While Kelowna is a beautiful place to explore year-round, sometimes it’s nice to escape the winter weather outside and just snuggle into a cozy indoor spot. You don’t have to hide out in your hotel or at home to have a few beverages and some old fashioned fun with your friends.

One of my favourite winter pastimes is to get comfy in a local hangout and play board games with friends.

BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery

Bocce Court - BNA Brewing

Photo by: BNA Brewing Co.

BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery is the perfect place to escape the cold for some fun and games. They have indoor bocce, shuffleboard, bowling, arcade games, and the most relaxing living-room-style set up in Kelowna. If you want to ‘travel like a local’ in Kelowna, BNA is a must; locals love this place. They open the eatery at 4:00 pm daily, so you can head over for a house-brewed pint and flex your bocce skills on their full-sized indoor court. BNA gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights, so make sure you go early to avoid a queue to play.

Note: BNA also has lots of merchandise in their tasting room that will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas.


Tree Brewing Beer Institute

Tree Brewing Jenga

Tree Brewing Beer Flight

Tree Brewing Beer Institute boasts a classic and extensive selection of board games to choose from. This hangout is open daily from 11 am (except on Kelowna Rocket WHL game nights, when they open at noon).  My friends and I like to fill an afternoon with a couple tasting flights, warm pretzels, and a scrabble match or two. Tree’s big comfy armchairs and friendly staff make sure everyone is comfortable inside while winter does its thing outside.

Note: A canned-on-demand ‘Crowler’ or stainless steel growler make great gifts for the beer-lovers in your life.


Red Bird Brewing 

Beer & Games at Red Bird Brewing

Photo by: Nic Collar Film

Red Bird Brewing is located in the bustling north end of downtown Kelowna, along with the likes of Kettle River Brewing, Vice & VirtueRustic Reel, BC Tree Fruits Cider, and Sandhill Wines. Grab your friends explore the areas fine establishments, then cap the tour off with a cribbage tournament at Red Bird.


Muninn's Post

Munnin's Post Collage
Photo provided by Muninn's Post

The next hangout, Muninn’s Post, is an epicentre for both game and Viking aficionados. This Norse culture-inspired local hangout has Trivia Mondays every week and they boast a stockpile of more than 600 board games that are available for their guests play any day of the week. While you’re kicking back at Muninn’s you can enjoy a glass or two of mead from local artisan farm winery Meadow Vista Honey Wines.