MIAMI — It has quickly become one of the hottest tables in town. It’s the Mahjong movement and it’s drawing in young blood.

What was once considered a pastime passed down through generations is now having a distinctly modern revival, fueled by social media, celebrity fascination and a booming local appetite for in-person connection.

Mahjong clubs are popping up across South Florida and Mahjong Club Miami is hosting packed lessons weekly and social play events.

The club started with something much smaller: a small group of friends playing for fun. The group of five met weekly, rotating home to home for intimate Mahjong meetups until word spread too far.

“People wanted to come play with us at our house,” said co-founder Gabriela Leon. “So it started to become bigger and bigger and bigger until one day we were like, ‘No wait, we cannot invite more people here. We cannot.’”

Leon said her own curiosity about mahjong was sparked years ago by a memorable pop culture moment - the dramatic closing scene of the 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians,” in which the game takes center stage.

She learned to play, taught her friends, and before long, the small home gatherings turned into something much larger.

By way of word-of-mouth and social media, the friends became instructors, attracting newcomers from across South Florida who wanted to learn the game and join the growing community surrounding it.

“We’re not on our phones,” Leon said. “We’re just connecting with the people we are with, so it’s about community.”

We attended the Mahjong Club Miami event at Ironside Cafe Bistro, which has become a major south Florida hub for social gatherings of all kinds — from chess clubs and game nights to public market socials. You can check them out on Instagram by clicking here.

Mahjong blends memory, strategy and speed — often described by enthusiasts as a mix of chess, poker, dominoes and rummy.

But for many players, the draw goes beyond the tiles.

As mahjong clubs, themed events and beginner lessons continue multiplying nationwide, the game has become both social outlet and status symbol — equal parts tradition, competition and conversation starter.

In South Florida, that means one thing is clear: The oldest game in the room may just be the newest obsession.

To submit an idea for What Connects Us, email whatconnectsus@wplg.com.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.