The Tabletop Gaming Cafe In Alabama With Weekly Events, Coffee, Vegetarian Food, Karaoke, And More
By Lisa Battles|Published March 11, 2024
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Lisa Battles
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Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
Almost every night of the week, you’ll find the small parking lot overflowing at a tabletop gaming cafe in Decatur, Alabama called Current: Coffee + Collectibles. The city’s only all-vegetarian restaurant opened in 2021 and quickly became a hotspot for gamers looking for a welcoming, cozy space.
It quickly became my go-to for veggie burgers, smoothies, and my favorite cookie besides my mom’s. I have been delighted on every visit and am not even a gamer.
And that's all good with co-founders and longtime partners Seth Downs and Justin Wiley because a big part of their leap into entrepreneurship was to create a welcoming, inclusive place, no matter who you are.
Between the games, the drinks, and the food, people of all ages and interests can find something they'll enjoy inside this small, mid-century brick building near the Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Downs and Wiley are proud nerds. And they wanted a business that caters mostly to people with similar interests in "novelty, pop culture, and geek stuff." As far as I can tell though, no one checks nerd cards at the door.
Every first and third Monday, the shop hosts the River City Board Game meetup. People can bring their own board games or choose among the shop's collection of opened games to try before they buy.
Meanwhile, every Monday is One-Day Monday, with a beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons event that allows role-playing gamers to jump in and out as needed.
Tuesday events always focus on creative expression of different kinds. For example, second Tuesdays are 2-2-Tuesdays, an open mic night for local performances of all varieties, from comedy to spoken word to songwriting and more.
Then on the fourth Tuesday of every month, crafty nerds can enjoy their creativity with camaraderie on Crafternoons. These events feature guided crafting and mini-painting sessions.
On Wednesdays, Current hosts a Warhammer league night, which always includes a raffle for a Warhammer mini figure. When Friday rolls around, Magic: The Gathering players ... gather ... for Friday Night Magic.
Saturdays are for Satur-Play, when the cafe hosts events focusing on Lorcana and Pokemon card games to start the afternoon. The night ends with karaoke. Current also hosts monthly Pride events leading up to the annual River City Pride weekend in early summer sponsored by the Southeastern Diversity Project. The cafe allows customers to round up their purchases to support the event.
Besides games and gifts, do not sleep on the food and specialty drinks here, like The Kermit, a hot matcha tea. My favorite drink there is the Berry Pouch, a smoothie with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Then there's The Bluth, a banana smoothie that definitely costs less than $10.
The menu ranges from salads and wraps to sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. Everything is vegetarian and can be further tweaked to be vegan on request. A favorite sandwich is The Gravity Hammer – a panini-style piled with cheddar cheese, avocado, spinach, garlic aioli, and onion. Yes, you will need a mint, maybe several. Worth it.
The Heartless Burger is another can't-miss for a hearty meal. The burgers start with perfectly seasoned Impossible patties and can be dressed in a variety of ways. You can go with the classic lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, etc. – or opt for a BBQ, Southwestern, or Shaggy (pizza) version.
Last, you must try The Wookie, which is Current's signature chocolate chip cookie. If you need a vegan sweet treat, there's a peanut butter option for you! If you're not hungry, buy one to take home and thank me later.
Even when events are happening, the cafe has a lobby with tables for all players. There’s also a semi-private game room available by appointment.
Current: Coffee + Collectibles is perfectly located for a swing-by after walks around Delano Park less than a mile north. Plan a short getaway to the area and stay in this pretty Airbnb home that overlooks Delano Park. The park is beautiful year-round and extraordinary in the spring.
You can see the full menu for the cafe on the Current: Coffee + Collectibles website and keep up with special events on the Current: Coffee + Collectibles Facebook page. If you’ve had a chance to visit or stop in soon, we’d love to hear about your experience.
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