Your Neighborhood Table is Waiting: Old Town Mahjong Club Welcomes New Players

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Mahjong is having a moment, and two Old Town residents are making sure everyone has a seat at the table. Founded by Heather Johanson and Katherine May Schwartz, Old Town Mahjong Club welcomes experienced players, enthusiastic beginners and anyone curious about the centuries-old tile game. With free open-play events, upcoming lessons, and no requirement to own a set or arrive with a foursome, the club is creating a relaxed, inclusive space where neighbors can put down their phones, learn something new and get to know one another.

Meet the Founders

Can you introduce yourselves and tell us a little about Old Town Mahjong Club?

Heather Johanson: Old Town Mahjong Club is run by Katherine May Schwartz and me. Our goal is to build community and make Old Town feel like Cheers, where everyone knows your name.

We both felt like we were missing a sense of community, especially in such a transient area. It can be hard to meet people and make friends, and we wanted to change that.

It is also important to us that the club be inclusive and remove the barriers people may think exist around playing American Mahjong. We love that Mahjong nights give us a chance to put down our phones and be present with the people around us. Our tagline sums it up: “Your neighborhood table is waiting.”

I am originally from the Boston area, but I have lived in Northern Virginia for 10 years and in Old Town for four.

Katherine May Schwartz: I moved to Old Town from Texas in February. I am originally from Florida, but I have also spent time in Virginia, where I attended the University of Virginia, as well as Connecticut, New Hampshire and, most recently, Texas.

Discovering American Mahjong

Mahjong really seems to be having a moment. Is it a game you grew up playing, or how did you first get started?

KMS: I have been familiar with Mahjong for about 10 years. I started lightly dabbling in American Mahjong while we lived in Texas because all my friends were playing. After moving to Alexandria a few months ago, I wanted to learn how to play properly, so I signed up for a class at Boxwood with Heather.

HJ: I started seeing Mahjong pop up on Instagram and became curious. An acquaintance’s sister started Gold Coast Mahjong and posted about it. It looked beautiful, but what I really loved was that everyone seemed to be having so much fun and forming new connections.

When I saw a sign at Boxwood announcing an American Mahjong 101 class, I immediately asked Katherine May if she wanted to learn with me. I had so much fun and instantly clicked with the people at my table. It had been a long time since I had felt that strong pull of connection, and I knew I wanted to make Mahjong a bigger part of my life.

Taking the Club Public

How did you get the idea to “go public”?

HJ and KMS: After the 101 class, we were excited to keep playing, but we had no idea where to look. We found some Facebook pages and teams on various apps, but nothing was really happening in Old Town. The events we did find did not fit our schedules.

We started joking about creating a club ourselves. At first, we pulled together people we knew through a somewhat chaotic WhatsApp chat. Then, one Thursday, we found ourselves with an odd number of players and decided to cast a wider net.

We started with a Facebook post and quickly created an Instagram account. It spread from there.

Making an Intimidating Game Approachable

A lot of people are intimidated by Mahjong, both by its technical difficulty and its social aspects. Did either of you feel that way?

HJ: Completely. I know I did. Going into it, I worried that I did not fit the aesthetic of Mahjong and that the game would be too confusing to learn. I have happily been proven wrong on both accounts.

The National Mah Jongg League card is overwhelming, but it also helps level the playing field each year. You might be a pro at the 2026 card, but who knows what will happen in 2027? When the new card comes out, the person who has been playing for 30 years and the person who has been playing for one year are both learning it for the first time.

As for the social aspect, it is wild how quickly you can go from strangers to friends. The shared experience of the game is a great scene-setter. The same people begin showing up, and the next thing you know, you are friends. I can guarantee that, no matter who you are, you are welcome at a table.

KMS: In Texas, it seems as though everyone either plays or pretends to play Mahjong. Around the table is where the tea is spilled, networks are built and people find their best friends.

Before moving here, I was definitely in the “pretends to play” camp. I could not wrap my head around the rules or the card simply by jumping into a game with friends. Mahjong is technically difficult, but taking a 101 class makes it feel so much more manageable.

No Set or Foursome Required

Some people believe Mahjong is an exclusive game or that they need to own a set and have a regular group before they can play. Have you encountered those concerns?

HJ: One of the things we strive to do with Old Town Mahjong Club is make the game accessible in every way.

Our open-play events are free, and you do not need your own tiles. We quickly learned that there are plenty of players with stunning sets who are excited to show them off, so there are always enough to go around. I love seeing everyone express their personality through their tiles, mats and racks. There are also plenty of budget-friendly tiles available. The Target set is great!

We also encourage everyone to show up exactly as they are. I remember being stressed about what to wear to the 101 class, but I quickly learned that everyone was so kind that it did not matter.

We have made a point of giving Old Town Mahjong Club that same feeling. If you are feeling casual, bike shorts and a T-shirt are great. If you want to show off a new dress you have nowhere else to wear, wear it here. Have a cute Mahjong headband? Come show it off. Prefer a messy bun? You do you. No matter what you wear, you are going to have a fabulous time.

KMS: Fortunately, the Mahjong boom has led to more 101 classes and a wider variety of Mahjong sets at different prices and in different styles, welcoming more players than ever before.

The concern we hear most frequently is whether someone can participate in open play as a beginner. Because so many people are currently learning, many of our players are beginners. Old Town Mahjong Club happily welcomes them.

We do ask that prospective players take a 101 class before joining gameplay, but anyone is welcome to come and watch.

Creating a Welcoming Table

What are you doing to make Mahjong feel more inclusive and less intimidating?

HJ: Katherine May does an incredible job of warmly welcoming each person who comes to play. She makes name tags, introduces people and moves among the tables to make sure everyone is doing well. She is also an incredible teacher.

KMS: Heather does a fantastic job of making sure everyone knows they belong here. As someone who was initially drawn to Mahjong because of the aesthetic, and who purchased a set before knowing how to play, I appreciate having a partner who makes everything feel approachable.

She creates entertaining Instagram content that appeals to a broad audience and constantly goes above and beyond to make the club possible.

We are both obsessed with Mahjong, but at the end of the day, the people are much more important to us. We try to ensure that no one has to worry about cost, skill level, not knowing anyone or not having a set when they come to play.

At the same time, we encourage players to express themselves through their tiles, invite anyone and everyone they know, and take an active role in shaping the club.

Understanding the Mahjong Card

Can you explain the American Mahjong card, where players can purchase one and when the new card comes out?

HJ and KMS: American Mahjong cards list the winning hands, unlike other versions of Mahjong that use standard hands.

The most popular card was first printed in 1937 by the National Mah Jongg League. It can be purchased through the league’s website at nationalmahjonggleague.org for approximately $14 to $15. A new card is released each year on April 1.

Newer companies are beginning to release their own Mahjong cards, but everyone in a group must use the same card because the winning hands vary from one card to another.

Lessons and Guided Play Coming Soon

Do you host lessons?

HJ and KMS: We plan to begin hosting lessons soon. We are developing a 101 class covering the basics, a 102 class for players wondering what comes next and guided play for those who can play but still have questions.

Follow us on Instagram at @oldtownmahjongclub and visit oldtownmahjong.com for more information.

Individuals Are Encouraged to Join

Do you host open play where individuals can show up, or do players need to arrive as a foursome?

HJ and KMS: All of our open-play events are open to individuals. Do not worry about finding a group of four. That is what we are here for.

We even encourage existing foursomes to split up so players can meet their neighbors and form new connections. Everyone has a seat at our tables.

HJ: As an introvert, I was initially wary of splitting up tables or not sitting with someone I already knew. However, I have grown to love it. Each time, I get to meet someone new in a setting that feels safe.

We are all there to play, and that instantly gives us something to bond over, such as wondering, “Where are all the jokers?”

Supporting Old Town

Is there anything else you would like to share with Zebra Press readers?

HJ and KMS: We absolutely love Alexandria, especially Old Town. One of our biggest goals is to support the place we love so much.

If anyone would like to open their space to the club or collaborate with us on an event, we would love to talk. Your neighborhood table is waiting.