When I first started My Melton, I did this little thing called Meltonian Mondays. This is where I would pick a business each week to shout out and write a blog post about how awesome said place was. Back then my under 18s content mainly covered:

1. What films were at the cinema.

2. What pub let you in before 8pm.

Why? Because Melton didn’t offer anything for that 16-17 age group. Youth clubs tended to go to 16 and then you had 18+ stuff. So when Black Dragon opened, I was interested.

Since their opening, the popular games shop has been a Mecca for local Pokémon, Magic The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh players. In addition it’s variety of gaming tables allows for Warhammer, Dungeon and Dragons campaigns and a chance to play a game that you usually wouldn’t.

These guys also picked up the After Dark gong in the 2022 Best Of Melton Awards. An award awarded to only the best Meltonian after dark venues and promoters. I should know, I have one myself.

Enough about my brag, why do I think they picked up the gong? Well there’s a few reasons for this.

Firstly, the team there are brilliant. Whether it’s a recommendation for a new board game to play at Christmas or clarifying what series of cards can be used at the next tournament, no question is a daft one. The staff also have a great sense of humour and has zero qualms when it comes to talking and joking with both regulars and new visitors.

Secondly, there’s enough options that can work to suit you. Want a family game night where you can order a takeaway? Speak to the team about which ones offer a discount. Want a chance to play your favourite card or tabletop game with other likeminded adults that don’t judge? Book onto their clubs and tournaments? Want to entertain the kids, look up the kids clubs and tournaments. It is truly a venue that caters to any age with an interest in tabletop, trading cards or board games. That in Melton is a rarity and for that, I stan!

Thirdly, everyone is lovely. I already mentioned the staff but a shout out must also go to the customers that visit. If you’re worried about going somewhere because there’s new people and sometimes they are a bit of a twat, head to Black Dragon. Everyone is welcoming regardless of if you’re a regular or a first timer. In addition, the shop has recently been getting people from outside the town attending tournaments. So if you know anyone nearby that wants a welcoming game shop, send them to Black Dragon.

I’m going to wrap it up by saying we need more places like Black Dragon. They provide a huge improvement to both Melton’s daytime and nighttime economy. Alongside a niche that Melton so badly craved prior to them opening. Hence why they got the first received Meltonian Monday shout out.

Thanks for reading folks. Feel free to give your recommendations in the comments about what business I should tackle in a future Meltonian Monday.

Until next time folks,

Kelly