local flavor
Crossroads Tabletop Tavern Serving Fun, With a Side of Food By Marianne Weaver
C
rossroads Tabletop Tavern may serve food and drink but make no mistake: This venue is not the typical Main Street eatery.
“Crossroads is not a restaurant, except as a technicality,” said John Hornberger, owner/operator. “It is a boardgame tavern. It provides a comfortable, clean place for friends and families to interact, face to face, in a healthy way, and it serves food and drink to provide a full evening’s social experience.” Jeanean Winner, Manassas, heard about Crossroads through Facebook. “As someone who doesn't drink alcohol, it is sometimes difficult to find entertainment beyond seeing a movie, going to a concert or driving into D.C.,” she said. “I was excited to see a venue centered around games.” She said she was impressed by the wide range of game selections, ranging from family standards like Monopoly, to some older games, Euro-Game, party games and games she’d never heard of. “Something I felt was really special about Crossroads is that in contrast to some bar/restaurant owners that just see it as a business or a means to make money, the owner appears to be genuinely passionate about his shop and the games themselves,” she said. “When I have stopped in to place a carry-out order, he has offered to teach me a new game while I waited. When I have gone to Crossroads alone for lunch, they have some single-player games, he has offered to join me in a game. He has also helped in clarifying game-play questions and giving recommendations based on preferences.”
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April 2020 prince william living
That is exactly the type of impression Hornberger said he strives to impart. He said he does not want a business like other restaurants that offer food and drink, a little atmosphere and maybe some live entertainment. “We give people a chance to entertain each other,” he said. “And that’s more human and more natural.” Kasi Martin, Alexandria, said she and her family stumbled upon Crossroads when they were exploring Historic Downtown Manassas. “We noticed this lively restaurant and when we walked in one whole side was filled with board games. My husband and I are big nerds and love table-top games! This place had it all,” she said. “The atmosphere was extremely inviting and we loved the idea of bringing our daughter here to grab lunch and just ‘unplug’ and really have some fun together.” All paying customers get a seat at the table and access to the library of more than 1,400 board and card games. Some are classics, and some are weeks old: Sorry, Clue, Backgammon, Candyland and Mice & Mystics, Photosynthesis, Splendor, Architects of the West Kingdom, Oval Office, Le Havre, Troyes, Kingdom Builder, Catan, Lost Cities, Camel Up … and hundreds more. “Too many people judge us as a restaurant, but the real value of what we offer is lost on them,” Hornberger said. “This is a place to spend quality time with friends and family, plus we have food and drink, and the food and drink is quality.”
