This winter, Punch Out Games board game café opened its doors in Easton. The BYOB spot offers a massive selection of games as well as the option to purchase snacks (think Ecuadorian street food) and drinks while you play.
Barbara G. Vasconez & Mikus Matiss
Co-Founders
Describe the journey that led you to opening Punch Out Games board game café in Easton.
Mik: We started this journey because we wanted something new for ourselves and we knew that our love for board games was the way to go!
Barbara: We did our homework first. We visited other board game cafés in New York and Pennsylvania. And by visiting those locations, it gave us all the ambition to complete our goal.
After originally launching as a pop-up experience, why was it important for Punch Out Games to have its own permanent space?
Mik: One of our biggest goals with this café is to bring something different to Easton that values multiple communities. We are a BYOB café, so our focus isn't alcohol. Our focuses are board games, in-person interactions and welcoming players of all ages to come in, have fun and make memories.
Barbara: It's important to have a space to gather with your friends or family for a couple of hours playing board games and eating snacks—especially on a rainy day. We want everyone to feel welcomed and safe in our space. One of our goals is to host a monthly organization day, meaning we'd be open to host our space for 2–4 hours for members or users of their nonprofit, even if it's just to be in a warm space for a bit.
Explain the overall experience for those unfamiliar with a board game café.
Mik: It's an arcade for board games with the addition of food! We cover an admission fee of $5 per person for the first two hours (an additional $5 is added past the two) and it grants you access to all our board games.
Barbara: We also offer a retail section where you can buy a game you just played or purchase gifts for your friends and family. All our games are also available online on our website.
Describe the variety of games that can be played on site!
Mik: We've got party, strategy, co-op games and more. We have games that can be played for up to seven hours! We truly believe there are board games for everyone. We are also carrying games made by local board game designers. We have a game called Sippy Cups created by Toro Presents based in Allentown. Our plan is to continue to support our local board game creators, even non-local.
What are you looking forward to?
Mik: We'll be hosting live events! We are so lucky to have a stage here that we want to host game shows, live bands and more.
Barbara: Something we're both excited about is the collaboration with all the local businesses here. Since we are BYOB, we are partnering with Separatist Beer Project to offer our members one-time discounts. We are also working with other vendors in town that will definitely be part of the Punch Out Games family.
Mik: We want people to be as excited as we are to be basically living the dream of playing board games every day.
161 Northampton St., Easton | 908.312.5068 | punchoutgameseaston.com
Published as "Get the Goods" in the February 2023 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
