The gaming bar market in France

A games bar is an establishment where customers have access to board games, usually several hundred in number, offered by the bar. This gives them the opportunity to play while they consume, depending on the catering on offer, which can differ from place to place: drinks, appetizers, hot dishes, desserts, etc. While it's possible to enter these bars without actually playing, board games are still the key element of these establishments: they set them apart from other bars and influence their business model (whether or not they charge for access to games) and their marketing strategy (game-specific evenings and events, hosting of publishers and designers, etc.).).

The gaming bar phenomenon is on the rise, with the global market set to double in size by 2030 thanks to average annual growth of over 10%. In France, the number of establishments has been rising sharply since the late 2010s. At the end of 2024, several industry players estimated thatthere were around 200 gaming bars in France, with numerous openings recorded in recent months in both large and small towns.

This success is linked to that of the board game market, which grew by 28% in France between 2019 and 2023. The French are enjoying this activity more and more: 91% play board games, including 25% at least once a week. Against this backdrop, gaming venues appear to be on the rise, especially as the drinks sector has also seen a marked upturn in sales since the end of the Covid-19 crisis. Despite inflation, which still has an impact on their spending, the French still want to go out and have a good time, which a gaming bar can offer.

The market remains very young, with many bars less than five years old. The vast majority of establishments are independent, although a few chains with several locations to their name are emerging. Players in related segments, such as escape games or other types of entertainment, are also beginning to enter the sector. Combining several activities and not stopping at board games is a development path to follow to anticipate market growth, while existing game bars rely heavily on their geographical location to differentiate themselves, taking advantage of the still limited offer in many territories.