Which Philly-based businesses and creators to check out at PAX Unplugged this weekend

November 21, 2025Uncategorized

Game players, unite! PAX Unplugged returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend.

The three-day show, founded in 2017, brings in game-makers and enthusiasts from around the world to discover, test out and celebrate the collective tabletop gaming culture.

While most badges for the actual convention have been sold (you can still find some here), there are plenty of tangential events happening around the city that you can check out, as well as local businesses to support at the convention, or around the city.

Convention goers at PAX Unplugged try out the latest games that vendors have set out for testing on the showroom floor. (Kriston Jae Bethel for WHYY)

The following local — and slightly further out in the state — board game makers, retailers and content creators will be present at the convention. We’ve included their booth numbers on the convention floors, but the best way to find them in the convention center is using the PAX Nav app.

Local makers

Local sellers and play spaces

Local content creators

Philly Mah-Jawn Mahjong Club, which opened a new clubhouse in Old City back in August, will be at the convention, assisting the United States Professional Mahjong League to help teach Riichi Mahjong in the free play area all weekend.

Club President Mike Lee says the group’s clubhouse will also be open for its usual hours, from 7 to 11 p.m. on Fridays, from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and from 2 to 8 p.m on Sundays. There’s a non-members time block from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, where the club officers offer teaching and advice for walk-in players of all levels.

Outside of the convention, BUBS — a cafe, board game and community space in Kensington — is having a free pre-party tonight, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Philly Game Shop also has its PAX U eve party at its shop tonight from 5 p.m.

Queen & Rook is hosting a party with board game publisher Cardboard Alchemy at its South Street location, Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight. The location is also offering a casual gaming space for industry professionals after the convention wraps up on Sunday, though you need a PAX exhibitor or media badge for that.

Futurefull, a Philly-based “interfuturist storytelling collective,” is hosting an event Saturday night celebrating queer and BIPOC creators in the tabletop, role-playing game space at Christ Church Neighborhood House. The event will have a panel of up-and-coming individuals in the space.

If you want a break from the bustle of the convention, and want to explore more of the area’s tabletop gaming community this weekend you can also stop by the following:

The post Which Philly-based businesses and creators to check out at PAX Unplugged this weekend appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.

Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.

Related Posts