Geek Retreat in Stoke-on-Trent

Took a couple of little ones with me (4 and 5) we were in there for a good hour. The only note id give is if they could have a shelf of toddler/young-child friendly games. Snap, puzzle games, something like that. We brought 5-Up with us and they loved it! That would be a good addition.

I went in for my first time today. Bear in mind it's a 35-40 minute car journey for us. We walked in and was met by glares by every single person including staff, customers etc. so the atmosphere was already off. We walked to the counter and I enquired about some Pokémon cards he said "no" to everything I asked which is fine but I wasn't offered any others or a time as to when they'd be back in stock. His overall tone was fairly rude in my opinion. My partner asked if he just had to walk up and ask people to play lorcana with him and the guy responded with "no you can't play there's a tournament" which would've been fine, IF we hadn't messaged beforehand to check he could come in and play. The man then started saying "do you know how to play" and being fairly condescending to my partner. I said I'd play with him but I don't know how and he simply responded with "it's just like Pokémon" however I'm a collector and I don't play, and I felt too embarrassed to admit that considering the tone. I looked through a folder of cards and I was hovered over pretty much the entire time, which I understand because of theft, but I was very uncomfortable and felt forced to buy. Overall it just felt like if you weren't a regular customer, they had no interest in really trying to keep you as a customer. As I have anxiety and ADHD and my partner is autistic this made it a super unpleasant experience and after I left I felt so embarrassed from all the stares that I had a meltdown. We are still unsure if we were just misreading the atmosphere, but I'm sure the man who served us wasn't really interested in anything we wanted or had to say. Judging by his tone. I'm not one to leave reviews pretty much ever, but as this really did upset me as a female I felt I needed to share my experience as this happens regularly in the card game community. We won't be returning. I'm sure it's lovely for the people who are regulars but I think newbies should stay clear on tourney nights, lesson learned.

Rude staff who say stuff about customers behind their backs, sometimes close enough for them to hear. Including making fun of people with disabilities. Prices are crazy, please check anything before you purchase from here, cards can be extremely damaged, please make sure you take them out of the sleeves and check them before purchasing. There are better places in Hanley to go for your TCG like Forbidden Planet, Game and Geek World. Avoid at all costs.

I would never go back into this place, food is disgusting and everything about this place screams cheap and tacky. Staff are friendly enough, but the atmosphere is weird & clicky most of the time. If you are trying to game it can be way to loud, you can't even hear yourself think or hear what other players are saying. I'd rather just play at home, than have to pay for a table in this place. Nothing entices me to come back, especially knowing that a place like Longrest is just around the corner.

The place is starting to go down hill MASSIVELY. There are 1 to 2 staff members now who seem to care, the rest just don't seem bothered. Use to go to play for weekly events (card game) however it is becoming a joke Pricing: the price is more expensive compaired to other places, I go to 3 vendors including geek, the others are £5.00 with better prizes so why am I paying more for less? Staff: Have no idea who organising the events however the staff need talking to, they don't understand half the rules so when asking for a judge, give you a blank stare or just make up non legal decisions on the spot, also one staff member went home HALF WAY THROUGH A TOURNAMENT and didn't tell anyone, people didn't know what the he'll was going on, some of us played a round for over an hour and we had to go up and ask when the next round was and why no time has been called. Times: every week I go the event has a different start time, the excuse is it says this on Facebook. I came at the Facebook times yet I have started at 6, 6:30, 6:45, MAKE UP YOUR MIND! ALSO POSTING ON 1-2 Platforms is poor advertising. The organising is just horrific, please sort this out, the business is just going to fall apart. Also please update your menu, its just burgers and breakfast, update this...

Took some bulk of pokemon cards here for them to say they offer £1 for every 100 cards holos and reverse holos left them with the cards for the week for them to say they would only give £10 for 3600 cards

So friendly, went to have a coffee and the manger took time, as it was quite early morning, to show me a new card game to play, I’m now hooked and love playing the game with others, looking forward to my next visit

A wonderful family friendly place that is inclusive and accepting. So many nights of activities that cater for everyone. Good quality food and variety of drinks and snacks to suit every need. You won't be disappointed when you visit geek retreat Hanley.

Very clicky place to he honest, if you know the people I guess it's a great place to go otherwise you will find your self lost in the crowd, go to Long Rest boardgame cafe in hanley, especially if board games is more your thing and also for dnd, it's a far less clicky experience and more relaxing, food is not great at geek retreat either, overpriced and poor quality

Again, there is no offence to the business. Clearly, I didn't go in but must have walked past

This place is great! As a quirky (weird) older mum I wish I'd have had somewhere like this to hang out with mates when i was younger. Staff are fab, food reasonably priced & music is decent.

Awesome little place, friendly atmosphere, very friendly, just great!

Great atmosphere and helpful staff

It’s a home away from home for some people

This is a great place for kids to play pokemon and the food and drink are good to. Highly recommend this safe space for kids who want to learn and play.

Staff were super friendly. There was a wide variety of games available. I look forward to going back in the future.

I love geek reatreat it's a nice place to hang out and enjoy games . I go to geek reatreat for dnd night and quiz night with my friends . Although me and my friends are in are teens we find the staff at geek reatreat very friendly and welcoming . One of the staff members in particular I have found extremely welcoming is Rob he makes sure we're all ok and adds some questions in the quiz for us ( for an example my friend is obsessed with bluey and he added a question about bluey) this makes us all feel comfortable and safe to be are selfs in geek reatreat. They also have a wide selection of games to play .

Great times to be had here for any tabletop gaming enthusiasts. Staff are very friendly and there's lots to browse and many places to sit and game. I would recommend a visit 👍.

I started out as a customer here, now I'm a friend to all of the staff, so welcoming and just generally a great place to be. Best place in town. Even popping I'm just for a cuppa is ok here, try them out even if youre not into gaming

Great place to visit, easygoing, and lots of lovely smoothies to try. There are lots of vegan choices. Visiting gives you access to free to play boards game, D & D etc..

This place has seriously gone down hill. If you have children I would avoid this place. They have made this a "safe place" but in doing so they allow inappropriate displays of affection. This is not what parents, children and many adults do not come here for. The food is adequate and customer service is good. I and many of my friends will not be returning here.

Geek retreat is in business of providing experiences and it does it well 🎲 Milkshakes are ace

This is the most welcoming and friendly place in town. The food is good, the milk shakes are outstanding and all at a fair price. Staff are very nice, they know their stock and will happily tutor beginners in the games. A great place to relax (the toilet facilities are good too).

Had milkshakes and coffee accompanied by board games for a great time

Really friendly staff - Great atmosphere and really welcoming - only shame was they didn’t have many pokemon singles for sale! But that just what I was interested in. Plenty other great stuff in store!

Geel retreat is awesome. The staff are great, the food is great, and it's just a nice place to hang with your friends and have some fun.

Went for a pokemon event for the kids, really well organised and they had a great time will definitely be going to the next one.

Popped in today for a milkshake and a board game to get out of the sun, we both really enjoyed the atmosphere We got a random milkshake, you roll two D20s and you get a random milkshake, ours was gingerbread and marshmallows, it was very delicious. Ended up playing a board game and then continuing on with our shopping

Lovely place to just relax and play games, inside is very cool on hot days like today . The staff are amazing and very polite and are willing to help with anything that is needed. It's a very safe place to be

Wonderful friendly staff and atmosphere. Very tasty milkshakes. A great selection of games and gaming events😀

Good concept, buy a drink and play whatever you want, but it's quite dirty and very smelly. If the place were cleaned and aired well, it would be much better.

Super friendly staff and atmosphere!

Great atmosphere and the guy who runs the shop was a top fella

Wonderful place, very welcoming and accessible. Would highly recommend.

Great place to hang out and play pokemon. Staff are amazing, food is meh, but great place.

Always feel welcome. Tables and chairs are always kept clean.

Warm and friendly welcome for a first-time visitor. Stayed for a drink and a pizza with a board game. Fab, friendly team.

Always like going again and playing card games and playing d&d. All the stuff are very nice and helpful

Great friendly place, a good amount of table space and friendly staff.

Great place, the food is OK but its great if you get the munchies whilst playing the numerous board games made available for customers. Everyone is friendly, the staff are awesome and are excited to help with anything.

Took my 9 year old son in today and could barely peel him away. He had great company and conversation from a bunch of people in there who happily talked pokémon with him for a long period and then also had him join in another game that I'm not sure of the name of. Very friendly and my son was absolutely in his element. Will definitely be back with him. I have never seen him this interactive with others. The calypso strawberry lemonade also well worth the money 🥰. My older son has been there before for the pokémon tournament and hopefully once he gets over his nerves he will also be back. He struggles to leave the house and communicate with people.

I have been visiting geek retreat for a few months now with my daughter and girlfriend for their weekly Pokémon club which we all enjoy a lot. Today my daughter decided to throw her birthday party there, as she loves visiting there so much. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The staff had everything sorted prior to the day and helped achieve what was amazing day had by all. I would like to personally thank every single staff member on shift throughout the day who helped my daughter celebrate her birthday in true Pokémon style and made her feel so special. It means the world from my family to yours. Thank you so much for providing a safe and welcoming place for all. It is truly appreciated.

lots of fun staff are so polite lots of games to choose from and play with friends great food and drinks. really recommend this place it was a great time!

1st time visiting played a boars game with grandkids whilst having a drink and food. Great idea.

Take my sons now and then to play in the clubs, staff are nice and friendly.

Little one loved our visit for the pokemon morning. Great value and a good atmosphere 👌

Went for the first time the other day and it's OK there not as good as other gaming shops in the area but think that's mainly because it's a big chain. But still good and would visit again. Not had any food or drinks but looked alright.

Popped in this morning very welcoming had a cup of tea and game of chess never played it before and a nice bloke in there was helping me very good and nice place to socialise

Love this place. Super friendly, super helpful. It feels like home for everyone, but especially for the geekier among us.

Food is a bit pricey for portions but understandable as games are free to play

Top tier place if you want to let your inner geek out

Great place, quite busy sometimes but everyone in there staff and customers are very friendly, one staff was particularly rude and stern but I decided to ignore it. Very friendly customers aswell as it is easy to make some friends.

Place is awesome! Cracking drinks, cozy but loud!

I have not used this place but I have 3 adult family members who go regular and recommend it highly for playing D&D and other board games and also the many card-based games. so if that's your thing this seems to be the place to go. to play and meet like-minded people I can say that it's really friendly.

Food was average and over priced, they don't have aspects of the Menu they advertised. Jacket Potato was warm (Microwave) but the beans were cold and the cheese couldn't even melt. Nachos were ok, nachos were just a few crisps with a bit of cheese. Mozzarella sticks are the best thing of a poor menu. Felt like an outsider visiting the city due to football, being stared out by regulars. Furthermore, an old creepy man that was sitting in the corner, didn't order and wasn't challenged why was he their. My Wife felt uncomfortable being the only lady in there and people staring. Found a more interesting geek shop around the corner, with better stock.

Friendly, fun, fairly priced. Great days boardgaming!

Such a relaxed welcoming space. Everyone from staff to customers were incredibly warm and friendly. My daughter had her first Pokémon card game after help from staff to set up her deck. Lovely selection of milkshakes and snacks we had a rainbow dash milkshake and London fog tea both very delicious. We will be going back and 100% recommend.

I'm not quite sure if I can say I enjoyed my visit at geek retreat. I came here the other day to see what geek retreat was all about, I absolutely love the idea that people can have a safe space to play games and talk to their friends whilst having a drink or something to eat! Its a family friendly place and very lgbtqia+ friendly. But I guess I need to talk about my actual experience here. When I came in there was just this smell of.. sweat? And mustiness if you will... everywhere.. It just didnt smell clean, so I just ordered a drink because I just felt a little uncomfortable with that. My daughter ordered food however, and we saw a couple hairs in there, and they werent hers. We decided to get food from somewhere else because I'm quite a germaphobe in that sense. I would come here quite often actually if it wasn't for the odd smell and hairs in food because its got a great variety of games and things to buy on the counters, and the staff were SO FRIENDLY! This 'complaint'/'bad review' isn't directed towards the member of staff whatsoever because they were a delight, and it was nice to see lgbtqia+ badges and ties and things being worn by them because as a member myself I felt very welcome!

Always an exceptional experience every time I go, the people and staff are all very friendly and nice, there is loads of cool stuff to buy and browse, it’s a great place to play games and chill out with friends. You can never go wrong.

One of the friendliest places I’ve been to where you can go to chill out for a few hours. It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular patron or a new comer everyone is greeted like an old friend. I would highly recommend this place to anyone at all. Just rock up and have some fun

Great place. Nice milkshakes and free board games to play

Great little cafe. Great selection of board games. Yummy food and super friendly staff! Definitely recommend!! :D

100/10. Amazing place, the BEST staff. Like many other autistic people, I tend to get a little excited over pokemon - but I felt completely non-judged here and was able to relax in a public place! Absolutely the best. I'll definitely be back again very soon.

Staff are friendly and they have good prices for cards.

What is not to like. These guys treat their customers really well and it's clear they enjoy their work. Fantastic venue for gamers of all genres, ages and abilities. Great fresh food and drinks. Nice range of games and models you can take home if you want to buy them yourself. Highly reccomended.

Lovely atmosphere, a little barren on the stock side but the friendly and welcoming staff more than make up for it. A great place if you're looking for a place to play tabletop with friends, or just want to nerd out with the staff. My one point of criticism besides the stock is the lack of a proper wargaming table.

Great place, hope to see more stock in there eventually, hot chocolate was really good, was also interesting that someone knew what my protogen badge was

Started going here a few weeks after it opened as one of my players suggested it as more table space and it would be easy to get there. We went the first time and haven't stopped going since. The drinks are awesome. The food is great value and very tasty. It isn't a course meal but who wants a course meal when you are gaming ? It's good to fill you up and I or my players have no complaints when it comes to that. The staff are only ever helpful to you and everyone else there. We have been going there every week now and the staff are very helpful and friendly. I have even got to the point where I go alone to write and chill on my own and sometimes I bump into new people. One of if not the most friendliest places in stoke. You don't have to be a gamer to come in though. I see many people just sitting enjoying a coffee. It's honestly a lovely place and much needed. Awesome work Geek Retreat!

Brilliant staff. Happy to introduce you to new games for free. They simply ask if you can support them by buy a drinks or some food.

A really nice place that provides a space to play games and serves food and drink.

Friendly staff, very welcoming, great prices! Extra star for being vegan-friendly 🌟 If there's a seat free, just go on in and have a look at their selection of boardgames! There's a schedule for various things to do throughout the week where you'll be taught to play anything you're interested in, and they even set aside time specifically for kids. The menu is perfect for anyone playing tabletop games and includes a vegan section (with an option of soya or oat milk for drinks). It's good cafe-esque food, great for munching on during a game. They also sell various collectables, such as Digimon and Pokemon cards. It's not all about gaming, though! It's no problem if you just want to sit with your laptop or chill out for a spell. The folx here are excellent, and you may find yourself running into an old friend or making a new one.

Nice friendly atmosphere, friendly staff, good food and drink. There is disabled access too! Very please something like this has finally opened in Hanley.

They didn't think of wheelchairs, did they?

👎🏻 Food? It’s a school cafeteria with the decor of a funsters. nachos were just a few crisps with a bit of cheese and milkshake was nothing special. Barely anything on the shelves to browse or even consider purchasing for me and my son, and if you step out the door ther is much better shops for real geeks on the same street. literally don’t get it No one was enforcing mask wearing either and staff seemed to not car if you did or not even tho it law

Great new venue in town, brilliant space for like-minded people to come together and have an offering of snacks and hot/cold drinks.