The Watergate Hotel is combining afternoon tea with hands-on mahjong lessons in a new weekend series at Kingbird, hosted by Tim Ma, the Washington restaurateur and entrepreneur behind the popular Chinese takeout spot Lucky Danger. Weekend Mahjong & Tea takes place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 10 through Nov. 8.
Ma, a chef and advocate known for championing AAPI culinary culture in D.C., developed the experience with the Lucky Danger team. It combines afternoon tea, Asian-inspired bites, and hands-on instruction in Chinese mahjong — all set inside Kingbird, one of the city’s most recognized hotel dining rooms.
Guests begin with a curated selection of premium teas alongside sweet and savory Asian-inspired bites. Ma and his teaching team then walk players through the fundamentals of the game before leading a guided session with all mahjong materials provided.
The experience is $85 per person. It is designed for players new to the game and groups looking for a social outing.
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China in the 19th century. Four people usually play. Players draw and discard tiles to build winning combinations, relying on both skill and chance.
The game spread across Asia and reached the United States in the early 1920s, becoming a national fad. Over the following decades, American players developed their own version with distinct rules. Chinese, Japanese, American, and other regional versions are still played worldwide.
The game has drawn new interest in the U.S. in recent years. Social clubs, classes, and organized game nights have introduced it to a younger generation of players. Many newcomers cite the game’s social nature as part of its appeal.
Reservations are available through OpenTable at https://www.opentable.com/kingbird-at-the-watergate-hotel.
