Mahjong Classes in Chicago
Chicago’s most social and fun way to learn the game.
So Bam Fun teaches American Mahjong to Chicago in the most fun way possible. Our instructors are experienced American Mahjong players who have taught hundreds of beginners and private groups across the city — specializing in American Mahjong and National Mahjong League (NMJL) rules. Whether you're a complete beginner or a player looking to sharpen your skills, we bring the tiles, the materials, and everything you need — directly to you.
We offer private mahjong Classes, social events at top Chicago venues, and corporate team building events Lincoln Park, River North, Wicker Park, the Loop, and the greater Chicago area.
Private Lessons
Whether it's your first time holding a tile or you've played a few times and want to level up, our private lessons are designed to meet you where you are.
Private Mahjong Lessons in Chicago
What’s included:
2-hour sessions tailored to your group's experience level
All tiles, racks, and materials provided — no equipment needed
Instruction in American Mahjong & National MahJong League rules
We come to you — your home, apartment, or private venue anywhere in Chicago
Perfect for:
complete beginners, friend groups, family game nights, birthday celebrations, and bachelorette parties.
No experience needed. Our instructors start from scratch and move at your group's pace.
Pricing:
Group lessons start at $400 for a 2-hour session. Pricing varies by group size and location. Contact us for a custom quote.
Public Events
Social Mahjong Events in Chicago
Join us at top venues across Chicago for a night of tiles, laughs, and new friends. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced players are all welcome. our instructors are on hand throughout the event to keep the game moving and the fun going.
New events are added every month in at locations across The city.
Corporate Events
Corporate Mahjong Events in Chicago
Looking for a unique way for your team to connect? Mahjong is hands-on, strategic, and genuinely fun — the perfect icebreaker or team-building activity that gets everyone away from their screens and around the same table.
We bring the tiles, the instructor, and everything your team needs. You provide the space and the people.
Popular for: office team-building, company offsites, client entertainment, holiday parties, and employee appreciation events.
We serve companies throughout Chicago and the greater metro area.
What to Expect in a So Bam Fun Class
Not sure what a lesson actually looks like? Here's how a typical session runs.
1
Arrival & Setup
Your instructor arrives with everything. No prep on your end.
2
Learn the Tiles
We introduce the tiles and how the game works.
3
Build Lines
Practice building lines from the card to learn the hands.
4
Full Game
Your group plays a full game with guided instruction.
5
Q&A & Next Steps
Questions answered, and tips for continuing to learn.
After one 2-hour session, most beginners have a solid grasp of the basics and can get through a full game with support. Mastering the rules and strategy comes with ADDITIONAL lessons and Regular play — but the first session is always the most fun.
Our Chicago Mahjong Instructors
Our Team
Our Chicago instructors are experienced American Mahjong teachers who have guided hundreds of beginners and private groups across Chicago.
Britt
Denver, CO native and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign grad in healthcare consulting. She loves watching it all click for someone and knowing she helped get them there. Outside of mahjong: sci-fi books, needlepointing, and wrangling her wiener dogs.
Emily
Seattle native and University of Wisconsin-Madison grad in digital marketing. She learned through her high school best friend and fellow instructor Grace Brant, and loves watching it click for students during the second half of a lesson. Outside of mahjong: walking the lakefront path, trying new restaurants, yoga, and travel.
Shula
Chicago suburbs native and Vanderbilt grad who runs Chicago market growth for Curri, a delivery marketplace. She grew up playing with the women in her family. her mom, grandma, and aunt taught her young, and it's been a fixture at family events ever since. She loves watching the pieces come together for someone and seeing how excited they get. Outside of mahjong: historical fiction, planning her next trip, and walking Chicago's lakefront trail.
What Our Students Are Saying
"I can't recommend So Bam Fun enough! I've hired one of their instructors to lead a private beginner class in my home in Chicago, and I've also attended one of their public classes at Cafe Yaya — both were fantastic. The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and engaging, making what felt like a complex game approachable and fun, in a welcoming environment where everyone felt comfortable learning at their own pace. We walked away with a solid understanding of mahjong, newfound confidence, and excitement to keep playing. Whether you’re hosting a private lesson or joining one of their public beginner classes So Bam Fun delivers an exceptional experience — highly recommend!"
"I can't recommend So Bam Fun enough! I've hired one of their instructors to lead a private beginner class in my home in Chicago, and I've also attended one of their public classes at Cafe Yaya — both were fantastic. The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and engaging, making what felt like a complex game approachable and fun, in a welcoming environment where everyone felt comfortable learning at their own pace. We walked away with a solid understanding of mahjong, newfound confidence, and excitement to keep playing. Whether you’re hosting a private lesson or joining one of their public beginner classes So Bam Fun delivers an exceptional experience — highly recommend!"
- Anna, So Bam Fun Attendee
“We hired So Bam Fun for a private lesson, and our instructor Britt not only catered to various experience levels and set up shop at my own kitchen table, she engaged with our silly group and made the entire experience a blast. Britt made learning and playing a breeze, and everyone left wanting to play again!”
- Sarah, So Bam Fun Attendee
- Sarah, So Bam Fun Attendee
“We hired So Bam Fun for a private lesson, and our instructor Britt not only catered to various experience levels and set up shop at my own kitchen table, she engaged with our silly group and made the entire experience a blast. Britt made learning and playing a breeze, and everyone left wanting to play again!”
- Anna, So Bam Fun Attendee
Where We Teach in Chicago
Our instructors travel throughout the Chicago area, including:
Lincoln Park
DePaul, Old Town, Lakeview, Armitage Avenue
River North
Merchandise Mart, Hubbard Street, Riverwalk, Streeterville
Wicker Park
Bucktown, Logan Square, Milwaukee Avenue, Damen Avenue
The Loop
Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, State Street
Hosting a private event outside of our standard service area? Reach out — we're happy to discuss options for venues and neighborhoods Across the Chicago metro.
About American Mahjong
Mahjong originated in China over a century ago, and American Mahjong evolved from those roots into its own distinct game, played with the National Mahjong League (NMJL) card. It has its own hands, rules, and strategy, and it's the version we teach here at So Bam Fun.
Whether you've heard about mahjong from a friend or a family member — we'll give you a solid foundation in a single session.
FAQs
How much do mahjong classes in Chicago cost?
1
Private group lessons start at $400 for a 2-hour session. Pricing varies by group size and location. Contact us for a custom quote.
How long does it take to learn mahjong?
2
It typically takes at least 3 sessions to feel confident playing independently. Your first session is a great starting point — you’ll play with instructor support the whole way.
Do I need any experience to book a class?
3
No experience needed — ever. Our instructors start from scratch and adapt to your group’s pace.
Do I need to provide tiles or equipment?
4
No. We bring everything — tiles, racks, NMJL cards, and all materials. If you’re hosting a lesson, You just need a table and your group.
Private lessons and corporate events come to you — your home, apartment, office, or venue anywhere in Chicago. Public events are held at set venues around the city — check our events page for locations and dates.
5
Where do classes take place?
Book a Mahjong Class in Chicago
So Bam Fun offers private mahjong lessons, corporate events, and social mahjong events across Chicago. All skill levels welcome. We come to you.