This cafe in Borivli is encouraging Mumbaikars to engage in different kinds of board games

Boardgamers at the new space. Pics courtesy/Base camp; Devashish Kamble

You could easily mistake the al fresco seating of Base Camp opposite Mary Immaculate Girls High School for a new café. The name itself might make you believe it's a trekking gear store. What gives its identity away are the board game boxes that sit on the tables in place of menus. For many who grew up in the neighbourhood, it's the same spot where hot puffs and sandwiches were washed down with chilled soda served by Vinod Puri aka ‘Uncle' of the now-defunct Fizzy Soda.

The vast collection of games

The first visual that strikes us inside is a giant board game-inspired mural above the central table. To our relief, co-founder Anirudh Shetty informs us it is a handmade work; these gamers are not game for AI. Inside, multiple racks of diverse card and board games await gamers. "There's something for everyone; from the beginners' favourite Catan, to lesser-known variants of Cluedo. But the section that excites me the most is the Indian-made games [see box]. It's time we gave Indian designers their due," says Shetty.

Anirudh Shetty

With game masters present at the space all day, the founder assures us one doesn't have to be a professional to join the fun. "We're also planning community events through our WhatsApp channel to allow solo players to find their partners," he reveals. Play on, we say.

TIME 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm (all days)
AT Base Camp Boardgaming Café, opposite Mary Immaculate Girls High School, IC Colony, Borivli West.
ENTRY Rs 100 (per person, per hour)

The Guide's top picks

Check out our most interesting finds from the Indian games section

Nayakas: Fight for dominance in medieval southern India in this epic strategy game that is set across Madurai, Thanjavur, Mysore, and Vijayanagar.

Chai Garam: Brew some masala chai, serve your customers, and feel the heat behind running a successful chai shop in this quirky, fast-paced board game.

Tycoon: Build factories, make global deals, and gather political power as the leader of a fictional industrial house in post-colonial India.

Parikrama: Play as a solo wanderer travelling through India. Hitch-hike, hop on a bullock cart, and make connections on the way.

Happy fizz

The now-defunct Fizzy Soda

After the news of the board game space spread in the neighbourhood, residents took to social media groups to reminisce about the long afternoons spent sipping soda served by Vinit and Vanita Puri. The love reached the Puris, who now reside in Canada. We learnt that incidentally, Vinod will be travelling to Borivli next week, and looks forward to meeting loyal patrons over some good old fizzy soda.
LOG ON TO @base_camp_borivali for updates

I know a place

A wooden basement hatch in the back of the space leads us to a whole new world. The compact basement has been revamped into a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired play zone for serious players.