening of board games with your special someone? 💘
Get a bottle of wine, choice of dessert, and 2 hours of gaming for 2 people for only $35! Call us now to make a reservation! Be sure to mention the V-Day package. Space is limited.

Hexagon is a board game cafe, but we're more than just board games. We're also a coffeeshop in the traditional sense, where people gather to converse, study, work, or conduct business meetings. We aspire to fulfill our tagline of 'COFFEE | GAMES | COMMUNITY', and board games are just one of the many catalysts that can bring people together. Read what coffee means to Hexpert Zoë in our newest blog segment, Cafe Culture.
New posts go up every Wednesday, so check back next week!

We've been going to the Hexagon Cafe in Edmonton almost since it opened, but due to traveling this year we've ended up more at the Calgary location. It is literally our favourite place to go. The drinks are better than anywhere else, the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly, and there are always new games to try. We love that the staff teach you how to play the games! We've learned so many good ones this way. We love that the Hex truly prioritizes local community initiatives and businesses, and is always looking to improve: They have great gender neutral washrooms, for instance. We love the owners, who have become some of our favourite people in the whole world, and who work so hard for these amazing cafes. The Calgary location is also just so pretty with fantastic food selections. And it is SO affordable, which is why we bring our family and friends.

We were visiting from the US decided to stop by for some coffee and to play a few games. Had a great time and the beverages were awesome and service was terrific. We are planning on going back again today. Can you tell we liked it :)

This place is great. The food is good, the game selection is great and the staff is even better. Living in the neighbourhood makes it really tempting to spend all my time there.

This is an exceptional and innovative café. The staff and owners are client-focussed and I really like their atmosphere.

The staff are the best! Also tons of fun :) either on a date or as a group, versatile location!

The owner or staff were so welcoming and taught us how to play the board games that we chose. And the atmosphere was very good. The beverages were very good. And it was cheap to go out with family and enjoy a good day of playing board games. Will go again!

The best mocha ever!:) thanks for the awesome games!:D

The Hexagon is the perfect place to spend some time with friends new and old. Their board game selection is impressive, and they have multiple copies of the most popular titles. Great coffee, and a nice little menu.

Really nice place. Friendly staff. The owner seemed very engaging and did his best to ensure we were taken care of.

Love it!! Always have fun there! Great staff and if you don't know anyone, Mingle Mondays are perfect!!

I loved my visit. I'm from out of town, and I was looking for a coffee to work on a project. I tried several coffees but they were too loud, then I found this place. Very nice atmosphere, many comfortable seats to work, and the possibility to rent some games and play with friends is amazing! The pricing are affordable and there is WiFi. I will definitely come back during my next visit to Calgary !

I love this place. The staff is very helpful and friendly (special shout out to Kelly!) And the have a good small selection of drinks and snacks.

I love this place. The London Fogs are tasty, the staff is always very accommodating, and they've always got some good game recommendations. They're great at teaching you how to play games as well.

Great place to hangout o and play some games

Amazing location to study, work or play games. Helpful staff, wonderful space and a great selection of games.

fun family hang out. We played a couple of games, had a delicious drink, and enjoyed ourselves, It was a nice atmosphere.

The coffee is good, and they have a great selection of games to play or to buy. The food selection is very limited though, I would love to see some snacks, and some vegan options!

One of my favourite places to have a cheap outing! Staff is super nice, coffee is good, and the atmosphere is cool. They lost a star for their atrocious bathrooms though. Every single time I've been there the bathrooms have been disgusting. And not even like "oh they haven't cleaned them yet today", they're dirty from not being cleaned at all. I avoid using them. My breaking point was when I entered one tonight and as I was doing ma business I noticed a weird smell and realized someone has vomited EVERYWHERE and it was cleaned up half-assed. It takes 10 minutes to properly clean each stall every two days. Come on!

We've been going to the Hexagon Cafe in Edmonton almost since it opened, but due to traveling this year we've ended up more at the Calgary location. It is literally our favourite place to go. The drinks are better than anywhere else, the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly, and there are always new games to try. We love that the staff teach you how to play the games! We've learned so many good ones this way. We love that the Hex truly prioritizes local community initiatives and businesses, and is always looking to improve: They have great gender neutral washrooms, for instance. We love the owners, who have become some of our favourite people in the whole world, and who work so hard for these amazing cafes. The Calgary location is also just so pretty with fantastic food selections. And it is SO affordable, which is why we bring our family and friends.

We were visiting from the US decided to stop by for some coffee and to play a few games. Had a great time and the beverages were awesome and service was terrific. We are planning on going back again today. Can you tell we liked it :)

This place is great. The food is good, the game selection is great and the staff is even better. Living in the neighbourhood makes it really tempting to spend all my time there.

This is an exceptional and innovative café. The staff and owners are client-focussed and I really like their atmosphere.

The staff are the best! Also tons of fun :) either on a date or as a group, versatile location!

The owner or staff were so welcoming and taught us how to play the board games that we chose. And the atmosphere was very good. The beverages were very good. And it was cheap to go out with family and enjoy a good day of playing board games. Will go again!

The best mocha ever!:) thanks for the awesome games!:D

The Hexagon is the perfect place to spend some time with friends new and old. Their board game selection is impressive, and they have multiple copies of the most popular titles. Great coffee, and a nice little menu.

Really nice place. Friendly staff. The owner seemed very engaging and did his best to ensure we were taken care of.

Love it!! Always have fun there! Great staff and if you don't know anyone, Mingle Mondays are perfect!!

I loved my visit. I'm from out of town, and I was looking for a coffee to work on a project. I tried several coffees but they were too loud, then I found this place. Very nice atmosphere, many comfortable seats to work, and the possibility to rent some games and play with friends is amazing! The pricing are affordable and there is WiFi. I will definitely come back during my next visit to Calgary !

I love this place. The staff is very helpful and friendly (special shout out to Kelly!) And the have a good small selection of drinks and snacks.

I love this place. The London Fogs are tasty, the staff is always very accommodating, and they've always got some good game recommendations. They're great at teaching you how to play games as well.

Great place to hangout o and play some games

Amazing location to study, work or play games. Helpful staff, wonderful space and a great selection of games.

fun family hang out. We played a couple of games, had a delicious drink, and enjoyed ourselves, It was a nice atmosphere.

The coffee is good, and they have a great selection of games to play or to buy. The food selection is very limited though, I would love to see some snacks, and some vegan options!

One of my favourite places to have a cheap outing! Staff is super nice, coffee is good, and the atmosphere is cool. They lost a star for their atrocious bathrooms though. Every single time I've been there the bathrooms have been disgusting. And not even like "oh they haven't cleaned them yet today", they're dirty from not being cleaned at all. I avoid using them. My breaking point was when I entered one tonight and as I was doing ma business I noticed a weird smell and realized someone has vomited EVERYWHERE and it was cleaned up half-assed. It takes 10 minutes to properly clean each stall every two days. Come on!

We've been going to the Hexagon Cafe in Edmonton almost since it opened, but due to traveling this year we've ended up more at the Calgary location. It is literally our favourite place to go. The drinks are better than anywhere else, the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly, and there are always new games to try. We love that the staff teach you how to play the games! We've learned so many good ones this way. We love that the Hex truly prioritizes local community initiatives and businesses, and is always looking to improve: They have great gender neutral washrooms, for instance. We love the owners, who have become some of our favourite people in the whole world, and who work so hard for these amazing cafes. The Calgary location is also just so pretty with fantastic food selections. And it is SO affordable, which is why we bring our family and friends.

We were visiting from the US decided to stop by for some coffee and to play a few games. Had a great time and the beverages were awesome and service was terrific. We are planning on going back again today. Can you tell we liked it :)

This place is great. The food is good, the game selection is great and the staff is even better. Living in the neighbourhood makes it really tempting to spend all my time there.

This is an exceptional and innovative café. The staff and owners are client-focussed and I really like their atmosphere.

The staff are the best! Also tons of fun :) either on a date or as a group, versatile location!

The owner or staff were so welcoming and taught us how to play the board games that we chose. And the atmosphere was very good. The beverages were very good. And it was cheap to go out with family and enjoy a good day of playing board games. Will go again!

The best mocha ever!:) thanks for the awesome games!:D

The Hexagon is the perfect place to spend some time with friends new and old. Their board game selection is impressive, and they have multiple copies of the most popular titles. Great coffee, and a nice little menu.

Really nice place. Friendly staff. The owner seemed very engaging and did his best to ensure we were taken care of.

Love it!! Always have fun there! Great staff and if you don't know anyone, Mingle Mondays are perfect!!

I loved my visit. I'm from out of town, and I was looking for a coffee to work on a project. I tried several coffees but they were too loud, then I found this place. Very nice atmosphere, many comfortable seats to work, and the possibility to rent some games and play with friends is amazing! The pricing are affordable and there is WiFi. I will definitely come back during my next visit to Calgary !

I love this place. The staff is very helpful and friendly (special shout out to Kelly!) And the have a good small selection of drinks and snacks.

I love this place. The London Fogs are tasty, the staff is always very accommodating, and they've always got some good game recommendations. They're great at teaching you how to play games as well.

Great place to hangout o and play some games

Amazing location to study, work or play games. Helpful staff, wonderful space and a great selection of games.

fun family hang out. We played a couple of games, had a delicious drink, and enjoyed ourselves, It was a nice atmosphere.

The coffee is good, and they have a great selection of games to play or to buy. The food selection is very limited though, I would love to see some snacks, and some vegan options!

One of my favourite places to have a cheap outing! Staff is super nice, coffee is good, and the atmosphere is cool. They lost a star for their atrocious bathrooms though. Every single time I've been there the bathrooms have been disgusting. And not even like "oh they haven't cleaned them yet today", they're dirty from not being cleaned at all. I avoid using them. My breaking point was when I entered one tonight and as I was doing ma business I noticed a weird smell and realized someone has vomited EVERYWHERE and it was cleaned up half-assed. It takes 10 minutes to properly clean each stall every two days. Come on!