News and Articles

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
Getting Your Nature Fix Through Board Games: 8 Awesome Habitat-Building Games

Looking for board games that’ll chill you out but still get your brain working? Nature and habitat games are where it’s at . They’re gorgeous to look at, super relaxing, and fun for everyone — whether you’re totally new to board games or you live and breathe strategy.

Here are 8 amazing nature-themed games you can try at Downtime Board Game Cafe in Bali. Let’s dive into why each one is totally worth your time!

Cascadia

This 1–4 player gem lets you build North American landscapes with rivers, mountains, and forests while dropping in animals like bears, deer, eagles, and salmon. You’re basically trying to create the most epic nature combo to rack up points. What’s cool about Cascadia is that it’s super easy to learn but has enough strategy to keep you hooked. The artwork is absolutely stunning and peaceful, plus it’s just as fun flying solo as it is with your crew.

Harmonies

In this chill 1–4 player game, you’re designing your dream garden with gorgeous flower, tree, and animal tiles. It seriously feels like meditation with a side of strategy – so zen and beautiful. Perfect if you love games that don’t rush you and have that Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Honestly, it’s made for those lazy afternoon coffee sessions at Downtime where you just want to vibe and play something pretty.

Forest Shuffle

This 2–4 player forest-building game has you planting trees and adding all kinds of plants and critters to create a thriving ecosystem. The strategy comes from figuring out which cards work best together and how different species help each other out. It’s got really smart gameplay that changes every time you play, plus you’ll actually learn some cool stuff about how nature works. The art is incredible and really drives home that environmental message.

Bärenpark

In this adorable 2–4 player game, you’re building the ultimate bear park using these Tetris-like puzzle pieces. It’s basically cute bear Tetris with way more personality! Anyone can pick this up and start having fun immediately – it’s quick, easy to get, and incredibly satisfying when you nail that perfect tile placement. The whole bear theme just makes everything more fun and relaxing.

Photosynthesis

This 2–4 player tree-growing game looks all peaceful and zen, but don’t be fooled – there’s some serious strategy hiding in there! You’re growing trees from tiny seeds into massive giants while fighting other players for precious sunlight. The 3D trees look absolutely amazing on the table, and the whole “sun moves around the board” mechanic is unlike anything else out there. It hits that sweet spot of being competitive without being stressful.

Bosk

In this gorgeous 2–4 player game, you plant trees in spring then watch autumn winds scatter your colorful leaves everywhere. The way those leaves spread across the board is seriously Instagram gold! It mixes area control with this cool wind mechanic that keeps things interesting. Even though it looks super peaceful and pretty, there’s enough strategy to keep your brain engaged without being overwhelming.

Arboretum

Don’t let this beautiful 2–4 player flower path game fool you – it’s sneaky competitive! You’re creating these stunning garden walkways, but only certain players actually get to score points based on the cards they’re holding. It looks innocent enough, but there’s so much mind games and bluffing going on. Perfect for when you want something that looks pretty but plays like a mental chess match. Small box, big brain burns!

Indian Summer

This cozy 1–4 player game has you laying these cool perforated tiles over a forest board to uncover hidden treasures like mushrooms and berries. It’s got that perfect autumn vibe that just makes you want to grab a hot drink and settle in. The puzzle aspect is light and fun without being too intense, making it perfect for casual gaming while you’re munching on cafe snacks. Pure comfort gaming at its finest.

August 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
Games that Push Your Luck

Push your luck, sometimes called press your luck, is a gaming mechanism where players must decide whether they want to keep their current gains, or risk it all for a chance to win even better rewards.

Here are several board games that have an element of push your luck that are sure to make your gaming session more fun and exciting!

Deep Sea Adventure

In a rented submarine, you and other explorers all have to share a single tank of air. If you don’t get back to the sub before you run out of air, you’ll drop all the treasure you’ve collected. Do you go back before the air runs out, or push your luck and go further to collect even more treasure? Who can bring back the greatest riches?

King of Tokyo

In King of Tokyo, you play mutant monsters, gigantic robots, and strange aliens. You roll dice up to three times, to score points, get enhanced powers, and whack each other in order to become the one and only King of Tokyo! Do you stay with your current dice roll, or push your luck and roll again?

Incan Gold

Players explore paths in the jungle by turning up cards from a deck. You can leave the jungle now and share the riches already found, or push your luck and stay in hope of even better rewards—at the risk of encountering dangerous hazards and going home empty handed.

Port Royal

You and other players take turns revealing cards to discover ships of riches, or personnel for hire. You may stop opening cards anytime to establish the market. You and and other players can then get gold or hire people from the revealed cards. Don’t push your luck too far though–reveal two ships of the same color and you will go bust!

Quacks of Quedlinburg

Players are charlatans (or quack doctors) each brewing their own secret potions by adding ingredients one at a time. You can push your luck by adding more ingredients drawn from a bag. The more you add, the more valuable your potion will be. Take care with what you add, though, for a pinch too much of this or that will spoil the whole batch!

May 4, 2024
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
Downtime’s 8th Year! (2 of 2)

About a year after opening, we started becoming aware of some new challenges that in many ways were actually good. The small tiny kitchen was constantly running out of space to store things. Our small footprint limited the number of visitors we could have at any given time. We also didn’t particularly enjoy hanging out in the dim, windowless upstairs room, in what was once probably a storage attic.

Downtime moves to a new location

In 2019 we began to look for a larger space where we could grow into. It wasn’t long before we found a new shop just around the corner, with four times the floorspace!

Downtime 2.0

Game Night at our new place!

Keeping with tradition, we opened our doors for Wednesday Game Night at our new place on 29th of January 2020. It has a spacious floor plan for ample tables and chairs, lots of natural light, and increased capacity in the kitchen. We felt like things were about ready to take off!

If we knew then what we know now…

Well, so much for that.

As you may recall, 2020 turned out not to be the best time to open any business. Much less one that depended on intimate groups of people huddled closely around a game table.

So much for getting together for board games…

In March of that year we had to close our doors for lockdown, much like everywhere else in the world. We unfortunately had to send our staff home. But we were fortunate that we had enough savings to provide them with half-salary to weather the duration of the 5-week lockdown.

After the initial lockdown, restaurants and cafes were gradually allowed to reopen on a very limited basis. At times the local regulations were relaxed enough for us to host a few dine-in customers. Other times we had to limit our service to takeout-only.

This has to be said. We owe a deep gratitude to every single one of our customers and friends who supported us by ordering food delivery during this time.

You know who you are! We thank you very much for your continued support!

Managing to get in a game or two

The Covid-era “new normal”

Slowly we allowed guests to sit and play board games again, though we had to take out many favorite games that had a high player count or those that got people a little too excited (sorry social deduction fans).

We kept close watch on the local Bali infection rate data. If the infection count started climbing, we temporarily suspended gaming activities, and would resume them again when the numbers declined. We really love seeing people gather around and have fun over games. However we didn’t want to be responsible for anyone catching Covid at our premises–and potentially infecting their families or elders at home.

After three years, thankfully with the support of local vaccination efforts and the gradual evolving nature of the virus itself, Covid has ceased to be a life-threatening issue for the general public at least for the moment.

Going forward

Heading into our eight year, we continue our passion for finding ideas to refresh our menu offerings. We always seek to create new exciting dishes for our customers. We will continue to draw from the wide world of culinary possibilities that Bali hasn’t experienced yet.

This year we added new dishes such as our overloaded version of the Montreal classic poutine, and our personal favorite new Spanish breakfast egg dish huevos con ajos. We also added to our homemade burger offerings including the Sunset Burger, which we’re not ashamed to admit was heavily inspired by California’s In-n-Out animal style burger.

Nice to see happy people playing board games

We also continue to be excited about the growing board gaming community here in Bali. As per tradition, at our shop we continue to introduce newcomers into the hobby every Wednesday evenings.

We’re also starting to notice people from other places like Ubud and Canggu starting to form little weekly board game groups and gatherings of their own. It’s very heartening to see more and more people discover board games. We wish them well and godspeed, as they remind us of our own humble origins, not too long ago.

June 1, 2023
Downtime’s 8th Year! (1 of 2)

Folks have asked us why we opened a board game cafe here in Bali. May 2026 marks the eight year of operations here at Downtime Cafe. On this occasion we thought it might be nice to take a trip back to nostalgia lane and share some moments along our journey thus far.

A gathering of board game lovers

When we first moved from Jakarta to Bali in 2016 we couldn’t find enough people to play board games with. We started inviting friends, fellow travelers, etc. via social media to join us as we hosted Game Night gatherings every Wednesday evenings. We met at various coffee shops around town, and introduced new players to simple games such Saboteur, Avalon, Bang! The Dice Game, and Port Royal. Thus the Bali Board Games group was born.

The Bali Board Games group met weekly at one of the local coffee shops.

We kept bouncing from one coffee shop to another over the next couple of years. Finding a place that had the right combination of large tables, good lighting, and decent food and drinks is surprisingly harder than you might think. On top of that, lugging heavy bags full of cardboard on scooters (sometimes in the middle of a rainstorm) was taking its toll on our backs.

Needing a place of our own

We began toying around with the idea of setting up our own gaming space. We’ve seen board game cafes work in larger cities like Jakarta and Bangkok. Would the concept work in a small island like Bali though? There was only one way for us to find out.

We found a small shop in an area of Bali called Kerobokan. This part of town may not be as well-known as Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta. However it has the advantage of being in a central location and is easily accessible from those other areas. The shop was previously a warung or local eatery, and it already had a small kitchen, some rudimentary seating area, and a washroom. We just needed to add a splash of paint, fix a few things, get some furniture, and we were good to go!

Needs a little bit of work, but it’ll do.

The next thing we had to ponder was, we needed a name. We had brainstormed a bunch of names already, and rejected names that had “board” in the title. This was because there were already a lot of surfboard shops in Bali using those kind of names already. Names with “dice” or “game” also didn’t make the cut because we didn’t want to focus too much on board games (more on that later).

We wanted a name that conveyed the concept of chilling, taking some time out of your busy work schedule, hanging out with friends, enjoying good food, having a good time. As in, enjoying a little downtime for yourself.

The first board game cafe in Bali

Downtime is open for business!

Downtime Cafe became the first board game cafe in Bali on Wednesday, 16th of May, 2018. We launched on that day by hosting our usual Wednesday evening Game Night. At long last, Bali Board Games had a permanent home!

For the first time, Bali Wednesday Game Night had a permanent home

Questions still remained. It would be hard enough for a niche operation like a board game cafe to survive even in a large metropolis like Jakarta or Bangkok. What would our chances be in a small resort island like Bali, whose population is not even 1/10th the size?

Judging by our experience and relative difficulty of getting people to come to our game nights, there wasn’t enough of a built-in base in Bali to support a shop focused just on board games. If we were to survive, we had to focus on the food and beverage side our business. The board games aspect would have to take a back seat.

Cafe first, board games second

We chose “international comfort food” as our driving concept. We didn’t want to offer trendy food like Indomie instant noodles or ayam geprek fried chicken, which were ubiquitous and “viral” back then. Rather, we wanted to offer Bali a chance to taste unique, delicious comfort foods from around the world, using locally-sourced ingredients from the island.

Our cornerstone was our triple-cooked Belgian fries, with your choice of homemade dipping sauces. Of course we must have nasi goreng. We developed our own unique variations, such as our bacon fried rice, and our very own Balinese fried rice. Thankfully, reception to our food has been generally very positive.

Downtime Cafe was beginning to grow.

(To be Continued…)

May 11, 2023