Board games, card games, and other tabletop games are all on the rise across our country. More and more places are recognizing the fun that can be had when we put down our phones and play a game with friends without the use of any technology. Real quality time can be spent around a table, and connections can be made over a meal. Those two worlds have collided and provided us with one amazing gaming pub in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Mulligan’s Gaming Pub sits in the heart of downtown Johnson City.

What is a gaming pub? A gaming pub takes the delicious flavors of Irish-style foods and pairs them with tabletop gaming. You can play a game of Monopoly, but most people who play tabletop games like to go a little deeper. The emergence of strategy games that focus on layers of strategic play and replayability has drawn in a crowd of people looking for a better board game experience. The theme and style can vary greatly from different games, but one thing is for sure: these are not your typical board games. You can jump into a game at Mulligan’s, whether you are brand new to tabletop games or you are a grizzled veteran.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

You can come in to eat a meal, hang out with friends, watch tv, or just play games. The owners at Mulligan’s have gone to great lengths to ensure simple fellowship and fierce competition are all wrapped up into one fun visit.

If you come to eat, then you will be treated to delicious Irish pub food.

You can order your classic fish and chips, or if you prefer, a roasted salmon fillet with an Irish whiskey cream sauce and asparagus. Take a bite out of the hearty Mulligan’s Chilli or dine on the decadent shepherd's pie made with lamb.

There are plenty of light options as well, so you can keep your hands on your cards if need be. Make sure to order one of the scones of the day or even classic mashed potatoes.

If you prefer to play games, then you are in the right place.

The pub has a wide variety of games to choose from, so you and your friends can enjoy a night of gaming if you want. Throw down in a game of Smash Up, or take a pleasant train with Ticket to Ride. No prior experience is needed; if you don’t know a game, you can join in with others or ask for a demonstration and instructions.

There is a retail side of the pub, so if you like what you played, you can buy a copy yourself.

You can even come and peruse the selection of games they have for sale if you would like. So if you're looking to dig into the hobby or add to your collection, you can shop for board games, card games, miniatures, and more.

The welcoming atmosphere, the classic Isiah pub fare, and the face-to-face connections made while playing tabletop games all make Mulligan’s Gaming Pub in Johnson City, Tennessee, special. They regularly run events for Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Boardgames, and Dungeons and Dragons, so make sure you check out Mulligan’s Gaming Pub's website for more information.

If you want to geek out on another place, then check out this totally rad retro laser tag place in Gatlinburg.