ABOUT

When we were growing up no one ever told us that meeting new people and making new friends as an adult would be so damn hard. 

And it’s true. Specifically, Tabletop Nerds This Side of The Charles endeavors to create a fun and inclusive space that connects adults looking to meet, game and otherwise hang out with like-minded nerds in small, in-person (and possibly online) gaming groups. While we may target the Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Malden, Medford, North Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown, Winchester and Woburn areas in particular, residency in the aforelisted isn’t required. It just makes things more convenient given where things have been hosted.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

We are a small, informal group that hosts monthly events in the Arlington Heights area, just outside of Boston (well, Cambridge, really). And while we skew a little older (40s on up) and on the queerer side, all are welcome to join us for some nerdy, nerdy good times as we believe that gaming is indeed a social occasion and an opportunity to revel in camaraderie and, often, food.

Possible hosted events:

  • Regular and in-person open Game Days or Game Nights (monthly, weekly, whatever)
  • Campaign mode of certain board games with a dedicated/static group of players
  • Virtual Game Nights via Board Game Arena, Google Meet, Discord, or whatever teleconferencing service
  • Virtual tabletop or in-person tabletop RPG gaming
  • Party game nights (Jackbox, Cards Against Humanity, Joking Hazard, etc.)
  • Unofficial game tournaments
  • Game Library swaps/loans
  • Group attendance at local or not-so-local nerd events
    (PAX East, Pax Unplugged, Gen Con, Unity Games, comic cons in the New England area, etc.)
  • Tabletop game prototyping/playtesting sessions

Our goal is to form a community based on our shared nerdery of tabletop gaming and members are encouraged to use this group as a launchpad to host and publicize their own events in addition to attending the hosted events of others.

GAMES WE PLAY

We enjoy both co-op as well as competitive games but truck mainly in Euro-style strategy games, (pencil & paper) RPGs and the occasional party game.

So, think more:

✅ Carcassonne
✅ Betrayal at House on The Hill
✅ Settlers of Catan
✅ Mansions of Madness

and less:

❌ Monopoly
❌ Scrabble
❌ Poker
❌ Chess

For a more extensive look into the kinds of games we play, check out our Played Games Log.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting into tabletop gaming, everyone is welcome to join us for game nights, discussions, and other such game events as we make ourselves some new but ever so nerdy friends. Click here to see information regarding the policies we observe.

CONTRIBUTIONS

We host these events at our own personal expense (food, games, space, etc.) so if you would like to help us out in any way, we would not say no to that. Folks are always welcome to bring snacks, drinks, booze as well as their own tabletop games. Members are also encouraged to host and coordinate their own events. And, hey, if you also want to throw some money our way to help us defray costs, say thanks or because you want to relive your days at the nudie bar making it rain dolla billz, we definitely wouldn’t say no to that.