Every weekend, a doctor-turned host throws open her Borivli house to transform it into a cosy space for enthusiasts looking to embark on their next board game adventure
A group tries out playing cards at a session. Pics courtesy/Srushti Bukane
Come Friday, and every friend group sits around and ponders on their weekend plans. For Srushti Bukane, a doctor-turned-party host, the idea was quite simple. Bukane’s cosy one bedroom house, now known as The Boardgame Tavern situated in Borivli, transforms into something far more than your typical weekend hangout for friends.
“Movies, dinners, comedy shows and escape rooms felt repetitive, expensive and got over far too quickly. You’re done in a few hours, and then you’re left wondering what’s next — unless you keep spending,” Bukane explains.
A view of the game, The Castles of Burgundy
What began as casual sessions of Catan, Azul and Splendor almost three years ago soon turned into a ritual of hosting friends almost every weekend. As her love for both — games and hosting — grew, so did the circle around the table. What was an initial games night for her friends circle, transformed into a community of people who loved board games. Along the way, some friends suggested opening the experience to others who were looking for something other than the usual partying or bar-hopping. Thus, The Boardgame Tavern was born at the house, in the living room.
Elements of Scythe, a historical board game
Tavern by the evening
Unlike commercial gaming cafés, the space is quite literally Bukane’s home nestled in IC Colony. The intention is immediate and deliberate: Guests are meant to feel at ease. There’s no formal vetting system, no complicated rules. Bukane emphasises that choosing to visit a space that centres on learning, vulnerability, and genuine interaction is more than enough. Kindness and respect are the only prerequisites.
Tokens from Dungeons and Dragons
“All guests are welcomed with freshly baked signature cookies and generous refills of coffee or cold brew. Before any dice are rolled or cards are shuffled, the group takes part in an ice-breaker led by the Game Master,” says Bukane. After everyone has settled down and gotten comfortable, each person is asked to introduce themselves and share one outrageous or memorable story which makes people open up and root for one another, and awkwardness dissolves. By the time games like Azul or Century: Spice Road hit the table, the group already feels connected.
Gateway to games
The Great Wall
The range of games at the Tavern is deliberately vast. Pretty much having something for everyone. A resident board game expert and Game Master, explains that there is no ‘single best’ game — only the right one for each player. “Social deduction fans gravitate towards Blood on the Clocktower, where players lie, deceive and deduce in a battle between good and evil. Those craving immersive storytelling are particularly drawn to Dungeons & Dragons, where no two sessions are the same and imagination sets the limits,” confirmed Bukane.
A top view of the board game Scythe
For strategy lovers, longer, more complex titles like Brass: Birmingham, Great Western Trail, Puerto Rico, Teotihuacan, The Great Wall and Dwellings of Eldervale offer some sort of tactical depth. For someone who is completely new, beginner-friendly games like Catan and Azul are also available.
The philosophy focuses on flow of the game, rather than rules. The players are briefed on the reasons for their actions before introducing them to game mechanics, ensuring the experience never feels intimidating. For Bukane, the magic lies in the reactions — especially during a session of Dungeons & Dragons, when players see the hand-painted miniatures and custom-built, in-house 3D-printed worlds for the first time.
Bukane concludes by saying, “The Tavern now boasts a collection of over 70 games, but the true success lies beyond the table. Guests who once arrived as strangers now travel together, celebrate birthdays and festivals, and show up for one another in difficult moments. At The Boardgame Tavern, games may bring people together—but it’s the community that keeps them coming back.
On Every weekend; 3 pm onwards at Holy Cross Road 1, IC Colony, Borivli.
Log on to @boardgametavern
Entry Rs 499 onwards
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