Mahjong Is the New Happy Hour: Where to Play in Palm Springs

If you had told me a year ago that I'd be spending a sunny Palm Springs afternoon obsessing over tiny colorful tiles with an Aperol Spritz at the Ace Hotel, I probably would've laughed.

Then Mahjong happened.

Suddenly everyone I know is talking about it. Classes are selling out, friends are texting each other to reserve seats, and somehow the game I always associated with my mom's generation has become one of the hottest tickets in the Coachella Valley.

Like many people, my first introduction to Mahjong wasn't around a game table—it was in the movies.

In The Joy Luck Club, Mahjong isn't just a game; it's strategy, memory and reading the people around you. Then there's that unforgettable scene in Crazy Rich Asians, where Rachel sits across from her boyfriend's mother. As the tiles click across the table, she's not simply playing Mahjong, she's negotiating her future. "My mother taught me Mahjong because it teaches negotiation, strategy and cooperation." Suddenly those little tiles carried a whole lot more meaning.

So naturally, I wanted in.

I joined one of the Palm Springs Mahjong games taught by best friends Lise Baadh and Rob Ollander-Krane, who have watched the game's popularity absolutely explode. Neither expected the surge.

"People want to connect," Lise told me. "They want a break from their phones."

What surprised me wasn't just learning the rules, it was how calming the whole experience felt.

Lise describes Mahjong as a "sensory experience." The rhythmic clacking of the tiles, the weight of each piece in your hand, the colorful patterns spread across the table, it wakes up all of your senses.

Instead of doom scrolling, you're completely present. You're paying attention to the people around you, learning their personalities one game at a time.

Rob Ollander-Krane banging the gong to initiate the Mahjong games.

Of course, before you even sit down, there's one question.

Are we playing Chinese Mahjong or American (Jewish) Mahjong?

Yes, they're different.

Chinese Mahjong is all about adapting your strategy as the game unfolds. You build your winning hand based on the tiles you draw and what everyone else discards. American Mahjong follows an official yearly card that lists every legal winning hand, making it a completely different strategic experience.

Rob originally learned American Mahjong from his mother, while today he and Lise teach Chinese Mahjong throughout Palm Springs.

Then there's the Palm Springs aesthetic.

Because of course Palm Springs would have its own Mahjong set.

Lise consulted with Destination PSP to create a gorgeous Mid-Century Modern-inspired Mahjong set filled with bold midcentury colors and designs that looks like it belongs poolside at a chic boutique hotel.

Honestly, it's almost too pretty to play...almost.

When I finally sat down to play, I was definitely the rookie at the table.

I landed in the East position directly across from Rob, surrounded by players who somehow knew exactly what every discarded tile meant. Meanwhile, I was quietly celebrating every tiny victory, trying to remember what I'd read about the game before showing up.

Somehow...I almost had Mahjong.

Almost.

Then I accidentally discarded the exact tile the player sitting North needed to win.

Game over.

Thankfully, my defeat came with a tiny consolation prize a micro miniature pink duck handed out by Lise to the winner who then gifted the duck to me. Honestly? Worth it.

What makes Mahjong feel so right for Palm Springs isn't just the beautiful tiles or the Mid-Century vibe.

It's that we've all been craving, slower moments.

A few hours around a table. Good conversation. New friendships. Snacks. Maybe a glass of wine. No notifications buzzing every thirty seconds.

It's the ultimate slow-social activity.

So if you're planning a girls' getaway, bachelorette weekend or simply looking for a new way to meet people, skip one afternoon by the pool and trade it for a Mahjong table.

Just...maybe don't sit next to me until I've had a few more lessons.

Where to Play Mahjong in Palm Springs

• Ace Hotel Palm Springs – Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays ( IG @acehotelpalmsprings )

• Palm Springs Bottle Shop (PSBS) / Market Market – Thursdays afternoons (IG @psbs)

• The Center CV– Tuesday afternoons (IG @thecentercv)

One warning: these games fill up fast, so book your seat early.

To learn more about Mahjong in Palm Springs go to psmahjongwithlise.com and

Ho Ho Ho Green Dragon on Youtube for tips and tricks on how to play the game.

About the Author

Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. Ersilia has over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.