Mahjong Lessons in New York City
NYC's most social and fun way to learn the game.
So Bam Fun teaches American Mahjong across New York City. 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 lessons, social events at top NYC venues, and corporate team-building events in Manhattan, Brooklyn,, and across the greater New York City 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 NYC
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 NYC
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 NYC
Join us at top venues across New York City 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 neighborhoods across New York city.
Corporate Events
Corporate Mahjong Events in NYC
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 Manhattan and the broader NYC 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 NYC Mahjong Instructors
Co-Founders
Our NYC instructors are experienced American Mahjong teachers who have guided hundreds of beginners and private groups across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the wider city.
Clara
A proud Texas Longhorn from Austin who works in finance, Clara learned mahjong from a friend's mom in Dallas and was instantly hooked. Her favorite part of teaching is watching regulars turn into real friends around the table. Off the mat, she's usually sipping a margarita or planning her next trip.
Hasie
Our Team
Abby
Abby
Caroline
A fellow Austin native and Vanderbilt grad, Hasie works in mergers and acquisitions by day. Her twin sister Clara taught her to play, and she's been hooked ever since. She lives for the moment a student says "I finally get it!" — and outside of mahjong, you'll find her traveling or soaking up the sun with an Aperol Spritz.
Eden
From Philly and WashU grad who works in consulting. Learned from her grandma at age 10, and loves seeing people get excited enough to host their own game nights.
Manhasset, NY native and Vanderbilt grad working as a data analyst. Taught by her mom as a kid, she loves watching the moment mahjong clicks for new players and spends free time with friends and trying new restaurants.
Emily
From Dallas, TX and a University of Texas grad working in fintech. A college friend's mom taught her to play, and she loves watching the friendships form at events. She's also building her own travel app in her free time.
Madison
Mahjong Instructor
Stephanie
Sydney
Taylor
Caroline
Eden
Emily
Isabel
From Washington, DC, and Elon University grad in private wealth. Taught by her grandparents and mom, she loves meeting new people over the game — and spends free time cooking, running, and at the beach.
From Annapolis, MD and UVA grad pursuing an MS/RDN in Nutrition at Columbia. Taught by a friend's mom in college, she loves meeting new people over the game. Outside of mahjong: Pilates, skiing, and tennis.
From Dallas, TX, and TCU grad working in fine jewelry product dev. Taught by a friend's mom, she loves how the game gives strangers common ground and spends time antiquing and doing needlepoint.
From New JerseyUPenn grad in product strategy. Taught by her mom and her mom's friends, she loves meeting new people at the table — and spends free time trying new restaurants and at workout classes.
From Jacksonville, FL and UVA grad. Her mom taught her to play, and she loves the moment it finally clicks for someone. Off the tiles, she's exploring NYC, at the beach or on a long walk.
From Bethesda, MD and Colby College grad in account management. Taught by her mom, she loves the community she's found teaching in the city — and spends free time at concerts and exploring NYC's food scene.
Isabel
Madison
Stephanie
Sydney
Taylor
What Our Students Are Saying
"I found out about So Bam Fun from one of my favorite Instagram accounts and booked a lesson in the West Village. The experience was great — not only do I love the game, but So Bam Fun picks great locations to play, and a lot of the women are very like-minded, which makes the game that much more fun."
- Lauren, So Bam Fun Regular
“Our intro to American Mahjong class was a fantastic corporate connectivity event and a nice change of pace from a typical happy hour. Our instructors were incredibly thorough, patient, and made learning approachable for everyone. It was such a fun and engaging way to connect with colleagues while picking up a new skill — the group couldn't wait to play again.”
- Caitlin, Corporate Client
“I love how So Bam Fun creates a social atmosphere for learning and playing mahjong. All of the instructors are patient and friendly — we started off doing private lessons in Manhattan with friends, and it became a great opportunity to stay connected on a regular basis. We even met a few new friends through open play along the way. Very glad to have found So Bam Fun!”
- Shirley, So Bam Fun Regular
Where We Teach in New York City
Our instructors travel throughout the New York City area, including:
Manhattan
Midtown, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Chelsea, West Village, SoHo, Tribeca, and more
Brooklyn
Williamsburg, Park Slope, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods
Hosting a private event outside Manhattan or Brooklyn? Reach out — we're happy to discuss options beyond our standard service area.
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 NYC 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.
Where do classes take place?
5
Private lessons and corporate events come to you — your home, apartment, office, or venue anywhere in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Public events are held at set venues around the city — check our events page for locations and dates.
So Bam Fun offers private mahjong lessons, corporate events, and social mahjong events in Manhattan and across New York City. All skill levels welcome. We come to you.