Mahjong is having a moment. A list of places you can play in Charlotte
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Mahjong is surging in popularity across the United States, including in Charlotte.
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The tile-based game originated in mid-1800s China. The premise is to collect and discard tiles, similar to rummy card games. Different people play with different rules, rituals and styles.
It has seen waves of popularity in the United States since it arrived here in 1917. Mahjong events in the U.S. jumped 179% between 2023 and 2024, according to Eventbrite.
Fans attribute the rise in popularity in the 2020s to pop culture moments like “Crazy Rich Asians,” beautiful tiles, time spent off-screen and a need for community, The Charlotte Observer has previously reported.
The game offers mental stimulation and brain health benefits, and it’s been found to encourage executive function in elderly people and improve short-term memory.
Locals can gather at events organized by Eastside Mahjong in NoDa for lessons and a social experience.
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“We didn’t anticipate making this level of adult friendships and connections, but we’re hoping to provide that space,” Eastside Mahjong’s Melissa Varvaro previously told the Observer. “I know that sounds like a really lofty ideal, but truly we’ve watched that come to fruition.”
Heron House Mahjong opened in June, offering a dedicated space for the game. Charlotteans can pay per game, or pay for six- and 12-month memberships.
“When I learned to play mahjong, I was really surprised at how profoundly it changed my life, in terms of the community that it opened up for me,” Founder Charolette Obringer previously told The Observer.
Another Mahjong studio, The Queen’s Mahjery, is opening in Charlotte this summer, to meet the need for locations where interested players can come shuffle tiles. While the mahjery gets up and running, events are held at a variety of local venues, including Optimist Hall.
Charlotte libraries offer lessons and meet-ups too.
Parts of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
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This story was originally published August 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
