Place to Play Games in Dogpatch

Located at 1095 Tennessee Street, Dogpatch Games is a retail store and community space that hosts events centered around tabletop games, amusements that’re typically played on a table or other flat surface, such as board, card, dice, and tile-based games, as well as miniature wargames.

“We have games for sale, but the most important thing that we offer is space for the community to gather and have fun,” said Shannon Newton, one of the businesses’ four co-owners.

The idea for Dogpatch Games was catalyzed when Newton attended PAX Unplugged with Kevin Mauer, who would become another Dogpatch Games co-owner, several years ago. PAX Unplugged is a tabletop gaming-focused event held in Philadelphia for lovers of board and roleplaying games, miniatures and cards.

“The idea to create a space that brought people together was something deep inside of me. I didn’t really know how to manifest that or where that wanted to be. All I knew was that at some point I wanted to either build a coffee shop or someplace that brought people together. It’s part of my DNA.” said Newton.

One of the company’s core values is inclusivity. Dogpatch Games offers kids clubs, family memberships and “ladies night” events.

In addition to its physical location, Dogpatch Games has a robust online store offering tabletop games as well as company-branded merchandise that combines San Francisco iconography with traditional games that reflects the business’s geek chic vibe.

T-Shirts, $35, include “Dungeness & Dragons,” a mashup of a gigantic crab and Dungeons & Dragons. “The City” t-shirt design remixes the Golden State Warriors with the game Settlers of Catan. The “Trolley Car Mimic” shirt has an image of a troll with a bag riding on an iconic trolley car alongside a huge monster with one eye. Stickers of like designs are available for $3 to $5.

“Business is good,” Newton said. “After Covid, people are really hungry for more social interaction.  We have structured events almost every single day of the week that are designed with the specific intention of introducing people and building community.”