"A lot of people are just really intrigued even though they don't really know how to play," Lee said. "There's a cultural component they're trying to connect with. It's kind of like a cultural nostalgia."
"It's a really tactile game, and it's really a social game. It really easily builds community among people," said Nicole Wong, a writer and audio producer in Oakland. "It's a good way to unplug and not just be on your phone."
Ryan Lee started hosting mahjong nights and pop-up parties in San Francisco after rediscovering sets from his parents. Youth Luck Leisure (YLL) Mahjong Club holds bimonthly events with up to 30 tables and 200 guests, featuring live DJs, custom cocktails and instructors for novices. Events draw a diverse, young crowd seeking social, tactile experiences and cultural nostalgia. Eventbrite reported a 179% increase in U.S. mahjong events from 2023 to 2024, and growing Gen Z interest in "grannycore" activities. Mahjong involves four players drawing and discarding tiles to build four sets and a pair.
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