The D&D and TTRPG Stores of Chicago
It's great to live in the modern age where you can order any TTRPG and have it sent instantly to your inbox, but it does lack the charm of getting to visit your local gaming store. Not only do you miss out on meeting fellow gamers, but you also have to do all the searching yourself.
When you visit a brick-and-mortar store, the owner has already put tremendous thought into the selection of games, minis, dice, and fun trinkets. You benefit from their knowledge of the industry even if you never ask them for recommendations (but you should, they usually have great ones).
So, for all the dice goblins in Chicago and the GM who has everything, you have plenty of options for your next shopping episode:
Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo
Website | 5550 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
This flagship of the Chicago gaming industry sits at the heart of the Broadway and Bryn Marr shopping corridor. They have a large space offering TTRPG supplies, board games, miniatures, and card games. They also host gaming events of all kinds for the public almost every weekend.
Chicago Role Players' Guild
Website | 1302 W Estes Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
While the main focus of the Guild is to provide an unforgettable space for playing TTRPGs, they also have a stock of miniatures available for purchase. Many of them are custom-painted by local artists.
DNDDICE.COM
Website | 7121 N Austin Ave, Niles, IL 60714
Niles is just outside Chicago on the Northeast side, but it’s worth the journey for dice connoisseurs. As the name implies, you can browse their full selection of dice (as well as enamel pins, dice boxes, and other accessories) online, but they also have a retail shop open to the public and wholesalers.
Gamers World
Facebook | 835 Michigan Ave floor 4, Chicago, IL 60611
In the Watertower Shopping Center, Gamers World serves tourists and locals alike. The majority of their stock is card games, but they also have a limited selection of dice, TTRPG games, and board games.
Goblin Market Manga & Curiosities
Website | 2868 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
The Goblic Market carries the city’s largest selection of indie TTRPGs. They specialize in material from local and queer creators, as well as a small range of dice for fellow goblins. While you’re there, you can also get some inspiration for your next character from a wide range of fantasy manga and graphic novels.
Geeknson Board Gaming Table Showroom
Instagram | 2750 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
If you’re looking to take your game night to the next level, Chicago now has its own custom gaming table makers! These nerdy carpenters create high-quality modular tables with options for TTRPGs, LEGO building, and more. Check out their showroom to find the perfect table that fits your party’s vibe.
Good Games Chicago
Website | 1145 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
If you’re in Lincoln Square, you can check out Good Games Chicago. They offer a blend of board games, card games, and TTRPG supplies. Check out their website for the latest events like tournaments, open campaign nights, and learn-to-play sessions.
Grandmaster Games - Oak Park
Website | 436 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Just outside Chicago on the West side, you’ll find Grandmaster Games. Stop by on Wednesday nights for their regular open D&D nights, and check out their stock of games, dice, minis, and more while you’re at it.
Heroines and Heroes
Website | 2026 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201
Northside nerds of all ages can get their fix of TTRPGs, board games, and comics at Heroines and Heros in Evanston. They host gaming events and specialize in having material for younger gamers and readers.
Prism Games Chicago
Website | 2874 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
This LGBT-owned gaming shop in Logan Square is an accessible (and pet-friendly!) gaming shop that welcomes everyone. They carry a bespoke selection of TTRPG games and accessories. Prism also hosts private and public gaming and game-release events.
Spellbound Games
Website | 1116 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Spellbound games have the standard D&D supplies, but they also carry a stock of miniature paints and terrain-building products. You can also check out harder-to-find TTRPGs there, like Draw Steel. They host a regular Wednesday night D&D Adventuring League.
Want to get more involved in Chicago’s TTRPG Community?
Chicago has long been the improv capital of the world, so it’s really no surprise that we’re well on our way to becoming the TTRPG capital as well. You’ve now seen how many gaming shops we have in town, and in a future blog, we’ll be recapping all the places you can play TTRPGs in Chicago, too!
Chicago is also full of incredible TTRPG creators, many of whom will be published in the Windy Realm Gazette. You can learn more about that project here, and if you want to chat with the best TTRPG designers in town, check out our CTGA Discord server!
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