Dublin’s Board Games Café Introduces Alcoholic Drinks to Attract More Customers
A board games café named Board in Dublin has changed its drink offerings. Initially, Board focused on non-alcoholic drinks, including beers, wines, and mocktails. The café opened earlier this year during Dry January and allowed customers to play board games for free, such as Monopoly and chess.
Starting November 21, Board will introduce low-alcohol beverages. These drinks will have a lower alcohol content, including beers below 8% and wines below 3%. The decision was made to attract more customers after the non-alcoholic approach did not work as expected.
The owners shared that they believed in their initial non-alcoholic concept. They explained that after a busy start, the model faced challenges. The café considered charging for board game use but ultimately chose to expand their drink menu.
How is Board in Dublin planning to integrate low-alcohol beverages into their existing non-alcoholic menu?
Interview with Board in Dublin’s Owner: Adapting the Café Experience with New Beverage Offerings
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent changes at Board in Dublin. To start, can you share a bit about the café’s original vision and the rationale behind focusing exclusively on non-alcoholic drinks?
Owner: Thank you for having me. When we launched Board, we were really passionate about creating a welcoming space where people could enjoy board games alongside non-alcoholic beverages. We opened during Dry January and believed there was a growing demand for quality non-alcoholic options. Our initial vision was to provide an inclusive atmosphere for everyone, regardless of their drinking preferences.
Interviewer: It sounds like a commendable approach. However, it seems there were challenges along the way. Could you elaborate on what prompted the shift away from a strictly non-alcoholic menu?
Owner: Certainly. While our initial concept had a strong start, we quickly noticed that it wasn’t resonating with as many customers as we had hoped. After some time, it became clear that to attract a wider audience, we needed to expand our drink offerings. We considered charging for board game use, but instead, we decided to introduce a menu of low-alcohol beverages.
Interviewer: Interesting shift! Can you explain what some of these low-alcohol options will be?
Owner: Starting November 21, we’ll be offering drinks with lower alcohol content, specifically beers below 8% and wines below 3%. We believe this will cater to customers looking for a lighter option while still enjoying the communal experience of playing games.
Interviewer: Will you be removing your non-alcoholic options with this new menu?
Owner: Not at all. We are committed to our non-alcoholic offerings. In fact, we will maintain the most extensive selection in Dublin, with around 50 to 100 non-alcoholic drinks still available on our menu. We want to ensure that everyone has a variety of choices, whether they prefer alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
Interviewer: How do you see this balance benefiting your café?
Owner: By diversifying our drink selection, we aim to create a more inclusive environment that appeals to a broader audience. We want Board to be a place where anyone can enjoy themselves, whether they’re here for the games or the drinks. It’s about enhancing the overall experience for all our patrons.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, do you have plans to explore any other new ideas or services in the café?
Owner: Absolutely! We’re constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance our customers’ experience. We will continue to explore new drink options, game nights, and collaborations with local creators. Our goal is to create a dynamic space where creativity and community thrive.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing these insights! It sounds like Board in Dublin is evolving while staying true to its mission.
Owner: Thank you! We’re excited about these changes and can’t wait to welcome more people to Board, whether they’re here for a competitive game or just to unwind with a drink.
Board confirmed that they will not remove non-alcoholic options, claiming to maintain the most extensive selection in Dublin. They will keep around 50 to 100 non-alcoholic drinks on the menu. The team plans to continue exploring new ideas in the future.
With this change, Board aims to balance its offerings and appeal to a broader audience while keeping its commitment to non-alcoholic choices.