About Us
Riviera Mahj Society started the way so many good things do—at a table with good food, good drinks, and good company. Mahjong is magical all on its own, but the experience is amplified by the things that nourish us: food, drinks, and friends—new and old. Experiences are profoundly enriched when you have the right people around the table. So we sought to create elevated social moments for people during the week. Moments to enjoy a bite. Moments to enjoy a drink. Moments to connect. Moments to mahj. We hope you’ll join us on this journey to create modern social moments with Riviera Mahj Society—your modern mahjong social club.
Meet Allegra
Litigator, mom of three, and the reason the game actually keeps moving. Allegra fell hard and fast for mahjong and never looked back. She deeply appreciates a good pivot—strategy is her love language. She’s the one keeping everyone on track, answering questions mid-game, and making sure no one is left behind. Equal parts organized and fun, she makes learning feel easy.
Meet Rivka
Spine surgeon by day, mahjong player whenever possible. Spinal fusions to concealed lines in “Singles and Pairs”—Rivka operates with precision in everything she does. She loves a good system, a little competition, and anything that brings people together around a table. She hosts a mean mahj party and is usually playing fast, poking ribs and already ready for the next round.
Why Play with Us?
People
Whether you’re touching tiles for the first time, or you’ve been playing for decades, we’re here to foster your mahjong experience. We offer trained group instruction for beginners, with a play-based philosophy on how to get in the game. Just dive in—we’ve got you. This is a lifelong game that evolves as you do. We offer guidance and support when you need it and freedom to just play when you don’t. Make the game yours. House rules? Our lips are sealed.
Places
Riviera Mahj Society thoughtfully selects venues for its events, to create moments that feel elevated without being uncomfortable, and to bring you more of what you love—Santa Barbara living and mahjong! If we get you to somewhere you’ve never been, fabulous! Come explore with us! If we get you to somewhere you frequent all the time, also fabulous! We’ve nailed it—bringing you more of what you already love. If there’s a location in town where you’d like to mahj, please let us know!
All the Things
If you’re like us, your cute, trendy clutch has morphed into a large crossbody bag, and more recently a triple stitched reinforced shopping tote. (It’s giving IKEA…) We carry too much stuff! Just ask our resident spine surgeon. Leave the stuff at home—let us worry about it. And, you won’t have to sacrifice the aesthetics or tactile appetite that mahjong feeds. We play with premium tiles, high quality mats and racks, and official NMJL cards (or some of the new alternative cards). A fresh, modern take on mahjong—social, stylish, and actually fun.