Henderson recently got a new dining hot spot in an unexpected location – connected to a board and card game retail shop. Natural 21 Game Lounge is a board-and-card gaming paradise connected to its sister business, Natural Twenty, a hobby game retail store and event space. Natural Twenty opened its doors in 2014 and built a strong community of gamers throughout the pandemic. When it came time to reopen, they knew they needed a larger space. One that could accommodate the store and event space and provide a place to eat.
“We never set out to be a restaurant, but we have a community of players that this has become their home, and now they’re having to leave their home to go eat,” said Co-Owner Katy Weinstein. “So if we can feed them, and give them drinks, and keep them around longer, and if it’s some place that we’re going to spend all of our time, we might as well make it a place we like to be at.”
Enter Natural 21 Game Lounge. The clever name is a riff off the term used in dice games, most popularly Dungeons & Dragons, when you roll a 20-sided die on 20, before any bonus points or add-ons, often resulting in a critical hit. And a critical hit is exactly what Natural 21 Game Lounge is for the board game and food community.
With no prior experience in the restaurant industry, co-owners and husband and wife duo Katy and Zac Weinstein relied heavily on Executive Chef Michael J. Flores to help develop the menu and operations for Natural 21 Game Lounge. Flores brings more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, working primarily in taverns and bars throughout San Diego. With the menu at Natural 21, Flores combined his culinary background and southwestern roots with inspiration from local elevated staples like Carson Kitchen, to make it approachable for the hobby gaming community.
Since gamers are invited to borrow games from Natural Twenty or bring their own to play while eating, the focus was primarily on fork-and-knife foods and easier finger foods such as salads, sandwiches, and pizzas to keep their hands clean while playing. The food is complemented by a craft cocktail list with gamer-inspired names such as Pikachu’s Lightning, Jace’s Mind Game, and Acerak’s Tomb.
They’ve now launched a new brunch menu on weekends. While the full cocktail menu is available during brunch, the real focus is on brunch staples, all-you-can-drink mimosas and a fully loaded Bloody Mary bar. $20 gets you all-you-can-drink mimosas with options from 4 types of bubbles and 6 juices. Bloody Marys are priced by the glass and include access to three types of vodka, four juices, and 20+ toppings, including pickled asparagus, pepper jack cheese cubes, shrimp, meats, sauces, seasonings, and more.
The food menu is varied with something for everyone – from simple bites like parfaits and cereals to a delightful Southern Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, Bananas Foster French Toast or even Chicken & Waffles featuring Chicken Tenders on a Belgian Waffle topped with Caviar.
If you’re surprised to see cereal on a brunch menu, it’s intentional. “We’re an all-ages venue – the only place that is 21 and over is the bar area. So you can bring your kids in… at the end of the day, I’m not going to kick your kid out because they want to play a game with you.” Added Katy. Offering a wide variety of foods ensures that the whole family can find comfort dining and playing at Natural 21.
In addition to brunch, they’ve also recently launched workday lunch specials, a happy hour, and special menus for Vegas Golden Knights games, so there’s plenty of reason to check out Natural 21 Game Lounge.
Natural 21 Game Lounge is located at 2801A N. Green Valley Parkway, on the corner of Green Valley Parkway and Sunset in Henderson. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
