Have you been looking to get into tabletop gaming for a while but have been unsure where to start? Or maybe you’ve been at it for a while and want to find some likeminded people. Well, Birmingham has a surprising number of stores and meeting spots for just that. So whether it’s Warhammer or Dungeons and Dragons, Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering, pull up a chair and get out those dice (or cards or models), because we have the perfect places for you.
Bad Kitty
Bad Kitty are the new kids on the scene of tabletop gaming. Opening just before the pandemic forced them the shut their doors almost immediately, they rode out lockdown and emerged on the other side with determination. The shop sells Warhammer, Star Wars, Bolt Action, A Song of Ice and Fire, Marvel Crisis Protocol, and Dungeons and Dragons packs, as well as having a small café downstairs. Upstairs there is a gaming room with four large gaming tables that are available to books on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There is also the option of a membership which gives you access to unlimited use of the gaming room, as well as discounts for café items, bundles deals, and free entry into events. See if you can get your name on the league table and win something special.
14 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP
Manaleak
As one of the longest running and leading Magic: The Gathering retailers in the UK, Manaleak is perfect for fans of the card game. Their selection of singles and packs is unmatched by any other store in the city, and you can even sell your old cards here too. If you fancy a game then you’re in luck, as they regularly host tournaments, from FNMs and Standard League, to Legacy and qualifier events. It’s not just Magic though, as they also sell board games, Games Workshop (and other) miniatures, sleeves, and deck boxes, so there’s something for everyone.
Unit 109 The Jubilee Centre, 130 Pershore St, Birmingham B5 6ND
Wayland’s Forge
Wayland’s Forge has the largest selection of games in Birmingham (according to them, at least)! Whatever your preference, be it board games, card games, or miniatures, they have you covered. For the board game fans, it’s not just the classics. They stock the latest releases as well as older games, and with such a large selection, you really won’t be bored. Their card game section includes Magic, Doom Town, and the full range of Fantasy Flight Living Card Games. They even host events for many of these, open to experienced gamers and newbies alike. When it comes to miniatures, you’re spoiled for choice, with lines from Games Workshop, Warmachine, and many more. You can opt for pre-painted models or paint your own, as they stock supplies as well. And if they don’t stock what you’re looking for, they’re happy to order it in for you.
The Custard Factory, LG06A, Zellig, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AT
Game HQ
A staple of the Oasis Market, Game HQ is somewhere that many a Brummie will have visited (or at least noticed) at some point or another. Although packed full of nerdy memorabilia such as Funko Pops and DVDs, they are most known for their gaming supplies. The emphasis here is on card games, especially Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon. In fact, they host Yu-Gi-Oh! locals every Saturday, so it’s the perfect spot for people who miss playing with their mates at school lunch breaks. They may also buy your old cards if you ask nicely.
The Oasis Market, 110-114 Corporation St, Birmingham B4 6SX
Battleground Gaming
Battleground Gaming is one of those “in the know” places. It’s location in Acocks Green means that people aren’t likely to just stumble upon it, but once they visit, there’s no chance that they won’t return. It is a playground (or should be say battleground) for tabletop gamers, with all sorts of supplies, decks, packs, and models being sold here. You could spend hours just having a browse, and we’d be impressed if you manage to leave without buying anything! They host Pokémon league nights, which are always popular, and it’s easy to make some new friends just by talking with the staff and customers.
53 Yardley Rd, Birmingham B27 6LL
Valkyrx Gaming
Valkyrx is a whole new world of gaming. If you love miniatures, but hate the increased complexity of the games they are associated with, then why not give Valkyrx a go? Think along the lines of Warhammer, and you’ve got the gist of this company. They offer a range of games that are all played on their innovative Intelligent Wargames Table, from historical to fantasy to sci-fi. Birmingham is the home of their gaming centre, so after buying their packs online, come down to Edgbaston and get your first hour free!
136 Icknield Port Rd, Birmingham B16 0BJ
Geek Retreat
Geek Retreat is nothing new to most gamers out there. With stores open nationwide, they’ve been firmly established as one of the key hubs for all of us nerds to come together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. In addition to being a retailer, they are also a café, so you can get yourself a triple shot coffee and stay awake through hours of gameplay. It’s also the perfect place to go if you’re just starting to dip your foot into the gaming world. Since it’s been around for so long and is so accessible, there’s no worry that you’ll be out of place in a sea of battle-worn geeks. Grab a cuppa, a table, and a couple of friends, and you’ll lose your noob status in no time.
18b Hall St, Birmingham B18 6BS
Warhammer
Finally, we have Warhammer (previously Games Workshop), a place that needs no introduction. This is the go-to store for any and every Warhammer fan out there. Selling games, book, models, and supplies, it’s the one stop shop for these tabletop games. Drop in, have a browse and a paint, and argue about if 40K or Age of Sigmar is superior. You’ll feel right at home.
36 The Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 7LA
