Proceed Clockwise

Proceed Clockwise | Board Game Bar & Restaurant

Sadly Proceed Clockwise has now closed.

Opening a board game cafe is always going to involve some risk.

But the people at Proceed Clockwise have decided to minimise it, by shipping in a load of quirky, off-the-beaten-track games for their new café in Shoreditch.

You’ll find it just off Brick Lane in a light, airy space filled by double-top tables (so you can store empty game boxes, hide your cards, stack up your cash, etc.), white walls lined by dozens upon dozens of boardgames, and a small bar in the corner. All in all, there’s space for around 100 card-carrying players to do their thing, with a basement floor set to open in a few weeks.

The system is pretty simple; you and your partner/team each pay a £5 cover charge, and you can stay and play any of the games you like, for as long as you like. While you play, there’s also that bar, and a pizza oven to sweeten the deal. You can even buy the games to take home, should you desire. Talking of which…

THE GAMES

They’ve got a strong line-up of tabletop entertainments, ranging from the classics (Settlers of Catan, Cluedo, Jenga, you name it), to more recent favourites (Codenames, Exploding Kittens, King of Tokyo), to a fair smattering of obscure rarities that get boardgame fanatics justifiably excited (Tesla Vs Edison: Duel, Azul, Keyflower, etc.)

THE PIZZA

Fuelling you while you play, the pizza oven is putting out all manner of toppings, ranging from simple cherry & sun-dried tomatoes; to salami & fennel; to ‘nduja & Gorgonzola. You can even get a Nutella pizza for dessert. And you can also score snacks like bruschetta, a whole creamy burrata, or a sharing board of charcuterie. Hell, this place is looking less risky…

…and more like they’re going to establish some kind of monopoly.

NOTE: Sadly Proceed Clockwise has now closed.

Proceed Clockwise | 148-150 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6DG

Check out more great things to do in Shoreditch