Category: Journal

Beyond Iced Americano: why you need to try the Mazagran and Bumblebee coffee

When the temperature starts to get too uncomfortably warm for a hot coffee drink, the Iced Americano is a great choice. It’s clean, simple, and the go-to for a quick, cold caffeine hit. But if your summer coffee routine is starting to feel a little… predictable, it’s time to shake things up.

The world of cold coffee is vast and full of vibrant, unexpected flavors. Two drinks in particular offer a spectacular, refreshing escape from the ordinary: the zesty Mazagran and the trendy Bumblebee coffee.

The Mazagran: The Original Coffee-Lime Hybrid

The Mazagran is a uniquely tart and refreshing brew with roots tracing back to Algeria in the 1800s. It’s an unlikely, yet perfectly balanced, pairing of bold coffee and bright citrus.

At its simplest, Mazagran is a shot of espresso poured over an iced limeade with a little sweetener, then topped off with a splash of soda water. The lime’s acidity cuts through the bitterness of the coffee, creating a tangy, exhilarating flavor. Unlike creamy or sugary drinks, the Mazagran is intensely refreshing and perfect for beating the heat. It drinks more like an energized lemonade than a typical coffee shop beverage.

The Bumblebee: Layered Orange & Espresso

The Bumblebee coffee, or “Bumble,” has recently buzzed its way onto cafe menus, captivating drinkers with its striking layered appearance and vibrant flavor.

This drink is a gorgeous, layered creation typically consisting of a layer of freshly squeezed orange juice and ice in at the bottom, and a floating layer of strong espresso on top. The distinct color bands give it its namesake, mimicking the look of a bumblebee. The combination of sweet vanilla, tart orange, and rich espresso might sound crazy, but the flavors blend to create something bright, complex, and utterly delightful. The bright citrus aroma and flavor make this a perfect morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat.

While your reliable Iced Americano will always be there, exploring drinks like the Mazagran and Bumblebee will open your palate to the thrilling possibilities of cold coffee. They prove that coffee doesn’t always have to play by the rules—sometimes, the weirdest flavor combinations are the most refreshing!

Ready to ditch the usual and try something new? Which citrus-coffee combo will you try first: the zing of Mazagran or the sweetness of Bumblebee? Come try them now at Downtime!

October 20, 2025
Your Friends May Be Lying: 5 Social Deduction Games to Try

Your friends say they’re with you, but can you really trust them? If you live for those moments of suspicion, wild accusations, and hilarious reveals, then get ready to meet your new favorite obsession: social deduction games. While you might know popular titles like Werewolf, Coup, or Avalon, we’ve got five other fantastic games we think your group will love even more!

Bang! The Dice Game

Bang! The Dice Game is a fast-paced, Sergio Leone western-themed dice rolling social deduction game where players take on secret roles: Sheriff, Deputies, Outlaws, or Renegades. Each role has a different win condition (e.g., Sheriff eliminates Outlaws and Renegades, Outlaws eliminate Sheriff). Players roll dice to shoot, heal, or trigger special events like Indian attacks. The dice-rolling is exciting and intuitive, and the hidden roles create immediate, fun tension and betrayal. It’s a quick, high-energy party game that thrives on player interaction and is great for larger groups, making it an excellent ice-breaker.

Good Cop Bad Cop

Good Cop Bad Cop is a quick, chaotic social deduction game where players are secretly assigned roles as Honest Cops or Crooked Cops, with one Agent and one Kingpin as leaders. The goal is to identify and eliminate the opposing team’s leader. Players have multiple role cards that influence their allegiance, and they can also investigate others’ cards, draw equipment, or shoot. The direct action and often hilarious misinterpretations make it a highly interactive and fun experience, even for those new to deduction games.

Hail Hydra

Hail Hydra is a social deduction game set in the Marvel Universe, where players are secretly assigned roles as SHIELD agents or hidden Hydra operatives. The SHIELD team tries to defeat the main villain and save New York City, while the Hydra agents secretly sabotage their efforts. Players contribute attack cards to missions, some beneficial, some damaging, leading to tense discussions and accusations about who is truly on which side. The high player interaction and constant suspicion create a lively, engaging atmosphere that’s perfect for a party game, even if new players aren’t deeply familiar with social deduction.

Shamans

Shamans is a unique blend of trick-taking with an element of hidden roles, where players are secretly either Shamans trying to restore harmony or Shadows aiming for chaos. Each round, you play cards, either matching the lead “suit” (color) to progress rituals or playing off-suit to advance the Shadow marker. It’s a fascinating game for those already familiar with trick-taking card games, but the hidden roles add a layer of exciting social deduction. The constant tension of trying to figure out who is on your side, combined with the strategic decisions of when to follow suit or not, creates a dynamic and engaging experience that’s rarely dull.

Feed the Kraken

In Feed the Kraken everyone is on a ship, but secretly belongs to one of three factions: Loyal Sailors who want to reach the mainland, Pirates who are aiming for the Bermuda Triangle, and Cultists who seek to summon the Kraken. Players take turns as Captain, Lieutenant, and Navigator, trying to steer the ship towards their faction’s goal.

The game has a strong theme, gorgeous components, and is really fun because of the sheer chaos and laughter it generates. The distinct roles and clear objectives, coupled with mechanics like mutinies and unique character abilities, create constant suspicion and dramatic reveals. It’s easy to grasp the core idea of “who to trust,” making it accessible even if the nuanced strategies take a few plays to master.

Give them a try!

So if you’re ready to add some thrilling tension, hilarious accusations, and surprising reveals to your next group gathering, these social deduction games are an absolute must-try. Gather your crew, head on over to Downtime Cafe, and get ready for an unforgettable session of strategic deception and uproarious fun!

August 5, 2025
Super Easy to Learn Board Games for Newbies

So, you wanna dive into board games but have no idea where to start? Totally get it! The good news is, there are tons of awesome easy to learn board games out there that are super simple, even if you’ve never played anything beyond Monopoly. Forget those intimidating rulebooks – we’re talking about games with simple rules, quick turns, and immediate fun. Get ready to find your new favorite way to hang out!

Splendor

If you’re looking for a super satisfying, easy to learn board game that feels really smart, you’ve gotta try Splendor. You’ll be collecting shiny gem tokens – which are awesome, by the way, they feel like real poker chips – to buy development cards. These cards not only earn you points but also give you permanent discounts for future purchases, letting you build up a sweet “engine.” It’s a race to 15 points, and every turn feels meaningful as you try to outmaneuver your opponents. Plus, games are quick, so you can easily play a few rounds! It’s pure, elegant fun.

Ticket to Ride

Looking for a super fun and chill way to spend time with your besties? You’ve gotta try Ticket to Ride! It’s so easy to learn – seriously, you’ll be playing in minutes – but it’s got just enough strategy to keep things interesting. You’re basically collecting colored train cards to build railway routes across a map. It’s incredibly satisfying watching your little trains spread out, connecting cities and blocking your friends (in a friendly way, of course!). Plus, it’s pretty low-stress, making it perfect for a relaxed get-together!

Finca

You’ve got to check out Finca! It’s a super charming game where you’re a farmer in sunny Mallorca, harvesting fruits like lemons and olives. What makes it cool is this unique roundabout on the windmill – how far you move and how many fruits you get depends on where other farmers are. It’s simple and easy to learn, but there’s a neat strategic depth as you try to optimize your turns and deliver those fruits for big points. Plus, the chunky wooden fruit tokens are just super satisfying! It’s a classic for a reason and perfect for a chill gaming session with your friends.

Lanterns: The Harvest Festival

Lanterns is super chill and beautiful to look at. You’re basically placing tiles to build a gorgeous lake of floating lanterns, but here’s the cool part: everyone gets cards on every turn, not just their own! So you’re always engaged, and you’re trying to gather sets of colorful lantern cards to earn honor points. It’s a super easy to learn board game that’s quick to play, and is a great way to unwind. Plus, the artwork is just stunning!

King of Tokyo

If you’re looking for an easy to learn board game that’s super fun and lets you smash other players as a giant monster, King of Tokyo is totally for you. It’s basically Yahtzee meets Godzilla, where you roll dice to attack, heal, gain energy for cool power-up cards, or score victory points. It’s fast-paced, throws in some awesome monster abilities, and always leads to some hilarious, chaotic battles. Perfect for a casual game night with friends or family!

For Sale

If you’re looking for a super quick, surprisingly clever, easy to learn board game that offers tons of fun, For Sale is it. You’ll be bidding on properties (everything ranging from dusty cardboard boxes to sparkling space stations!) and then trying to sell them for the most cash. It’s got that perfect mix of reading your opponents, a little bit of bluffing, and some satisfying “aha!” moments. Plus, games are so fast that you’ll want to play it again… and again. Seriously, give it a go!

So there you have it! Don’t let complicated rules scare you away from the amazing world of board games. These easy to learn board games are perfect for dipping your toes in, whether you’re a complete newbie or just want something chill for game night. Grab a few friends, come to Downtime Cafe, pick out one of these gems, and get ready for some laughs and good times. Happy gaming!

July 31, 2025
Harmony at the Table: 5 Chill Two Player Games

Hey there! If you’re searching for something to play during date night, or you’re not in the mood for super intense, head-to-head options like Star Realms, Onitama, or even Chess, no worries! There are tons of chill two player games that aren’t all about direct confrontation and cutthroat competition. Check out some of the most relaxing two player games from our game library:

Patchwork

Patchwork is seriously one of my favorite go-to games for introducing new couples to the world of board games. It’s a super chill two player game. You and your partner will take turns picking Tetris-like pieces to fill up your own little quilt board, paying for them with buttons. As you go, you’ll collect more button icons to get even more buttons later on. The goal is simple: have the most buttons and the fewest empty spaces on your board, and you’re likely the winner! It’s a cozy, satisfying puzzle that makes for a great date night board game or just a calm game for two.

Mandala

In Mandala, you’re trying to score more points than your opponent by collecting valuable cards. The cool twist here is that you won’t actually know which cards are super valuable until you’re a good bit into the game. It keeps things interesting without being overtly aggressive, making it a fantastic non-confrontational, chill two player game that’s perfect for a relaxing game night.

The Fox in the Forest

This charming little card game came out just as trick-taking games were making a big comeback. The Fox in the Forest follows standard trick-taking rules, but some cards have special effects that trigger when you play them. The secret to doing well in this game? Don’t get too greedy and try to win every trick! It’s all about finding that sweet spot. The Fox in the Forest is perfect for fans of easy-to-learn two-player card games who are looking for a serene gaming experience.

Splendor Duel

Okay, so Splendor Duel is the two-player version of the popular game Splendor, and it’s probably the most “cutthroat” game on this list—but even then, it’s not that cutthroat, I promise! On your turn, you’ll grab up to three coin tokens from a grid, either horizontally or diagonally. You use these coins to buy cards and meet victory conditions. The “jerk move” here would be to snag all those valuable pearl tokens, leaving your opponent with none, but it’s all in good fun! If you enjoy strategic two-player games with a touch of interaction but still want to keep things relatively mellow, Splendor Duel is a great pick.

Jaipur

Jaipur is a fantastic, fast-paced, and tactical game that’s a blast to play. You’ll take turns doing one of three things: grabbing camels, picking up a single goods card, or swapping your camels or hand cards for multiple goods cards. Your goal is to sell these goods for victory points. It’s quick, engaging, and always a good time, making it a great, chill two player game and a perfect unwinding game for couples.

Ready to try out one of these more relaxing, chill two player games, or looking for more best two-player games recommendations? Head on over to Downtime Cafe and we’ll set you up!

July 23, 2025
Do You Really Know Your Besties? Try These 5 Games And Learn More About Your Friends.

Ever wondered if you really get your friends, or if there’s more to them than meets the eye? Skip the serious chats for a bit! The coolest way to learn more about your friends, uncover surprising truths and get everyone laughing out loud is with some awesome board games. These aren’t about hardcore strategy or cutthroat competition. Nope, they’re all about connecting, discovering, and seeing just how well you can read your crew. Get ready to find out some hilarious new stuff about your pals!

My Favorite Things

My Favorite Things is a trick-taking party game where players learn more about your friends’ preferences. You’re given a category (e.g., “movies”) and asked to rank your five favorite and one least favorite example. Then, you play cards based on these preferences, trying to guess what your opponents consider “best.”

It’s excellent for new players because it prioritizes social interaction and discovery over complex strategy. The rules are straightforward, and the fun comes from the surprising insights into your friends’ personalities and tastes. It’s a delightful ice-breaker that sparks laughter and connection.

Ito

Ito is a cooperative card game where players each receive a secret number (1-100). The goal is to collectively arrange these numbers in ascending order by giving clues related to a chosen theme, without directly revealing the numbers. For example, if the theme is “Spiciness of Food,” a player with a low number might say “plain rice,” while a high number might be “ghost pepper.”

The rules are easy to learn, and the cooperative nature means everyone is working together, fostering a relaxed and fun atmosphere. It’s a great ice-breaker and leads to hilarious discussions about how differently people perceive things.

Wavelength

Wavelength is a party game where two teams compete to read their teammates’ minds. One player as the Psychic sets a hidden target on a spectrum (e.g., Hot vs Cold) and gives a one-word clue (e.g., “coffee”). Their team then discusses where on that spectrum their clue fits, rotating a dial to guess the target’s location. The game sparks engaging, often hilarious, conversations as players try to understand each other’s thought processes. Playing Wavelength provides new opportunities to learn more about your friends opinions and perspectives. It fosters connection and reveals how differently people perceive things, making it a highly interactive and memorable experience even for non-gamers.

JinxO

JinxO is a competitive word-association game where players try to match answers with others at the table. The goal is to write down a word that aligns with what at least one other person writes for a given topic. If a few other people share the same answer as you do, you all score points. However, if only one other person matches, you score even more – a “JinxO!”

It’s a straightforward concept: think like others. The simple rules mean almost no learning curve, and it immediately sparks lively discussions and laughter as players discover surprising similarities or hilarious mismatches in their thinking. It’s a quick, engaging party game perfect for getting people talking and having fun.

That’s You

That’s You! is a lighthearted party game where players discover how well they know each other. One player, the “Clue Giver,” secretly assigns a personality trait (e.g., “most likely to win a hot dog eating contest”) to another player. They then give clues by indicating which players are most and least associated with that trait. The rest of the group tries to interpret these clues to deduce the secret trait. The fun comes from the personal insights and humorous discussions about each other’s quirks, making it a fantastic icebreaker. It fosters laughter and connection, as players reveal perceptions of their friends, making every round a memorable social experience.

So, if you’re looking to shake up your game nights, learn more about your friends, and truly bond with your buddies, these five games are your ticket. They show that you don’t need intense strategy or cutthroat competition to have an amazing time. Instead these games offer a refreshing blend of laughter, unexpected revelations, and genuine connection. Grab your friends, head on over to Downtime Cafe, and get ready to discover just how well you really know each other – you might be surprised by what you find!

July 23, 2025
Board Games with Negotiation

Catan

One of the many aspects that makes a modern classic like Catan fun and enjoyable is that Catan is one of many board games with negotiation as a central mechanism. For example, you can trade and barter with other players: “I can give you two wood, in exchange for a sheep and a brick”

If you enjoy other board games with negotiation, here are a few other games in our library you ought to try:

Bohnanza

This is a compact, tight little card game about bean farming (really!). You will have to barter with other players to get more cards that you need to extend your farm, and most importantly, to get rid of cards from your hand that may ruin your nicely cultivated bean farm.

Sheriff of Nottingham

In the board game Sheriff of Nottingham, players must each submit a bag of goods to the Sheriff for inspection, before they are allowed to claim those goods for victory points. An essential part of the gameplay of this bluffing game is that you are allowed to negotiate, bribe, trade, and pay off the Sheriff so that they will be more likely to pass your goods through (along with any high-value contraband goods).

Cosmic Encounter

Cosmic Encounter is another example of board games with negotiation. You and other players race to be the first to invade and colonize 5 other planets to win the game. In doing so, you may negotiate and invite other players to join your invasion fleet… or as defenders you may invite others to join your defense. There are even Negotiate cards that force combatants to negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome to combat.

Chinatown

The goal of Chinatown is to build and expand shops and businesses in adjacent locations on the map. Chinatown is in my opinion the best example of board games with negotiation. You have no choice but to negotiate with other players, trading or buying favorable real estate locations, and/or shop tiles to build your business empire. Anything goes in this delightful negotiation strategy game.

April 3, 2024
Board Games for Newbies

We often get asked, “What are some recommended board games for newbies?”

As of this writing, our board game library has just a little over 200 titles on the shelves. While it’s still a modest collection compared to larger more established board game cafes, it’s still overwhelming to new gamers who have only ever played Monopoly and Uno.

I have compiled a small selection of popular titles that we have often used to introduce board game newbies to this wonderful world of ours, based on a few criteria.

First, the rules must be easy enough to teach. I have found that board games that take over 10 minutes to teach tend to be overly complicated for newcomers. People just want to sit down and start having fun as fast as possible.

Second, the game must be relatively short. At the end of a gaming session, I hope people will look at each other and say, “That was fun, let’s play again!” Conversely, if they end up not liking it the game should finish quick enough so that they could move on to something else.

The last criterion is language-independence, largely because English is not the primary language at our location. Therefore I often prefer board games that require little or no reading at all.

Enough of that, on to the recommendations!

Loonacy

Loonacy // Image: Parents at Play

This is a card game of fast reflexes for 2-5 players. Players start with a hand of 7 cards, each of which has two different pictures. On the table will be a number of open cards. If you see a picture on the table that matches one of yours, play your card on top of it. Do it quickly before someone else does. The first person to completely get rid of all their cards wins the game! This game is quick, fun, very easy to teach, and is suitable even for younger children.

Tsuro

Tsuro // Image: Brian Holaway

In this simple tile-laying game for 2-8 players, you are laying down tiles with squiggly tracks of various patterns in front of your marker stone. Your stone then must move through the the newly-laid tile, following its track until it reaches the end. If you go off the map, you are eliminated. The last person remaining on the map wins the game! Dead-simple, Tsuro is one of the easiest introductory board games for newbies.

Hey That’s My Fish!

Hey That’s My Fish // Image: Shut Up and Sit Down

In this game instead of adding tiles you will be removing them from the board. The board is made up of hexagonal tiles depicting one, two, or three fish each. You choose one of your four penguins to move. Pick up the tile he is standing on and move him along a straight line to a new tile. You cannot jump over any gaps in the board, so don’t get trapped in a corner. The person with the most fish is the top penguin!

Splendor

Splendor // Image: The Board Game Family

This is one of our favorite board games for newbies. As gem merchants, you take turns acquiring gems from the supply. You will use them later to buy cards which gives you a discount on future cards as well as some prestige points. Splendor is one of our favorite games for 2-4 players to introduce to new gamers, as it only takes about 5 minutes to learn. What’s more, this game perfectly teaches the concept of engine-building and victory points.

Dixit

Dixit // Image: Boardgamegeek

If you like a board game which exercises your imagination then Dixit may be a good fit. From your hand of 6 picture cards you choose one of them to play face down. You must then give out a hint to help other players to guess your card. Other players then choose one of their cards which most matches your hint, and add it to form a pile top of your card. From those shuffled pile of cards everyone else tries to figure out which one was your original card. However: you only get points if some—but not all—other players guess your card.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride // Image: Hobby Lark

For a slightly longer game lasting about an hour, try the ever-popular Ticket to Ride. In this game for 2-5 players, you compete against other players to build train routes by paying cards matching the color of the routes on the map. In addition you also have objectives that you must fulfill by connecting various cities on the map. If you’ve got a little time to spare, Ticket to Ride is one of the best medium-length board games for newbies.

Which other titles do you think would be a good introductory board game for newbies?

January 8, 2021
What is a Board Game Cafe?

Welcome to Downtime Cafe, the first board game cafe in Bali.

So, what is a board game cafe? Just like any other great cafes we make great coffees, teas, juices, and other drinks for you. We also have delicious, freshly-prepared food and snacks for you like other restaurants.

However what really sets Downtime Cafe apart from everyone else is our large library of board games. We invite you to come to eat, drink, relax, and play any of our over 200 board games. That’s right, board games.

Board games like Monopoly, right? Nope, wrong! Surely just as modern blockbuster movies have evolved quite a bit since the silent black and white films of Charlie Chaplin, modern board games have come a long, long way since the simple dice-rolling days of Monopoly a hundred years ago.

Spirit Island // Image: Co-op Board Games

Our library includes some of the most popular modern board game classics like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Azul. Casual gamers like to have a laugh with board games like Dixit, Sheriff of Nottingham, and Exploding Kittens. On the other end if you like a challenge we also have thinkers’ strategy games like Great Western Trail, Spirit Island, and Root.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, we have a board game that’s right for you. We have plenty of space for you to stretch out, and lots of tasty food and drinks. So come visit us and see for yourself what a board game cafe is about!

January 7, 2021