Where to find Chess and bridge in Newcastle and the North East: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 33 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Newcastle and the North East, in 19 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 62 regular sessions, most often on Tuesdays and Mondays. 31 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site.
Wearside Bridge Club has its own premises in Sunderland and plays face to face duplicate on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings, with a Friday afternoon session where no partner is needed. Teaching sessions are open to anyone on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, founded in 1945, plays at Rockcliff Rugby Club six times a week, with relaxed Tuesday and Friday morning sessions where no partner is needed and a Monday morning beginner play session. Beginners lessons start each September.
Eden Bridge Club in Carlisle runs face to face sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, including a relaxed Tuesday afternoon game with a spare player available. Guests are welcome.
Durham Bridge Club is an EBU registered club at Framwellgate Moor Community Centre, with a supervised Monday evening session ideal for novices, a Tuesday afternoon game popular with less experienced players and a Tuesday evening pairs. Beginners classes usually run each autumn.
A friendly club meeting on Friday evenings in the Concert Room at Killingworth Social Club, with competitive league games and relaxed friendly chess for members aged 6 to 80 plus. A junior club with tuition for children up to 17 runs on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
Morpeth Bridge for All runs EBU Bridge for All classes and supported play at Hepscott Village Hall, with supervised play on Thursday afternoons and practice sessions on Friday afternoons. No partner is needed and all are welcome.
A welcoming club meeting on Wednesday evenings at The Punch Bowl Inn in Jesmond for league, friendly and competitive chess, open to all strengths. It also runs a Sunday junior club at Jesmond Library and a free Saturday drop-in at Newcastle City Library.
Brunton Bridge Club plays duplicate on Monday evenings at 7pm at St Aidans Community Centre in Brunton Park, plus a relaxed Wednesday afternoon session for club players and students where no partner is needed. The club also runs bridge lessons.
A free chess drop-in for all ages at The Word in South Shields, run with members of South Shields Chess Club on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. It suits beginners and juniors, with training offered to newcomers.
Corbridge Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Monday evenings and aggregate bridge on Tuesday afternoons at the Parish Hall in St Helen's Street. Visitors and new members are welcome, including those new to club bridge.
A Go club meeting twice a week all year round at The Elm Tree pub on Crossgate in Durham, on Monday and Thursday evenings. It is open to everyone, whether or not they are connected with the university.
A large, sociable chess club meeting on Monday evenings at the Empire Club and Institute in Gosforth, with league chess upstairs and casual games and blitz in the downstairs lounge. It suits players of every level, with many Northumbria League teams and a Saturday morning junior session.
Newburn Duplicate Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm at Newburn Leisure Centre, and has run bridge lessons.
Stannington Bridge Club, formerly the Cramlington and Newcastle clubs, plays at Stannington Village Hall with a gentle Thursday morning session for improvers, with hosts provided, and a main club evening on Fridays. Visitors of all abilities are welcome.
A social chess club meeting on Monday evenings at Alnwick RFC, with informal games, chat and help to learn and improve. Players of all abilities are welcome, and members also play in three Northumbria League teams.
Bishop Auckland Bridge Club plays face to face bridge on Thursday evenings at 7pm at Bishop Auckland Golf Club on Durham Road.
A Tuesday evening bridge club at St Aidans Community Centre in Brunton Park, playing from 7pm with players asked to arrive by 6.45pm.
Castle Morpeth Bridge Club is an EBU affiliated club that plays face to face pairs every Tuesday evening at St James Hall in the centre of Morpeth. All are welcome, and the club can help find a partner.
Chester-le-Street Duplicate Bridge Club plays on Thursday evenings at St Barnabas Community Centre in Bournmoor, starting soon after 6.30pm, and offers a partner-finding service.
A chess club meeting on Friday evenings in the community room at Manor Walks, Cramlington, open to all ages and skill levels. After 6pm use the rear entrance and follow the chess signs.
A small chess club meeting on Thursday evenings at the Carlton Club in Gateshead, running four-player teams in two county leagues and keen to welcome new players. Please email ahead before visiting.
Golding Bridge Club plays on Tuesday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at St Aidans Community Centre in Brunton Park.
Gosforth Bridge Club is a small, friendly club that plays duplicate bridge every Tuesday evening at Northern Rugby Club, starting at 7pm. Players are asked to be seated by 6.55pm.
Hexham Bridge Club holds its weekly club night on Thursdays at Hexham Community Centre, 6.45pm for 7pm. The club runs lessons and supervised play for beginners and improvers.
A friendly social chess club meeting most weeks, usually on Tuesdays, at The Punch Bowl Inn on Jesmond Road. All ages and abilities are welcome, with league teams in Divisions 1 and 3; please call or email ahead.
A chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings at Leam Lane Working Men's Club in Gateshead, welcoming players of all abilities, with teams from Division 1 down to the lower leagues. Juniors are welcome with an adult, and calling ahead is advised.
Morpeth Bridge Club plays face to face club pairs on Monday evenings at 7pm at St James in Morpeth, and helps players find a partner.
A chess club meeting on Wednesday evenings at Morpeth RFC, where there are always a few players around for a game. It runs four Northumbria League teams and welcomes new squad members.
Regent Bridge Club plays informal, friendly duplicate bridge on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm at St Hugh's Church Hall in Coxlodge, near Wansbeck Road Metro. A good club for beginners, with step-free access.
An inclusive chess club meeting on Thursday evenings at The Customs House in South Shields, with teams in the Northumbria and Durham leagues and both graded and handicap club competitions. Members also run free Chess for All sessions at The Word.
A Tynedale chess club meeting on Monday evenings at Ovington Social Club near Prudhoe, playing in the South Tyne League and Northumbria League. Non-league nights are well attended, and a ladder club championship lets members play as often as they like.
An active chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings at the Hunting Lodge in Whitley Bay, with four teams covering all abilities. Alongside the club championship there is a second internal competition for players wanting a lighter commitment.
Whickham Bridge Club meets for friendly duplicate bridge every Tuesday evening at Sunniside Social Club, from 6.45pm to about 9.30pm, with a partner-finding contact for players without a partner.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, Whitley Bay. Beginner play session
Newburn Duplicate Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Duplicate pairs
Alnwick Chess Club, Alnwick. Club night, social chess and learning
Durham Bridge Club, Durham. Supervised duplicate, ideal for novices
Corbridge Bridge Club, Corbridge. Duplicate pairs
Brunton Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Duplicate pairs
Morpeth Bridge for All, Hepscott. Supervised play, at the Conservative Club, Morpeth
Tynedale Chess Club, Prudhoe. Club night, league matches and ladder championship
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, Whitley Bay. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards, partner required
Gosforth Chess Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Club night, league matches, internal competitions and social chess
Eden Bridge Club, Carlisle. Duplicate pairs, EBU Level 2
Chess for All at The Word, South Shields. Drop-in social chess and training for all ages
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, Whitley Bay. Relaxed duplicate, 18 boards, no partner needed
Wearside Bridge Club, Sunderland. Teaching session, no partner needed
Corbridge Bridge Club, Corbridge. Aggregate bridge
Eden Bridge Club, Carlisle. Relaxed duplicate, EBU Level 2, spare player available
Durham Bridge Club, Durham. Duplicate pairs, popular with less experienced players
Golding Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Club bridge
Whickham Bridge Club, Whickham. Duplicate pairs
Castle Morpeth Bridge Club, Morpeth. Duplicate pairs
Brunton Bridge Club (Tuesday Night), Newcastle upon Tyne. Club bridge
Gosforth Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Duplicate pairs
Tynemouth Chess Club, Whitley Bay. Club night, league matches and internal competitions
Leam Lane Chess Club, Gateshead. Club night, league matches and analysis
Eden Bridge Club, Carlisle. Duplicate pairs, any system
Jesmond Chess Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Club night, social chess and league matches
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, Whitley Bay. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards, partner required
Brunton Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Relaxed session for club players and students, no partner needed
Forest Hall Chess Club, Killingworth. Junior club, ages up to 17, organised and friendly chess with tuition
Regent Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Duplicate pairs, informal
Wearside Bridge Club, Sunderland. Duplicate pairs
Morpeth Chess Club, Morpeth. Club night, casual and league matches
Newcastle Chess Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Club night, league matches, friendly and competitive chess
Eden Bridge Club, Carlisle. Duplicate pairs, any system, spare player available
Stannington Bridge Club, Stannington. Gentle duplicate for members and improvers, hosts provided
Newburn Duplicate Bridge Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Duplicate pairs
Morpeth Bridge for All, Hepscott. Supervised play for learners and improvers, no partner required
Chester-le-Street Duplicate Bridge Club, Bournmoor. Duplicate pairs
Bishop Auckland Bridge Club, Bishop Auckland. Duplicate pairs
Hexham Bridge Club, Hexham. Duplicate pairs
South Shields Chess Club, South Shields. Club night, league matches and club competitions
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, Whitley Bay. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards, partner required
Gateshead Chess Club, Gateshead. Club night and league matches
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club, Whitley Bay. Relaxed duplicate, 18 boards, no partner needed
Wearside Bridge Club, Sunderland. Teaching session, no partner needed
Wearside Bridge Club, Sunderland. Duplicate with advice available, no partner needed
Morpeth Bridge for All, Hepscott. Practice duplicate, partner provided for visitors
Cramlington Chess Club, Cramlington. Club night, casual and league matches
Forest Hall Chess Club, Killingworth. Junior club, ages up to 17, organised and friendly chess with tuition
Stannington Bridge Club, Stannington. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Forest Hall Chess Club, Killingworth. Club night, league matches and friendly chess
Gosforth Chess Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Junior club, ages under 18, games, tuition and optional competitions
Chess for All at The Word, South Shields. Drop-in social chess and training for all ages
Newcastle Chess Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Free drop-in social chess
Wearside Bridge Club, Sunderland. Duplicate pairs
Newcastle Chess Club, Newcastle upon Tyne. Junior club, ages 4 to 18
The venues with the most regular nights are Wearside Bridge Club in Sunderland (7 nights), Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Bridge Club in Whitley Bay (6 nights) and Eden Bridge Club in Carlisle (4 nights). We list 33 venues in all across Newcastle and the North East.
Tuesdays and Mondays have the most regular sessions. 62 sessions run every week. The Newcastle calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 31 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Alnwick Chess Club, Brunton Bridge Club and Corbridge Bridge Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Three regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £2 and £4. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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