20 000 Jeux sous les Bières is a board game and beer bar set on the Grand'Place in Arras, at number 66. The name, a playful nod to Jules Verne's novel, sums up the spirit of the place: shelves of board games to borrow and a fine selection of beers, in the atmosphere of a Northern estaminet brought up to date. People come to play with friends or family, drink in hand, under the arcades of the larger of the two Arras squares.

A board game bar on the Grand'Place

Set in the heart of the Grand'Place, the venue occupies one of the gabled houses that made Arras famous. It complements the offer of the bars and cafés of Arras with an address of its own, where you come not just to have a drink but to spend time around a game table. Its position, in the heart of the listed quarter, makes it easy to reach the Place des Héros, the belfry and the pedestrian streets of the centre within minutes, which makes it an easy rallying point for a group.

Access and setting

The setting plays the card of the convivial estaminet, those traditional Northern cafés where people gather around old games. The large tables, the warm spirit and the relaxed welcome set the tone from the door. Parking is on the town-centre car parks, a short distance away, and pedestrian access from the Place des Héros takes just a few minutes. The address suits an evening with friends as much as a family afternoon out.

The estaminet spirit and the board games

The great feature of the house is its game library: hundreds of board games are made available to guests, from the great classics to new releases, from quick party games to more strategic ones. You pick a game off the shelves, settle in, and the team can suggest a title depending on the number of players and the mood of the moment. This way of working, close to the lively cafés of the Place des Héros, turns the outing into a real moment of sharing.

How it works

The principle is simple: you order a drink, borrow a game and play as long as you like. Newcomers are not forgotten, as the staff take the time to explain the rules when needed, which reassures those discovering modern board gaming. This formula appeals to groups of friends, families with older children and tabletop game fans who come to try titles before buying them.

The beers and the drinks slate

True to its calling, the address showcases a selection of beers, with a natural place for brews from the North and the Hauts-de-France, a region of strong brewing tradition. Blonde, amber, brown or more original, they are enjoyed over the course of the games, at a leisurely pace. To go with them, the house offers small bites to nibble, in a simple and convivial register designed not to interrupt play.

Nibbling while you play

Between two rounds, you willingly pick at a few sharing boards or snacks depending on the current menu, without seeking the sophistication of a dinner. This light formula fits the spirit of the place perfectly, where you stay seated for several hours. For a fuller meal before or after the game, the brasseries and bistros of the two squares, right nearby, take over, while the 20 000 remains above all the meeting point for a drink and a game.

For which moment and which crowd?

The address speaks to a broad audience: groups of friends after a different night out, families looking for a convivial activity, couples who love games, colleagues on a team outing. The format especially appeals to those who want to avoid the classic noisy-bar evening and prefer a more interactive moment. For a more intimate drink around wine, the Bibovino wine bar, a couple of steps away on the Place des Héros, offers a complementary alternative.

Atmosphere and occasions

The playful, relaxed atmosphere suits birthdays, get-togethers and weekends. Weekends naturally draw more people, so it can be wise to come early or to enquire for a large group. During the week, the mood is often calmer, ideal for quietly discovering a new game. Passing visitors find here an original way to experience the Grand'Place beyond its terraces alone.

Playing with a drink in hand, how it works

Its central position makes 20 000 Jeux sous les Bières an ideal stop over a day in Arras: you take in the Grand'Place, the Place des Héros and the UNESCO-listed belfry, then settle in for a late-afternoon game. For a group, it is better to plan ahead, choosing a game suited to the number of players, allowing plenty of time and not arriving in a rush, because a good game is not to be hurried. Regulars often come back, as the game catalogue invites you to explore new titles on each visit.

Access, transport and good tips

Arras is reached quickly by train, about fifty minutes from Paris and twenty from Lille, the station being a short walk from the centre. By car, the local car parks let you park a few streets from the Grand'Place. The late-afternoon and early-evening slot generally offers the most pleasant atmosphere for playing without rushing, while weekend nights are the liveliest.

To plan your visit, a few reflexes help: come as a ready-made group to make the most of the games together, enquire ahead for a large table, and plan to stay a while rather than pass through in a flash. Pedestrian access from the two squares stays simple, and the town-centre car parks save you circling. Between Flemish heritage, terraces and game tables, the 20 000 captures the Arras art of living, where you take the time to share a drink and a good moment.