Mahjong Tournaments Are The New Trivia Night
Not your Grandma's Tile Game: Cocktails, Playlists and a Whole New Vibe
Forget trivia night—Mahjong is the new event that offers a built-in fanbase and a fresh way to fill a room.
Once a staple of older generations, and a pastime closely tied to the Asian community, Mahjong is experiencing a resurgence among younger, more diverse crowds. The tile game—which originated in China around the mid-to-late 19th century—is becoming a fixture of social scenes in cities across the U.S. as people gather not just to play, but to connect at both casual clubs and high-energy tournaments.
A 2025 Eventbrite study revealed a sharp uptick in game-based gatherings, with board game events growing by 800% in the last few years.
A Diverse Social Scene
From Gen Z influencers to Gen X ladies who lunch, Mahjong is bridging cultural gaps and attracting a wide range of enthusiasts.
At the heart of this revival are new social clubs like Green Tile Social Club in New York, and East Never Loses and Mahjong Underground in Los Angeles, which are introducing a new generation to the old pastime, but with a modern edge. These aren’t your grandma’s Mahjong games: we're talking cocktails, playlists, and a whole new vibe that’s equal parts social event and cultural exploration.
Mahjong Underground hosts events like "Sunday Afternoon Mahjong" at venues like General Lee’s in LA—a hip, sultry, craft cocktail lounge in Chinatown with a DJ booth and live music. These events bring Mahjong to a younger, alternative crowd, emphasizing a fun, approachable space for both beginners and seasoned players.
In addition to the growing club scene, Oh My Mahjong has built a mini lifestyle-brand around the game, with custom tile sets sold in luxury stores like Neiman Marcus, and a program that certifies instructors nationwide. Founded by Rebecca E. R. Han (aka The Marvelous Mrs. Mahjong), the platform has gained a significant social media following and adopted a curated approach to bringing the game into the mainstream. Certified Oh My Mahjong instructors host Mahjong 101 workshops in hospitality venues across the country—from a Mahjong & Cheese night at Bleu Fox Cheese Shop in Chattanooga, TN, to a chic influencer event at Straight Wharf Fish in Nantucket, MA.
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INSIGHT-OUT: Tap into Mahjong’s current broad cultural appeal to create unique experiences that attract new audiences across a range of demographics.
Hospitality Gets in the Game
Hospitality brands across the country are beginning to jump on this growing trend—from five star hotels, to neighborhood restaurants and buzzy cocktail bars.
13 Orphans is a new Mahjong den & speakeasy that opened in Oakland, CA this May. Groups can book Mahjong tables, and play while enjoying tea-infused cocktails and dim sum inspired by the owners’ Chinese and Filipino heritages. It’s an ode to dark, backroom Mahjong parlors designed for a modern cool-kid crowd.
The Bowie House in Fort Worth, TX (part of the Auberge Resort Collection), hosts “Mahjong in the Billet Room” every Monday, with an instructor from local social club, The Mahj Club. They’ve also welcomed Kate LaGere, co-founder of wildly popular “luxury” Mahjong accessory company, The Mahjong Line, for their “Conversations in the Library” speaker series, where she gave an exclusive preview of the brand’s new tile set.
In San Francisco, Youth Luck Leisure is a new Mahjong pop-up club that creates a party vibe with low lighting, a DJ spinning, and tea cocktails flowing for their “Mahjong After Dark” events. The club was started by 24 year old Chinese-American Ryan Lee with the goal of “redefining community while honoring heritage,” and introducing the tile game to a new generation of players. Events of up to 200 people are held bi-weekly at venues across the city including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, attracting an array of Gen Z and millennials looking for a unique social experience.
Prélude Country Club is a swanky, seasonal social and dining experience hosted by Prélude cocktail bar in Austin, Texas. This event series, running from May to August, features live jazz nights, guest chef dinners, and mahjong leagues. Every Tuesday night this summer, Austin Mahjong Social hosts Mahjong 101 nights in their game lounge where guests snack on charcuterie and enjoy a Champagne margarita while they play.
Lucky Danger, a new Chinese-American restaurant in Washington, D.C., boasts a hidden whiskey bar and Mahjong parlour in the back of the space. Automatic Mahjong tables can be rented for $45 an hour, and chef/owner Tim Ma and other family friends host weekly lessons alongside glasses of over-proof whiskeys and whiskey cocktails.
Kilig Filipino restaurant in Seattle, WA hosts Mahjong Mondays where players can learn the game, eat burgers from James Beard nominated chef Melissa Miranda, and listen to live DJ sets.
The Thompson Hotel in Dallas hosts Mahjong + Martini Mondays at their buzzy cocktail bar Catbird, with lessons from The Marvelous Mrs. Mahjong.
INSIGHT-OUT: Dedicate a private room or event space for a weekly game night. Partner with a local Mahjong organization, club, or instructor to host the event or lead classes (which provides and additional marketing network to tap into!)
Beyond the Game: Tiles With Style & Mahjong Merch
Designer Mahjong tiles are becoming a status symbol, with cult brands like The Mahjong Line creating "Mahjong tiles and accessories for the stylish masses" in bright colors and playful prints that bring a modern aesthetic to the classic game. The company releases drops of limited-edition tiles that generate anticipation and excitement among fans. And thousands of videos of influencers showing off their “cute” tile sets across Instagram & TikTok.
INSIGHT-OUT: Consider a branded Mahjong tile set for a stylish on-premise activity or a collectible keepsake—and a revenue opportunity.
The Mahjong Line even makes “AquaMahj” floating game tables that can be used in the pool—and would be ideal for an on-trend hotel amenity this summer.
As mahjong continues to rise in popularity, it’s clear this resurgence is not just about playing a game; it’s about creating new ways for people to connect, explore culture, and enjoy a shared experience. For hospitality brands, there’s ample opportunity to ride this wave, creating engaging and profitable events and partnerships that attract a wide range of guests—from casual players to serious enthusiasts—and span diverse demographics that align with your target audience.