Events

Join us at Diversions for a very special Thanksgiving Community Game Night & Potluck! Share gratitude for gaming friends, bringing a potluck dish to share, join in a game, and get to know one another. We’ll provide some staples — you provide the color!

Gaming Passes will be pay-what-you-can, as money shouldn't be a barrier to sharing a Thanksgiving meal and some community gaming joy.

Sign up to bring a potluck dish (link here) and join us for an evening of fellowship, fun, and fabulous food!

Experience an award-winning script for this Blood on the Clocktower Special Feature session! Storyteller Jack G. will lead players in The Ballad of Seat 7, a script which won the Pandemonium Institute's 2025 Script World Cup! Grab your Player Pass before all that's left is an empty Seat 7...

Player Pass: $12 (15 spots available)

The Djinn Rule: Seat 7 remains empty. Its choices are arbitrary. Once per game the storyteller may speak on its behalf.

The Ballad of Seat 7 runs mostly like any other Clocktower game, though one seat remains open. Tokens are passed out as usual, including to the empty seat 7. Each night, the Storyteller determines what actions the seat takes following its role in night order. Once per game the storyteller may choose to speak for the seat. This can be public, private, does not need to be the truth, and can be used to nominate and accuse a player (even itself!) A storyteller may also choose to not use this ability if they think it will benefit the seat’s team to stay silent. There is no limit to what you can say or how long you speak. The only limit is that you can only have one instance of speaking per game.

Enjoy an evening of games and gaiety as OUTdoors IC takes over Diversions! From 7-9PM, OUTdoors IC has invited the community to enjoy an indoor social gathering, now that colder weather is finally here. OUTdoors IC is an Iowa City-based nature enthusiast group for LGBTQ+ folks that is dedicated to building community and Diversions is excited to be partnering with them for this event!

Click here to learn more about OUTdoors IC!

Thanks to the support of our incredible staff, Diversions will be open during holidays! Bring your family to enjoy some gaming or stop by to pick up a little gift for yourself before the calendar turns to the new year!

Our open hours will be as follows:

• Dec 24th & 25th – 4 - 8 PM
• Dec 26th - 28th – 2 - 11 PM
• Dec 31st (New Year’s Eve) – CLOSED
• Jan 1st - 4th – Regular Hours

Thanks to the support of our incredible staff, Diversions will be open during holidays! Bring your family to enjoy some gaming or stop by to pick up a little gift for yourself before the calendar turns to the new year!

Our open hours will be as follows:

• Dec 24th & 25th – 4 - 8 PM
• Dec 26th - 28th – 2 - 11 PM
• Dec 31st (New Year’s Eve) – CLOSED
• Jan 1st - 4th – Regular Hours

Thanks to the support of our incredible staff, Diversions will be open during holidays! Bring your family to enjoy some gaming or stop by to pick up a little gift for yourself before the calendar turns to the new year!

Our open hours will be as follows:

• Dec 24th & 25th – 4 - 8 PM
• Dec 26th - 28th – 2 - 11 PM
• Dec 31st (New Year’s Eve) – CLOSED
• Jan 1st - 4th – Regular Hours

THIS SESSION IS CURRENTLY FULL

A sword duel can end in kissing, a witch can gain her power by helping others find love, and an entire adventure can be built around wandering matchmakers flying from system to system. Thirsty Sword Lesbians is a roleplaying game for telling queer stories with friends, built on the Powered by the Apocalypse system. If you love angsty disaster lesbians with swords, you have come to the right place!

Your Player Pass reserves your seat and the $5 is credited towards your Gaming Pass for the evening -- grab yours here!

Join GM Misha at Diversions for an evening of exploring the world of Thirsty Sword Lesbians — NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Players will need to confirm character details with the GM prior to the game, so look for an email within 48 hours of purchase from Diversions.

In the wide world of RPGs, independent (indie) publishers are known for pushing the boundaries of the game format, exploring new mechanics, experimenting with narrative pacing, and more, all while often delivering more inclusive and engaging games. But where can you find one of these games to experience for yourself?

On Saturday, Jan 10th, Corridor Games on Demand (CGoD) invites RPG fans—and the RPG-curious—to experience a smorgasbord of selected indie RPGs, all hosted by the seasoned CGoD GMs, as part of an ALL-DAY indie RPG celebration at Diversions.

CLICK HERE to see the full schedule and game details, along with Full Day Pass and Single Ticket admission information!

No matter who you are, YOUR TOWN NEEDS YOU to figure out what in the hell is going on.

Choose your own destiny in this storytelling-focused tabletop role-playing game where adventure is a bike ride away! Kids on Bikes (KoB) is a rules-light, collaborative, world building RPG where players take on the roles of small town heroes facing big adventures. The collaborative nature means players help to set the tone of the adventure – whether you’re looking for something more Scooby-Doo or more Twin Peaks, you can coordinate with the other players to find a vibe that fits the team!

Led by GM Jack, players will meet for this first intro session to prepare for a full gaming session (currently scheduled for Jan. 23rd, 6-10PM). Reserve your spot at BOTH sessions with a Player Pass for only $5 – which will be a credit towards your Gaming Pass for the full session. Attendance at this intro session is required for anyone interested in participating in January’s full session.

Gaming with neighbors to help (dice) roll away some of the winter blues!

On February 7th from 1-4 at the Neighborhood Centers' (New) Family Resource Center, join the Eastside Neighborhood Association and your friendly eastside neighbors as we welcome Diversions back for another afternoon of party games, strategy games, card games, and more!

Not sure if gaming is your vibe? Stop by to chat and enjoy some snacks -- no gaming required!

Worried about which games there will be or how easy it will be to learn a new game? Fear not -- we will have some helpful folks available to provide gaming guidance, whether it is picking out a game or learning to play a game.

We’re sharing the love for Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’re gaming with a special someone(s) or you’re hosting an open table to enjoy a game with some soon-to-be friends, Diversions is offering FREE GAMING ALL DAY! 

If you choose to pay for a Gaming Pass, ALL proceeds of Gaming Pass sales will be donated to the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund run by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Just one small way we can help share the love, resist oppression, and foster joy as resistance to fear.

The Umbra is coming, and the Riverlands are no longer safe. Our family must flee to the City of Winter to find another home.

Join GM Jack for City of Winter, taking on the role of community members fleeing your homeland of the Riverlands to the fantastical City of Winter. As players journey, they will be prompted to improvise scenes at different locations, detailing how they share or witness community traditions with other players, represented by tradition cards that players exchange.

But as the Umbra looms, players must continue their journey, and not all traditions can be taken along as time passes. Players must make the difficult decision of which traditions to keep and which they must leave behind, to be lost forever. City of Winter evokes the experiences of refugees seeking a new home – the difficult decision to carry your own traditions with you to your new home or to adopt new traditions that may serve you and your community better.

No experience necessary! Players will begin by creating their character’s, name, age, and relations to other community members, with GM Jack providing guidance for gameplay and rules.

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. 

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?

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.

Click here to grab a ticket!

Your inner child called—they want a night out! After a sold-out debut, After Dark returns to The Iowa Children’s Museum for another grown-ups-only night of play, presented by The Jill Armstrong Team.

Leave the grown-up stuff at the door and rediscover what it feels like to be a kid again! Explore the museum after hours, jump in a grown-up bounce house (no 5-year-olds giving you side-eye this time), relive parachute day in gym class, get crafty in the Art Studio, and play your way through exhibits designed for curiosity, creativity, and kid-at-heart fun.

We’re excited to partner with Millstream Brewing Co., who will be on site serving a selection of their craft beers, hard seltzers, and sodas. Whether you’re in the mood for something local and hoppy or a non-alcoholic option, there will be something for everyone! Late-night snacks will also keep the energy going all evening long. We’re talking Marco’s Grilled Cheese, Raising Cane’s, and sweet treats to round out the night.

Grab a team and put your puzzle skills to the test in our Speed Puzzling Tournament, hosted by our friends at Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge. Teams will race the clock to complete puzzles for bragging rights and prizes.

Fan-favorite activities are back, too. Lights Out Karaoke returns with expanded time so even more brave souls can take the mic from the shadow booth. You’ll also find scavenger hunts, exhibit-inspired challenges, creative competitions, and plenty of opportunities for unforgettable photos.

In other words, it’s a night where you can forget about bills, deadlines, and that laundry you still haven’t folded!

Rally the woodland creatures, fame and glory await! Fight for money, justice, and freedom from powers far greater than the your scruffy band of rebels in this One-Shot of Root: The Roleplaying Game, led by GM Jack. 

The Marquise de Cat has led her armies to victory over many of the clearings of the woodland, but the Eyrie Dynasties rise again to oppose her. Meanwhile, the mice, rabbits, and foxes of the Woodland do not sit idly by - the Woodland Alliance, a homegrown rebellion, has emerged, promising to free the Woodland from any oppressors. In the midst of this war, you and your band of vagabonds travel between the clearings, taking on jobs no one else can or will do. You choose whom you serve, if anyone... but everyone knows you may tip the balance of the War!

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. Novice players welcome; no experience or materials required.

Root: The Roleplaying Game is the officially-licensed tabletop RPG based on the award-winning board game of the same name by Leder Games. Join for the Learn & Play of Root: The Board Game on Friday, May 15, to see why this game gets so much hype.  

THINGS CAN GO WRONG, FAST... 

In Fiasco, you'll play ordinary people with powerful ambition and poor impulse control. This award-winning GM-less game for 3-5 players is designed to be played in a few hours with multiple decks of cards (locations, objects, events) and no preparation. Game guru Andy will help set up and guide players! During a game you will engineer and play out stupid, disastrous situations, usually at the intersection of greed, fear, and lust. It's like making your own Coen brothers movie, in about the same amount of time it'd take to watch one. 

It all seemed like such a good idea at the time.

Fiasco is inspired by cinematic tales of small time capers gone disastrously wrong - inspired by films like Blood Simple, Fargo, The Way of the Gun, Burn After Reading, and A Simple Plan. There will be big dreams and flawed execution. It won't go well for them, to put it mildly, and in the end it will probably all go south in a glorious heap of jealousy, murder, and recrimination. Lives and reputations will be lost, painful wisdom will be gained, and if you are really lucky, they just might end up back where they started.

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. Novice players welcome; no experience or materials required.

Jockey for the top spot on the speed puzzling leader board in this month-long jigsaw competition at Diversions! Throughout the month, teams of two or four can attempt their fastest time at assembling either a 300 or 500 piece puzzle anytime during Diversions’ open hours. Simply check-in, pick your puzzle, and let those fingers fly!

The leaderboard will be updated throughout the month, so if another team outpaces your puzzling, fear not – your team can make multiple attempts during the month to stay in the lead! But don’t wait too long – the fastest 2-person and 4-person teams will be selected on the month’s LAST BUSINESS DAY and receive a free puzzle, free drink vouchers, and bragging rights as Diversions’ Lead Marathoning Jigsaw Jockeys!

Entry is $10/team, with each subsequent attempt free with a purchase.

May/June Marathon Leaderboard

Knick-knacks, baubles, and tchotchkes, oh my! Bitchin’ Market returns to Diversions for a bigger and better SUMMER edition! We will have more details soon, so check back in to see which vendors you will be able to enjoy and what kind of exciting deals we will have available.  

GAYME with PRIDE during Pride Week, sponsored by Iowa City Pride!

Just mention ‘Iowa City Pride’ when you stop in between 6-11PM for a FREE Gaming Pass to kick off your Pride weekend – we’ve got plenty of room for all the queer, masc, gay, femme, butch, top, sub, genderqueer, side, or chaotic bisexual energy you want to bring! Whether you are sitting solo or the besties join you, come enjoy our:

• Library of 450+ games and puzzles
• Selection of classic snacks and unique drinks
• Spacious gaming tables

Find out more about Iowa City Pride’s official lineup of Pride Week activities at iowacitypride.org. 

Diversions will have a booth at Iowa City Pride in Downtown Iowa City — come by and say hello! Parade begins at Noon with entertainment, vendors booths, and more continuing into the evening! Learn more about the festivities here.

Diversions will be open during our regular business hours.

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

Storyteller: Jessi H.

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

Join us anytime during our regular hours on 6/27 to check out the games, freebies, and a bunch of cool, new RPG materials from big name and indie publishers alike. Get a preview of the games and materials at the link above and get hyped to have a chance to take some of it home!

FREE TTRPG GAMING ALL DAY! Anyone who visits our gaming space to play a TTRPG — either with a group or in search of one — won’t be required to have a gaming pass!

CHANCE TO WIN FREE RPG MATERIALS! All TTRPG players who stop in can enter our free raffle for some free merch, games, and more, while supplies last. No purchase required.

Volunteer to run a game from the list below and get a guaranteed copy of the game you run! To volunteer, create a game within the Free RPG Day event on Aftergame – please reach out to hello@diversionsic.com for any technical assistance. Guaranteed prize materials for those who volunteer are first come first served; only one GM per game from the list below.

• Quickstart Adventure Bundle from Magpie Games

• The Secret Wars Expansion Preview from Marvel: The Secret Wars Expansion

• KAGUYA PROTOCOL from Mythworks

• Pathfinder Free RPG Day Adventure: Things Go to Hell from Paizo

• Starfinder Free RPG Day Adventure: Rescue on Raxil from Paizo

• Fossilized Violence from R Talsorian Games.

• Tradition of Destruction from Renegade Game Studio

• Legend in the Mist from Son of Oak:

• Vaesen: Nordic Horror Roleplaying Quickstart from Free League

• Pretenders to the Rat King's Throne from Goodman Games

• Creed Shadow Stalker from Knight Vision Creative

• Runes of the World Tree Quickstart from Kobold Press

• Pirate Borg: Terror in Tortuga from Limithron

• Dungeon Beneath the Brightspire from Loke Battle Mats

• Daggerheart: The Dying Spire from Darrington Press

• Zombicide: Plaguebearer RPG from Edge Studio

• Dungeons & Kittens: An Afternoon Outing from Edge Studio

• Arkham Horror RPG

• Everyday Heroes: All Bets Are Off! From Evil Genius Games

• Dolmenwood Quick-Start from Exalted Funeral

• Obojima: 5e Setting

• Level 1 Free RPG Day indie RPG Anthology from 9th Level Games

• The Cosmere RPG: Law and Obligation from Brotherwise Games

• Wizard Riders from Catalyst Games

• The Age of Vikings Quickstart from Chaosium

• Creature Curation Presents #1 from Creature Curation

It’s back for its 9th year — Iowa City Downtown Block Party is a perfect way to celebrate summer. Diversions will be there running speed puzzling for prizes! We’ll also have casual puzzles and games. The event runs from 3-10pm.

Diversions will be open during our regular business hours.

Time for a summer puzzle swap!

Freshen up your puzzle selection by meeting up with other local puzzlers and trading your gently used puzzles. And we're making swapping easy, too!

• Drop off your gently used puzzles any day before June 27th during Diversions' regular hours.

• For every puzzle you drop off, you’ll receive a ticket that you can use to pick out another puzzle during the swap!

• We will have some puzzle tables open throughout the swap, so feel free to linger, mingle, and put a few pieces together!

• Have puzzles with missing pieces and/or damaged boxes that you’d like to rehome? Feel free to bring those, too! We will add them to our free puzzle pile for anyone to take if they wish. (While you won't get a ticket for these puzzles, their departure from your storage may give you room for a few more new puzzles!)

Jockey for the top spot on Race Day at Diversions!

Can your team of (up to) four assemble a 500 piece puzzle faster than the rest? On Sunday, June 28th from 3-5PM, gather your best puzzle pals to race against the clock (and a few other teams) to be the first to complete your puzzle!

Let your nimble fingers fly as you puzzle to completion. Whether you are competitive or simply looking for a fun group activity, this speed puzzling competition will be sure to grab your attention and challenge your skills.

Team registration is only $24 and teams get to keep the puzzle after they've crossed the finish line!

Face off against your friends and foes in a hand-to-hand combat… of speed puzzling!

This 1v1 style of speed puzzling offers a quick challenge, utilizing 100 piece puzzles in a face-off over two rounds. After completing the border together, jockeys take turns placing pieces while timing how quickly they select and place each piece. Whichever jockey has the fastest cumulative time at the end of the two rounds is the winner of the bout!

This is our first time running this style of speed puzzling at Diversions, so entry will be free for now. We hope to get some feedback during these events to help us make any tweaks necessary to turn this into one of our core puzzle events in the future!

Join GM and designer of the game, Jerod, for a One-Shot of his newly released ttrpg, Honorbound. Together he’ll walk you through the rules to get started, no experience necessary. You’ll adventure in space as different alien-kind saboteurs, amongst hostile and witty factions.

Launch yourself into the middle of a heist gone wrong in this three-musketeer inspired adventure, shot into futuristic space! Honorbound is a hybrid of storytelling and dice rolling brimming with bright adventure. You take on the mantle of hired alien saboteurs, either double crossed, betrayed, or simply outwitted by an initially mysterious faction. What are their intentions? And who are these folks that have surrounded you and are demanding something called the Heart Engine?

Together you set the scenes and narrative by answering prompts, and weave personal untold tales to complicate scenes with twists. Only by standing united can you bravely peer into the void and scream “All for one!”

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. Novice players welcome; no experience or materials required.

Join GM and designer of the game, Jerod, for a One-Shot of his newly released ttrpg, Honorbound. Together he’ll walk you through the rules to get started, no experience necessary. You’ll adventure in space as different alien-kind saboteurs, amongst hostile and witty factions.

Launch yourself into the middle of a heist gone wrong in this three-musketeer inspired adventure, shot into futuristic space! Honorbound is a hybrid of storytelling and dice rolling brimming with bright adventure. You take on the mantle of hired alien saboteurs, either double crossed, betrayed, or simply outwitted by an initially mysterious faction. What are their intentions? And who are these folks that have surrounded you and are demanding something called the Heart Engine?

Together you set the scenes and narrative by answering prompts, and weave personal untold tales to complicate scenes with twists. Only by standing united can you bravely peer into the void and scream “All for one!”

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. Novice players are welcome; no experience or materials required.

A mythopoetic mech tragedy about conflict on a grand scale, Dragon Reactor is the most recently published TTRPG from local game designer and GM, Quinn Morris.

Dragon Reactor is about warring governments, rising rebellions, slowly-waking god-machines, and the effects forever-wars have on those involved. It’s about the ever-turning wheel of time, and how we’re always racing against it. It’s about wanting to do the right thing, but having to pull the trigger instead.

Players take on the role of pilots who have fallen into possession of the most powerful war machines in the world, Dragons. What will you do with all that power? 

Dragon Reactor runs on a d6 dice pool system with tiered successes, and the bigger the action you're taking the harder it is to succeed. Pilots gain dice based on their stats and have various resources at their disposal to increase their chances.

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. Novice players welcome; no experience or materials required.

Content Warnings: War and the associated possible physical and mental tragedies that it may cause.

Gaming partner show-down or date night, you decide!

Grab your best friends or favorite opponent – we’re doing a 2-player game feature! Stop by Diversions anytime between 5-10PM on August 8th to learn a new game (or two) from our wide selection of 2-player featured games. We will have some extra folks helping teach games, so you can spend more time gaming and less time learning, and if you don’t have a gaming pal to bring along, we’ll introduce you to another gaming pal to join your table!

Our library is loaded with 2-player games from simple to complex, silly to serious, fast to…medium(?) paced. Here are a few of the games we’ll have set up and ready to teach:

• Pagan: Fate of Roanoke

• Brightcast

• Sky Team

• 7 Wonders: Duel

• boop.

• Kiri-Ai the Duel

• And Many More!

Once you’re done with a game, feel free to ask one of our teachers to help you with another, or grab whatever you like from our library!

Hosted by: Hawkeye Chess Club

What else can you expect:

• US Chess Ratings used for Pairings

• Unrated Fun/Casual Play Section

• 5 Rounds (Time Control G/15d2), starting at 7PM

• Boards and clocks provided

• Prizes
  The Joy of Chess

• Registration
  Online (under Hawkeye Chess Club)
  Onsite -- Thursday, 6 - 7 pm
  Entry Fee: $5

Draft cards to develop your ancient civilization and build its Wonder of the World.

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join Michele to get a step-by-step explanation of the gameplay (little to no reading required!) followed by one or more plays of the game. With a knowledgeable guide to answer your questions along the way, this is the best way to get to know a new game.

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.

Game: 7 Wonders
You are the leader of one of the 7 great cities of the Ancient World. Gather resources, develop commercial routes, and affirm your military supremacy to build your city and erect an architectural wonder that will transcend future times. 

In each age, players receive cards from a particular deck, and will draft them in turn. Players reveal their cards simultaneously, paying resources if needed or collecting resources or interacting with other players in various ways. Each player then chooses another card from the deck they were passed, and the process repeats until players have six cards in play from that age. After three ages, the game ends.

In essence, 7 Wonders is a card development game. Some cards have immediate effects, while others provide bonuses or upgrades later in the game. Some cards provide discounts on future purchases. Some provide military strength to overpower your neighbors and others give nothing but victory points. Each card is played immediately after being drafted, so you'll know which cards your neighbor is receiving and how their choices might affect what you've already built up. Cards are passed left, then right, then left again over the three ages, so you need to keep an eye on the neighbors in both directions.

Join GM Alex for a one-shot of the acclaimed fantasy rpg Daggerheart!

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.

Can you defeat our reigning Quiz Queens?!? A battle of knowledge returns to our hallowed halls. Join us for the next installment of NO-SPORTS TRIVIA, the trivia series presented by Diversions. For this quirky quiz, we’ve selected three featured topic categories from which the majority of questions will be inspired. For this month, the featured topics will be:

• Superheros

• Psychology

• Memes

On Saturday, August 29th from 7-9:30PM, teams of up to four will face off in four rounds to be crowned QUIZ QUEENS! YAS! Winning team gets a free round of drinks, a permanent entry into the history books, and a classy crown to crest your clever cranium.

Spaces are limited, so grab your TEAM PASS (only one pass needed per team) to show off your curious compendium of fun facts!

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

Storyteller: Jessi H.

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

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! We will also 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 if you’re gaming or not. All Gaymers Gatherings are also sponsored by Iowa City Pride, in their ongoing mission to support community and connection year-round! 

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.

About Iowa City Pride:
The mission at Iowa City Pride is to increase positive visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual/agender/aromantic (LGBTQIAA) community of Iowa City. We do so by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Iowa City Pride coordinates an annual Pride festival and related events throughout the year.

Who said back to school is just for the kiddos?!

On Saturday, September 5th from 2-4pm, Bitchin' Events presents SHOW N' TELL! You'll get 5 minutes to present your item(s) to a captive audience, then we'll sit in groups and you can go more in depth! Meet new people and maybe stumble across someone with the same cool niche interest as you.

Please, don't bring anything offensive, it will be weird for Tiara to tell you that you can't share it with the group. BUT totally bring cool, fun stuff like your North American moth collection or something your ex gave you that you held onto for spite - the world is really your oyster here!

Craft the best stained-glass windows by carefully placing colorful translucent dice.

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join Michele to get a step-by-step explanation of the gameplay (little to no reading required!) followed by one or more plays of the game. With a knowledgeable guide to answer your questions along the way, this is the best way to get to know a new game.

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.

Game: Sagrada

Draft dice and use the tools-of-the-trade in Sagrada to carefully construct your stained glass window masterpiece. Each player builds a stained glass window by building up a grid of dice on their player board. Dice of the same shade or color may never be placed next to each other. Dice are drafted in player order, with the start player rotating each round, snaking back around after the last player drafts two dice. Scoring is variable per game based on achieving various patterns and varieties of placement, as well as bonus points for dark shades of a particular hidden goal color.

Special tools can be used to help you break the rules by spending skill tokens; once a tool is used, it then requires more skill tokens for the other players to use them. The highest scoring window artisan wins!

Sample a buffet of indie TTRPGs, presented by seasoned GMs!

In the wide world of tabletop roleplaying games, independent (indie) publishers are known for pushing the boundaries of the game format, exploring new mechanics, experimenting with narrative pacing, and more, all while often delivering more inclusive and engaging games than some more well-known games. Discovering new indie TTRPGs is not always easy or obvious, which is why we are excited to bring this event to Diversions!

On Saturday, September 12th, Corridor Games on Demand (CGoD) invites RPG fans — and the RPG-curious — to experience a smorgasbord of selected indie RPGs, all hosted by the seasoned CGoD GMs, as part of an ALL-DAY indie RPG celebration at Diversions.

Click here to check out the full schedule, the list of games, and ticket/pass information!

Hosted by: Hawkeye Chess Club

Think fast – Chess Blitz returns to Diversions! Whether you're looking to test your skills against other rated players, or join one of the casual play tables, this blend of classic chess strategy with a speedy twist will offer a night of challenge and camaraderie for all who join.

• US Chess & FIDE rated Five-Double Round Swiss system (US Chess Ratings used for Pairings)
• Unrated Fun/Casual Play Section
• Time Control: G/3+2 Increment
• Boards and clocks provided
• Prizes
  The Joy of Chess
• Registration
  Online (under Hawkeye Chess Club)
  Onsite -- Thursday, 6 - 7 pm
  Entry Fee: $7

NOTE: If you do not have a US Chess ID and FIDE ID you will be in the Unrated Section. However, they can be obtained onsite. Questions? Contact: Eric Vigil by phone (319.621.3116) or by email.

Join GM John for a One-Shot of Sci-Fi Horror TTRPG, Mothership! John will have 3 different scenarios prepared for the players to choose from!

• Contingency: Specialists wake from cryosleep to find their freighter systems failing, and now must right the ship while being hunted by the same danger that killed the crew.

• Dawnwatcher’s Fate: A Ship-Wrecker Crew gets more than they bargained for when they respond to a distress call from a state-of-the-art science vessel.

• Song in The Stones: You’ve been sent to a mining colony as mediators to check in on some suit, but things are stranger than expected here.

Survive and fight against the horrors of deep space in the acclaimed Mothership: Sci-Fi Horror RPG, at Diversions!

Reserve your seat for $5 here, which will be credited towards your gaming pass for the evening. No experience necessary! New players welcome and will be taught through play. Players are encouraged to claim a seat  and connect on Aftergame, which will also host the waitlist for the session.

General content warnings: blood/gore; scenario specific content warnings: insects or cults (can be chosen/not chosen by the table)

We've been invited to a Y2K THEMED PROM benefitting Coralville Food Pantry, hosted by Bitchin' Events, and we're inviting YOU to get in on the fun!

Your $40 ticket includes but is not limited to:

• Amazing vibes & music from DJ HEE HEE HA HA and the chance to win prizes from local businesses
• Homemade egg rolls and fried rice & Palestinian food, along with a popcorn bar and mocktails!
• FREE Pokemon tarot card readings and a speed puzzling competition (hosted by Diversion!), along with other crafts!!

Double your fun, knowing your $40 ticket gets you in the door AND directly benefits the Food Pantry, where it can feed a family of four for TWO WEEKS! Tickets can be purchased here, and there is a price adjustment for folks experiencing financial hardship.

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! We will also 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 if you’re gaming or not. All Gaymers Gatherings are also sponsored by Iowa City Pride, in their ongoing mission to support community and connection year-round!

Featured game: River Valley Glassworks
The beautiful pieces of glass that can be found along the river here have attracted the most entrepreneurial of woodland creatures to set up shop.

In River Valley Glassworks, you play as one of these pioneers, drafting glass from the market of river tiles. To do so, you have to play a piece from your inventory into the river. Each river tile can take only a specific shape, and you must play into a space adjacent to where you want to draft from. After you pick up your glass, the river shifts forward, revealing new pieces and new opportunities.

Store the glass you pick up strategically in your shop. Depending on how the glass pieces are placed, your score will change drastically. Fill in rows and columns to gain bonus points, but don't draft too many of one type to avoid negative points!

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.

About Iowa City Pride:
The mission at Iowa City Pride is to increase positive visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual/agender/aromantic (LGBTQIAA) community of Iowa City. We do so by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Iowa City Pride coordinates an annual Pride festival and related events throughout the year.

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.

• $12 for a Player Pass, which is required to participate - grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session.
• Doors open at 5:30PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 6:00 SHARP.

Click here to visit our Blood on the Clocktower hub for storyteller, script info, and other event details!

Enjoy an afternoon of gaming and conversation with other LGBTQ+ gaymers, hosted by Press Coffee & Diversions! Choose from a variety of games or join our hosted table to play with other gaymers. Grab a name tag, pick out a game, and enjoy — it's as easy as that!

Press Coffee is an accessible gathering space for all who want to join, and they'll be serving up irresistible drinks and snacks. Build community with new and familiar faces at these monthly Gaymers Gatherings, every third Saturday of the month from 2-5PM or monthly at Diversions. All Gaymers Gatherings are also sponsored by Iowa City Pride, in their ongoing mission to support community and connection year-round! 

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 Diversions — please confirm dates and times at diversionsic.com/events

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.

About Press Coffee:
Press Coffee is a community cafe staple with over a decade of experience providing delicious beverages in a cozy, welcoming environment. This is a truly local business that supports a team of wonderful baristas, provides gallery and sales space for local artists, and partners with nearby organizations to host community-building events.

About Iowa City Pride:
The mission at Iowa City Pride is to increase positive visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual/agender/aromantic (LGBTQIAA) community of Iowa City. We do so by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Iowa City Pride coordinates an annual Pride festival and related events throughout the year.

Join GM James for a one-shot session of analog horror RPG Public Access! Inspired by the lost and corrupted media genre, similar to internet creepypastas, and analog and surrealist horror, Public Access uses the Carved from Brindlewood system where players will collaboratively piece together a mystery from the clues and scenes they gather during play.

In this One-Shot, players will be attempting to solve the mystery in this scenario, titled “Dog Told Me To”; As Independence Day approaches, a tragedy from Deep Lake’s past resurfaces. What link does it have to the strange wave of violence and extreme behavior sweeping over Degoya County?

Content Warnings: Violence, Mind Control, Arson.

No experience required, beginner friendly playstyle. Ticket is required and is $5, and will be credited towards your gaming pass for the evening. Tickets can be found HERE.

With the current revival mahjong is experiencing in mainstream culture, we are excited to be welcoming a new monthly mahjong gathering at Diversions to introduce folks to the game, improve player skills and comfort, or help players find other folks to join a table!

New players are welcome, as are seasoned Chii callers, and everything in between. Tables will be available, some sets will be provided, and the free popcorn will be plentiful! No ticket needed, and players are encouraged to claim a seat for the game on Aftergame.

NOTE: The primary variant played so far has been Japanese/Richii, but other variants are welcome.

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

Storyteller: Jessi H.

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

Explore a haunted house as a team ... until one of you turns against the rest. 

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join Michele to get a step-by-step explanation of the gameplay (little to no reading required!) followed by one or more plays of the game. With a knowledgeable guide to answer your questions along the way, this is the best way to get to know a new game.

Game: Betrayal at House on The Hill

Betrayal is a tile game that allows players to lay out the haunted house room by room, tile by tile, creating a new game board every time. The game is designed for three to six people, each of whom plays one of six possible characters. Players explore the haunted house, gathering items and discovering secrets, until one of the characters triggers a haunt and a player becomes the traitor, hunting the rest of the party. The innocent members of the party must defeat the monster in their midst before it gets them! Betrayal quickly builds suspense and excitement as players explore a haunted mansion of their own 'design', encountering spirits and frightening omens that foretell their fate!

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.

Bring the (friendly) heckles and banter – it’s bingo night at Diversions, co-hosted by Bitchin’ Events! Winners will have chances at a wide variety of prizes (details below!) and EVERYONE gets to enjoy a fun night of gaming. Game for Good by joining in the fun: half of every entry ticket will go to support Old Capitol City Roller Derby, in addition to the FULL $5 of every additional bingo card purchased.

CLAIM YOUR SPOT TO JOIN THE FUN!

Doors open at 6:00 and attendees are welcome to play games from our library of 450+ games before (during) or after the event. We’ll also be serving up classic snack stand candy, chocolate, and chips, along with a variety of sodas, ice teas, energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer, and fully alcoholic beer and seltzers.

• $20 – Entry + first bingo card
• $5/each – Additional bingo card(s)
• Priceless – The laughter and good feelings afterwards!

Prizes for this round of Bitchin' Bingo:
Pokemon: Mega Evolution - Ascended Heroes tin, Scooby-Doo Clue, Exploding Kittens Party Pack, scented dice set, mystery sticker pack, D20 sticker pack, mini dice set + D&D pin, and more!

Hosted by: Hawkeye Chess Club

Think fast – Chess Blitz returns to Diversions! Whether you're looking to test your skills against other rated players, or join one of the casual play tables, this blend of classic chess strategy with a speedy twist will offer a night of challenge and camaraderie for all who join.

• US Chess & FIDE rated Five-Double Round Swiss system (US Chess Ratings used for Pairings)
• Unrated Fun/Casual Play Section
• Time Control: G/3+2 Increment
• Boards and clocks provided
• Prizes
  The Joy of Chess
• Registration
  Online (under Hawkeye Chess Club)
  Onsite -- Thursday, 6 - 7 pm
  Entry Fee: $7

NOTE: If you do not have a US Chess ID and FIDE ID you will be in the Unrated Section. However, they can be obtained onsite. Questions? Contact: Eric Vigil by phone (319.621.3116) or by email.

Join GM and Designer Jerod for a spooky one-shot adventure of his game Goblyn Market! As a rules-lite RPG mash-up of storytelling and lots of dice chucking, each scene begins in a highly regimented way, quickly allowing the guard rails to fall off and cause a mess of selfish goals and wild propositions that must end at a real-time limit! Gameplay reflects the Goblyns themselves, part beast, part fiend, all chaos!

In this One-Shot, The Conspiracy of Ravens has gathered to bear witness to the story of Sleepy Hollow, as retold by a vexation of Golbyns! Ancient beasts from the beginning of time, neither Malicious nor Benevolent… The Keeper of Tales, cursed to repeat them. Good folk who have gone through great tragedy or with the power of the Wyrding can hear them. In the babble of a brook, between drops of rain, and in the moan of a creaking tree on the moors.

No experience or materials necessary. Ticket is required -- reserve yours for only $5, which will be credited towards your Gaming Pass for the evening.

Big-box, brain burners, and beefy games galore!

A game night for fans of complex, heavy, crunchy, or dense games – or gamers who want to expand their gaming repertoire. Ten Ton Tabletop Game Night will feature a ‘learn and play’ game from Diversions’ library, but we strongly encourage folks to bring their own favorite heavy-weight game to share! Whether you can teach it easily or you’re looking for some help learning the game, our friendly gaming community welcomes any eager gamers with games to share.

Help us plan the night a bit and claim a spot on Aftergame, then make a post announcing which game(s) you plan to bring! Heavy games can be a hassle to get to the table, especially when learning them for the first time, so let’s work together to get you playing those brain burners faster at Ten Ton Tabletop Game Night!

Featured Game: Luthier

Luthier transports players to the height of classical music in Western Europe, when the art of the instrument was upheld equally by skilled craftspeople, noble patrons, virtuoso performers, and famous composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Using a new, unique combination of hidden bidding and worker placement, players manage resources to craft various musical instruments in their workshop, while also courting actual historic patrons through an ever-changing personal tableau of actions and bonuses. Each player chooses how to balance improving skills across multiple tracks, unlocking specialized worker abilities and other bonuses. The choice to concentrate on varying gameplay strategies and goals, such as musical performances, instrument building and repairs, apprentice training and workshop expansion, and overall reputation as an instrument maker, provide multiple paths to victory.

Luthier finds true harmony through an authentic and original marriage of theme and mechanisms, resulting in a rich gameplay experience that equally speaks to both the strategic gamer and the classical music lover.

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.

• $12 for a Player Pass, 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.

Click here to visit our Blood on the Clocktower hub for storyteller, script info, and other event details!

Join on October 29th at 7pm for Bitchin’ Events ANNUAL CROW PARTY!

Swap treasures to bring home something new in exchange for a trinket you are ready to part with. If you don't have trinkets lying around, check out local thrift stores!

Feel free to dress up as a crow or in a fun Halloween look!

Please be sure to bring trinkets to be displayed easily for mobile trading, we want to make sure people are able to move around! Trinkets are typically defined as a small ornament that is considered to be of little value or inexpensive. Examples include tiny figurines, fake coins, shiny stones, charms, game pieces, small toys etc! Make sure trading is fair and agreed upon before taking any items.

Can you defeat our reigning Quiz Queens?!? A battle of knowledge returns to our hallowed halls. Join us for the next installment of NO-SPORTS TRIVIA, the trivia series presented by Diversions. For this quirky quiz, we’ve selected three featured topic categories from which the majority of questions will be inspired. For this month, the featured topics will be:

• Spirits
• Mycology
• Horror Movies

On Saturday, October 30th from 7-9:30PM, teams of up to four will face off in four rounds to be crowned QUIZ QUEENS! YAS! Winning team gets a free round of drinks, a permanent entry into the history books, and a classy crown to crest your clever cranium.

Spaces are limited, so grab your TEAM PASS (only one pass needed per team) to show off your curious compendium of fun facts!

Demons and deviants dwell at Diversions on Halloween! In an ode to a classic Halloween party, Diversions is serving up a festive night complete with pizza, a classic punch-bowl, mini pumpkin decorating, treat bags and, of course, GAMES! We encourage attendees to host a spooky or cozy fall game by creating a hosted table on Aftergame under the event here.

And no Halloween party would be complete without a costume contest! Whether you choose to walk in the Realness or Comedy category, participants will be presented side-by-side and cheered on as they give us a twirl! Note: The contest will take place at 8PM, so please arrive before 8 if you wish to participate!

Grab your ticket in advance for only $20, which covers your entry, two pizza slices (including gluten-free options), a beverage, and your goodie bag! Additional drinks and snacks will be available for purchase and if you decide to party last-minute, day-of tickets are only $30! Mini Pumpkin Decorating is an additional $5 add-on to your ticket!

Doors open at 6pm     |     Costume contest begins at 8pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL FEATURE EVENT

Could there be a better time than Halloween to play Blood on the Clocktower? We don’t think so! We’re celebrating the spooky season with a special feature session, featuring a custom Halloween Script!

Come dressed as your favorite Clocktower character (good or evil – we won’t judge!) and get ready for a WILD Halloween script: Halloween: Hard Mode!

• $12 for a Player Pass, 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.

Click here to visit our Blood on the Clocktower hub for storyteller, script info, and other event details!

We're taking a week to catch our breath, do a little extra cleaning, and complete some projects.

We will be closed from November 2-6. We will re-open for regular hours on Saturday, November 7 at 11AM for GAME STORE DAY!

See you then!

Is there an idea for a game you’ve been pondering over for years? Maybe you even have a few rules written down or have a full set of cards already made! Or perhaps you’re a gamer who loves the idea of playtesting games in development and working with designers to refine their concept.

Join us for this monthly game designer meetup, which aims to support and network game designers, artists, playtesters, and the wider community with an appreciation for the game design process. We encourage any aspiring designers to bring in a game or game concept they have been working on to give a brief pitch about it – a bit of a show-and-tell so we can see all the interesting projects our community is working on.

Join us the first Saturday of every month (7-10PM) for this game designer meetup, and join our Discord channel to connect with other designers!

Let’s PLAY! Game, socialize, and build a sense of community and joy together at Diversions for our FREE Second Sunday Social, in collaboration with our community-building bestie, Bitchin’ Events!

Whether you bring friends or show up solo, you'll have a fun time gathering around a game with friendly faces. Gaming is FREE for folks who check-in before 5PM, no matter how long you stay and game!

We’ll have nametags available and ‘Join Us’ 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.

Making new friends can be hard, but make it a little easier by sharing a 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 5:00pm and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. The game starts at 5:30 sharp! This event is FREE, but a Player Pass is required to participate! 

Storyteller: Jessi H.

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join Scott S. to get a step-by-step explanation of the gameplay (little to no reading required!) followed by one or more plays of the game. With a knowledgeable guide to answer your questions along the way, this is the best way to get to know a new game.

Game: Thunder Road: Ignition + Vendetta
Thunder Road: Vendetta is a revved-up restoration of the classic 1986 game of mayhem on the asphalt. Grab your crew, roll your dice, race your cars, shoot your guns, and try not to get wrecked.

This new version features exciting new additions, including random hazard tokens, like wrecks, oil slicks, and more. Damage isn't merely one and done. Now, you'll draw damage tokens with exciting effects that can send your car careening across the board. You'll also have more choices on your turn, assigning one of your dice to your command board to repair damage, nitro boost, or send out your attack copter to fire away.

Meanwhile, Thunder Road: Ignition is a standalone game that uses the core game system from Thunder Road: Vendetta with tweaks to provide a familiar yet new, streamlined play experience. Ignition features shorter road boards, new rubble terrain, barricades, and curved roads, and can also be used as an expansion to Thunder Road: Vendetta.

Whether you're looking to just get an overview, have a rundown of the rules, play a few rounds, or experience a full game, Scott 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! 

Storyteller: Sean F.

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

With the current revival mahjong is experiencing in mainstream culture, we are excited to be welcoming a new monthly mahjong gathering at Diversions to introduce folks to the game, improve player skills and comfort, or help players find other folks to join a table!

New players are welcome, as are seasoned Chii callers, and everything in between. Tables will be available, some sets will be provided, and the free popcorn will be plentiful! No ticket needed, and players are encouraged to claim a seat for the game on Aftergame.

NOTE: The primary variant played so far has been Japanese/Richii, but other variants are welcome.

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.

• $12 for a Player Pass, 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.

Click here to visit our Blood on the Clocktower hub for storyteller, script info, and other event details!

Enjoy an afternoon of gaming and conversation with other LGBTQ+ gaymers, hosted by Press Coffee & Diversions! Choose from a variety of games or join our hosted table to play with other gaymers. Grab a name tag, pick out a game, and enjoy — it's as easy as that!

Press Coffee is an accessible gathering space for all who want to join, and they'll be serving up irresistible drinks and snacks. Build community with new and familiar faces at these monthly Gaymers Gatherings, every third Saturday of the month from 2-5PM or monthly at Diversions. All Gaymers Gatherings are also sponsored by Iowa City Pride, in their ongoing mission to support community and connection year-round! 

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 Diversions — please confirm dates and times at diversionsic.com/events

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.

About Press Coffee:
Press Coffee is a community cafe staple with over a decade of experience providing delicious beverages in a cozy, welcoming environment. This is a truly local business that supports a team of wonderful baristas, provides gallery and sales space for local artists, and partners with nearby organizations to host community-building events.

About Iowa City Pride:
The mission at Iowa City Pride is to increase positive visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual/agender/aromantic (LGBTQIAA) community of Iowa City. We do so by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Iowa City Pride coordinates an annual Pride festival and related events throughout the year.

Join Diversions for a thrilling round of Blood on the Clocktower every week! This Level Up session aims to build on prior experience while also introducing players to more complex elements of the game, such as Madness or changing alignment. Players are expected to understand the basics of the game and be ready to level up their skills

• $6 for a Player Pass, which is required to participate — grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session.
• Doors open at 5:30PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 6:00 SHARP. 

Click here to visit our Blood on the Clocktower hub for storyteller, script info, and other event details!

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 with 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. Consistent attendance is not required, which can work well for players with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Players are requested to pre-register, but folks who are curious and want to learn more are welcome to visit during organized play to watch, ask questions, etc. Organized play generally uses the most current edition of each system (currently Pathfinder 2E and Starfinder 2E).

Organized Play meets at Diversions on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, starting at 5:30PM. For more information about sessions, pre-registering, or other local organized play opportunities, visit the Shifting Corridors Lodge website.

NOTE: Players will need to pay for a Gaming Pass for the evening; any other expenses are optional.

Shifting Corridors Lodge

Organized Play is endorsed by Diversions and organized independently by Shifting Corridors Lodge, who organize monthly games in Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, and at Diversions. Learn more about Shifting Corridors Lodge and their game schedule on their website.

Learn more about Paizo's Organized Play programs:

• Pathfinder Society
• Starfinder Society

Big-box, brain burners, and beefy games galore!

A game night for fans of complex, heavy, crunchy, or dense games – or gamers who want to expand their gaming repertoire. Ten Ton Tabletop Game Night will feature a ‘learn and play’ game from Diversions’ library, but we strongly encourage folks to bring their own favorite heavy-weight game to share! Whether you can teach it easily or you’re looking for some help learning the game, our friendly gaming community welcomes any eager gamers with games to share.

Help us plan the night a bit and claim a spot on Aftergame, then make a post announcing which game(s) you plan to bring! Heavy games can be a hassle to get to the table, especially when learning them for the first time, so let’s work together to get you playing those brain burners faster at Ten Ton Tabletop Game Night!

Featured Game: TBA

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

Storyteller: Jose S.

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

Is there an idea for a game you’ve been pondering over for years? Maybe you even have a few rules written down or have a full set of cards already made! Or perhaps you’re a gamer who loves the idea of playtesting games in development and working with designers to refine their concept.

Join us for this monthly game designer meetup, which aims to support and network game designers, artists, playtesters, and the wider community with an appreciation for the game design process. We encourage any aspiring designers to bring in a game or game concept they have been working on to give a brief pitch about it – a bit of a show-and-tell so we can see all the interesting projects our community is working on.

Join us the first Saturday of every month (7-10PM) for this game designer meetup, and join our Discord channel to connect with other designers!

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 with 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. Consistent attendance is not required, which can work well for players with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Players are requested to pre-register, but folks who are curious and want to learn more are welcome to visit during organized play to watch, ask questions, etc. Organized play generally uses the most current edition of each system (currently Pathfinder 2E and Starfinder 2E).

Organized Play meets at Diversions on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, starting at 5:30PM. For more information about sessions, pre-registering, or other local organized play opportunities, visit the Shifting Corridors Lodge website.

NOTE: Players will need to pay for a Gaming Pass for the evening; any other expenses are optional.

Shifting Corridors Lodge

Organized Play is endorsed by Diversions and organized independently by Shifting Corridors Lodge, who organize monthly games in Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, and at Diversions. Learn more about Shifting Corridors Lodge and their game schedule on their website.

Learn more about Paizo's Organized Play programs:

• Pathfinder Society
• Starfinder Society

Let’s PLAY! Game, socialize, and build a sense of community and joy together at Diversions for our FREE Second Sunday Social, in collaboration with our community-building bestie, Bitchin’ Events!

Whether you bring friends or show up solo, you'll have a fun time gathering around a game with friendly faces. Gaming is FREE for folks who check-in before 5PM, no matter how long you stay and game!

We’ll have nametags available and ‘Join Us’ 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.

Making new friends can be hard, but make it a little easier by sharing a game together!

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 with 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. Consistent attendance is not required, which can work well for players with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Players are requested to pre-register, but folks who are curious and want to learn more are welcome to visit during organized play to watch, ask questions, etc. Organized play generally uses the most current edition of each system (currently Pathfinder 2E and Starfinder 2E).

Organized Play meets at Diversions on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, starting at 5:30PM. For more information about sessions, pre-registering, or other local organized play opportunities, visit the Shifting Corridors Lodge website.

NOTE: Players will need to pay for a Gaming Pass for the evening; any other expenses are optional.

Shifting Corridors Lodge

Organized Play is endorsed by Diversions and organized independently by Shifting Corridors Lodge, who organize monthly games in Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, and at Diversions. Learn more about Shifting Corridors Lodge and their game schedule on their website.

Learn more about Paizo's Organized Play programs:

• Pathfinder Society
• Starfinder Society

Let’s PLAY! Game, socialize, and build a sense of community and joy together at Diversions for our FREE Second Sunday Social, in collaboration with our community-building bestie, Bitchin’ Events!

Whether you bring friends or show up solo, you'll have a fun time gathering around a game with friendly faces. Gaming is FREE for folks who check-in before 5PM, no matter how long you stay and game!

We’ll have nametags available and ‘Join Us’ 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.

Making new friends can be hard, but make it a little easier by sharing a game together!

Join in for a weekend of gaming fun at eastern Iowa’s longest running gaming convention: Gamicon! Since 1991, Gamicon has celebrated board games, card games, roleplaying games, social games – and even video games and computer games – with a weekend of game demos, tournaments, play-to-wins, auctions, and more! It’s a gathering of community you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about Gamicon on their website.