News / Union Street

‘Hard Rock Cafe for nerds’ opens

By Mia Vines Booth  Thursday Apr 6, 2023

A new venue hosting all things geek has opened in central Bristol.

The Mana House will serve food and drink to accompany a refined selection of table top games and board games for the city’s gaming gurus.

Owner and operator, Aaron Dordi, described the space, which is located in the old Atomic Burger, on Union Street as a “Hard Rock Cafe for nerds’.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

The Mana House has a fully-equipped shop and a 3D printer

“The goal is for the adult populous of grown up geeks to eat, drink and play games,” said Dordi.

Dordi previously owned a venue on Whiteladies Road during Covid, but shut up shop after multiple lockdowns.

For him, it’s a house away from home. The space is certainly well equipped.

The all one in one destination has a top-of-the-range gaming shop, a well equipped bar and customised tables that will host competitive Warhammer and Dungeons and Dragons tournaments – the Mana House even has its own dungeon master.

Food will also be available soon, as well as Coca Cola on tap, which Dordi describes as an ode to his favourite American drink, while their online shop will run from the backroom.

The space even boasts a 3D printer, where players can customise and print their own druids, orcs, elves and more.

Dordi plans to host tournaments in the space – which he said can last for weeks – in the hopes of building a community around gaming in Bristol.

“I want it to be a safe space,” he said.

The Mana House is on Union Street

All photos: Mia Vines Booth

Read next:

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:


Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at meg@bristol247.com. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning