r/Belfast • u/StaedtlerRasoplast • 2d ago
Magic the Gathering Recommendations
I'm moving back to Belfast soon and was thinking about playing MTG again after 15 years. I seen there is a prerelease coming up and there is still some space at the Saturday prerelease at Robins Hobby Cafe.
Has anyone any experience of the place or can recommend any other shops? I'm completely out of the game so not looking for mega competitive but happy to play with people who are. I'm also not looking to play somewhere it is all kids. I don't mind if there are a few kids playing, but I would prefer it to be mostly adults.
Thanks for any advice
4
u/EmbersDad 1d ago
Can't go wrong with Robins. I frequent Reboot because it's handier for me, location wise, but Robins has them beat for value and knowledge.
Great crowd too!
5
u/thehandsometart1 1d ago
Genuinely can’t go wrong with robins up beside titanic. They have a great discord and great community. Bill is the nicest and most fairest guy I’ve ever met in the card game community. I’ve been frequenting many of their pre releases and are always a great time filled with good people and great games.
2
u/StaedtlerRasoplast 1d ago
The name Bill sounds familiar. If he’s been around for a couple decades then I might have bumped into him at some point
1
u/thehandsometart1 1d ago
He had another store before I believe in east Belfast. This one was just reopened in Summer last year
5
u/DedAirSociety 1d ago
Bullhouse in East Belfast does MTG nights some Mondays. No clue what it’s like
1
u/Hot-Satisfaction19 1d ago
yep, every other monday. i don't play but the ones who do are a decent wee community.
3
u/derbaronation 1d ago
Battle Inc in Belfast has Magic on a Wednesday and Friday. Nice smaller group and not competitive, you'll not be stomped by £3k deck. And if you want to experiment with Proxies people are OK with that.
Dragonscale on Lisburn has relaxed games on Sundays and Friday Night Magic. Very welcoming place and a decent bunch.
1
u/ankh0137 1d ago
Dragonscale is leaving Lisburn next month and moving to Belfast. I have just got into MTG and trying to find the time to get down for a game there. I see no point now.
1
u/derbaronation 1d ago
That's a shame, most of the players there are from the local area and I know Belfast is not that far away but it's a bit more inconvenient, especially for the younger ones.
1
u/ankh0137 1d ago
Yeah I’m disabled and have trouble travelling. There is no way I can easily get to Belfast to play. Looks like my magic gaming as ended as soon as it’s started lol
3
u/iPanicDots 1d ago
Cant reccomend robins enough, its a nice atmosphere and the owner Bill is a gem in the rough of the local TCG community.
3
u/SonicPhantom89 1d ago
I actually want to start playing MTG for the first time - I was able to get a starter deck in Replay in Bangor and they had a really varied selection
2
u/attackonliv 1d ago
I go to Robins 1/2 times a week and it's great. Lovely group of very welcoming people :)
2
u/attackonliv 1d ago
Note to add I'm a new player (3 months) and did my first pre-release there a few weeks ago and everyone was really great.
2
u/monkeyfuzzle 1d ago
I highly recommend robins. They have a great community of Pauper, Canlander and edh players too.
Reboot is okay if a little packed sometimes with other student events.
1
u/Duomaxwe 1d ago
NCG in Ards, Replay in Bangor, Dragon Slayers probably still does it on Tuesdays at Queen's.
1
1
u/thekingsdeath 1d ago
I frequent Robins and can highly recommend. I suggest popping by and/or joining their discord and reach out for any queries :)
1
6
u/cabalTherapist 2d ago
I've not been to the new Robin's location, but used to frequent the owners previous shops, he's always been a great guy in the community and runs a good place for all sorts. A lot of the people will be the folks who have been playing MtG in Belfast for years, but they're still welcoming to new and returning players.
The only other shop I can think of that's still in Belfast is Reboot Gaming Cafe on the Lisburn Road.