Olaf Growald
Patrick Lai and Erika Ramos
Game Theory | Reader Pick: Best Bar with Games
Erika Ramos remembers the day she met her husband’s family. It began with an awkward dinner, during which not many words were spoken, causing Ramos to fall under the impression that his parents were the more introverted types who weren’t keen on opening up to their son’s romantic partner.
Then, they broke out Kill Doctor Lucky, a mystery board game similar to Clue — and the atmosphere changed.
“We started playing, and his entire family just opened up,” Ramos says. “I saw their personalities — from his mother getting involved to his brother trying to act as a referee making sure everyone was having a good time, his father sitting there laughing at all of us … That, to us, is the beauty of games — what they do to break the ice and help pull out people’s personalities so they can bond and really get to know each other.”
Ramos and husband Patrick Lai’s passion for board games would eventually inspire the couple to open Game Theory, a board game lounge in Fort Worth’s South Main neighborhood. Opened in 2019, Game Theory features a library of nearly 600 games, from classics like Battleship to cult favorites like Settlers of Catan. Ramos and Lai are also passionate about backing new, upcoming games on Kickstarter, like Jeopardy winner Ken Jennings’ trivia game Half Truth, a copy of which they received just recently.
Game Theory also doubles as a restaurant, so players can duke it out over chicken wings or mini pies while sipping on game-inspired cocktails.
Of course, like every small business, Game Theory found itself tackling the challenge of COVID-19, which forced them to temporarily close and figure out some other way to keep patrons engaged. Their solution — board game rentals, an effort to help ease the boredom for families stuck at home.
Game Theory has since reopened to the public, and Ramos credits the Fort Worth community for helping keep the business afloat. She hopes Game Theory can continue to foster that camaraderie, creating a space that allows locals to “connect with one another the old-fashioned way — around a table filled with fun and food.”
Olaf Growald
The Grand Berry Theater
First Date: Reader Pick | The Grand Berry Theater
The only independent movie theater in a city of nearly 900,000 people (who are all undoubtedly fans of flicks), The Grand Berry Theater’s warehouse motif, selection of local beers, and distinctive vinyl green couches are making it a favorite of The Foundry District.
Olaf Growald
The Post at River East
Live Music: Reader Pick | The Post at River East
The weathered walls and Southern Cal aesthetic of this Riverside joint have made it a favorite for weddings and photographers. But it’s the intimate live performances from local artists in its 2,000-square-foot main room — with phenomenal acoustics to boot — that our readers give the thumbs up.
Olaf Growald
Cowtown Cycle Party
Night Bike Ride: Reader Pick | Cowtown Cycle Party
Whoever had the idea of 16 people, half turnt from a BYOB policy, simultaneously peddling to move a streetcar through a busy downtown, clearly has an interesting take on fun.
