Penny Lane is a worker placement game in which players compete to build the most prosperous city avenue. You can build residences, shops like the Confectioners, and attractions like the Penny Arcade! You'll also need to employ citizens to generate income for your lane. Penny Lane also has a tableau-building component, where players can get bonus points or currency by aligning their buildings with different "links."

Each round consists of an action phase followed by an upkeep phase. In the action phase, a player can either select a Main Street action or pass. The action phase repeats until each player has passed.

To take a Main Street action, a player must choose from the communal Main Street cards, and place the required number of pennies on the open action space. The player then carries out the effect of that card. Possible actions include purchasing a building, placing a worker, rearranging buildings, or claiming the Mayor meeple to become the new 1st player.

Each player places purchase buildings in their lane. If they're able to connect a penny link, they get an extra penny at the end of each upkeep phase. If they're able to connect a victory point link, they get an extra victory point at the end of the game. In the upkeep phase, all players gain 1 penny. Players then resolve all effects in their lane as indicated by the upkeep symbol and their penny links.

The final round is triggered when one player has 10 or more points on their lane, and the player with the most victory points wins!