A new player in Scarborough
Scarborough has a new café in town, and it’s not your typical coffee house. The Scarborough News reports that Stay Cappy, a capybara-themed board game café, has opened its doors on York Place. Offering a selection of over 100 board games, the venue hopes to draw in locals and tourists alike with its relaxed atmosphere and capybara-inspired decor.
The café’s menu features a variety of Asian dishes and drinks, ranging from prawn cakes to Japanese curry rice. It’s a place where you can spend a few hours playing games, munching on tamagoyaki, and sipping on matcha lattes. The owners have designed the space to be bright and airy, with plenty of tables to accommodate groups eager to dive into their game of choice.
Why capybaras?
You might be wondering why a café in Scarborough has chosen a capybara theme. According to the café’s spokesperson, capybaras are renowned for being calm, friendly, and sociable animals. These traits align with the kind of environment the owners wanted to create: a welcoming social space rather than just a place to grab a quick bite and leave. The café’s name, “Stay Cappy,” is a playful fusion of “capybara” and “happy.”
Capybaras, the largest rodents on earth, are indeed known for their sociable nature. They often live in groups and are surprisingly adept swimmers. This choice of theme might seem quirky, but it does underline the café’s emphasis on social interaction and relaxation.
More than just board games
Stay Cappy isn’t just about the games. It’s about creating a social environment where friends and families can unwind together. The café has a little motto: “Calm and happy — that’s the capybara way.” They have deliberately focused on providing a comfortable, unhurried social space.
The board game selection includes family, party, strategy, cooperative, and classic games. Whether you’re a board game novice or a seasoned strategist, there’s something here for everyone. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options, the staff is on hand to recommend games suitable for your group.
The practical details
If you decide to visit, be prepared for a small fee. It costs £2 per hour for adults, with a cap of three hours, and £1 per hour for children aged 5 to 15. Children under 5 can enjoy the café for free, but those under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The café is open five days a week, with varied hours, and the last orders for food and drink are taken an hour before closing.
The café’s open-door policy means you can walk in, but booking a table is advisable if you want to ensure a spot. The format encourages a leisurely pace, allowing visitors to enjoy their time without feeling rushed.
The Grumpy Capy take
Stay Cappy seems like a charming addition to Scarborough, but let’s not get carried away. The capybara theme is cute, but it’s not as if actual capybaras are roaming the café. The connection between a South American rodent and a board game café in Yorkshire might be a stretch.
That said, the café does offer a unique social experience, which is refreshing in a world where most places want you in and out as quickly as possible. Offering a space to relax and play games is a commendable goal, even if the theme feels a bit superficial.
As for the source material, Scarborough News provided a decent overview, but it leaned heavily on promotional language. It’s a new café, not a revolution in leisure activities.
