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# Geek Retreat Ipswich celebrates third birthday with revamped rooms and special events
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/geek-retreat-ipswich-celebrates-third-birthday/
- Published: 2024-10-21T07:15:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:32:39.000Z
- Description: Geek Retreat, the popular games cafe on Upper Brook Street in Ipswich, is marking its third anniversary with a new space that embraces its building's past and a series of celebratory events.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Business, Business Events, #article, Geek Retreat Ipswich, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

![A packed out Geek Retreat Ipswich](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1728331463-geek-retreat-3-2.jpg)

A packed out Geek Retreat Ipswich (Geek Retreat Ipswich)

**The big picture:** The games cafe has become a cherished community space, offering a safe and inclusive space for gaming enthusiasts of all ages, genders, sexualities and religions. To celebrate its third birthday, it's created a themed room that nods to its past as the Coach and Horses tavern, which opened in the 1730s.

**What's new:**

- The Dragon Room now features antique furniture, Ipswich flagons, and Coach and Horses decorations.
- The Marvel Games Room has been redecorated for a more intimate gaming experience.
- Both spaces can be booked for free, with the booking fee returned as credit for food, drink, or merchandise.

![The Dragon Room now features antique furniture, Ipswich flagons, and Coach and Horses decorations](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1728331481-geek-retreat-1.jpg)

The Dragon Room now features antique furniture, Ipswich flagons, and Coach and Horses decorations (Geek Retreat Ipswich)

**What they're saying:**

- Owner Sharon Lockhart said: "What drives us and has made us so successful is our amazing customers. It is a place where you can 'find your tribe' and we have seen this happen almost every day!"
- Manager Gary Scarboro added: "If people want a safe space to meet - then just get in touch! It's always great to see such an inclusive customer base. Our youngest customer was 4 days old and our oldest was 96!"
- Customer Emma: "Having two children that find being social difficult, there is always something there for them to interact with! The cafe provides them with a space to be themselves."
- Another customer who suffers from mental health challenges said: "Geek \[Retreat\] has helped me want to leave my house and socialise a lot more. I've also made amazing friends and met amazing people that I want in my life forever."

![A games night](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1728331489-geek-retreat-2-1.jpg)

Geek Retreat hosts a variety of events (Geek Retreat Ipswich)

**Between the lines:** Geek Retreat hosts a variety of events, including trading card game nights, Dungeons and Dragons sessions, and activities for families and local charities.

**Recognition:** The cafe was a finalist in both the BBC Make a Difference Awards and this year's EADT Business Awards for Customer Excellence.

**Upcoming events:** Special events will be held throughout the week and during half term:

- 26 October, 13:00-16:00: Free Cosplay and Halloween event
- 26 October, 19:00-23:00: Halloween Birthday Bash (18+) hosted by local DJ "The Pink Mechanic"

**The bottom line:** Geek Retreat has quickly become more than just a games cafe – it's a vital community space where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, play, and feel accepted. Here's to the next three years!

For more information, visit their website: [https://www.ipswichgeek.com/](https://www.ipswichgeek.com/?ref=ipswich.co.uk)

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