Where to find Chess and bridge in Kent and Medway: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 36 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Kent and Medway, in 30 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 60 regular sessions, most often on Wednesdays and Mondays. 17 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site.
A large, friendly EBU club with its own clubhouse on London Road, running duplicate sessions every weekday afternoon plus mornings and evenings. Visitors are welcome and there are gentle sessions, learner practice evenings and classes for beginners and improvers.
Friendly duplicate bridge in Herne Bay on Monday and Thursday evenings at Age UK in Cornwallis Avenue, plus a Wednesday afternoon session at Dunkirk Village Hall. Members find partners through the club's WhatsApp group.
A friendly, relaxed EBU-affiliated club for the Medway Towns, playing face to face on Monday evenings in Rochester, Thursday mornings at Medway Cruising Club in Gillingham and Friday afternoons at Hartlip Village Hall. The club also runs fast track courses for beginners and returners.
Known as the WOK, this friendly EBU-affiliated club plays duplicate bridge at Headcorn Village Hall on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Gentle classes for beginners and improvers run on Tuesday afternoons, and visitors are welcome by arrangement.
A friendly teaching club playing every Friday afternoon at the Downs Sailing Club in Deal, with main room duplicate for experienced players and a gentle duplicate session for newer players. New players are welcome and lessons lead on to club play.
Addington Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge at Addington Village Hall near West Malling on Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons. Visitors are welcome by arrangement.
An EBU member club with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, playing at the Portland Centre in Broadstairs on Monday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Visitors are welcome but are asked to phone ahead, and a partner finding service is available.
Meets on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm at St Anselm's RC Church on West Hill, with Kent league teams for adults. Dartford Juniors runs at the same time and venue, so families can come along together.
Folkestone Duplicate Bridge Club plays face to face on Monday afternoons at Folkestone Baptist Church, with a gentle duplicate for less experienced players alongside the main game. Players of all abilities are welcome and a partner finding service is available.
Gravesend Bridge Club plays live duplicate bridge at Southfleet Village Hall on Monday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, with an online session on Fridays. Players arrange partners in advance and the secretary can help if you need one.
An EBU-affiliated club of around 150 members playing face-to-face duplicate on Monday afternoons and Wednesday evenings at the Maidstone Sports & Social Club. Visitors are very welcome and the club runs a respected teaching programme for new and improving players.
A friendly club playing duplicate bridge on Tuesday evenings at Pembury Village Hall, with Monday morning learning sessions at the Cricket Pavilion in Chalket Lane for players with a basic knowledge of the game. Guests are welcome and a partner can be found with notice.
Friendly chess club meeting every Tuesday and Wednesday evening at the Red Lion pub in Ramsgate. Adult beginners and casual players start from 6.30pm, club members from 7.30pm, and the club plays in the Thanet and East Kent Chess League.
Thanet Bridge Club plays duplicate on Wednesday and Friday afternoons in the Walpole Bay Room at Holy Trinity Community Centre in Cliftonville, with a gentle duplicate on Wednesdays. The room has lift access and parking, and the club also runs beginners' courses.
Face-to-face duplicate bridge at Offham Village Hall on Wednesday evenings, plus a Friday morning session. Players of all levels are welcome and the club will try to find a partner for anyone who needs one.
An EBU-affiliated club playing duplicate bridge on Tuesday afternoons at Ashford Indoor Bowls Club, with free parking next to the clubhouse. Visitors are welcome.
Friendly EBU-affiliated duplicate bridge every Thursday afternoon at St Mary Kippington Church Hall, with free tea, coffee and biscuits. Members can use the club's find-a-partner scheme.
A friendly EBU-affiliated club meeting on Friday evenings at St Dunstan's Church Hall, close to Canterbury West station. Visiting pairs and players of all standards are welcome.
Weekly Wednesday afternoon duplicate bridge at the Downs Sailing Club on the seafront between Deal and Walmer. Visitors and new members are always welcome and the club will try to find you a partner.
East Kent Bridge Club plays friendly, informal duplicate every Friday afternoon at Capel-le-Ferne Village Hall, aimed at inexperienced and regular players moving into competitive bridge. A host is always available if you arrive without a partner.
A friendly social bridge club meeting every Tuesday evening at Etchinghill Village Hall near Folkestone. New members are welcome.
Faversham Bridge Club plays duplicate on Monday afternoons (except bank holidays) at St Jude's Church Hall in Tanners Street. All abilities are welcome and the club can easily find you a partner.
Meets on Tuesday evenings from 7.45pm at the Waterloo Tavern on Wellington Street, offering serious chess in friendly pub surroundings. Plays in the Kent county leagues and suits league players and keen club players.
A small, friendly club playing weekly duplicate bridge on Wednesday afternoons at the Harry Margary Hall in Lympne. All standards except complete beginners are welcome; please come with a partner.
Little Chart Bridge Club meets every Tuesday afternoon at the village hall near Ashford, with a host so you can come without a partner. Beginners are particularly welcome and tuition can be arranged before a session.
Meets on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm at St Faith's Centre on Moncktons Lane. Runs standard and rapid competitions through the year, fields Kent league teams, and juniors are very welcome on club nights.
Meets on Wednesday evenings from 7.45pm at the English Martyrs Church Community Hall on Frindsbury Road, Rochester. Plays in the Kent county leagues and suits league players and keen club players.
Meeting since 1968, Otford Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Friday evenings at Otford Village Memorial Hall. New members are welcome and there is a find-a-partner service.
Meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at Vine Baptist Church on Park Lane, entering by the side door near the car park. A welcoming club with Kent league teams and in-house blitz and rapid events, where newcomers can simply turn up and introduce themselves.
Meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at the Cricket Pavilion on Rocfort Road, serving Snodland, West Malling, Aylesford, Larkfield and nearby villages. Plays in the Kent county leagues.
Meets on Thursday evenings from 7.40pm in the Artisan Room at Central House in the centre of Sittingbourne, serving Sittingbourne, Faversham and Sheppey. Caters for all ages and levels from novice to expert, runs its own junior division and fields Kent league teams.
A friendly EBU-affiliated club playing sociable duplicate bridge on Wednesday evenings at the Tenterden Club, with a bar downstairs. New members and guests are very welcome; beginners are asked to contact the club first.
A friendly, relaxed duplicate club meeting every Thursday morning at Cheriton Bowls Club, with a host system so you can come without a partner. Ample parking and on bus routes.
A long-established club celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, meeting on Wednesday afternoons for duplicate bridge. Visitors are welcome and a host system operates for players without a partner.
Meets every Monday evening from 7.30pm, September to June, at Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club on London Road. Players of all standards are welcome, from complete beginners to league players, juniors included, and your first visit is free.
Meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at Cranbrook Library on Carriers Road, the local club for Cranbrook, Tenterden, Hawkhurst, Goudhurst, Staplehurst and nearby villages. Plays in the Kent county leagues.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Pembury Bridge Club, Pembury. Learning session for beginners and improvers at Pembury Cricket Pavilion, Chalket Lane
Maidstone Bridge Club, Maidstone. Duplicate pairs
Folkestone Duplicate Bridge Club, Folkestone. Duplicate pairs
Folkestone Duplicate Bridge Club, Folkestone. Gentle duplicate for less experienced players
Gravesend Bridge Club, Southfleet. Duplicate pairs
Hampton Duplicate Bridge Club, Herne Bay. Duplicate pairs
Medway Towns Bridge Club, Rochester. Duplicate pairs at St Luke's, Rochester
Sevenoaks Chess Club, Sevenoaks. Club night and league matches
Snodland Chess Club, Snodland. Club night and league matches
Tunbridge Wells Chess Club, Tunbridge Wells. Club night, club championship and Kent League matches
Weald of Kent Chess Club, Cranbrook. Club night and league matches
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
Ashford (Kent) Bridge Club, Ashford. Duplicate pairs
Little Chart Bridge Club, Little Chart. Duplicate pairs with host
Weald of Kent Bridge Club, Headcorn. Gentle classes for beginners and intermediate improvers
Ramsgate Chess Club, Ramsgate. Adult beginners and casual games from 18:30, club members and league play from 19:30
Etchinghill Bridge Club, Etchinghill. Duplicate pairs
Pembury Bridge Club, Pembury. Duplicate pairs
Gravesend Chess Club, Gravesend. Club night and league matches
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
Hampton Duplicate Bridge Club, Herne Bay. Duplicate pairs at Dunkirk Village Hall
Deal and Dover Duplicate Bridge Club, Deal. Duplicate pairs
Hythe Bridge Club, Lympne. Duplicate pairs
Thanet Bridge Club, Margate. Gentle duplicate pairs
Tonbridge Bridge Club, Tonbridge. Duplicate pairs with host system
Weald of Kent Bridge Club, Headcorn. Duplicate pairs
Ramsgate Chess Club, Ramsgate. Adult beginners and casual games from 18:30, club members and league play from 19:30
Broadstairs Bridge Club, Broadstairs. Duplicate pairs
Gravesend Bridge Club, Southfleet. Duplicate pairs
Maidstone Bridge Club, Maidstone. Duplicate pairs
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Supervised practice play for learners and improvers
West Malling Bridge Club, West Malling. Duplicate pairs
Maidstone Chess Club, Maidstone. Club night, internal competitions and Kent League matches
Medway Chess Club, Rochester. Club night and league matches
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
The Channel Bridge Club, Folkestone. Duplicate pairs with host system
Medway Towns Bridge Club, Rochester. Duplicate pairs at Medway Cruising Club, Gillingham ME7 1TT
Bridge @ Kippington, Sevenoaks. Duplicate pairs
Hampton Duplicate Bridge Club, Herne Bay. Duplicate pairs
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
Dartford & Swanley Chess Club, Dartford. Junior club with coaching and competition, alongside the adult club night
Dartford & Swanley Chess Club, Dartford. Club night and league matches
Swale Chess Club, Sittingbourne. Club night, junior division and Kent League matches
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
West Malling Bridge Club, West Malling. Duplicate pairs
Medway Towns Bridge Club, Rochester. Duplicate pairs at Hartlip Village Hall ME9 7TL
Ace Bridge Club Deal, Deal. Gentle duplicate for newer players
Ace Bridge Club Deal, Deal. Duplicate pairs for experienced players
Thanet Bridge Club, Margate. Duplicate pairs
Weald of Kent Bridge Club, Headcorn. Duplicate pairs
East Kent Bridge Club, Capel-le-Ferne. Duplicate pairs with host
Canterbury Duplicate Bridge Club, Canterbury. Duplicate pairs
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, Tunbridge Wells. Duplicate pairs
The venues with the most regular nights are Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club in Tunbridge Wells (8 nights), Hampton Duplicate Bridge Club in Herne Bay (3 nights) and Medway Towns Bridge Club in Rochester (3 nights). We list 36 venues in all across Kent and Medway.
Wednesdays and Mondays have the most regular sessions. 59 sessions run every week. The Kent calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 17 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Ace Bridge Club Deal, Dartford & Swanley Chess Club and East Kent Bridge Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £3 and £4. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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