Mahjong In Charlotte: Where The Tiles Are Clicking

 

Charlotte Is Going Mahj: The Queen City Has Mahjong Fever

 

 

There are plenty of sounds you expect to hear around Charlotte — construction, traffic, a Panthers fan questioning a play call.

Now add the clack of mahjong tiles to the list.

The centuries-old Chinese game has become quite the social phenomenon in Charlotte, with classes, open play, leagues, private parties and pop-up events appearing all over town. And whether you’re an experienced player who already has a favorite tile set or someone still wondering what on earth a bam is, Charlotte has plenty of places to pull up a chair!

 

Mahj in the City

 

Mahj in the City has been a big part of Charlotte’s growing mahjong scene, offering beginner classes, advanced workshops, open play, private lessons, parties, fundraisers and special events.

Founders Ashley Sigmon and Leigh Young have taught thousands of players and also created the Bambird Scramble, a ladder-style mahjong league that began in Charlotte and has expanded to communities across the country.

If you’ve spotted a mahjong event at a Charlotte restaurant, club or gathering place, there’s a good chance these ladies have had something to do with keeping the tiles moving around the Queen City.

 

Eastside Mahjong

 

Eastside Mahjong is another familiar name on Charlotte’s mahjong circuit.

What started with a game night in NoDa has grown into beginner and intermediate classes, guided play, pop-ups and themed events at locations around Charlotte.

It’s a good example of why mahjong has caught on so quickly: you get the strategy and competition of a game night with a built-in social occasion.

 

Mother of Dragons

 

Then there’s Mother of Dragons, a boardgame café and wine bar on Sardis Road where gathering around a table is pretty much the point.

With gaming tables, private rooms and mahjong in the mix, it’s another option for Charlotte players who would rather spend an evening shuffling tiles than scrolling through their phones.

 

And Now Mahjong Has a House In Charlotte!

 

The newest arrival is Heron House Mahjong, which opened this summer at 1819 East Boulevard near Freedom Park.

And when they say “house,” they mean it.

A 1925 Dilworth home has been transformed into a 3,000-square-foot mahjong studio and boutique, with 52 seats for players. There are several individually designed playing rooms, each with its own name and color scheme.

In other words, this isn’t somebody clearing the dining-room table and yelling, “Who’s bringing the snacks?” This is a house built around mahjong.

 

New to Mahjong? Take Flight…

 

Heron House also offers lessons through its appropriately named Flight School, where newcomers can learn how to play as well as the history and traditions behind the game.

The studio hosts special events, too. Atlanta-based Black Girls Mahjong, Too! recently held a sold-out event there.

And yes, there are snacks and drinks available. Because apparently plotting your next move is hungry work.

 

There’s Shopping, Too

 

If playing isn’t enough, Heron House Mahjong has a boutique carrying more than two dozen tile sets, along with mats, racks and other mahjong accessories.

Some of the wooden racks have a particularly meaningful story behind them. They’re handcrafted by Anthony Kaufmann, father of co-founder Charolette Obringer, who is battling small cell lung cancer. A portion of the proceeds is donated to small cell lung cancer research.

 

Why Is Charlotte So Crazy About Mahjong?

Maybe it’s the strategy. Maybe it’s the competition. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of those tiles clicking together.

But I’d bet the social side has a lot to do with it.

Mahjong gives people an excuse to sit around a table, talk, laugh, meet new people and spend a couple of hours doing something together — which might explain why Charlotte’s mahjong community keeps getting bigger.

From Mahj in the City and Eastside Mahjong to Mother of Dragons and now Heron House Mahjong, there are more ways than ever to get into the game.

One warning, though: mahjong has a reputation for being addictive. You may go to your first lesson just to see what all the fuss is about and come home wondering where you’re going to store your new tile collection.

 

“Mahjong brings people to the table… but connection is what keeps them coming back.”

… Mahjong Community Proverb