{"id":271069,"date":"2026-04-16T17:24:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/271069\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:24:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:24:07","slug":"mahjong-trend-takes-over-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/271069\/","title":{"rendered":"Mahjong trend takes over Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Move over, pickleball<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a new obsession sweeping through the hills of Hollywood, and it\u2019s a lot more \u201cclack\u201d and a lot less \u201cthwack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mahjong, the ancient Chinese tile game that has long been a staple of community centers and grandma\u2019s kitchen tables, is undergoing a high-octane, high-glamour rebranding<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The resurgence has been fueled by celebrity endorsements, with A-listers like Julia Roberts, Blake Lively, Mindy Kaling, and Meghan Markle having all reportedly been initiated into the cult of the tile. Roberts famously told Stephen Colbert that the game is her way of \u201cmaking order out of chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia Roberts Plays Mahjong With Niece Emma Roberts. Instagram\/@juliaroberts<\/p>\n

In Los Angeles, the game has evolved from a casual hobby into a full-blown lifestyle. Forget meeting friends for a drink; game night has turned into the city\u2019s hottest new scene.<\/p>\n

What was once dismissed as a pastime for retirees has been rebranded as the ultimate Gen Z and millennial hang \u2014 complete with curated tablescapes, standing weekly games and even professional coaches hired to teach the rules.<\/p>\n

Across LA, mahjong groups are popping up everywhere \u2014 from Beverly Hills living rooms to private clubs \u2014 with newcomers eager to learn the game from seasoned instructors. <\/p>\n

And for those looking to go all-in, there\u2019s an unexpected hub at the center of the craze.<\/p>\n

A buzzy, invite-only group dubbed \u201cMahjong Mega Church<\/a>\u201d is quietly turning the centuries-old game into the city\u2019s newest social currency. The \u201cchurch\u201d was started by Jared Eng, founder of celebrity blog JustJared.com, alongside Eileen Foliente, the former director of membership at the ultra-elite San Vicente Bungalows, in November of 2025.<\/p>\n

A buzzy, invite-only group dubbed \u201cMahjong Mega Church<\/a>\u201d is quietly turning the centuries-old game into the city\u2019s newest social currency. Instagram\/@mahjongmegachurch<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very well-curated group of people,\u201d Eng told The Post. \u201cWe really value our social circles and the ability to curate who\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hosts weekly mahjong games for the \u201ccongregants\u201d at his home, complete with 10 automatic shuffling tables and players of all levels. It has quickly become a magnate for LA\u2019s young, well-connected crowd, from producers and actors to models and influencers, all gathering around sleek tables for nights that feel more like a salon than a competition.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t expect to just waltz right in. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have a bunch of unopened DMs,\u201d Eng admitted. \u201cIf it\u2019s a friend of a friend, then yes\u2026 but right now, you kind of need to be in the know.\u201d<\/p>\n

That exclusivity is part of the appeal. While the group boasts more than 500 Instagram followers \u2014 affectionately referred to as the \u201ccongregation\u201d \u2014 only about 200 have actually stepped inside to play.<\/p>\n

Crazy Rich Asians\u2019 pivotal mahjong scene. YouTube<\/p>\n

Forget cash prizes or cutthroat tournaments\u2014here, the payoff is networking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe prize is the people you meet,\u201d Eng said. \u201cYou\u2019re meeting them socially, professionally\u2026 they\u2019re important people.\u201d<\/p>\n

That social element is exactly why Mahjong is exploding among younger Angelenos \u2014 offering a refreshing alternative to the city\u2019s fading nightlife scene.<\/p>\n

Instead of overpriced cocktails and deafening clubs, Hollywood crowds are opting for something more intimate and perhaps, wholesome.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the best but also fun because it gives sorority energy,\u201d LA local Natasha Rubin told The Post.<\/p>\n

Players say they\u2019re drawn to the youthful energy of these groups\u2014a chance to meet new people in a setting that feels stimulating, structured and refreshingly not centered around food or alcohol.<\/p>\n

Even pricey LA institutions like Hillcrest Country Club and Brentwood County Club are notorious for having \u201cunderground mahj women\u2019s groups.\u201d Other private groups are even made up of men, including one local crew that has their own dedicated teacher guiding regular sessions.<\/p>\n

AquaMahj floating game table. Instagram\/themahjongline<\/p>\n

In addition to securing a seat at one of these exclusive \u201cmahj\u201d clubs, players are dropping serious cash on tile sets, colorful mats and even floating mahjong tables that can be used poolside \u2014 turning the game into a full-blown lifestyle. Brands like The Mahjong Line have become cult favorites, offering chic, Instagram-ready sets that can set you back $500 just for a set of tiles. <\/p>\n

The game itself dates back to 19th-century China and involves building winning hands using a set of 144 tiles \u2014 but in 2026, it\u2019s less about tradition and more about the vibe.<\/p>\n

Weekly games have become standing plans, and lessons with coaches are booked weeks in advance as players race to master the rules.<\/p>\n

In a city built on networking and nightlife, mahjong add something more: real interaction, a mental challenge and a built-in community.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t