Mahjong is having a moment. The soothing clacking, the capacity to disassociate from this wild world to focus on nothing but pretty tile patterns — I wrote about the phenomenon for Boston Magazine, going deep into the cultural reasons our grandmothers’ favorite game is now a haute pastime.
Since then, my feed and my inbox have been inundated with mahjong events, tile tutorials, aesthetically alluring mat-makers, memes and more. Even Martha Stewart is promoting the game, and yes, Meghan Markle plays. (To learn more about the Jewish origins of the Chinese game, registerq for this free virtual seminar on Jan. 15, through the Lappin Foundation!)
Intrigued…but don’t know where to begin? Here’s a curated list of mahjong meetups and resources designed for the novice player.
Wednesday Tile Club at Aeronaut Brewing Company
This is a freewheeling, social-forward gathering that blends casual play with community vibes at one of Somerville’s favorite breweries on Wednesday evenings. There are plenty of newcomers. Play is Hong Kong-style.
Mahjong on a Mission
You love their dumplings; now you can love their tiles, too. Mei Mei Dumplings hosts Hong Kong-style mahjong on the third Sunday of the month; half of all ticket proceeds go to local nonprofit partners; there are also free snacks.
Mahjong & Stitch
Clacking and crafts: What could be better? These two immersive Saturday events in February combine mahjong with creative stitching. The day includes a morning lesson led by Boston Mah Jong instructors, lunch and an afternoon of guided stitching with experts from Stitch Boutique in Wellesley and Winchester.
The Hidden Parlor Mahjong Society
This is an invitation-only, salon-speakeasy-style collective focused on social connection, atmosphere and elevated play in Andover. There’s friendly competition…with a clubby veneer. Get on the waitlist.
Boston Mahjong Community
There’s a loose but lively constellation of local instructors, players and organizers keeping the game thriving across Greater Boston.
These accounts and groups share events, tips and beginner-friendly encouragement:
- Boston Mah Jong (private lessons and parties)
- Canasta Connection (approachable canasta and mahjong lessons from a mom-daughter duo based in Newton)
- MahJenny Boston (visit her in Weston for personal lessons; I’ve taken a class, and she’s fab!)
- Mahj MassTer (private lessons and pop-ups throughout Metrowest)
- Mahjong Community (a busy nationwide Facebook group with pointers, local events, mahjong matchmaking and more)
- Mah Jongg Group in Massachusetts (Facebook camaraderie for local players)
For Aesthetic Appeal
Just like to look at pretty tiles or scroll memes? Visit Oh My Mahjong and Modern Mah Jong.
For Further Play
Already confident in your mahjong mastery? Enroll in Beyond Beginner Mah Jongg at JCC Greater Boston on Tuesdays in March for advanced instruction and strategy.
Related
- Apr 5, 3:00 pm
Jan 15, 7:30 pm
Feb 23, 9:45 am
Tomorrow, 5:45 pm
Mar 3, 9:45 am
Mar 23, 9:45 am
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Kara Baskin is a writer for JewishBoston.com. She is also a regular contributor to The Boston Globe and a contributing editor at Boston Magazine. She has worked for New York Magazine and The New Republic, and helped to launch the now-defunct Jewish Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Email her at kara@jewishboston.com.
