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Recently I was introduced to a place called AFK Tavern. As it says quite proudly on their sign: "A place for geeks and gamers."
![[image loading]](http://masseffect.g33kwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/afk.jpg)
So what do you find within these mysterious doors? Well, at first glance, it looks like a normal restaurant, there are a few small booths with larger tables in the center. However, a few steps inside reveals a massive collection of monitors, huge plasma TVs and tons of gaming consoles to go with them. By no means is the AFK Tavern limited to video games, though! With a simple request (or if you stay at the table for a while after finishing your food), a waiter or waitress (yes, many females do work here, and they do love games!) will provide you with a huge list of various board games, card games and rule books you can borrow. There is no cost for using any of these, but they do ask to hold onto an ID card to dissuade you from running out with them. Personally, I was quite happy to see they not only have D&D rulebooks to encourage some pen and paper games, but they also have Pathfinder, which is my true love.
When it comes to the staff and clientel, the AFK Tavern is like no other place. People chat with you when they come in, they'll playfully tease you if they find reason to (I went with a male friend and he was teased/complimented relentlessly for being with me), and they don't mind if you want to watch what they are doing. In fact, I must warn you, if you express any interest at all to the Magic players there, they will attempt to drag you into a game and teach you how to play. Luckily, I've played Magic since 4th grade and was able to excuse myself with the "I don't have my deck on me," though they offered me the choice of their own decks to play with.
The staff is outgoing and talkative, happy to make sure you get the food, games and friends you need to enjoy yourself. In fact, the staff seems to stick around even when they get off of their shifts to continue socialize with their newfound friends and returning customers. I was coerced by one waitresses into promising I would come back, though she did inform me that she thought I was so cute that she wanted to keep me in her closest. O.o; Luckily, her boyfriend didn't mind when she bought me a drink.
Speaking of which, the bartender that works the weekends (and whenever else he works) is absolutely amazing! He makes it seems like truly an art. It was great seeing him in action and he produces amazingly yummy results. The cooks also make delicious food, though. Their beer battered fries are to die for and the sauce on their Dragon Burger makes it a fiery delight! Of course, every menu item has a geeky theme, from action heroes, game characters and even Firefly references! Yes, "The Reaver" burger looks almost as terrifying as you think it would and is much more delicious.
So if you are from the Pacific Northwest and find yourself craving a glass of Viking Blod Mead, a delicious burger and some Portal 2, give me a PM and I'll be happy to come be your second player.
www.afktavern.com
 
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Thanks for posting this up. It's always great to hear about these awesome places you might not find in the normal course of things. I know that if I happen to be in that part of the US at some point this is now a place I'd definitely like to check out.
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Wow. Among the strangest things I've ever seen.
Quite cool, even though I don't go for pen & paper games.
Overall just awesome though.
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Haha, place looks pretty cool!
I'm gonna miss Zelda night D:
We don't get any cool fancy stuff like this in the Washington DC area. I'm starting to think your Washington is better than my Washington. Booooo. :p
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WOW THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ADVERTISEMENT DO YOU WORK THERE?
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Must have been hard for your male friend getting complimented all night.
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On June 06 2011 15:04 Jumbled wrote:
Thanks for posting this up. It's always great to hear about these awesome places you might not find in the normal course of things. I know that if I happen to be in that part of the US at some point this is now a place I'd definitely like to check out.
No problem! I love sharing my finds!
On June 06 2011 15:18 Torenhire wrote:
Haha, place looks pretty cool!
I'm gonna miss Zelda night D:
We don't get any cool fancy stuff like this in the Washington DC area. I'm starting to think your Washington is better than my Washington. Booooo. :p
;p
Well, feel free to visit this one! Much to enjoy here! Perhaps you can use PAX as an excuse?
On June 06 2011 15:35 Megaliskuu wrote:
WOW THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ADVERTISEMENT DO YOU WORK THERE?
NO I DO NOT WORK THERE BUT I LOVE THE WAY YOU TYPE
On June 06 2011 15:37 Zim23 wrote:
Must have been hard for your male friend getting complimented all night.
He's a shy underclassmen from my college, he was beet red the entire time!
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brb getting franchising rights.
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AS LONG AS IM ASKING QUESTIONS IN ALL CAPS DO YOU PLAY SC?
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Sorry, I only drink at the BRBATHROOM! (couldn't think of anything better)
Interesting place, but what if you're a nerd/gamer not oriented towards Medieval fantasies?
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You come to my place.
Giggity! Muta > queen once again
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Coolbeans, at least gaming-themed shops work in the US. 
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Perhaps will have to hit this place up if ever roadtripping through the area. Seems cool.
Too bad there are no places like that around here 
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United States4796 Posts
This place is super chill.
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Yea, I wish there was something like this around where I live T_T
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this sounds so awesome :O
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I want need a reaver burger!!!!!!!
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go intrigue
go intrigue
go intrigue
go intrigue
xD
sounds like a nice place. but it really is good advertisement, maybe you should mail this essay to them, they'd probably love to put it up on their site if it's not yet completely overrun by such (yes i'm to lazy to check^^)
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On June 06 2011 16:02 Megaliskuu wrote:
AS LONG AS IM ASKING QUESTIONS IN ALL CAPS DO YOU PLAY SC?
Yes.
On June 06 2011 16:09 Torte de Lini wrote:
Sorry, I only drink at the BRBATHROOM! (couldn't think of anything better)
Interesting place, but what if you're a nerd/gamer not oriented towards Medieval fantasies?
They have speedy wireless, tons of x-box 360s, ps3s and about every popular game you can think of for them. They are having a party for the release of Duke Nukem and will undoubtedly own many copies of that from then on. I know they have 4-6 copies of Portal 2.
In addition, they have board and card games that range from Settlers of Catan to Uno.
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Why isnt there anything good in North Carolina, god damnit.
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This place sounds full of nice people. Most Magic players I know/met aren't very gregarious.
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On June 07 2011 00:34 magusmind wrote:
This place sounds full of nice people. Most Magic players I know/met aren't very gregarious.
Gracktually the ones I've met are quite nice.
Work day go faster!!
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"Grack" and "nice" in the same sentence? You must be drunk, sir. 
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On June 07 2011 00:34 magusmind wrote:
This place sounds full of nice people. Most Magic players I know/met aren't very gregarious.
Odd, all of the Magic players I know are very nice!
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Very Glad you enjoyed your visit! We were all humbled and pleased with your glowing review.
And you will be happy to hear that the Bar TVs will soon feature StarCraft replays (beats the shit outta watching hockey or some other "sport")
-Tristan
General Manager
AFK Tavern
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EPT
