Coffee and board games: ideas for an evening with friends at home

A games evening at home: coffee as part of the welcome

An evening of board games or cards is one of the most pleasant ways to spend time with friends, especially when you feel like being together without organising anything too demanding.

All you need is a table, a few chairs, your favourite game and, of course, something to offer your guests.

Between one game and the next, coffee can also become part of the evening: a cup to welcome friends, a break while the next game is being set up, or one last espresso before saying goodbye.

When you play, though, the table quickly fills up with cards, counters, boards and other accessories. For this reason it is useful to organise the space for drinks too, making sure a cup does not end up too close to the game.

In this guide we look at how to prepare the table, which coffee to offer when there are many guests and which alternatives to keep available if the evening runs on.

There will also be a few ideas for accompanying the cup with something sweet and making the atmosphere even more pleasant.

Setting up the table: room for playing and room for the cups

When organising a games evening, the first thing to consider is the space available.

Some games need only a pack of cards, while others take up most of the table with boards, counters and sheets.

In both cases, keeping drinks away from the playing area is a small precaution that can avoid a few mishaps.

If you have a side table next to the main one, you can use it for cups, glasses and everything needed for the coffee.

Alternatively, a tray placed on a nearby piece of furniture can also be a practical solution.

This way guests can pick up their drink without risking spilling it on the cards or the board.

Saucers and napkins are always useful, especially when serving coffee to several people. You can also add a few glasses of water, letting everyone help themselves freely.

If you prefer to keep everything on the main table, try to reserve a small space for the cups, away from the game components.

To complete the service, in our accessories and cups section you will find a choice of cups, saucers and small glasses.

Which coffee to prepare for a crowd of guests

When you invite several friends, making coffee for everyone can take a little organisation.

The choice depends mainly on the number of guests and the system you usually use.

The moka pot is a traditional solution, particularly convenient when several people want the same coffee.

Simply choose a pot of the right capacity and prepare the cups while the guests settle in or between one game and the next.

If the moka pot is not big enough for everyone, you can make the coffee in several rounds.

For a good result, you can follow the advice in our guide on how to make a good coffee with the moka pot.

Capsule machines, on the other hand, make one cup at a time and offer greater freedom in choosing the blend.

They are particularly handy when guests have different tastes: some prefer an intense espresso, others a more delicate blend and others a decaffeinated one.

In our range of Nespresso®-compatible capsules you will find several options to choose from.

If you use a Nescafé Dolce Gusto® machine, you can also consider some alternatives to coffee, depending on the products available.

A simple idea is to make the first round of coffee for everyone and then, during the rest of the evening, let each person decide whether they would like another cup.

That way the coffee moment stays pleasant, without turning into a constant task for the host.

When the evening runs late: decaf, barley coffee, ginseng and other drinks

Evenings with friends have one characteristic: you often begin with the idea of playing a game or two and end up playing much longer than expected.

When a certain hour arrives, though, not everyone feels like another espresso.

For this reason it is useful to have a few alternatives available.

Decaffeinated coffee is one of the simplest solutions for those who want to keep enjoying coffee while reducing their caffeine intake.

The decaffeination process removes most of it, although a small amount remains in the drink.

Barley coffee is another alternative, naturally free of caffeine. It is important to remember, however, that it contains gluten and is therefore not suitable for people with coeliac disease.

Ginseng can be an option for those who love sweet, creamy drinks. However, the composition of the product needs to be checked, because many preparations contain coffee and therefore caffeine too.

If you would like to explore these differences, we have prepared a guide to capsule drinks beyond coffee.

You can also keep a herbal tea or a hot drink without coffee to hand, so as to offer your guests more choice.

Sensitivity to caffeine varies from person to person and can affect sleep at night. We have written about it in our article on caffeine and sleep.

The simplest solution, though, is to ask your friends directly what they prefer, without taking for granted that everyone wants to drink coffee late into the evening.

Something to enjoy between games

A games evening is even more enjoyable when there is always something to nibble on the table.

The choice of snacks deserves some attention, though: cards and counters are constantly passed from hand to hand, so it is best to avoid foods that leave fingers particularly greasy or sticky.

Dry biscuits, small chocolates and individually portioned sweets can be excellent accompaniments to coffee, especially if served on a separate plate away from the playing area.

For desserts with creams, glazes or softer fillings, you can provide small plates and small cutlery, perhaps taking advantage of a break between games.

A small tray with a variety of tasters can also be a nice solution, without having to prepare a full buffet.

In our delights and sugar section you can find a range of specialities to offer alongside coffee.

If any of your guests have food allergies or intolerances, remember to check the ingredients of the products you choose. In particular, a wording such as "lactose-free" does not necessarily mean that a food is free of milk or its proteins.

The aim is to organise something simple that lets everyone enjoy the coffee and the snacks without constantly interrupting the game.

Themed evenings and small touches for guests

If you want to make the evening even more fun, you can choose a theme and organise a few details around the group's favourite games.

For example, an evening devoted to traditional card games, such as scopa and briscola, can be a chance to rediscover the pleasure of coffee made with the moka pot.

Not because there is any particular pairing between coffee and cards, but simply to recreate a familiar, convivial atmosphere.

In our whole bean and ground coffee section you will find a range of blends to choose from according to your taste, while in the Bialetti selection you can discover the products for brewing with the moka pot.

If you are organising an evening with longer games, it can be handy to plan a break between games, during which to serve coffee and a few sweets.

Another tip is to ask guests in advance whether they prefer traditional coffee, decaffeinated or an alternative drink.

Keeping sugar, milk and a few glasses of water to hand will make the service even simpler.

In the end, what makes a games evening enjoyable is not the amount of things prepared, but the atmosphere that is created.

A well-organised table, something good to share and a cup served at the right moment can help make the evening even more welcoming.

And if the game runs on until late, no problem: there will always be time for one last decaf before saying goodbye.

If you would like advice on the blend, the decaffeinated coffee or the format best suited to your habits, contact us: the Maracatú team is always happy to help you choose.