Mahjong meets Mocha: Bombay Times redefines your weekend rituals

Bombay Times brought in an unhurried, social energy with the second edition of Mahjong & Mocha at Bayroute, Juhu, as part of the BT Life.Styled Club. Designed around connection and conscious leisure, the gathering mixed the tactile thrill of Mahjong with endless mocha and easy conversation. As tiles clicked and cups circulated, phones were set aside, and strangers quickly turned into tablemates, embracing a slower, more present way to socialise. The Mingling Tiles was the Mahjong partner for the event, while Surasa Life was the gifting partner.For first-time player Monish Chandan, the experience was both educational and social. “It was a great experience learning Mahjong. I never played this game before, so it was a completely new learning experience for me. Thanks to Bombay Times for giving me this opportunity, I’m looking forward to playing more games this year.” For Sonal Jain, this was the second time she was attempting to play Mahjong, once again accompanied by her daughter, Vanshika. “This was my second time playing Mahjong and I enjoyed it. I tried to recollect what I learnt the first time. It was a Saturday afternoon well spent, and I’m going to continue this routine.” She added, “My daughter competes with me. She is a quick learner, and she is beating me at this game.” "At times, Mahjong is time-consuming, but once you start playing, it becomes addictive. I like the transition inside the game. It’s a crazy experience and way better than what I thought the event would be like. I kept my phone away and stayed focused on winning," said Prateik Jaiin.Deepshikha Kothari, Founder of The Mingling Tiles who was conducting the event, shared, “Partnering with Bombay Times has been meaningful, especially as we witness Mahjong’s image evolve. Once boxed into stereotypes, the game is now drawing in a whole new, enthusiastic audience. The interest has surged so rapidly that the challenge now isn’t convincing people to play, but finding enough time and space for everyone who wants to join in.”