Where to find Chess and bridge in Brighton and Sussex: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 49 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Brighton and Sussex, in 27 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 111 regular sessions, most often on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 41 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Five of the 49 are in Brighton itself, and we list them first below.
Face to face duplicate on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings at the Sacred Heart Parish Room in Norton Road, Hove, plus a relaxed DupliCAKE session with help on Wednesday afternoons. All sessions are open to visitors, and the club runs lessons for beginners and improvers.
Busy, friendly club playing face to face duplicate at Patcham Community Centre on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and Thursday evenings. Guests are welcome and the club offers a find a partner pinboard.
Brighton & Hove Chess Club meets every Monday evening from 7pm to 11pm at the Queen's Hotel on the seafront, including bank holidays, and opens on selected Sunday afternoons. Players of all standards are welcome, with club tournaments and several teams in the Sussex League; juniors aged 15 and over can join the senior club.
Brighton Go Club meets on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm at The Eddy pub on Upper Gloucester Road, near Brighton station. The club also welcomes University of Sussex players.
Brighton Pub Chess meets every Tuesday evening at The Sidewinder pub on St James's Street, where tables are reserved in the side garden. All ages and abilities are welcome, from complete beginners to seasoned players, and around 20 people usually come along.
Busy club in Sidley Road, Eastbourne with face to face bridge six days a week, including open afternoon and evening sessions, simple systems and intermediate games, and Wednesday supervised play for improvers. Visitors are welcome and the club runs beginners and improvers courses.
Afternoon and evening duplicate pairs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the club premises in Byron Road, Worthing, with practice classes for learners on Tuesdays.
Long established club at 22a East Street, Horsham with daytime and evening duplicate most weekdays, an improvers pairs on Friday mornings and supervised play for beginners on Monday evenings. Visitors and new members are welcome and the club can find you a partner.
East Grinstead Bookshop Chess Club plays inside a 16th century timber-framed bookshop on the High Street, with junior sessions on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings and an adult club night on Tuesdays. Complete beginners are welcome, and there are also afternoon sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Duplicate bridge at 2 Sudley Road, Bognor Regis on Monday, Tuesday and Friday afternoons and Monday and Thursday evenings. The Monday afternoon social session is open to non-members, and new members and visitors are always welcome.
Duplicate pairs in the clubhouse at Bishop Luffa School on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings, with alternate Friday afternoons of gentle bridge or supervised play. A relaxed social bridge session with cake runs on the last Sunday of the month and welcomes all abilities, no partner needed.
Duplicate bridge in St Leonards on Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons at Blacklands Church Hall, and Friday afternoons at the Convent of Our Lady Library, Filsham Road. The friendly Friday afternoon sessions suit players returning to face to face bridge or building confidence.
Relaxed and friendly club at Crowborough Community Centre with duplicate pairs on Thursday afternoons and Friday evenings, and Chicago bridge for learners on Monday mornings. Newcomers are welcome and a first visit carries no table money.
Relaxed and friendly duplicate bridge in the Lecture Room at Lewes Town Hall on Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons, open to all ages and abilities. Improvers can join supervised play sessions on Monday evenings.
Friendly club meeting at St Thomas More Hall, Sutton Road, Seaford on Monday and Thursday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. It suits improvers and more experienced players, and visitors are most welcome.
Duplicate pairs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Gullivers Bowls Club, Knole Road, Bexhill. Visitors are welcome; contact the club in advance if you need a partner.
Bexhill Chess Club meets twice a week at St Marks Community Centre in Little Common, on Tuesday afternoons and Friday evenings, with free refreshments. Beginners and juniors (with a parent) are very welcome and the club fields four teams in the Sussex Chess League.
Duplicate pairs on Wednesday and Friday evenings at Grattons Indoor Bowls Club, Pound Hill, Crawley, in a friendly atmosphere. The club runs courses for beginners and improvers.
Crowborough Chess Club meets on Friday evenings from September to May at Crowborough Community Centre, with a junior club followed by a senior club running a rated 10+5 rapid tournament each night. Juniors get casual games with advice before paired games, and guests are welcome.
Eastbourne Chess Club meets every Friday at Lion Works on Sidley Road, with a junior session for under 18s before the main club night. Everyone from beginners to masters is welcome, and new adult players get their first three weeks free.
Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club has its own premises two minutes from Hastings station, with the main club night on Friday evenings featuring friendly rapid play. It welcomes players of every level and runs a junior club on Friday evenings in term time.
Horsham Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings in the Cornerstone Methodist Church Lounge off Albion Way, with a junior club first and adults from 7:30pm. It runs a busy programme of club tournaments and Sussex League teams, with a summer break in July and August.
Free, friendly drop in chess every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm at Grounded Community Cafe on Lion Street in Rye. All ages and levels are welcome, from those learning the rules to strong players, with a rapid tournament on the first Thursday of each month.
Friendly duplicate bridge on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club in Eastbourne. Visitors are always welcome and a host is provided.
Popular club at Thakeham Village Hall with duplicate pairs on Friday afternoons and teams on Wednesday evenings. First time visitors without a partner can contact the club secretary.
Friendly duplicate pairs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at The Old School in Cuckfield, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. Thursday games are relaxed with fewer boards and suit newer players.
Friendly face to face duplicate on Monday and Thursday evenings in the club's own bridge room at the West Worthing Club, with bar and catering available. New members and visitors are always welcome, and a match-maker service helps those without a partner.
Duplicate pairs on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at Cooden Beach Tennis and Squash Club in Bexhill. Visitors and new members are very welcome and the club can help find a partner.
Friendly, less competitive duplicate bridge every Tuesday evening at St Paul's Church Hall on the Northgate roundabout in Chichester. It suits newer players, and a standby player means you can come without a partner.
Bognor & Arun Chess Club meets every Friday evening from September to May at The Bognor Club on Sudley Road. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome, beginners get help to develop, and you can try the club for free before joining.
Relaxed, friendly duplicate bridge on Tuesday afternoons at the Buxted Park Sports Pavilion near Uckfield, mostly playing Basic Acol. New players are welcome and the club will try to find you a partner.
Chichester Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at The Fishbourne Centre, a short walk from Fishbourne station. It caters for all standards from beginners to county players, with internal competitions and Portsmouth League teams, and ladies and juniors are particularly welcome.
Friendly club playing a good standard of duplicate bridge every Wednesday evening at Punnetts Town Village Hall near Heathfield. New members and guests are welcome at any time.
Small, friendly club playing duplicate bridge every Thursday afternoon at Wannock Village Hall near Polegate. Players of all standards are welcome, and novices and rubber bridge players trying duplicate are encouraged.
East Grinstead Chess Club meets on Wednesday evenings at the Social and Ex-Services Club near the station, offering graded and friendly games for players of every standard. The club fields three Sussex League teams and runs internal competitions, and juniors are welcome with a parent.
Duplicate pairs on Monday afternoons at the Community Centre, Hartfield Road, Forest Row. Pairs register in advance, and new pairs should contact the club secretary first.
Relaxed, friendly duplicate bridge on Tuesday mornings at the Buxted Park Sports Association clubhouse near Uckfield. New members and visitors are welcome, and the secretary helps solo players find a partner before each session.
Haywards Heath Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings during the season at the St Francis Social Club on the Princess Royal Hospital campus, with free parking and a licensed bar. Members of all ages and abilities are welcome for friendly chess, internal competitions and Sussex League matches.
Friendly duplicate bridge on Wednesday evenings at The Whiteway Centre in Rottingdean. The chairman can help newcomers find a partner.
Lewes Chess Club meets every Tuesday evening, all year round, in an upstairs room at St Mary's Supporters Club on Christie Road. It welcomes all ages and strengths, with friendly chess, internal competitions and several Sussex League teams, and a free trial session can be arranged.
Duplicate pairs on Thursday afternoons at East Grinstead Rugby Club, Saint Hill Road. Guests are welcome by arrangement with the club secretary.
Friendly duplicate pairs every Wednesday afternoon at Ashenground Community Hall in Haywards Heath. New members and visitors are made welcome, and the club can help with partners.
Relaxed duplicate bridge on Thursday afternoons at Punnetts Town Village Hall near Heathfield. Beginners and players new to duplicate are encouraged, and the director will find a partner for new players.
Duplicate bridge on Tuesday afternoons, normally in the Arun Hall at Pulborough Village Hall, with occasional simultaneous pairs and teams events. Visitors are welcome under the club's guest arrangements.
Very friendly and inclusive club playing duplicate on Friday afternoons in the Main Hall of the Whiteway Centre, Rottingdean. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome, and the club can arrange tuition for newcomers.
Shoreham Chess Club meets every Wednesday evening at the Sussex Yacht Club on Brighton Road for friendly games. It is open to everyone, from people who have just learned the rules to county standard players.
Duplicate bridge every Friday afternoon at St Michael's Catholic Church, Hayling Rise, High Salvington, with ample parking. The club can help members with transport and finding a partner.
Friendly chess club meeting every Wednesday from 7.30pm to 10.30pm in the Tyler Room at the Luxford Centre in Uckfield, with free parking nearby. All ages and standards are welcome, with internal competitions and teams in the Sussex League.
Worthing Chess Club meets every Monday evening from September to July in the upstairs function room of The Tarring Club, for friendly games, club competitions and Sussex League matches. Players of all ages and strengths are welcome, from novices to county standard.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Crowborough Bridge Club, Crowborough. Chicago bridge for learners and rusty players
Forest Row Duplicate Bridge Club, Forest Row. Duplicate pairs
Patcham Bridge Club, Brighton. Duplicate pairs
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, open to all
Horsham Bridge Club, Horsham. Duplicate pairs
Seaford Bridge Club, Seaford. Duplicate pairs
The Bognor Club, Bognor Regis. Social duplicate, open to non-members
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
The Bognor Club, Bognor Regis. Duplicate pairs
Brighton & Hove Chess Club, Brighton. Club night, internal tournaments and league matches
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, open to all
West Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Unrestricted duplicate pairs
Chichester Chess Club, Chichester. Club night, internal competitions and Portsmouth League matches
Horsham Bridge Club, Horsham. Supervised play for beginners and improvers
Lewes Bridge Club, Lewes. Supervised play and teaching for improvers
St Leonards Bridge Club, St Leonards-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Chess Club, Worthing. Friendly games, club competitions and league matches
Framfield Bridge Club, Buxted. Duplicate pairs
Bexhill Chess Club, Bexhill-on-Sea. Social and club games
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Practice class for learners
Pulborough Bridge Club, Pulborough. Duplicate pairs
Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs
Avenue Bridge Club, Hove. Duplicate pairs
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, simple systems, recommended NGS under 50
St Leonards Bridge Club, St Leonards-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Buxted Park Bridge Club, Buxted. Duplicate pairs
Avenue Bridge Club, Hove. Chicago rubber bridge
The Bognor Club, Bognor Regis. Duplicate pairs
East Grinstead Bookshop Chess Club, East Grinstead. Social afternoon play
Chichester Bridge Club, Chichester. Duplicate pairs
Brighton Pub Chess, Brighton. Casual social chess in a pub
Horsham Chess Club, Horsham. Junior club, waiting list in operation
East Grinstead Bookshop Chess Club, East Grinstead. Junior club, beginners welcome
Bailey Bridge Club, Chichester. Duplicate pairs
West Sussex Bridge Club, Cuckfield. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Practice class for learners
East Grinstead Bookshop Chess Club, East Grinstead. Club night and league matches
Horsham Chess Club, Horsham. Club night, club championship and league matches
Lewes Chess Club, Lewes. Friendly games, club championship, quickplay and league matches
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, 16 boards, recommended NGS under 44, optional 9:30 hand review
Patcham Bridge Club, Brighton. Duplicate pairs
Avenue Bridge Club, Hove. Relaxed social duplicate with cake and help with play
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, open to all
Horsham Bridge Club, Horsham. Duplicate pairs
Mid Sussex Bridge Club, Haywards Heath. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Supervised play for improvers and intermediates
Kiplings Bridge Club, Rottingdean. Duplicate pairs
Seaford Bridge Club, Seaford. Duplicate pairs
Cross in Hand Bridge Club, Heathfield. Duplicate pairs
East Grinstead Chess Club, East Grinstead. Graded and friendly games, internal competitions and league matches
Crawley Bridge Club, Crawley. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
Shoreham Chess Club, Shoreham-by-Sea. Friendly games for all levels
Uckfield Chess Club, Uckfield. Club night, internal competitions and Sussex League matches
Downs Bridge Club, Polegate. Duplicate pairs
Meridian Bridge Club, East Grinstead. Duplicate pairs
Crowborough Bridge Club, Crowborough. Duplicate pairs
Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, recommended NGS under 47
Seaford Bridge Club, Seaford. Duplicate pairs
Mila's Bridge Club, Heathfield. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
East Grinstead Bookshop Chess Club, East Grinstead. Social afternoon play
Rye Chess Club, Rye. Rapid tournament open to all levels
Rye Chess Club, Rye. Casual drop in games, all levels
Brighton Go Club, Brighton. Casual and teaching games of Go
The Bognor Club, Bognor Regis. Duplicate pairs
Chichester Bridge Club, Chichester. Duplicate pairs
Haywards Heath Chess Club, Haywards Heath. Club night, internal competitions and league matches
West Sussex Bridge Club, Cuckfield. Relaxed duplicate pairs, Level 2, for NGS 9 or below
West Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Unrestricted duplicate pairs
Patcham Bridge Club, Brighton. Duplicate pairs
Worthing Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
Horsham Bridge Club, Horsham. Duplicate pairs for improvers
Patcham Bridge Club, Brighton. Duplicate pairs
Thakeham Bridge Club, Thakeham. Duplicate pairs
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Swiss pairs
Rottingdean Bridge Club, Rottingdean. Duplicate pairs
St Leonards Bridge Club, St Leonards-on-Sea. Friendly duplicate pairs with host, monthly seminars
St Michael's Duplicate Bridge Club, Worthing. Duplicate pairs
Avenue Bridge Club, Hove. Chicago rubber bridge
The Bognor Club, Bognor Regis. Duplicate pairs
Horsham Bridge Club, Horsham. Duplicate pairs
Chichester Bridge Club, Chichester. Gentle bridge or supervised play, alternating
Eastbourne Chess Club, Eastbourne. Junior session for under 18s
Crowborough Chess Club, Crowborough. Casual games with advice, then paired games
Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club, Hastings. Friendly rapid play, club tournaments and league matches
Bexhill Chess Club, Bexhill-on-Sea. Club night, internal tournaments and league matches
Bognor & Arun Chess Club, Bognor Regis. Club night, club championship and Portsmouth League matches
Crowborough Bridge Club, Crowborough. Duplicate pairs
Eastbourne Chess Club, Eastbourne. Club night, internal tournaments and Sussex League matches
Crowborough Chess Club, Crowborough. Rated 10+5 rapid tournament, 4 rounds
Hastings & St Leonards Chess Club, Hastings. Junior club with coaching
Eastbourne Bridge Club, Eastbourne. Duplicate pairs, open to all
East Grinstead Bookshop Chess Club, East Grinstead. Junior club, beginners welcome
Brighton & Hove Chess Club, Brighton. Open club afternoon
Chichester Bridge Club, Chichester. Relaxed social bridge, 18 boards
The venues with the most regular nights are Eastbourne Bridge Club in Eastbourne (9 nights), Worthing Bridge Club in Worthing (8 nights) and Horsham Bridge Club in Horsham (7 nights). We list 49 venues in all across Brighton and Sussex.
Tuesdays and Thursdays have the most regular sessions. 105 sessions run every week. The Brighton calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 41 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Avenue Bridge Club, Bailey Bridge Club and Bexhill Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Two regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £3 and £5. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.
