That’s part of why I try and remember to suggest peoples’ local libraries. For some communities that is still a hub of social interaction. Plus they might actually have the books. And what are your chances of finding “nerdy people” in a building full of books...? 🤔
Also Diners! Any place open all night with french fries and bottomless coffee has a chance to attract gamers. We (my friends and I) used to hang out at the diner roleplaying a lot of nights.
The problem with libraries is the "shhhh!" rule, and if you use study rooms they have the rule that it's only for study. Also nowadays if you try to do this in any kind of restaurant they'll count it as loitering or a disturbance and kick you out.
[redacted]
Notes: Advocating the piracy of published D&D sourcebooks is not allowed.
Well, I can understand a restaurant not wanting a D&D game happening at their tables. I mean, they've got a business to run, and a D&D game can easily last three hours or more. So if you're not continuously ordering food and drinks for the table, then you're just getting in the way of their business. That's fair. It won't matter if you're playing D&D or just staring at your phones. If you're not a paying customer, you're loitering.
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Ikram Sahir ibn Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad, Second Son of the House of Ra'ad, Defender of the Burning Sands. Lvl 9 Brass Dragonborn Sorcerer + Greater Fire Elemental Devil.
Viktor Gavriil. Lvl 20 White Dragonborn Grave Cleric, of Kurgan the God of Death.
The problem with libraries is the "shhhh!" rule, and if you use study rooms they have the rule that it's only for study. Also nowadays if you try to do this in any kind of restaurant they'll count it as loitering or a disturbance and kick you out.
that really depends on the library. The “shhh!” rule is not in affect in most of the libraries I frequent. Libraries (maybe especially rural libraries?? those are the ones I’m most familiar with) are having to reinvent themselves and are looking to be more of a social hub. I run an AL style game at my local library; they claim it as part of their programming, and their Friends group has paid for supplies for us. Another library in the area asked “my” librarian if I was available to run a table at their library. The library where I “office” two days a week (in yet a 3rd small town) has a rather loud coffee group, and two of the librarians bring their children to work with them. So it’s definitely not a quiet zone!
We used to go to the diner around 9pm. Business was slowed down by then so they didn’t need the table back. We would order around $80 worth of food and beverages and we tipped well, usually at least $20. The waitress didn’t mind us being there at all. We were easy customers, we tipped well, we weren’t loud, we didn’t restrict service. And we were usually done by 12-12:30. As long as you’re respectful, spend money, and go at a time that you won’t restrict them doing business they will probably not mind very much. Heck, around 11ish we might have been the only people there so we gave the waitress someone to talk to besides the kitchen staff.
The problem with libraries is the "shhhh!" rule, and if you use study rooms they have the rule that it's only for study. Also nowadays if you try to do this in any kind of restaurant they'll count it as loitering or a disturbance and kick you out.
A lot of libraries now aren't the "shhhh, quiet" study only spaces they once were. My local libraries are bustling social spaces that hold lots of quote-unquote 'noisy' activities. You can also secure the spaces for a variety of activities, not just studying. Mine reserves them for things like acting classes, music practice, counselling and support groups, parent-child activity events and, very relevantly, Adventurer's League.
Welcome back! I too was an AD&D player back in the day and last year got back into it when my 15 year old daughter asked me to teach her. Now I'm in 2 campaigns and about to join a 3rd. Can't believe I wasted all those years. I found both of my groups on the Meetup app. Its organized geographically so you can search wherever you happen to live. You can find events and likely other folks looking to form new groups and offer to DM. And like someone else said before, D&D is cool now, and so are we for playing it. haha
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That’s part of why I try and remember to suggest peoples’ local libraries. For some communities that is still a hub of social interaction. Plus they might actually have the books. And what are your chances of finding “nerdy people” in a building full of books...? 🤔
Also Diners! Any place open all night with french fries and bottomless coffee has a chance to attract gamers. We (my friends and I) used to hang out at the diner roleplaying a lot of nights.
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The problem with libraries is the "shhhh!" rule, and if you use study rooms they have the rule that it's only for study. Also nowadays if you try to do this in any kind of restaurant they'll count it as loitering or a disturbance and kick you out.
[redacted]
Well, I can understand a restaurant not wanting a D&D game happening at their tables. I mean, they've got a business to run, and a D&D game can easily last three hours or more. So if you're not continuously ordering food and drinks for the table, then you're just getting in the way of their business. That's fair. It won't matter if you're playing D&D or just staring at your phones. If you're not a paying customer, you're loitering.
Tayn of Darkwood. Lvl 10 human Life Cleric of Lathander. Retired.
Ikram Sahir ibn Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad, Second Son of the House of Ra'ad, Defender of the Burning Sands. Lvl 9 Brass Dragonborn Sorcerer + Greater Fire Elemental Devil.
Viktor Gavriil. Lvl 20 White Dragonborn Grave Cleric, of Kurgan the God of Death.
Anzio Faro. Lvl 5 Prot. Aasimar Light Cleric.
that really depends on the library. The “shhh!” rule is not in affect in most of the libraries I frequent. Libraries (maybe especially rural libraries?? those are the ones I’m most familiar with) are having to reinvent themselves and are looking to be more of a social hub. I run an AL style game at my local library; they claim it as part of their programming, and their Friends group has paid for supplies for us. Another library in the area asked “my” librarian if I was available to run a table at their library. The library where I “office” two days a week (in yet a 3rd small town) has a rather loud coffee group, and two of the librarians bring their children to work with them. So it’s definitely not a quiet zone!
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We used to go to the diner around 9pm. Business was slowed down by then so they didn’t need the table back. We would order around $80 worth of food and beverages and we tipped well, usually at least $20. The waitress didn’t mind us being there at all. We were easy customers, we tipped well, we weren’t loud, we didn’t restrict service. And we were usually done by 12-12:30. As long as you’re respectful, spend money, and go at a time that you won’t restrict them doing business they will probably not mind very much. Heck, around 11ish we might have been the only people there so we gave the waitress someone to talk to besides the kitchen staff.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
A lot of libraries now aren't the "shhhh, quiet" study only spaces they once were. My local libraries are bustling social spaces that hold lots of quote-unquote 'noisy' activities. You can also secure the spaces for a variety of activities, not just studying. Mine reserves them for things like acting classes, music practice, counselling and support groups, parent-child activity events and, very relevantly, Adventurer's League.
The point is libraries have moved on a lot.
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Libraries had to evolve or go extinct, just like everything else.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Welcome back! I too was an AD&D player back in the day and last year got back into it when my 15 year old daughter asked me to teach her. Now I'm in 2 campaigns and about to join a 3rd. Can't believe I wasted all those years. I found both of my groups on the Meetup app. Its organized geographically so you can search wherever you happen to live. You can find events and likely other folks looking to form new groups and offer to DM. And like someone else said before, D&D is cool now, and so are we for playing it. haha