We have a few board game places here in Chiang Mai as well. I went to one where the owner is super protective of his cards and board games. All the cards were in plastic and I wasn't allowed to have my drink at the table. I was saying I'm not going to spill the drink and he said "we can't take that chance."
I never went back. lol
RE: The Workshop in Da Nang, Vietnam. A different kind of pub