Events

No jest, we're offering free gaming all day! Join us from 4-10pM for all the free gaming you can enjoy!

Bitchin' Events Presents: Bitchin' Board Game Night

Enjoy a night of gaming, hosted by one of the best community event organizers to do it -- BITCHIN' EVENTS!

From 6-10PM, enjoy an evening of gaming, socializing, fun, and frivolity for only $10! Meet some new, friendly faces and then choose one of our 500+ games to enjoy together with your new friends.

Not sure about gaming or worried about arriving alone! Fear not, we have you covered! There will be an 'open table' for folks to join, along with signs on tables to show which tables are open to more players -- maximize the fun while minimizing the anxiety, right?

Enrich your gaming and queer communities all at once! Join Diversions for our in-house edition of Gaymers Gathering, an event focused on bringing together new and familiar friendly, queer folks to enjoy games together.

Grab a name tag and pick out your (first) game from our library of 500+ games and puzzles — it's as easy as that! If you’re arriving solo, we will have a hosted table you can join to meet others and find some gaming opportunities. Diversions offers an accessible gathering space for all who want to join, and we have snacks, drinks, and seating aplenty!

Not sure if you’re interested in games, but still looking to connect? Spectators, cheerleaders, and friendly conversation are always welcome, regardless of whether you’re gaming.

Featured game: Rainbow

Rainbow is a quick-playing hand management game where players play solo cards, sets, or runs to win points on cards in the center of the table. The cards that were played in the previous round are the NEW points available to win in the next round. Most points at the end of the game wins!

About Gaymers Gathering:
Diversions hosts Gaymers Gatherings with the goal of building community and creating a safer, inclusive, and intentional space for the LGBTQ and gaming communities. We encourage you to stop by and roll some dice, puzzle over some pieces, embark on a quest, or just come to chat! As a Queer-owned business, Diversions is proud to offer these events for our community to enjoy. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend, whether you are looking to game or not. You can bring your own game or choose as many as you'd like from Diversions' game library! Gaymers Gathering also happens monthly at Press Coffee on the third Saturday — please confirm dates and times, as holidays and extenuating circumstances may cause changes to the schedule. 

This Advanced session is open to any scripts the Storytellers deem worthy – the possibilities are endless! Players will be expected to have a strong understanding of the game, characters, and rules and be ready for a challenge.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

• Player Pass cost is $12, which is required to participate - grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session
• Doors open at 5:00PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 5:30 SHARP. 

STORYTELLER: Jack G.
OPENING SCRIPT: Contempt

Dive into the world of Golarion as an agent of the Pathfinder Society, or perhaps give aid to the people of the Pact Worlds as part of Starfinder Society during Paizo Organized Play sessions at Diversions! These open role-playing sessions welcome players of all experience levels; with the option to join as your schedule allows, this format of RPG play is great for players with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Pathfinder & Starfinder Society meets at Diversions on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, starting at 5:30 PM. Session playtime varies and usually takes no less than three hours. Details of upcoming sessions can be found here!

Learn more about Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society, or find out where our local Shifting Corridors Lodge hosts games elsewhere across the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area! 

Join Diversions to learn the thrilling hit game Blood on the Clocktower! This cryptic social deduction game might remind players of similar games (such as Mafia, Werewolf, or Traitors), but this game has become known for its unique roles and twists. With sessions every week, we're excited to welcome more players to the game through these introductory, learn-to-play sessions.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. This session is geared towards folks who haven’t played before; the Storyteller (the game host) will go over the rules in depth before diving in to at least one full play-through, and will pause throughout the game to provide context and explanation to assist player understanding.

Doors open at 5:30pm and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. The game starts at 6:00 sharp! This event is FREE, but a Player Pass is required to participate! 

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

Find more details for this twice-monthly recurring Zombicide event on  Aftergame!

Join GM Marty, for a one-shot adventure with the recently published Cosmere RPG.

Step into a universe of adventure and Investiture! The Cosmere Roleplaying Game is an original system designed for heroic, character-driven stories. Based on the best-selling novels by Brandon Sanderson, this living RPG invites players to explore the worlds of Stormlight, Mistborn, and beyond!

Can you survive the Shattered Plains? When tragedy strikes an expedition, a few lucky survivors must make their way home through the chasms of the Shattered Plains. Bridge Nine is an introductory 1st-level adventure, providing scenes for learning the rules. For players, it serves as a thrilling introduction to the Stormlight campaign setting.

Novice players welcome; knowledge of The Cosmere universe is welcome, but not necessary to participate. Materials and pre-gen characters provided.

Reserve your seat for only $5, which will be credited towards your Gaming Pass for the evening. Players are encouraged to claim a seat on Aftergame, which will also host the waitlist should seats sell out.

Session content warning: Some violence, Involuntary servitude.

Celebrate the games you love and games you are eager to learn on National Board Game Day!

Get 15% off ALL game purchases, online or in-store!

Whether it's a game for you or someone else, we have a variety of board games, RPGs, and gaming accessories.

LET’S PLAY! Game, socialize, and build a sense of community and joy together at Diversions for our FREE Second Sunday Social! Whether you bring your friends or show up solo, you'll have a fun time gathering around a game with friendly faces.

We’ll have nametags available and ‘Open Table’ signs on most tables to make it easy to meet, greet, and play! Join our greeting game as you arrive — featuring one of our party-style games — to easily jump in and meet others. When you’re ready to try another game, our staff will be available for game recommendations, assistance with setup, or learning new games.

The main social is from 2-5PM, but gaming is free ALL DAY. Making new friends can be hard, but make it a little easier by sharing a game together! Head to Aftergame to let us know you’ll be attending and see who else might be joining!

This Advanced session is open to any scripts the Storytellers deem worthy – the possibilities are endless! Players will be expected to have a strong understanding of the game, characters, and rules and be ready for a challenge.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

• Player Pass cost is $12, which is required to participate - grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session.
• Doors open at 5:00PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 5:30 SHARP. 

STORYTELLER: Jessica I.
OPENING SCRIPT: Trained Killer

Build a network of rails and roads throughout fiery, watery, lush, or arid landscapes.

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join local game guru Michele to enjoy a new gaming experience. With the benefit of having a knowledgeable guide to help you enjoy the game to the fullest, it’s sure to be a good time! No ticket needed, and players are encouraged to claim a seat for the game on Aftergame!

Game: Railroad Ink
In this multiplayer puzzle game, your goal is to connect as many exits on your board as possible. Each round, a set of dice are rolled in the middle of the table, determining which kind of road and railway routes are available to all players. You have to draw these routes on your erasable boards to create transport lines and connect your exits, trying to optimize the available symbols better than your opponents.

Whether you're looking to just get an overview, have a rundown of the rules, play a few rounds, or experience a full game, Michele will provide guidance and encouragement (and maybe a little friendly competition) as players try out this new game together.

Join Diversions to learn the thrilling hit game Blood on the Clocktower! This cryptic social deduction game might remind players of similar games (such as Mafia, Werewolf, or Traitors), but this game has become known for its unique roles and twists. With sessions every week, we're excited to welcome more players to the game through these introductory, learn-to-play sessions.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. This session is geared towards folks who haven’t played before; the Storyteller (the game host) will go over the rules in depth before diving in to at least one full play-through, and will pause throughout the game to provide context and explanation to assist player understanding.

• Doors open at 5:30PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. The game starts at 6:00 sharp!
• This event is FREE, but a Player Pass is required to participate - grab yours here!

Join GM Marty, for a one-shot adventure with the recently published Cosmere RPG.

Step into a universe of adventure and Investiture! The Cosmere Roleplaying Game is an original system designed for heroic, character-driven stories. Based on the best-selling novels by Brandon Sanderson, this living RPG invites players to explore the worlds of Stormlight, Mistborn, and beyond!

Can you survive the Shattered Plains? When tragedy strikes an expedition, a few lucky survivors must make their way home through the chasms of the Shattered Plains. Bridge Nine is an introductory 1st-level adventure, providing scenes for learning the rules. For players, it serves as a thrilling introduction to the Stormlight campaign setting.

Novice players welcome; knowledge of The Cosmere universe is welcome, but not necessary to participate. Materials and pre-gen characters provided by Marty.

Reserve your seat for only $5, which will be credited towards your Gaming Pass for the evening. Players are encouraged to claim a seat on Aftergame, which will also host the waitlist should seats sell out.

Session content warning: Some violence, Involuntary servitude.