Our Story

Distant Worlds is aspirations, things on the horizon and places you have yet to discover.  It’s exploring with your friends and adventuring as a group.  It’s the home you left behind but know is still there for you when you return from your journey.  It’s leaving and coming back. It’s also a place for one damned good cup of coffee.

We’re mostly geeks, but not the mean kind who quiz you on tiny details of things to make you prove you’re a “real fan.” We’re the kind of geeks who are excited that you love the same things we do, and want to tell you about stuff we think you might also enjoy. We’re queer, trans, and BIPOC safe geeks. We will tell you, in detail, why The Mummy is the greatest piece of feminist film making of the 90s (and arguably the last 50 years).

In October of 2023 we went tip-free in our pricing and pay structure. It’s our belief that paying our team is our responsibility, not yours, and tipping culture gets in the way of connecting with our customers in a more authentic fashion. We want to have fun with you because we like you, not because we have to be nice or we don’t get paid.

In the heart of the Roosevelt neighborhood, Distant Worlds serves as meeting place and gathering grounds for geeks of all stripes. Our community is fueled by coffee or tea, our selection of house made pastries, our vegetarian and vegan sandwiches, WiFi, and each other. We can’t wait to welcome you in for your next Dungeons and Dragons session, meet up with friends, or chill study group.