A new Bay Area generation goes all-in on mahjong
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A player shuffles mahjong tiles at 13 Orphans, a new mahjong den and speakeasy in Oakland. Photo courtesy of Aahil Somani
Mahjong is experiencing a cultural revival — and it's younger than ever.
Why it matters: The strategy game that originated in China is traditionally associated with older generations in the Asian diaspora. That's no longer the case.
Driving the news: Between 2023 and 2024, the number of mahjong events on Eventbrite surged by 179% nationwide and 146% in San Francisco, per data collected by the online platform.
- Among the nine major cities analyzed in the study, SF ranked second in cities with the most mahjong events in 2024, just behind New York.
- "We've seen ... all of these mahjong influencers now who are telling the story of the game," Eventbrite senior PR specialist Page Dudley told Axios. "That takes off online and becomes an IRL experience."
State of play: More people are seeking in-person experiences that allow them to unplug from digital devices following the pandemic, according to The Mahjong Project founder Nicole Wong, who hosts pop-ups across the Bay Area.
- Mahjong enables people to socialize in a way that's less intimidating than going to a bar, "and it's super tactile, just interacting with the tiles," she told Axios.
- It's also become a way for younger Asian Americans to connect with their heritage, added Wong, who documents different variations of the game in the book "Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora."
Yes, but: People of all backgrounds are showing up to learn and play at places like 13 Orphans, a recently opened mahjong den and speakeasy that sits above Baba's House in Oakland.
Zoom in: The Asian snack shop turned its upstairs space into a community space for gameplay after seeing high demand during the weekly mahjong nights they hosted, cofounder Jenn Lui told Axios.
- Customers pay a $10 entry fee and can access food and cocktails through the speakeasy. The den also hosts dedicated coaching nights that typically draw 40-50 people.
- 13 Orphans now has weekly regulars who come from across the Bay to play, including elders who are more advanced players. "That's when you test your skills," Lui said, noting the game's multigenerational aspect.
The big picture: Mahjong is part of a new trend the internet has deemed "granny core," which includes activities such as knitting and baking that have seen a similar increase in SF events.
- ImagiKnit owner Katelyn Randolph told Axios via email that the store, like Baba's House, experienced a spike in demand for classes and community after the pandemic.
- "We're hopeful that we can keep the momentum going," Randolph said.