Cat & Mouse specializes in non-electronic games and puzzles for all ages and interests.  We carry a large selection of family and strategy board games, particularly European-style games, card games, and classic games such as Chess and Go.  We also stock a variety of jigsaw puzzles and brainteasers. 

We feature an in-store play area and regular game nights, tournaments and events. The store is also available for private game parties.

>> Read more about us.

Articles About Cat & Mouse:
    TimeOut Chicago
    Chicago Sun Times
    Columbia Chronicle

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June News

Event Updates

Game Nights are now being held every Tuesday and Friday night, from 6:30-10 pm.  Join us as we play the best adult strategy games around, both classics and new releases from our large library of demo games. Starting Friday, June 19 we'll be charging a cover of $5 for Tuesday and Friday game nights.  However, the cover charge is fully refundable when you buy any game while you're there.

Cat & Mouse Game Store Chases Down Some Summertime Fun!

Cat & Mouse Game Store is getting out and about this summer, bringing fun and games to special FREE events in Bucktown and beyond. Join us as we play outside, revisit the times of Lincoln, and explore traditional games from around the world.

Gaming Lincoln @ the Bucktown Library
Chicago Public Library, Bucktown Branch, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave.
- Wednesday, June 24 at 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 pm

In conjunction with the library’s Summer Reading Program, we’re hosting two game nights at the library where we’ll be playing a variety of board games that recall the times of Lincoln. You can fight the Civil War over again, try your hand at becoming a railroad baron, or play other classic games. This program is open to teens and adults.

Outdoor Games @ Movies in the Park
Churchill Park, 1825 N. Damen
- Thursday, June 18 – My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- Sunday, July 28 – Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Sunday, August 23 – Kung Fu Panda

Every summer the Bucktown Community Organization sponsors Movies in the Park, and Cat & Mouse is happy to be helping out this year with a little pre-show entertainment. We’ll bring beanbag toss, ladderball, bocce, giant foam darts, and other fun games for the crowd to play with before settling in for the show. We’ll also be giving away free balloons and hacky sacks at these events, so pack your picnic, bring your blanket, and join us for an evening of great entertainment! Movies start at dusk, and the games will be available about an hour in advance.

International Board Games @ Taste of Chicago
Grant Park, Family Village, SW corner of Columbus and Jackson
- Tuesday, June 30, 11 am – 7 pm

The Family Village is a popular destination for families as they gather to enjoy kid-friendly activities at the Taste of Chicago. Cat & Mouse will be hosting an International Games tent, where visitors can take a break from the bustling crowds as they learn and play a variety of traditional board games. The games will take you around the world, from Nepal (Goats & Tigers) to Egypt (Senet), Uganda (Umweso) and more!

Focus on Wargaming

We've been expanding our selection of war games a bit recently, and this weekend will bring further additions to our stock.  For something a little different from the board games by GMT, Columbia, MultiMan, and other war game publishers that we carry, soon you'll find Axis & Allies and Wings of War miniatures in the store.  We'll never have room here for unpainted miniatures, though, and for those we will happily refer you to our friends over at Black Sun Games on Kedzie.   Not only do they carry a great selection, they also have excellent play space in the back of their store. 

While we're on the topic of war games, here are answers to two questions that we get a lot:

Q - Do you have the Axis & Allies board game?  A - No, it's been out of print for a while.  However, a new edition, called Axis & Allies 1942 will be available August 18th.  It will use the updated rules developed for Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition, and will have a very attractive price of only $29.99.

Q - Do you have ASL Starter Kit #1?  A - No, it's been out of print for a while.  However, MultiMan just announced that they'll be reprinting it soon, so maybe we'll see it later this summer. 

Recent News & Reviews

• The 2009 Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) finalists were announced, and this year the nominees comprise a great crop of games that are all quite different from each other: Pandemic, Fauna, Dominion, Finca, and FiTS.  All except Fauna are available in the U.S., and we're featuring them during game night this Friday, so stop by and check them out.  I played Finca for the first time last week and liked it quite a bit.  It's a really solid family strategy game with great wooden fruit pieces, and I look forward to enjoying it a lot with the kids.

• Less well known are the Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children's Game of the Year) award and the special awards given out by the SdJ jury.  This year all of the children's games are currently unavailable in the U.S., so I won't frustrate you with descriptions of what you can't have!  However, it's worth noting that Space Alert (arriving in the store next week) won a special award in the category of "new game worlds" and Gift Trap won in the "party game" category.  Gift Trap has been available in the U.S. for quite a while, and is one that we've had a lot of fun with.  Play it before the holidays if you want to know what gifts your loved-ones really want; apparently I need to go shopping for a live scorpion this Christmas!

• Tom Vasel of The Dice Tower continues to add great video game reviews to his web site, and although he covers all types of games, I think the site has easily become the best and most interesting source for information about children's games.  In addition to his podcast and reviews, he sometimes posts videos that cover general gaming topics, and last month he posted a video about playing games against children.  Check it out - in addition to giving you a few laughs, it will get you thinking about how you interact and play with the kids in your life!

   

Upcoming Events

Fri. 7/3 - Game Night, 6:30-10 pm

Sat. 7/4 - HOLIDAY HOURS, Closing early at 4:00 pm

Sun. 7/5 - Age of Steam, 11 am - 5 pm

Tues. 7/7 - Game Night, 6:30-10 pm

Fri. 7/10 - Game Night, 6:30-10 pm

Sat. 7/18 - Small World Tournament,  1:00 pm

> Complete calendar & event descriptions

Visit our New Arrivals blog for the latest information or follow us on Twitter.

Product News

Our Best Sellers for June  

1. Settlers of Catan
2. Dominion
3. Small World
4. Jungle Speed
5. Bananagrams

Upcoming Releases
RFTG: Reb vs. Imper - July
Dominion: Intrigue - July
D&D Eberon Camp. Guide - 7/21
Pandemic:On the Brink - August
Axis & Allies - 8/18

Featured New Product
The mailman just left, and dropped off a box of gorgeous dice towers and boxes from VixenTor Games.  We have many styles in stock, and two different sizes of dice towers.  They're perfect for anyone who enjoys unique game accessories.  Heck, I don't play that many games that use lots of dice and even I want one!