Where to find Chess and bridge in Greater London: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 83 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Greater London, in 18 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 146 regular sessions, most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. 65 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. 63 of the 83 are in London itself, and we list them first below.
Historic West Hampstead bridge club with sessions every day of the week, from supervised play and gentle duplicates to cross-IMP and social duplicates. Licensed bar, food at all sessions and lift access.
Dedicated clubhouse near Wimbledon station with duplicate sessions Monday to Saturday, supervised play and courses from complete beginner upwards. Visitors are welcome and a host is usually available.
Large bridge club at the London MindSports Centre in Shepherd's Bush, running duplicates on weekday mornings and evenings plus supervised play and lessons. Suits everyone from improvers to strong tournament players.
Meets on Monday and Thursday evenings at the London MindSports Centre in Hammersmith, with over 250 members. Mondays offer an adult beginners session, junior and girls' sessions and a club night with lectures, simuls and blitz; Thursdays host league matches and internal games.
One of the UK's larger backgammon clubs, meeting every Monday night at The Rose and Crown in Ealing for UKBGF rated Swiss tournaments from 6.30pm. Players of all levels are welcome, with a Grand Prix night on the second Monday of each month.
Backgammon London runs club nights at The Clissold Arms in Muswell Hill, every Thursday and on the first Monday of each month from 6pm. The club also organises the London Open and other UK tournaments.
Friendly duplicate club at Mycenae House in Blackheath, playing every Wednesday afternoon with up to ten tables, plus a Thursday evening session. Visitors are welcome and a hosting system helps those without a partner.
Relaxed duplicate bridge at the Brentham Club in Ealing on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. Players of all standards are welcome, with a tea break and bar on site.
Afternoon duplicate club meeting every Monday and Thursday at the Phoenix Centre in Crystal Palace. Welcomes bridge players who come with a partner.
Social Go on the first floor of the London Mindsports Centre in Hammersmith, on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Attendance is free and the centre also hosts tournaments such as the London Open Go Congress.
Meets every Tuesday from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at Wanstead House on The Green, all year round apart from late August and Christmas. Offers social chess, a large club championship, monthly all-club events and teams in four leagues, plus a junior coaching club on Tuesday afternoons in term time.
Small, friendly club for all ages and abilities, meeting every Monday from September to June at Cricklewood Library. The main session runs 6pm to 9pm, with junior coaching from 6pm to 7:15pm.
Chess club meeting on Monday evenings at the Greene Man pub on Euston Road, by Great Portland Street station.
London's oldest surviving chess club, founded in 1873, meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:45pm at Dudley Court in Covent Garden. Welcomes players of all standards for social and competitive chess, with teams in three leagues.
London's oldest continually existing chess club meets every Tuesday from 7pm to 10:30pm at the Battersea Labour Club, five minutes from Clapham Junction. Welcomes complete beginners through to strong players, with no booking needed, a women's section and eleven league teams.
A free fortnightly chess club on Wednesday afternoons in the historic rooms of Benjamin Franklin House near Charing Cross. Beginners and strong players are welcome, with staff on hand to help and ten minute games on a winner stays on basis.
A free drop in chess club at Carnegie Library in Herne Hill every Saturday from 2pm to 4.30pm. Beginners, intermediate players and grandmasters are all welcome, with no need to book.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings at 50 Millman Street in Bloomsbury.
Chess club meeting on Monday evenings at Mycenae House in Blackheath, where Go is also played according to the British Go Association club list.
A free weekly social chess night every Tuesday at Snoozebox Olympic Park, opposite Pudding Mill Lane station, with open play and friendly matchmaking for all levels. Bar and food are available all evening.
Meets every Monday from 7pm to 11pm in an upstairs room at the Royal British Legion on Hall Lane, Chingford. A friendly club for juniors and seniors, from beginners to experienced players, with North Circular League teams.
Informal social backgammon evening at The Steam Packet pub on Strand-on-the-Green, on the first Wednesday of every month from 6.30pm. Players of every level are welcome, with no tournament format, and bringing a board is encouraged.
Friendly Tuesday evening duplicate at Bounds Green Bowls and Tennis Club, a short walk from Bounds Green and Bowes Park stations. Guests are welcome and partners can be found.
Saturday afternoon mahjong play at the Dear Asia language and culture school in Aldgate Tower, with Hong Kong style as the main game plus Japanese Riichi and American tables. Suits players who already know how to score; the school runs separate learner workshops.
Meets on Monday evenings from 8pm at the Crown and Greyhound in Dulwich Village. A friendly club for casual and league chess, welcoming novices, experienced players and juniors.
Tuesday evening duplicate club near Northfields station, playing in a spacious accessible hall with pre-dealt boards. Visitors are welcome.
Volunteer led mahjong club holding weekend sessions at the ESEA Community Centre in Hackney and the Camden Chinese Community Centre in Euston. Beginners are taught and East and South East Asian players and allies are all welcome.
Friendly central London chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings from September to June at the Upper Vestry House behind St George's Bloomsbury, near Holborn. It runs seven league teams plus internal tournaments for players of all strengths, and newcomers can try two club nights free.
Meets on Tuesdays from 7:30pm at the Rochester Castle pub in Stoke Newington. Plays in the London League and Middlesex League.
Meets most Thursdays from 7:30pm to 10pm in the Ramus Room at Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, five minutes from Finchley Road and Frognal station. Welcomes all ages and levels, with social chess, Middlesex League teams and a monthly FIDE-rated blitz.
Central London club whose club night is on Tuesdays from 7pm at the Kings Head in Bayswater. Fields teams in the London League, Middlesex League and Central London League for players of all strengths.
Meets on Wednesday evenings at the Catford Cricket and Sports Club pavilion on Penerley Road. It plays competitive chess in the London and Kent leagues.
Duplicate bridge club meeting on Monday evenings at Sydenham Community Library. Visitors are welcome and guaranteed a partner.
Go club meeting every Monday evening, except bank holidays, at The Old Red Cow pub on Long Lane near Farringdon and Barbican stations.
One of central London's oldest bridge clubs, playing a monthly evening duplicate at the Civil Service Club near Trafalgar Square. Suits players who know duplicate; partners are usually available and guests can just turn up.
Go club meeting on the first and third Wednesday of each month in The Queens pub, Primrose Hill. Contact is through the club's WhatsApp.
Chess club for women and girls meeting on Sunday afternoons at Pancras Square Library, King's Cross.
Founded in 1890, the club meets on Thursdays from 6pm at the Artizan Street Library and Community Centre near Liverpool Street. Welcomes all abilities, with free informal coaching for beginner members and teams in the London and Middlesex leagues.
Chess club meeting on Friday evenings at Morley College Waterloo, near Lambeth North.
Meets every Tuesday from 7pm, September to May, at the Clissold Arms pub on Fortis Green. Suits players from post-beginner level upwards, with casual games, an internal championship and Middlesex League teams.
Friendly social bridge every Tuesday afternoon at Chiswick Tennis Club, with a tutor on hand. Suits new players, refreshers and improvers, and no partner is needed.
A free weekly chess club at Paddington Library every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm, open to all ages. Places are limited, so booking in advance is recommended.
Meets on Thursdays from 6:30pm at the Churchill Gardens Tenants Association hall, a short walk from Pimlico station. Runs nine league teams for players rated from about 1300 to 2300 and above, plus a summer tournament.
Free weekly chess club at the Poplar Union arts centre on Wednesday evenings, open to all abilities and all ages. Children are welcome with an accompanying adult, and bringing your own board is encouraged.
Social backgammon group meeting on alternate Sunday afternoons, mainly at Gest near Euston Square and at the Civil Service Club on Great Scotland Yard. Players of all levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced players, and bringing a board helps.
A free community chess night every Monday evening at The Hawk's Nest cocktail bar in Shepherd's Bush. The host arranges pairings and provides boards, and beginners and solo players are welcome.
A free Wednesday night chess club in Brixton Village, open to all skill levels from total beginners to seasoned players, for casual games and meeting the community.
A social chess group meeting every Saturday from 11am to 3pm at 245 Hammersmith Road, a short walk from Hammersmith station. Players of all levels are welcome, with chess sets and refreshments provided; reserve a place on Meetup.
Friendly Tuesday evening duplicate club at St Annes Church Hall in Chingford. Visitors are welcome and do not need to be EBU members.
Meets on Tuesdays from 5pm at the Tate Library on Streatham High Road. Plays in the top division of the London Chess League.
Meets every Monday from 5pm to 7pm at The Nest in Cygnet Square, Thamesmead, for casual games. Free to play and open to all ages and skill levels.
Friendly duplicate bridge club playing every Monday evening at the Battersea Labour Club, five minutes from Clapham Junction. New members are welcome, and a members WhatsApp group helps players find partners.
Wednesday evening duplicate club at Fellowship House in Hampstead Garden Suburb, with a professional director, a ladder and club trophies. New members are welcome.
Free community chess afternoons every two weeks on Sundays at Florentia Village on Vale Road, for seasoned players, curious beginners and families alike.
A chess club session at the volunteer run West Ealing Community Library on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 3.45pm.
Chess club meeting on Wednesday evenings at Chiswick Town Hall.
Friendly Monday evening duplicate in Paddington, meeting every week except Easter Monday, the August bank holiday and Christmas. Visitors are welcome.
A free Go and chess club at West Norwood Library every Saturday from 12pm to 4pm, for all ages and abilities. Boards and pieces are provided.
Meets on Monday evenings from 7:30pm at St Andrew's Church, Herbert Road, Wimbledon. Fields teams in the London, Surrey and Thames Valley leagues.
Duplicate pairs every Tuesday evening at the Claremont Centre near Angel tube. A host system guarantees a partner and refreshments are free.
Dedicated bridge club beside Parsons Green station, open Monday to Saturday for duplicates, supervised play and a full ladder of courses from beginner upwards. Free face to face taster sessions suit complete newcomers.
Social chess evenings hosted by Chelsea Chess at The Belle Vue on Clapham Common, with a host pairing players of similar standard. Suits beginners and regular players alike, boards are provided and tickets are booked in advance.
Social chess evenings hosted by Chelsea Chess at The White Horse in Fulham, where a host matches you with a player of similar level. Beginners and returning players are welcome, boards are provided and booking ahead is advised.
Very large club in the old bowls pavilion in Cambridge Park, with duplicate sessions every day of the week, assisted and supervised practice and an academy for new players. Guests are always welcome and no partner is needed for practice sessions.
Long-established club with its own premises in Pinner, running duplicate pairs on Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons, a Tuesday evening beginners' duplicate and Friday rubber bridge. Visitors are welcome.
Duplicate bridge club at 304 Long Lane, playing on Monday afternoons and evenings and a gentle duplicate on Thursday afternoons.
Relaxed duplicate club for newer players at Bromley Methodist Church, meeting on Monday and Thursday evenings. Thursday offers help and advice for those who have learnt the basics, and a host is always available.
Meets on Thursday nights from 6pm to 10:30pm at Harrow High School, with a junior club from 6pm to 7:30pm. Caters for adults and juniors of all strengths, with internal competitions and teams in the Middlesex, Thames Valley and Hillingdon leagues.
Founded in 1900, the club meets on Monday evenings from 7:30pm at the Redbridge Social Centre off Beehive Lane, with free parking. Offers friendly social games all year, coaching for children and teams in the Essex, North Circular and London leagues; beginners welcome.
Sociable Tuesday evening club in Sutton playing Chicago bridge, where you can turn up without a partner, plus a duplicate on the last Tuesday of the month.
Small, friendly club for all ages and abilities, meeting every Wednesday from September to June at Chalkhill Community Centre in Wembley. Junior coaching runs from 6pm, followed by the main session from 7:15pm to 10pm.
Meets on Thursdays from 7:30pm at the St Margaret's Centre beside St Margaret's Church on Broadway, Barking. Plays league chess in Essex and north London competitions.
Monday evening face to face duplicate at Beckenham Methodist Church, with free tea, coffee and biscuits. New members and visitors are welcome with or without a partner.
Monday evening duplicate club at Shortlands Golf Club, with a host on non-competition evenings. Guests are welcome every week.
Holds a club tournament evening every Monday from 7:30pm at its premises on Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon. Also runs rated rapidplays, junior grand prix events and holiday camps; new members are asked to make contact before attending.
Established in 1875, the club meets every Monday from 7:30pm downstairs at the Richard Mayo Centre in central Kingston, seven minutes from the station. Caters for players from relative novices to masters, with rated friendlies, rapidplays and Surrey and Thames Valley league teams.
Meets on Friday evenings from 6.30pm at St John's United Reformed Church in Orpington, September to June. It has a strong junior focus and welcomes players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to masters, with teams in the Kent and Croydon leagues.
Meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm at the Adelaide pub on Park Road, Teddington. Fields teams in the London Chess League and Thames Valley League.
Friendly duplicate bridge club playing every Thursday evening at Sanderstead Methodist Church, with a 7.30pm start. Guests are welcome, your first visit is free and players without a partner are found one on normal nights.
Small, friendly Tuesday evening duplicate club at the Coney Hall Assembly Rooms, welcoming new players and rubber bridge players trying duplicate.
Free weekly chess club on the first floor of Sutton Central Library, every Tuesday from 1pm to 4pm. Open to all ages and levels with no booking needed; under 12s come with an adult.
Free drop-in chess club for adults at Uxbridge Library on Monday evenings. Boards and sets are provided and there is no need to book.
Board games café and restaurant on Kew Road in Richmond with a large games library, charging a per-session cover plus a food and drink minimum spend. Runs board game evenings and Riichi Mahjong learn and play sessions through its Meetup group (18+).
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Assisted duplicate, 12 boards, help available
Acol Bridge Club, London. Gentle duplicate pairs
Crystal Palace Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Hillingdon Bridge Club, Uxbridge. Duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Duplicate pairs
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for improvers
Acol Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for beginners and Next Step students
Thamesmead Chess Club, London. Club night: casual chess for all ages
Uxbridge Library Chess Club, Uxbridge. Drop-in casual chess for adults
London City Go Club, London. Club night: casual Go
Willesden and Brent Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess for all abilities
Willesden and Brent Chess Club, London. Junior coaching session
Ilford Chess Club, Ilford. Junior coaching session
Hammersmith Chess Club, London. Supervised play and coaching for adult beginners and improvers
Hammersmith Chess Club, London. Junior coaching session
Backgammon London at The Clissold Arms, London. Backgammon club night
Backgammon in Ealing (BGiE), London. UKBGF rated Swiss tournament, three matches guaranteed, optional prize pool
Backgammon in Ealing (BGiE), London. F1 and F2 16-player Swiss tournaments with clocks
Chingford Chess Club, London. Club night: casual, internal competitions and league chess
Hammersmith Chess Club, London. Club night: casual chess, lectures, simuls and handicap blitz
Say It With Your Chess at The Hawk's Nest, London. Social chess night: hosted pairings for all levels
Beckenham Bridge Club, Beckenham. Duplicate pairs (variety, ladder and club competitions)
Bromley Novice Bridge Club, Bromley. Duplicate pairs for developing players
Charlton Chess Club, London. Club night: chess, with Go also played
Livesey Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Albany Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
West London Gay Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Hillingdon Bridge Club, Uxbridge. Duplicate pairs
Ilford Chess Club, Ilford. Club night: social games and league chess
Wimbledon Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Kingston Chess Club, Kingston upon Thames. Club night: league matches, rated friendlies and social chess
Coulsdon Chess Club, Coulsdon. Club night: ECF-rated club tournament
Acol Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for improvers
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs with complimentary buffet supper from 19:00
Pinner Bridge Club, Pinner. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Workshop and supervised play, 12 boards on a theme
Bromley North Bridge Club, Bromley. Duplicate pairs
The Monday Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs with club competitions
Dulwich Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Gentle duplicate pairs
Acol Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for improvers
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs, 18 boards
Sutton Central Chess Club, Sutton. Drop-in casual chess, all ages
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
New Chiswick Bridge Club, London. Social bridge with a tutor, for improvers
Pinner Bridge Club, Pinner. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Teacher guided duplicate
Wanstead and Woodford Chess Club, London. Junior coaching, ages 8 to 15
Streatham and Brixton Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
ChessBox at Snoozebox Olympic Park, London. Social chess night: open play and matchmaking
Greater London Chess Club, London. Club night: casual, tournament and league chess
Muswell Hill Chess Club, London. Club night: casual play, club championship and league chess
Kings Head Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Battersea Chess Club, London. Club night: casual, tournament and league chess
Crouch End Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Hackney Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Wanstead and Woodford Chess Club, London. Club night: social chess, club tournaments and league matches
Richmond and Twickenham Chess Club, Teddington. Club night: casual and league chess
Young Chelsea Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for improvers
Acol Bridge Club, London. Gentle duplicate pairs
Pinner Bridge Club, Pinner. Beginners' duplicate with a supervised section
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for students
Spring Park Bridge Club, West Wickham. Duplicate pairs
Sutton Highfield Bridge Club, Sutton. Chicago (social rubber) bridge, no partner needed
Sutton Highfield Bridge Club, Sutton. Duplicate pairs, limited to 12 pairs
Woodberry Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs with host system
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Workshop and learning duplicate, 12 boards on a theme
Acol Bridge Club, London. Supervised duplicate for improvers
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs with lunch
Blackheath Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Gentle duplicate pairs
Brentham Bridge Club, London. Relaxed duplicate pairs
West Ealing Community Library Chess Club, London. Library chess club: casual play
Benjamin Franklin House Chess Club, London. Casual chess with staff guidance, winner stays on
Willesden and Brent Chess Club, Wembley. Junior coaching session
Poplar Chess Club, London. Casual chess for all abilities, all ages (under 18s with an adult)
Chiswick Backgammon 4 Fun Club (The Steam Packet), London. Informal social backgammon, all levels, chouette later in the evening
Athenaeum Chess Club, London. Club night: social and league chess
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Gentle duplicate or supervised play
London Go Centre, London. Social Go, casual games
London North Go Club, London. Club night: casual go
Young Chelsea Bridge Club, London. Teams league, two divisions
Willesden and Brent Chess Club, Wembley. Club night: casual and league chess for all abilities
Lewisham Chess Club, London. Club night: league and club chess
Say It With Your Chess, Brixton, London. Social chess night: casual play for all levels
Acol Bridge Club, London. Social duplicate pairs
London Duplicate Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
West London Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Gentle duplicate pairs
Acol Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for improvers
Acol Bridge Club, London. Gentle duplicate pairs
Crystal Palace Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Hillingdon Bridge Club, Uxbridge. Gentle duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Duplicate pairs, cross-IMP scoring
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Casual practice play with teaching hands
Metropolitan Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess, coaching for beginner members
Harrow Chess Club, Harrow. Club night: casual, internal competitions and league chess
Harrow Chess Club, Harrow. Junior section session
Blackheath Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs when numbers allow
Pimlico Chess Club, London. Club night: league matches and rated club games
Cavendish Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Hammersmith Chess Club, London. Club night: league matches and slow internal games
Young Chelsea Bridge Club, London. Relaxed duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Supervised play for improvers
Bromley Novice Bridge Club, Bromley. Duplicate with help and advice for newer players
Hendon Chess Club, London. Club night: social chess, league matches and monthly blitz
Barking Chess Club, Barking. Club and match night: league and club chess
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs, cross-IMP scoring
Selsdon Bridge Club, South Croydon. Duplicate pairs, partner found for guests on non-competition nights
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Supervised duplicate
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Backgammon London at The Clissold Arms, London. Backgammon club night
Brentham Bridge Club, London. Relaxed duplicate pairs
Young Chelsea Bridge Club, London. Relaxed duplicate pairs
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Gentle duplicate pairs, with supervised play alongside
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs with lunch
Pinner Bridge Club, Pinner. Friendly rubber bridge
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Duplicate pairs
Morley College Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess
Petts Wood and Orpington Chess Club, Orpington. Club night: junior focused club chess and league matches, all ages welcome
Young Chelsea Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs, cross-IMP scoring
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs, 18 boards
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Social Chess @ Hammersmith, London. Social chess: friendly games for all levels
West Norwood Library Go and Chess Club, London. Library club: casual chess and Go, all ages
Carnegie Library Chess Club, London. Library chess club: drop in casual play
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Supervised play for improvers
London Go Centre, London. Social Go, casual games
Dear Asia Just Play Mahjong Club, London. Open play for players who know scoring: Hong Kong, Riichi and American styles
Wimbledon Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs
Paddington Library Sunday Chess Club, London. Library chess club: casual play, all ages
Acol Bridge Club, London. Supervised play with lunch break
Acol Bridge Club, London. Duplicate pairs with lunch break
London Women Chess Club, London. Club night: casual and league chess for women and girls
Richmond Bridge Club, Twickenham. Duplicate pairs
The Sunday Gambit Chess Club, London. Community chess afternoon: casual games for all levels
Sapphire Backgammon, London. Social backgammon, occasional light tournaments
The venues with the most regular nights are Acol Bridge Club in London (17 nights), Richmond Bridge Club in Twickenham (15 nights) and Wimbledon Bridge Club in London (12 nights). We list 83 venues in all across Greater London.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 136 sessions run every week. The London calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 65 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Hendon Chess Club, Metropolitan Chess Club and Willesden and Brent Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
17 regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £3 and £8. 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.
