Mahjong clubs are building community in San Diego
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No Ambition Tile Club brings different generations together to play mahjong in San Diego. Photo: Aleya Zenieris
The mahjong wave is hitting San Diego.
Why it matters: The centuries-old Chinese game is finding new fans — and fueling a rise in local clubs and community events that are bringing more people to a table traditionally reserved for older adults.
Zoom in: James Gutierrez III grew up watching his parents play mahjong. He carried on the tradition as an adult by teaching friends and is now facilitating a way for younger generations to get involved.
- He and Sabrina Baranda created San Diego's No Ambition Tile Club in May as a space for Asian-Americans to learn the game, find community and dip into their cultural roots, Gutierrez told Axios.
- "We wanted to make something that was approachable, that everyone could pick up within 20 minutes and play all night, regardless of which style you knew," Baranda told Axios.
State of play: The No Ambition Tile Club hosts monthly Filipino-style mahjong events with cocktails and music at Moniker General at Liberty Station. About 30-40 people typically sign up to play there, and the club also puts on pop-up events around town.
- The San Diego Mahjong Club, which has grown to about 250 members since launching in January, hosts frequent games (with lessons and cheatsheets) at Brewskis Bar & Arcade, At Ease Games and other bars.
- That club's main style of play is Zung Jung, which is beginner-friendly, but there's also international and Richii (Japanese-style) meetups for more experienced players.
- You can also find regular mahjong meetups at local recreation centers and libraries.
The big picture: The game of tiles — in which players draw, discard and strategize toward a winning hand — has long been a cherished pastime, first among Asian families and later embraced by Jewish communities.
- More than 40 variations are played worldwide, and "the game has been changing ever since it started," according to historian Gregg Swain.
By the numbers: Nationally, mahjong events on Eventbrite jumped 179% between 2023 and 2024, fueled by Gen Z's appetite for analog connection and the growing popularity of grandma hobbies.
- Instructors are in high demand, with some turning lessons into thriving businesses.
What's next: Learn to play at the Makers and Mahjong event Wednesday night at the Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon in Convoy.
- Tickets include cocktails, a family-style dinner and Hong Kong-style mahjong games.