🎲 Board Games & New Friends
Meet New People, Make Friends & Have Fun in Ottawa!
Looking to meet new people, make friends, or simply enjoy a fun evening out?
Welcome to Board Games & New Friends, a friendly Ottawa community gathering where people come together to enjoy board games, share some laughs, and hopefully build lasting friendships.
Whether you're coming alone, bringing a friend, or trying board games for the first time, we'd love to have you join us!
No experience necessary. No need to know anyone. Just come out and have some fun! 😊
🎲 Board Game Nights — At a Glance
📍 Main Location: Wizard's Tower, 1-80 Marketplace Ave., Nepean, Ontario K2J 5G3
📅 When: Usually Sunday evenings
⏰ Arrival: 6:00–6:30 PM, or 6:40–7:00 PM when the store has an earlier event.
💰 Cost: FREE at Wizard's Tower — no cover charge for our gatherings.
👥 Group Size: Usually 16–20 participants, depending on available tables.
More Info......
🎲 Experience: Beginners and experienced players are welcome. You don't need to bring a game.
☕ Food & Drinks: Coffee, pop, and other refreshments available for purchase. Restaurants are within walking distance.
🚗 Parking & Transit: Plenty of free parking and OC Transpo service in the surrounding area.
❤️ Who Can Join? Everyone! Hockey players, non-hockey players, spouses, partners, and friends. Children are welcome only at designated family-friendly events.
🏰 Other Locations: We also my plan gatherings at Level One Game Pub in downtown Ottawa. Admission arrangements may differ.
📩 Questions? owbhockey@gmail.com
💬 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ottawawesthockey
Please check the individual Facebook event invitation for the confirmed date, location, arrival time, and available spaces.
❤️ More Than Just Board Games
Making new friends as an adult isn't always easy.
Between work, family, and everyday responsibilities, it can be difficult to find opportunities to meet new people outside our usual circles.
That's one of the reasons we started organizing these gatherings.
Board games are a great way to bring people together. They give everyone something to do, make conversations easier, and provide a relaxed setting where friendships can develop naturally.
Sometimes the best part of the evening isn't even the game. It's the conversations, laughter, and people you meet along the way.
Our goal isn't to create a competitive gaming club. It's to create a welcoming community where people can relax, enjoy themselves, and make new friends.
You might come for the games, but hopefully you'll leave with a few new friends! 🎲❤️
🏒 A Community Event Open to Everyone
Board Games & New Friends is one of the social activities supported by Ottawa Hockey Hub and the Ottawa West Hockey League (OWHL).
Although we have a large recreational hockey community, you do not need to play hockey or belong to our league to attend.
These are public events, and everyone is welcome!
We also encourage our hockey players to bring their spouses, partners, family members, and friends who don't play hockey. It's a great opportunity to socialize away from the rink and introduce others to our community.
We hope to organize some family-friendly events in the future where children can participate as well. Please check individual invitations for age requirements.
Whether you play hockey or have never picked up a stick, you're equally welcome at our board game nights!
📍 Our Board Game Locations
We organize our gatherings at local gaming venues around Ottawa. Our primary location is Wizard's Tower in Nepean, with additional gatherings planned at Level One Game Pub downtown.
🏰 Wizard's Tower — Nepean
Address:
Wizard's Tower1-80 Marketplace Ave.Nepean, OntarioK2J 5G3
🌐 Website: https://www.wizardtower.com/
🎲 Browse the Board Game Collection: https://www.wizardtower.com/board-game-rental/
Wizard's Tower is a local gaming store with space for tabletop games and a selection of board games.
It's a relaxed environment where people can meet, learn new games, and enjoy an evening together.
What you can expect:
Free admission to our social gatherings, with no cover charge.
Gaming tables accommodating approximately eight participants each, depending on the game.
Coffee, pop, and other non-alcoholic refreshments available for purchase.
Mary Brown's Chicken right beside the store.
Approximately two or three restaurants within a one- or two-minute walk.
Plenty of free parking in the surrounding shopping area.
OC Transpo bus service in the surrounding Barrhaven Marketplace area.
🎲 Level One Game Pub — Downtown Ottawa
Address:
Level One Game Pub14 Waller StOttawa, OntarioK1N 9C4
🌐 Website: https://www.levelonegamepub.com/
We also plan to organize some gatherings at Level One Game Pub in downtown Ottawa.
Level One offers a different experience, combining board games with a restaurant and social atmosphere.
Food and drinks are available for purchase, and the location is accessible by public transit.
Please note that Level One may charge a gaming or admission fee. Downtown parking may also be paid or more limited than at Wizard's Tower.
Any applicable costs will be identified in the individual event invitation.
Our organized Board Games & New Friends gatherings are alcohol-free, regardless of the venue.
🕕 When Do We Meet?
Our board game nights are generally held on Sunday evenings, although we may organize additional gatherings on other days.
At Wizard's Tower, we normally use one of two arrival windows:
6:00–6:30 PM: Our usual arrival time, allowing everyone to get settled, meet the host, and choose games.
6:40–7:00 PM: Occasionally used when Wizard's Tower has another event scheduled earlier in the day.
We generally arrange two tables, with approximately eight participants per table.
Some games are better suited to smaller groups, so we may organize several games at once.
Please check your individual Facebook invitation for the confirmed time and available spaces.
🎲 What Kind of Games Do We Play?
We try to offer a variety of games depending on the interests and experience levels of the people attending.
Some participants enjoy strategy games, while others prefer something lighter and easier to learn.
You might find:
🎉 Party Games: Great for conversation, laughter, and breaking the ice.
🧩 Strategy Games: For people who enjoy planning, thinking, and friendly competition.
🤝 Cooperative Games: Work together as a team rather than compete against one another.
🃏 Card Games: Often quick to learn and easy to play.
🎲 Beginner-Friendly Games: Perfect for people who haven't played many board games before.
You don't need to know the rules beforehand. We'll help people learn and get involved.
You're also welcome to bring your own games, provided you're prepared to explain the rules to others.
The most important thing is that everyone has an opportunity to participate and enjoy themselves.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
👋 Attending & Meeting People
1. Can I attend alone?
Absolutely!
Many people come to these gatherings because they're looking to meet new friends.
You don't need to arrive with someone or already know anyone.
Our host will help introduce you to other participants and find a game you can join.
2. Will there be someone to greet me?
Yes!
Someone from our organizing group will be there to welcome participants, help with introductions, and organize the games.
If you're attending for the first time, we'll do our best to make you feel comfortable and included.
3. What if I'm shy or nervous about attending?
That's completely understandable.
Not everyone finds it easy to walk into a room full of strangers.
Board games provide a natural way to start conversations and get to know others without feeling pressured.
You can participate at your own pace, and our host will be there to help.
If you'd like to ask questions before attending, feel free to send us a message.
4. Is this a singles or dating event?
No.
Board Games & New Friends is about friendship and community, not dating.
Single, married, partnered, or otherwise, everyone is welcome.
The focus is on enjoying games, meeting people, and building friendships.
5. Can I bring a friend, spouse, or partner?
Of course!
Friends, couples, spouses, and partners are all welcome.
We just ask that everyone planning to attend is included in the RSVP count so we can manage available space.
6. Are children welcome?
Our regular gatherings are generally intended for adults but kids are welcome to come!!!.
7. Do I need to RSVP?
Yes, please!
We usually have limited table space, so we ask everyone to select Going on the Facebook event invitation if they genuinely plan to attend.
If your plans change, please update your RSVP so another participant can take your place.
8. What if I arrive late?
That's okay!
We encourage participants to arrive during the scheduled arrival window because it's easier to organize games and introduce everyone at the beginning.
If you're running late, feel free to message the organizer.
We'll do our best to help you join a game when there's an appropriate opportunity.
🎲 Games, Experience & Costs
9. Is there a cost to attend?
Our gatherings at Wizard's Tower are free, with no cover charge.
You don't need to pay an admission fee to join our group and socialize.
Food and drinks are optional purchases. Any separate store game-rental charges should be confirmed with Wizard's Tower.
Events at other venues, such as Level One Game Pub, may have admission or gaming fees. These will be identified in the event invitation.
10. Do I need experience playing board games?
Not at all!
Beginners are always welcome.
Some participants may have years of experience, while others may not have played a board game since childhood.
We'll help explain the rules and try to select games everyone can enjoy.
11. Can I bring my own board games?
Yes! We encourage it.
If you have a favourite game that you think others would enjoy, feel free to bring it.
We simply ask that you're prepared to teach others how to play.
Please be patient with beginners and remember that our gatherings are about having fun and making friends.
12. What if I don't own any board games?
No problem!
Wizard's Tower has a board game rental collection, and participants may bring games to share.
You can browse the collection here:
You don't need to purchase or own a game to attend.
13. How many people attend?
We generally plan for approximately 16–20 participants, depending on the available space.
At Wizard's Tower, we normally arrange two tables, with approximately eight participants per table.
Some games work better with smaller groups, so table arrangements may change throughout the evening.
14. What if I don't enjoy the game being played?
That's perfectly fine.
We try to offer different games depending on the interests of the group.
If space and participant numbers allow, we may be able to organize another game.
The goal is for everyone to have fun, not to feel obligated to play something they don't enjoy.
☕ Food, Drinks & Transportation
15. Are food and drinks available?
Yes!
At Wizard's Tower, coffee, pop, and other non-alcoholic refreshments are available for purchase. There are also approximately two or three restaurants within a short walk, including Mary Brown's Chicken right beside the store.
At Level One Game Pub, restaurant food and beverages are available for purchase.
Please follow each venue's policies regarding outside food and drinks.
16. Is alcohol permitted?
No. Our organized Board Games & New Friends gatherings are alcohol-free.
We want to maintain a comfortable, welcoming environment for everyone.
Non-alcoholic refreshments are welcome, subject to the venue's policies.
17. Is there parking available?
At Wizard's Tower, there is plenty of free parking in the surrounding shopping area.
At Level One Game Pub, downtown parking is available, although it may be paid or more limited.
We recommend allowing extra travel time as traffic can be bad due to events.
18. Can I get there by public transit?
Yes!
Wizard's Tower is located in the Barrhaven Marketplace area, which is served by OC Transpo.
Level One Game Pub is located downtown, with access to public transit connections.
We recommend checking OC Transpo's trip planner before travelling, especially for Sunday evening return trips.
19. Is carpooling available?
Carpooling may be possible if other participants are willing to offer or share a ride.
However, carpooling is not formally organized or guaranteed by the event hosts.
Any arrangements must be made voluntarily between the people involved, including agreement on pickup, drop-off, and the return trip.
We encourage everyone to make arrangements they feel comfortable with.
📅 Locations & Future Events
20. Are board game nights always held at Wizard's Tower?
Not Always
Wizard's Tower in Nepean is our primary location, but we may organize some gatherings at Level One Game Pub in downtown Ottawa or other locations depending on availability.
21. Are events always held on Sundays?
Sunday evenings are our usual gathering time, but we may organize additional events on other days depending on interest and venue availability.
Please watch for upcoming Facebook invitations.
22. Can I suggest a game or another social activity?
Absolutely!
We're always interested in hearing suggestions from participants.
Whether it's a particular board game, another gaming location, or a completely different social activity, we're happy to hear your ideas.
As our community grows, we'd love to explore additional opportunities for people to get together.
🤝 A Few Simple Guidelines
We want everyone to enjoy themselves and feel welcome.
Please treat others respectfully, be patient with people learning new games, and help newcomers feel included.
Friendly competition is great, but remember that the goal is to have fun.
We also ask everyone to respect the venues, their employees, and the gaming spaces.
Most importantly, help create the kind of welcoming environment you'd want to experience yourself.
❤️ Building Friendships, One Game at a Time
One of the things I've learned through organizing community activities is that people often just need an opportunity to get together.
Sometimes that happens through a shared hobby, a board game, a conversation over coffee, or a few laughs around a table.
Not everyone has the same interests, and that's what makes bringing different people together so enjoyable.
Our hope is that Board Games & New Friends becomes a regular opportunity for people throughout Ottawa to connect, enjoy themselves, and develop genuine friendships.
You might discover a new favourite game, meet someone who shares your interests, or simply have a fun evening away from home.
You might come for the games, but hopefully you'll leave with a few new friends! 🎲❤️
📩 Questions or Want to Join Us?
We'd love to hear from you!
Watch for our upcoming Facebook event invitations for dates, locations, times, and RSVP information.
If you're attending for the first time, have questions, or would simply like to know a little more about the group, feel free to reach out.
📧 Email: owbhockey@gmail.com
💬 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ottawawesthockey
🏰 Wizard's Tower: https://www.wizardtower.com/
🎲 Wizard's Tower Board Game Collection: https://www.wizardtower.com/board-game-rental/
🎮 Level One Game Pub: https://www.levelonegamepub.com/
Everyone is welcome. Come alone, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of games, laughter, and new connections!
🎲 Board Games & New Friends — Different Games, New Connections, Lasting Friendships!
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