House Rules in GR expanding with more seating, kitchen

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A bar in Grand Rapids offering a spot for people to hang out and play board games is expanding.

House Rules Board Game Lounge, located at 404 Ionia Ave. near Wealthy Street, is growing into the space behind it, adding more seating and a full kitchen.

Co-owner and “goblin king” Brian Beaucher opened the board game lounge around three years ago, turning what had been the Craft Beer Cellar into a new concept. House Rules offers a board game library for customers to use, along with games customers can purchase to play and take home.

“During the pandemic … a lot more people get into board games because you’re stuck at home, you’re playing games,” he explained. “Then once it was over, everyone wanted to go back out. So it just seemed like a good fit: ‘Hey, come on down. Hang out (at) a table, play some games.'”

He said customers enjoy having something to do while going out for a drink, while not feeling pressured to leave after a meal is over.

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“Definitely our staff takes a big part of the credit. They’ve been amazing, everyone loves coming here because our staff treats everyone really well,” Beaucher said.

But the team has maxed out what they can do in the current space. For the past two years, House Rules has had a full reservation list almost every weekend, Beaucher said, and the team often has to turn walk-ins away.

The new seating area will have space for around 50 more people, and will double as a semi-private room when groups want to host events at the board game lounge.

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While it was clear extra seating was needed, Beaucher said it was a “toss up” on whether the team would add a kitchen.

“A lot of people get food delivered in, and I think there’s just a need for it,” he said. “Makes it easier, you can just order something over here and not have to wait for dinner.”

The new menu will offer fries with several toppings to choose from, plus items like sliders and small plates — items that won’t get in the way of a board game.

Construction has gone smoothly and is on schedule, Beaucher said. The team is hoping to start serving food in mid- to late-May.

“People are super excited,” he said. “They’ll come in with a group of six or something on a Saturday and we’re like, ‘I’m sorry, we’re full. We don’t have anything for the rest of the night.’ … It’s just going to be awesome.”

Beaucher said he’s also considering the possibility of another expansion in the future, like opening an adult arcade spot in the spot next door, where Moosejaw recently closed, or opening another House Rules location.

But for now, he’s focused on the current location.

“We just want to make this location run really well,” he said. “First, make sure that we’ve truly proven the concept here over multiple years before we take on anything expansive.”

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