The click of Mahjong tiles and the aroma of mocha set the tone at Gurgaon Times Life.Styled Club’s inaugural Mahjong and Mocha session at DLF Club 5 on Sunday. For an afternoon, the city traded screens for slow play, as attendees gathered over coffee and tiles. Starting with the basics, hosts from the Mahjong Studio patiently guided attendees through the lingo and rules. Seated in groups of four, players gathered around tables where colourful tiles and instruction pamphlets were laid out. As iced mochas made their way around, the games began. Strangers eased into the first round as teammates, helping one another along, before the mood shifted to friendly competition soon.
Strangers eased into the first round as teammates, helping one another along, before the mood shifted to friendly competition soon
‘Fun to interact with a different community’For Sunita Singh, a pastry chef from Gurgaon, the game was easy to follow and fun to continue. “The hosts taught us the rules and are guiding us through the game as well. Though this is my first time playing in a community like this, I’d love to try more such activities on weekends.” What is Life.Styled ClubLife.Styled Club is a curated community for those who don’t follow a lifestyle but style life itself. The club promises a series of exclusive experiences for NCR’s dynamic audiencesVibha Singh, a retired teacher, played her first game a decade ago in the US and has recently reconnected with it. “It’s different in every city and, of course, countries too, so it’s fun to learn those variations. It’s nice to connect with new people and also spend time with friends. You see these youngsters, and you see how they play, too. I’m probably the oldest one today (laughs).”
Newcomer Seema (L) who won the first round at her table, Sunita Singh (R ) who attended her first community event
‘Every event fosters a sense of belonging’The venue provided the perfect space for an afternoon of games and coffee. “Our approach is thoughtfully layered, we engage residents through personalised communication, curated calendars, and interest-led programming that encourages participation across age groups. By blending sophistication with inclusivity, the club becomes a natural extension of the community – where interactions feel effortless, and every event fosters a deeper sense of belonging,” said Rajat Kumar, General Manager DLF Club 5, the event’s venue partner.
Seeing participants gain confidence, celebrate small wins, and enjoy the game together is what makes these events so enjoyable. I genuinely love introducing people to Mahjong, so while we were guiding and supporting the group, we were also having just as much funDiya Roopchand Kaul, co-founder of Mahjong Studio
Talking about her experience hosting the event, Vasundhara Sinha, co-founder of Mahjong Studio, shared, “Hosting a group of beginners is always special because you get to witness the moment when the game starts to click with them. The energy at Mahjong and Mocha was warm, curious, and full of laughter – exactly the kind of atmosphere we love to create. It felt less like a formal lesson and more like a shared experience around the table.”
Content creator Tanya Singh
Attendees enjoyed a day of games and camaraderie
