Mox Boarding House

Mox Boarding House (and its sister location Card Kingdom) is a legendary institution in the tabletop gaming community. Originally opened in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, Mox revolutionized the traditional game store concept by combining a high-end, wood-paneled retail store with a full-service restaurant and craft beer tavern. The space is beautifully designed, resembling a cozy, medieval adventurer's tavern mixed with a modern European pub. It serves as a community hub where gamers gather to buy, play, and discuss tabletop RPGs, board games, and collectible card games like Magic: The Gathering.

The centerpiece of the Mox experience is their free game library. Visitors can borrow from an archive of hundreds of board games and card games to play at their table while dining, with no rental fee whatsoever. For TTRPG groups, Mox offers beautifully themed private rooms (such as the Apothecary or the Library) that can be reserved for campaign sessions, complete with dedicated food and drink service. The retail side of Mox is equally impressive, stocking an extensive collection of dice, miniatures, paint supplies, RPG sourcebooks, and a massive inventory of Magic: The Gathering singles. The staff are highly knowledgeable and always ready to suggest a game or help compile a new deck.

Mox Ballard is located in a trendy neighborhood in northwest Seattle, easily accessible by bus from downtown. The restaurant features a menu of upscale pub fare, including local craft beers on tap, ciders, and themed cocktails. Because it is highly popular, the dining area and gaming tables can fill up quickly on weekend evenings, so arriving early or visiting during weekday afternoons is recommended if you want to secure a table for a long gaming session. Mox also hosts regular weekly events, from MTG tournaments and board game nights to miniature painting workshops, making it a lively place to meet local gamers.

Ballard itself is one of Seattle's most historic and walkable neighborhoods, famous for its Nordic heritage, trendy boutiques, and dense concentration of craft breweries. After a gaming session at Mox, you can explore the historic Ballard Avenue, visit the Ballard Locks to watch boats transition between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, or enjoy a craft beer crawl through the neighborhood's numerous independent microbreweries.