Mumbai is home to endless culinary and travel experiences. But, beyond the cafes of Bandra that sees a footfall of thousands, Mumbaikars now seek more hands-on experiences and connecting with communities. Today, a centuries old Chinese game is seeing a trendy revival across generations. The clatter of tiles, mid game murmurs and occassional cries of “mahjong!” fills Khar as 1Bam brings the city’s first dedicated mahjong parlour. Bringing a community-centric model, the space brings a social experience into the city’s thriving young life.
1Bam Mahjong Parlour
1Bam is the brainchild of pilot, author, and CEO Radhika Mukherji, who launched the space with partners Samipa Jolly Shaw, Shalini Bachani, and Kanchan Idnani. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy and calculation originating in China during the the late Qing Dynasty rule in mid to late 19th century. It is often associated with skillfully carved tiles played by four players competing to complete valid combinations. The game was introduced to Bombay in the early 20th century. Moreover, Mumbai’s very own Mahjong version simplified the game play to focus on speed, strategic set-building and high stakes social fun. Infact, vintage tile sets carved from ox bone and bamboo passed down as family heirloom in many South Mumbai homes.
The Space
1Bam features three rooms, a standard open seating for casual games starting at ₹ 500/- per seat., The Nook with three automatic mahjong tables, and The Veranda. The centrepiecse are the automatic mahjong tables that consistently draws gasps from first-time visitors. Moreover, the decor takes its cues from the unfussy parlours common across China, Japan, and Taiwan with leafy indoor plants, glittering tile sets, and a snack bar serving fresh chai, cappuccinos, and light snacks. You can also order via food delivering app in the main hall. There are no velvet curtains or chandeliers, a deliberate choice to keep the focus on the game rather than the backdrop.
Community over class
For decades, mahjong in Mumbai’s suburbs existed largely behind closed doors. 1Bam disrupts that model by opening a seat to anyone with ₹500. The fees cover two hours and forty-five minutes of play and includes a complimentary cup of chai. They also plan special events and tournaments for separate pricing. Additionally, the parlour currently hosts Taiwanese and traditional Mumbai mahjong, with plans to expand to additional variants as its community grows. Classes run from beginner to advanced level, and the 1Bam team is developing a player-matching function on its website to help solo visitors find tablemates.
Who’s playing?
The clientele cuts across profession, age, and background. Mathematicians, vaastu consultants, voice-over artists, and tech entrepreneurs have all been spotted across its tables. Moreover, it has also quietly become a gathering point for people navigating personal challenges: empty nesters finding new social circles, individuals using the game’s strategic demands to stay mentally sharp, and younger players seeking an analogue escape from daily pressures. In fact, one visitor is reportedly the developer behind India’s first mahjong app. 1Bam also hopes to grow the game’s male player base in the city. It wishes to challenge a lingering colonial-era perception that mahjong is exclusively a women’s game, a notion at odds with the millions of men who play across East Asia.
Key Information
🗓️ Monday to Saturday
⏰11 AM to 10:30 PM
💸₹ 500/- per person (₹ 2000/- for a table of 4)
📍9th floor, K.L. Regalia Building, Linking Road, Khar West
🎟️Reservations are mandatory. Book your table here
Booking requires a member account. (Make yours here).
You can also check out their event calendar here.
