As most people who have played tabletop role-playing games know, the hardest part is finding a group to play with. Some lucky players have enough friends they can rally together, but what about those whose friends aren’t as interested in TTRPGs? This is something I have personally struggled with.
That’s what’s so enticing about Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks, a Twin Cities organization that focuses on building community and crafting adventures that all will love. I talked with DD&D “Grand Mastress” Renee about how it came to be and what inspired her to build it.
Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks
“I’ve lived in the Twin Cities for over a decade, though I’ve bounced around the country and traveled quite a bit internationally,” Renee said. “I first played D&D 3.5 back in college, but that campaign fizzled halfway through. Years later, I picked up 5e, learned it, and introduced it to friends—and I’ve been making new friends through the game ever since.”
She knows the challenges of playing TTRPGs: “I found myself considering a familiar problem to many adults. One, it is difficult to make new friends. And two, it is hard to get into the game of Dungeons & Dragons unless you know someone who already plays.”
At the end of 2022, Renee went to Las Vegas to visit a friend at the bar where she worked. The bar, the Red Dwarf, was doing a D&D night, and after that experience, Renee thought, “I could do this. I could create a space where anyone could come and experience the magic of D&D, no matter their background or experience level.” The idea for Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks was born. Renee held the first game in May 2023.
The leadership team for DD&D. Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks
Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks focuses on one-shots, single-session adventures that can be completed within three hours. “If you attend multiple events, you’ll notice there is a loose storyline,” Renee explained. “The adventure is split into two acts with a combination of role-play, investigation, skill challenges, and combat scenarios.” One of the many things that are appealing about this model is that it doesn’t feel like a huge commitment. Being able to jump in and out whenever and wherever allows players additional flexibility in attending.
There is a cost for each adventure. For example, for The Heretic’s Gambit Adventure, which will be run at the Brühaven taproom on October 29, 2025, the cost ranges from $20 to $40 per session depending on the tier. If you choose the Hero Tier, a portion of the ticket cost goes to community initiatives—one being the Community Ticket, which is “for players who could use a hand right now.” As someone who plays TTRPGs a lot, I love the idea of supporting someone else’s ticket. Besides paid adventures, Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks hosts social hours and a fantasy market.
While hosting regular adventures, Renee has been active throughout the Twin Cities metro. Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks has been a presence at local geek events as well as Twin Cities Pride in 2024 and 2025. “As our adventurers stepped up to volunteer, building a life-size dice tower and manning the booth in shifts, I realized that this was about more than just DD&D—it was about the power of us uplifting and supporting each other,” she said. In addition to hosting events within the metro, Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks has expanded to Duluth. This includes meetups at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. as well as adventures. And Renee is hard at work planning the annual D&D Prom, the end-of-the-year celebration happening in December.
Adventure tickets are available on the Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks website. I also have to mention the FAQ section, which is in depth and helps illustrate what players can expect before the game begins. One of the best ways to stay up to date and to connect with other gamers is to join the Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks Discord.