Once a month, Gabriella St. Amant’s Garden District home is transformed into what is fondly known as the “Mahj Mahal.” Furniture is moved aside, and card tables draped in block-printed tablecloths fill every available space. Bamboo chairs are tucked in, and colorful mats and coordinating tiles are placed upon each, setting the stage for a crowd of often-costumed women to take their seats.
This monthly tradition started in July 2024, when after learning to play at a Mahjong Rouge pop-up and quickly developing a love for the game, St. Amant decided she wanted to host at her house. After the first event, which saw 16 women aged from 20s to 60s come together, St. Amant says she knew she would have to keep the party going on a regular basis. “It is such a fun way to be with friends,” she says of the themed events, which have grown exponentially month after month. “It’s visually pleasing and mentally stimulating—all the right ingredients. And then you add in the food and conversations.”
Following COVID isolation, it’s no surprise that games like mahjong have taken over popular culture, as people are more motivated than ever to find ways to connect in a meaningful and fun way. The Chinese game of mahjong was reportedly brought to the United States in the 1920s, and it has had ebbs and flows in popularity. However, mahjong’s latest resurgence is decidedly Southern and suburban, with women from Texas to Florida putting their own preppy spin on the game.
Game tables are trending. Tiles adorned with trend-forward colors and even SEC football team iconography are abundant in local boutiques and on Instagram. And suddenly, sweet tea is the drink of choice, left sweating onto ornately designed mahjong mats. It goes deeper than aesthetics, though, for many, that is what initially draws them in. Rather, the craze finds its footing in the South through the Southern female penchant for entertaining…