Mooie Boules: A Playground for Adults

A trend that has quietly made its way into the Netherlands: playing games in bars and restaurants. More and more patrons are looking for something beyond just a drink, a table, and a good conversation, seeking out challenge and entertainment in the form of various games. While neighborhood bars have long had a deck of cards available behind the bar, now you’re increasingly likely to find establishments equipped with a full cabinet of games. The epitome of this trend is Mooie Boules. With five locations (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Eindhoven, and Delft), it challenges the “Homo Ludens” (Latin for “the playing human”) to spend their evenings engaged in play.

The cornerstone at all five locations is Jeu de Boules. This game, traditionally seen as something played mainly by French retirees in sleepy French villages, has been completely revamped and made trendy. Major advantages of this game: anyone can play, it requires little setup, and it pairs perfectly with eating and drinking during the game.

Mooie Boules also boasts an extensive menu, particularly notable for its large selection of craft beers. Additionally, each location features multiple kitchens (including Ron Blaauw’s gastrobar), offering a vast array of (street food) dishes that are high in culinary quality. Manager Anyssa from Mooie Boules Rotterdam says, “Our operational style here is unthinkable without Butlaroo. We want our guests to be able to do anything the moment they walk in. Whether they want to sit at a table, play Jeu de Boules, sing karaoke, or play ping pong; all options are open. A rigid ordering system wouldn’t fit with this. Allowing guests to order and pay via a QR code means our staff doesn’t have to go ‘looking’ for the guest.”

With its diverse range of activities combined with food and drink, Mooie Boules is also a popular spot for corporate outings and bachelor parties. Butlaroo’s solutions work well for these groups too. “For groups, we often have specific packages. We give them a mobile QR code loaded with exactly the menus, packages, and terms that apply to them. By clearly displaying the options upfront, this works perfectly, both for us and for the guest,” says Anyssa. It’s wonderful to see a concept like Mooie Boules being embraced by such a diverse range of people. “We're practically full every evening, and on weekends even till 2:00 AM. Could this be THE new way to go out? Time will tell. At any rate, Mooie Boules has big plans for the future.