Whether you’ve known about them for years or you’re just getting up to speed, gaming cafés have had a huge popularity spike in recent years. These gaming hubs are found in loads of Europe’s largest cities and bring people together over a love of screens and a good brew. Whether you’re meeting friends or competing with strangers, the Esports community is growing faster than ever! So, we’re here to shine a light on some of our best destinations for those of you with gaming cafés on your holiday itinerary.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin knows a thing or two about trends, and it’s no different when it comes to the Esports sphere. Gaming culture has been at the heart of this city for years, which is why it boasts a thriving gaming scene with dozens of dedicated cafés to choose from. From laidback retro arcades hosting giant Pac-Man meets, to competitive Esports tournaments, this capital has it all. Here’s a few to keep your eye out for:

OffWorld Gaming – Schöneberg

This fully decked gaming centre is a haven for Esports lovers. Dubbed one of the best gaming cafés in Berlin, OffWorld Gaming gets visitors from all over the world for bootcamps, tournaments and doses of casual gaming. League of Legends, Overwatch and Rocket League are among the most played.

LVL Berlin – Friedrichstadt

LVL Berlin is a concoction of all things screens. Virtual racing zones, a gaming bootcamp, streaming setups and heaps of arcades and consoles are at your fingertips. If you’re the competitive type, make your way to the LAN Area where 50 high-end PCs await. Or, if you’re tagging along with the main gamer, head to the cinema and check out something on the big screen while they do their thing.

Electric Social – Alexanderplatz

This is one for the less hardcore gamers, offering a modern twist on old-school gaming. Electric Social is a popular spot for friends to gather and grab an air hockey puck, battle it out on Raccoon Rampage or take on football billiards!

Paris, France

Casual and competitive gamers alike will want to hit the coolest spots in the French Capital. Think croissants and keyboards… a contemporary Parisian pairing. You’ll find popular gaming chains here, so unlocking limitless hours on the most-played games globally, like Fortnite and Counter-Strike, will be right on your doorstep. Some faves incoming:

Espot – Rue de Rivoli

A gaming centre facing the Louvre? Sign us up. Espot certainly wins the postcode lottery in terms of gaming cafés, thanks to its nextdoor neighbour. Sim racing, E-space PC gaming, PlayStations, Xboxes... whatever your gaming wish, Espot can bring it to life. This is an absolute must-visit for avid gamers.

Reset – Rue du Cygne

Reset’s motto is ‘toast, play, have fun’, and we’re here for that! This one-of-a-kind space will blow gamers away with throwback game options, vintage machines and two full floors of consoles to explore. Take a trip down memory lane and fire up the PlayStation 2, Sega MasterSystem or Dreamcast. But don’t forget to step back into present day, taking on friends or strangers on the latest season of Fortnite or League of Legends. You’ll also find a Guitar Hero room, a racing simulator and big-screen karaoke!

Barcelona, Spain

An up-and-comer in the Esports world is Barcelona. The Catalan capital has been announcing itself as a player in the gaming community over recent years, and its influx of designated cafés across the city is helping the cause. We recommend paying a visit to:

El Templo – Carrer de la Diputació

El Templo has earned the crown as the home of gamers in Barcelona! It’s state-of-the-art computers only here, with 44 high-performance PCs poised to welcome you. You’ll find standard zones, bootcamp areas and a dedicated streaming zone to catch that all-important Twitch content. And if you’re the all-night gamer type, El Templo offers a discounted rate between 11pm and 7am, so you can get in the zone for less.

Prague, Czech Republic

You might have to look slightly harder in Prague compared to other major European cities, but there are some top-notch gaming facilities out there. From board game cafés to kitted-out Esports areas, gamers won’t want to leave Prague off their lists. We’re really into:

Reload Esports Bar – Zborovská 1074/30

Grab your remote and get ready at Reload. Come along with friends or meet a whole community up for taking on challenges in FIFA, Dota 2 and the best new games on the market. But it’s not just Esports that grip Reload’s attention – board game fiends will feel right at home here too. Take part in tournaments on PlayStations, PCs or chess boards.