Construction progress and gifting ideas
As we enter the holiday season, we wanted to share a quick update on construction progress—and some staff-picked recommendations perfect for group gatherings and gifting for the gamer and non-gamer alike.
Founding Membership 50% Full!
Thanks again for making Tabletop Library exist. It looks like it’s going to be a really great and one-of-a-kind space. The world really needs more places like this as a refuge from the digital world. - Joel
It’s been awesome hearing from new members who are building Tabletop Library with us. We can’t do it without your support, and invite you to be among the first to join the community. Join by December 31, 2025 to lock in the $199 Founding Member price.
In the meantime, we’ll be popping up at the Pickleball Athletic Club on 40th and Telegraph in Oakland to host a board game night on January 7, 2026.
Construction Update: We’re Taking Shape!
Our construction permit was approved last month, and things are moving. Electrical is being installed, and our custom, reclaimed redwood gaming tables (yes—the perfectly sized ones!) are built. We’re still pacing toward a February 2026 opening and can’t wait to welcome you.
Give the Gift of Membership
A Tabletop Library membership is the perfect gift for the boardgame lover in your life—whether they’re deep in the hobby or just discovering it. Your gift activates when we open in early 2026 and includes:
- Unlimited access to hundreds of games
- Exclusive Founding Member perks
- Early launch-party entry
- A welcoming community of players ready to meet new friends
Holiday Game Recommendations
Here are games from the Tabletop Library collection that would make great gifts this holiday season (or something to add to your “must play” list for the new year):
🎄 For Families: Flip 7 (Grinch)
A fast, festive push-your-luck game where you flip cards, chase combos, and try not to bust. Simple, silly, and perfect for all ages.
Why we recommend it: Flip 7 is the kind of game you can explain in under five minutes and start playing by the sixth. The Grinch version of the game plays the same—approachable and full of those small “should I risk one more flip?” moments that kids love and adults can’t resist.
🃏 For Get-Togethers: The Gang
A cooperative poker-heist game that’s quick to learn, clever to play, and tense in the best ways.
Why we recommend it: The Gang pulls people in instantly with cooperative decisions, quick rounds, and just enough suspense to keep everyone on the edge of their seat. It’s one of the best “teach-in-3 minutes” games that will warrant a second play right after the first!
☕ For the Foodie: Coffee Rush or Fromage
Coincidentally, both of these games have a racing element, with great table presence and replayability. In Coffee Rush, players collect ingredients and race to fulfill café orders with cute game pieces, such as realistic looking coffee beans, ice cubes, and mint tea leaves—think cozy Overcooked in board-game form. In Fromage, players engage in four mini-games spanning a lazy Susan-style board, crafting award-winning cheese in the French countryside—simple moves, big payoff.
Why we recommend them: These games shine when teaching newcomers: clear goals, tactile components, and playful pressure. Coffee Rush scratches that café-management itch, while Fromage layers familiar mechanics into delightful, rapid-fire mini-rounds. Both are easy to get on the table and instantly charming.
Buy Coffee Rush or Fromage
🖼️ For the Azul Lover: Art Society or The Great Evening Banquet
In Art Society, players bid, curate, and arrange art to build the most elegant gallery—Azul energy with auction flair, and in The Great Evening Banquet players act as event planners who have to seat guests according to their preferences.
Why we recommend them: Art Society blends satisfying spatial arrangement with just enough auction excitement to keep everyone engaged in other players’ turns. The Great Evening Banquet, from beloved Japanese studio Saashi & Saashi, is a standout choice for people who appreciate charming aesthetics and familiar drafting-and-placing tile gameplay.
Buy Art Society or The Great Evening Banquet
💕 For Date Night: High Tide or Tag Team
Fast, head-to-head two-player games that create friendly rivalry and “one more game?” energy.
Why we recommend them: Whether you want lighthearted and highly portable (High Tide) or clever and competitive (Tag Team), these make for easy date-night games. They set up in minutes and deliver that sweet two-player tension without overstaying their welcome.
🗂️ For the Collector: Eternal Decks or Jisogi
Beautiful strategic games from Japan
Why we recommend them: These titles are special—not widely available, gorgeously produced, and filled with elegant mechanics. In Eternal Decks, up to four players work together to fulfill patterns on the “board” (a silk handkerchief) before their deck of cards run out. And in Jisogi, players take on the roles of “dead inside” anime studio employees who gather resources to produce the best shows. They’re perfect for the collector who seems to have everything.
Buy Eternal Decks or Jisogi
🗞️ For the Person Who Has It All: Senet subscription
A collectible board game magazine featuring essays, interviews, and lush graphic design—perfect for the gamer who loves the hobby beyond the table.
Why we recommend it: Maybe the person you’re shopping for has Eternal Decks or Jisogi already? Instead of giving someone who has everything another box on the shelf, give a smart magazine with great content they’ll go back to all year long.