York is one of the UK’s top destinations and is a fabulous city to visit, live and spend time in. While there are many reasons for this, the sheer number of fun things to see and do here stands out. Although checking out the lively bars, buzzing restaurants and bustling shops is all worthwhile, York is THE place to head if gaming is your thing.
It’s fair to say that there’s a range of awesome activities for gamers to do in the city, and this makes it a real haven for them. But which are some of the most exciting options?
Online casino gaming
Online gaming is increasingly popular across the UK and continues to attract a wide audience. Casino welcome bonuses are an important factor to consider when choosing where to play online. The UK is home to a thriving online casino gaming sector that makes up a key part of the country’s wider gaming niche. This makes playing at digital casinos a brilliant activity for gamers in the city to get involved with.
The really cool thing about this gaming activity is where you can do it. Mobile casinos, for example, let you play your favourite slots or table games while waiting for friends in a bar, relaxing in a local park or chilling out in your hotel room. For York residents, desktop casino gaming brings that authentic Vegas-style experience into your home.
VR gaming at York ObliViaR
Trying out VR gaming at York ObliViaR is one activity any gamer in the city will love! This fresh virtual reality experience is found at Clifton Moor in the old Frankie and Benny’s restaurant and offers a next-level hit of gaming fun.
There’s a choice of VR titles to try out and you’re transported into an immersive game world once you place the virtual reality headset on your head. There’s lots of free roam space for players to use and you can see other people in it on your headset. This gives a real sense of freedom but saves you bumping into other players all the time!
With friendly staff and an on-site cafe to grab a snack or drink after playing, a session here is certainly one of York’s top gaming activities.
Call in on up a Level gaming lounge
Up A Level gaming lounge is found in the beating heart of York city centre, and this makes it ideal to call in on for residents and visitors alike. If you are looking for a fun and enjoyable gaming activity, an afternoon here more than hits the mark.
Billed as the city’s premier gaming lounge, there’s a blend of retro and modern gaming kit to check out. Console fans, for example, are well catered to, with PS5 and Xbox Series S machines to play on. There are also arcade-style games, board games and tabletop RPGs to explore when you fancy a change.
The venue can be hired for birthday parties, and this makes it an ideal place for gamers to celebrate their big day.
Social gaming at the Roxy Ball Room
If you like to check out York’s vibrant bars while playing games, wandering down to the Roxy Ball Room at The Stonebow is worthwhile. This ‘bar meets games’ venue is the ideal place for social play and hosts a selection of ball games.
The most popular include:
- Duck pin bowling.
- Ping pong.
- Beer pong.
- Crazy pool.
In addition, this gaming mecca has tech darts, ice-free curling and karaoke to enjoy! Moreish nibbles and hand-made pizzas make it a great place to eat when gaming, too.
When you need a break from the action, it has comfy seats and a wide choice of drinks to sample. If you fancy trying out more of the best drinks in York when not gaming, the rum tasting at the Villains Rum Tour is a great shout.
Attend the York Board Games Convention 2025
Gaming in York covers a broad scope and board games form a core part. One superb activity for gamers in the city is the York Board Games Convention. This is set to take place from 24 to 26 October 2025 at the new Clifton venue.
This is known as one of the top UK conventions for board games, and attracts huge crowds each year. Whether you like RPG games, standard board games, social deduction games or trading games, there’s something for everyone here.
Unique historical gaming activities
Sometimes the best activities for gamers in York aren’t about playing games, as such. It can be just as interesting to delve into the city’s rich heritage and find out more about the historical time periods that some hit games are based on.
The top landmarks in York sum this up – from the ancient walls to York Minster and Viking heritage sites. This means a walk around the city is something that any keen player will enjoy. This is especially true if their favourite titles include Viking themes or have a Gothic-tinged storyline.
Even better, many attractions blend cool gaming features into their experience. This sees interactive exhibits using game mechanics to wow users, and treasure hunt apps gamifying how people explore the city’s streets.
York is a great place to be a player
By now, it’s clear to see that the city has some awesome activities to keep all gamers busy. This choice of things to do makes York the perfect destination for any keen player looking for the most memorable experiences.
