Gaming Groups Los Angeles

Catan (All Levels) @ North Hollywood

Palms Board Game Night (Ladies Only)

1198th Meeting - Fourth Thursday - Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

Gateway 2026 - Labor Day Weekend Strategicon - LAX Hilton

August 2026 - Playtest games at Geeky Teas!

**Players and game designers wanted for this open house style event!** Please read the event schedule, and all members, new and old, should check out the Code of Conduct at the bottom of this text. **FEE:** $8 to play at Geeky Teas - payable at the event to Geeky Teas at front desk. Once paid, you're covered to play games ALL DAY. **DESIGNER SIGN UP**: If you have a game to test during session one or two we have a new sign up protocol: **Fill out the form here- [First Play Designer Signup](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/1c9a3d4ed35b8034b34ced27ef3d1c40)** Please read the descriptions of each time to determine if your game is appropriate for a scheduled session. *Note: new members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game. If this is your first time showing your game at FPLA, please introduce yourself to either Damon or Cassandra (one or both will be near the front of the room) before your session for a quick explainer on how to get your game to the table and what to expect from playtesting.* **SCHEDULE:** Game days have 3 segments. **You do not need to come for the whole day!** However, it is good etiquette if you are testing your own game to stay and test at least one other designer's game as well. 11:00am - 1:00 pm **OPEN PLAY TESTING** This is unstructured play time, ideal for short games (45min or less), 2 player games, and games that require a quieter environment. If you're a designer, grab an available table and let people know you are looking for players. If you're a player, just sit down at a game and play! **SESSION ONE** 1:15pm - 3:15pm **SESSION TWO** 3:30pm - 5:30pm Scheduled sessions are the core of First Play! This event we have three scheduled sessions, with about 4-6 games running during each time slot. Following moderator announcements, each designer running a game will have the opportunity to do an 'elevator pitch' to players. After which, players decide which game they want to play. Two hour sessions are ideal for games that are 60-90 minutes, and have been playtested multiple times before. After play, be sure to leave time to give and receive feedback. Oh, and sometimes we give away prizes! 5:30-6:30pm **DINNER BREAK** 6:30-10pm **THE SKUNKWORKS** This is unstructured time to test your wildest ideas. Bring the game that may break in 5 minutes, the one that requires 10 people, or the one that may involve crawling on the ground. Bring objects that *could* be games, half baked ideas, and untested print and plays. Take risks, be silly, and most importantly, have fun! **SPECIAL NOTES**: No outside food is permitted but there are snacks/drinks sold at Geeky Teas. Also, FYI - There are cats at the store, roaming but keep to themselves. Please read these guides, especially if you are new to design or playtesting- **[How to do better playtesting!](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/How-to-do-better-playtesting-1c9a3d4ed35b807b9f6ff643b5635885)** **[How to explain rules for your confusing game prototype!](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/How-to-explain-rules-for-your-confusing-game-prototype-1d3a3d4ed35b80c683e7e4f6953e8545)** **Code of Conduct Rules** 1. Be kind. 2. Seriously, be even more kind than you think you need to be. 3. Read the guidelines for giving and receiving feedback. 4. Respect the rules of our venues (Geeky Teas, Paper Heroes, Odyssey, etc). We will continue to be welcome as long as we continue to be good guests. 5. New members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game. 6. If you have RSVP'd to run a game, show up for your time slot. If you do not show up for your time slot, you will get a strike against you. Two strikes and moderators will discuss next steps with you about if you will be allowed to continue running games. 7. Be respectful of other community members- give as much as you receive. Playtest other peoples' games, not just your own. 8. In the case of an unresolvable or continuing conflict, please let a moderator know so we can determine next steps. 9. You will receive a warning if a legitimate complaint is lodged against you. In the case of a continuous issue, a group of at least 3 moderators will discuss and determine next steps. Consistent bad behavior will lead to a group ban. **See you soon!** **Have questions?** For FAQ's, please see here - [First Play FAQ’s](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/First-Play-FAQ-s-1d5a3d4ed35b809eadb7c5c72359521b) For a specific question please email *cassandra@ixiongameworks.com* For community conversations join the Cardboard Alchemy Discord: [https://discord.gg/2pYk3TT](https://discord.gg/2pYk3TT) \- find the \#first\-play\-la\-chat channel\!

Game Night - Tortugo Brewing Company

Looking for a place to play some board games? In the Los Angeles area? Join us at Tortugo Brewing Company in Inglewood! We'll have: 🎲 Craft Beers 🎲 Indie RPGs 🎲 Board Games

Indie RPG Game Night (Geeky Teas)

WHAT IS THIS EVENT? At **Indie RPG Night** we gather to play story games and independent role-playing games (RPGs). These games are similar to role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) but tend to be simpler to learn, and have more shared narrative control for all players. WHO IS THIS FOR? Any experience level is welcome, with no prior knowledge required. Almost all games are meant to be played in a single night (sometimes called *one-shots* or *episodic*), so no regular attendance is necessary. WHAT GAMES DO WE PLAY? We play games that allow us to come together to have a good time telling a story collaboratively. We do not generally play games with a win condition. Some games we play have a game master (GM) and players, similar to D&D. Other games are “GM-less” or "GM-ful", and have no game master, where the rules of the game have us share narrative authority so we all have similar control over the story. Some examples include: * Apocalypse World * Blades in the Dark * Dream Askew * Fiasco * For The Queen * The Quiet Year * Microscope WHAT GAMES DO WE AVOID? We avoid role-playing games that may require players to have prior knowledge of rules (which is often the case with RPGs such as D&D). Many of us love board and card games, however this is not the event for those games. Note that some story games have elements that may look like board and card games, however we play games that share our goal of coming together to collaboratively tell a story. Although some board games have narrative elements (such as Above and Below), or can be played in a narrative manner (such as Arkham Horror), these do not meet our criteria. If you have any doubts, please talk to one of the organizers. It is also important that games played conform to our Community Standards (https://bit.ly/StoryGamesLA-CommunityStandards). WHERE AND WHEN IS THE EVENT? Locations vary so check the meetup event for the current location. On this night we play at **Geeky Teas & Games** in Burbank. We plan to meet up starting at 6pm, and pitch games promptly at 6:30pm. The venue closes at 10pm. Games tend to normally last 2-4 hours. Note that Geeky Teas requires a $8 cover fee that you pay directly to them upon entry to the venue. HOW DO I ATTEND? If you plan on attending, please RSVP here. We have tables reserved but space may be limited, so we will prioritize people who RSVP if we end up having too many folks. We will try to accommodate everyone best as possible. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as early as possible so we have an accurate count. You should not need to bring anything with you, however always feel free to bring writing utensils, dice, note cards, and so on. WHAT ARE THE RULES? We try to provide an inclusive space, and do not tolerate harassment or prejudice of any kind, including that based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or disabilities. By attending and participating you are agreeing to abide by our Community Standards (https://bit.ly/StoryGamesLA-CommunityStandards). If you have any issues, please contact one of the meetup organizers at any time, either during the meetup or afterwards. We use the X-card and other RPG communication and safety tools, which we write about in our Community Standards document, and review when our events start. HOW CAN I RUN A GAME? If you are new to the group and the events, we ask that you play the first few times to get a feel for the games we play, and for the environment and our community. If have done so, and wish to run a game, please get in touch with the meetup organizers either at the event, or in the **Story Games LA** **Discord** ([https://discord.com/invite/qbPzyRYBQv](https://discord.com/invite/qbPzyRYBQv)). After doing so, you simply need to bring the materials needed to play: rules, printouts, notecards or blank paper, tokens, printouts, and so on. We may have some of these items, but may not have what you need. HOW CAN I BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY? The best place to participate with our community prior to or outside of the events is to join the **Story Games LA** **Discord** ([https://discord.com/invite/qbPzyRYBQv](https://discord.com/invite/qbPzyRYBQv)). This is also where we sometimes host our online events.

DEGEN NIGHT @ DEUCES FULL

Game Night @ Three Weavers Brewering

It’s on, Inglewood 🎲 Game Night Three Weavers is happening again! Come thirsty, leave victorious.

Strategicon Gateway 2026

Strategicon is Los Angeles' game convention that runs 3x / year. (Note: This event is not sponsored by our meetup, but is listed here because some of us go and game there.) About Strategicon: "Our conventions offer the chance to play, watch and buy a variety of board games, card games miniatures, roleplaying, collectables, and computer games. Convention opens on Friday at noon and runs continuously until Monday at 6 p.m." Going to Strategicon to game? Saturday includes RPG Games on Demand at various times, and Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions include an RPG Games on Demand - Kids Edition. There's also tons of scheduled RPGs and games of all types. Check the Events schedule at the website for more details (it gets updated as the convention comes closer to running). There is an entry fee (full weekend or individual day passes), but individual games are free. For more info: http://www.strategicon.net/. Also there is the ability to volunteer for the convention to get free entry (and I can always use help at Games on Demand). Get in touch with Tomes on the Story Games LA Discord for volunteering information. Even if you don't volunteer, you can get a discount during registration by mentioning you are with **Story Games LA**, see: https://www.strategicon.net/?registration. For details on Strategicon's Covid-19 policy, see https://www.strategicon.net/?covid19_policy

Friday Board Game Social: Casual Board Game Night

📍 **Location:** Wushiland Boba Alhambra 🕕 **Time:** Saturday, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM 💲 **Cover Fee:** $5.00 per person for individuals who have attended 5 events or less in the past 3 months **NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!** **We’ll be playing:** 🎴 **Nights of the Ninja** — quick, secret-identity bluffing & deduction. 🃏 **Cabanga!** — fast, chaotic card slaps and surprises. 🧩 **Codenames** — classic team word clues and deduction. 🐮 **Herd Mentality** — think like the crowd (avoid the pink cow!). 💬 **Let’s Get Deep: Friends Edition** — fun conversation prompts. 🤪 **Bad Choices** — party questions with a twist. 🏚️ **Betrayal at House on the Hill** — explore the mansion until the betrayal begins. 🎲 **Wits & Wagers: Vegas** — bet chips on the best trivia guesses. 🌮 **Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza** — silly, speedy, and hilarious. 🐒 **Monkiers** — creative word-guessing with invented clues. 🪳 **Cockroach Poker** — bluffing, lying, calling each other out. 7️⃣ **Flip 7** — press-your-luck number card game where you flip numbers and risk pushing too far. 🛡️ **Avalon** — hidden roles, deception, intense mind-games. 💎 **Splendor** — smooth engine-building with gems. ⚔️ **Legends of the Three Kingdoms** — Chinese hidden-role battle deduction. 🐺 **One Night Ultimate Werewolf** — single-round social deduction. 😺 **Exploding Kittens** — silly, chaotic, kitten-filled card mayhem. 🚫 **Banned Games:** * ❌ **A Feast for Odin** — Theoretical: 30–120 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition)** — Theoretical: 120–240 min \| Actual: \~180–300\+ min * ❌ **Agricola** — Theoretical: 30–120 min \| Actual: \~120–180\+ min * ❌ **Ark Nova** — Theoretical: 90–150 min \| Actual: \~120–180\+ min * ❌ **Axis & Allies 1942 Second Edition** \(and most versions\) — Theoretical: \~240 min \| Actual: \~210–360\+ min * ❌ **Barrage** — Theoretical: 90–180 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **Brass: Birmingham** — Theoretical: 60–120 min \| Actual: \~120–240\+ min * ❌ **Brass: Lancashire** — Theoretical: 60–120 min \| Actual: \~120–240\+ min * ❌ **Caverna: The Cave Farmers** — Theoretical: 30–210 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **Caylus** — Theoretical: 60–150 min \| Actual: \~120–180\+ min * ❌ **Diplomacy** — Theoretical: 4–12 hours \| Actual: \~6–12 hours * ❌ **Dune** — Theoretical: 120–180 min \| Actual: \~240–360\+ min * ❌ **Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy** — Theoretical: 60–200 min \| Actual: \~180–240\+ min * ❌ **Food Chain Magnate** — Theoretical: 120–240 min \| Actual: \~180–300\+ min * ❌ **Forest Shuffle** *(including all expansion packs)* — Theoretical: \~40–60 min \| Actual: \~60–90\+ min * ❌ **Gaia Project** — Theoretical: 60–150 min \| Actual: \~120–180\+ min * ❌ **Great Western Trail** \(any edition\) — Theoretical: 75–150 min \| Actual: \~120–180\+ min * ❌ **Harmonies** — Theoretical: \~30–45 min \| Actual: \~45–75\+ min * ❌ **Here I Stand** — Theoretical: 180–360 min \| Actual: \~240–360\+ min * ❌ **Inis** — Theoretical: 60–90 min \| Actual: \~90–150\+ min * ❌ **Kanban EV** — Theoretical: 60–180 min \| Actual: \~180–300\+ min * ❌ **Le Havre** — Theoretical: 30–150 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **Lisboa** — Theoretical: 60–120 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **Ora et Labora** — Theoretical: 60–180 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **Power Grid** — Theoretical: \~120 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **Project L** — Theoretical: \~20–40 min \| Actual: \~30–60\+ min * ❌ **Puerto Rico** — Theoretical: 90–150 min \| Actual: \~150–210\+ min * ❌ **Rising Sun** — Theoretical: 90–120 min \| Actual: \~120–180 min * ❌ **Root** — Theoretical: 60–90 min \| Actual: \~90–150\+ min * ❌ **SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence** — Theoretical: 60–120 min \| Actual: \~120–180\+ min * ❌ **Star Wars: Rebellion** — Theoretical: 180–240 min \| Actual: \~180–300\+ min * ❌ **Terra Mystica** — Theoretical: 60–150 min \| Actual: \~150–240\+ min * ❌ **The Gallerist** — Theoretical: 60–150 min \| Actual: \~180–300\+ min * ❌ **Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization** — Theoretical: \~120 min \| Actual: \~180–300\+ min * ❌ **Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition** — Theoretical: 240–480 min \| Actual: \~480–720\+ min * ❌ **Underwater Cities** — Theoretical: 80–150 min \| Actual: \~120–210\+ min * ❌ **War of the Ring Second Edition** — Theoretical: 150–240 min \| Actual: \~180–240\+ min * ❌ **Wingspan** * ❌ **Wyrmspan** \*\*\* 🍧 Enjoy tasty desserts and drinks, meet new people, and dive into light, welcoming party and strategy games. 🧠 Games start shortly after arrival — please try to be on time so we can set up smoothly. 🎭 First-timers encouraged — we’ll teach rules; no experience needed. 👉 Please support the venue with a minimum purchase of one drink or dessert. 🍴 **Nearby Food Options:** If you’re hungry before or after games, there are food choices right next door: • Ono Hawaiian BBQ • Chipotle Mexican Grill \*\*\* **Respect & Conduct (read carefully)** All attendees are expected to treat others, the venue, and game components with respect. That means: no abusive language, no physical aggression, no intentional damage to games or personal property, and no major behavioral disruptions that interfere with other people’s ability to enjoy the event. If you damage someone’s game pieces, equipment, or personal property, or if you cause a major behavioral disruption, you **will be banned** from future events. There are no exceptions for repeated offenses — damage or major disruption = **banned**. \*\*\* **Policies & Notes:** ⭕ **No-Show Policy:** 3+ unexcused absences may lead to a 3-month suspension (please give 24-hour notice; emergencies excepted). 📸 **Photo & Media:** Attendance implies consent for event photos/videos for promotion. ℹ️ **Disclaimer:** Organizers are not affiliated with Meet Tea; we’re regular paying customers. ⚠️ **Liability:** Participation is at your own risk. ⚠️**Waitlist Policy**: If you are on the **waitlist** and show up to the event **without an RSVP confirmation**, you will be considered a **walk-in** and subject to both a **late registration fee of $50.00 and a walk-in fee of $25.00**. **Failure to pay this fee will result in a permanent ban from the group.** This policy ensures fairness to all members who properly RSVP and helps us manage space, materials, and overall event quality. Thank you for your cooperation.

Game Night - Common Space Brewery

It's time for another night of beers & games at Common Space Brewery! We're going to be at the brewery with a range of games for people to play for free, starting at 6PM - hope to see you there!