Located in one of Cardiff’s historical arcades Geek Retreat is a haven for all things divers and tabletop gaming.
Cardiff’s arcades a manmade labyrinth still echoes its Victorian charm with its high glass ceilings, stone floors, and Venetian windows with many storefronts retaining their original structures.
One path in peculiar leads us to a place that allow individuals to live out their fantasies as dragon slayers, story tellers or the greatest Pokémon master alive.
Morgan the shop owner of Geek Retreat said this is the type of “atmosphere we are trying to build” a space that if friendly and welcoming to anyone who want to explore these fantasies through tabletop role-play.
As you begin to make your way underground, a mixture of gaming melodies from classics such as Zelda or Dungeons and Dragons greets you, only adding to the charm of this place as you gaze across this underground den met by vibrant purple and yellow walls.
Geek Retreats’ weekly schedule demonstrates the space’s desire to support many communities. With monthly events like the LGBTQ+ D&D, Pokémon Kids Club, and Autism Friendly Brunch, collaborating with schools and charities to provide unique gaming experiences.
Luke who has been working at Geek Retreat for over 12 weeks said, “This space has become a haven for everything geeky. Many feel they can’t be themselves in public playing these types of games due to the abuse normally received”.
One of the joys of this place is seeing the dedication players have put into designing sets and painting figures they use in not only friendly games but the various tournaments that are held here.
“Honestly, it’s the communities we have here”. Morgan said, “It’s the main reason I opened the place in the first place. Many of the places in Cardiff are a bit more specialised in what they do. There wasn’t really a place that had everything under one roof in the city centre, and you felt unwelcome at times”.
Geek Retreat also functions as a retail store for all things geeky, giving any collector a chance to pick up the latest manga or Funko Pop figures. It also supports the creativity and the art of local artists where they can showcase their work.