Where to find Chess and bridge in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 21 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, in 14 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 32 regular sessions, most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. 17 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site.
The Nottingham Bridge Club in Carrington runs face to face duplicate sessions most afternoons and evenings, including a sociable Monday afternoon for newcomers, a gentle Wednesday evening with help and advice, and Saturday beginners' drives. It teaches bridge from beginner to advanced level, visitors are always welcome, and there is free parking and a licensed bar.
West Nottingham Chess Club meets on Tuesdays at Bramcote Memorial Hall, with beginners' coaching and a junior club early in the evening before the adult club night. It welcomes juniors and beginners as well as league players, and the hall has full step free access.
Keyworth Bridge Club plays face to face duplicate on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at Keyworth Village Hall, usually 24 boards finishing around 4pm. Visitors are welcome, and the club can help find a partner.
Radcliffe & Bingham Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at the Long Acre Art Gallery in Bingham, with a junior session from 6.15pm. Juniors are welcome, there is wheelchair access, and the club runs several Notts League teams.
West Bridgford Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at The Wolds on Loughborough Road, with junior chess from 6.15pm before the adult club night. Juniors are welcome, and the club plays in the Notts League.
Ashfield Chess Club meets on Wednesday evenings at the Coronation Social Club in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, which has full access. Juniors are welcome, and the club runs several Notts League teams.
Beeston Chess Club holds its club night on Thursdays at the Crown Inn on Church Street, Beeston, with disabled access and free parking. It runs teams across several Notts League divisions.
Beeston Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Beeston Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Bonington Bridge Club is a very friendly club that plays duplicate bridge on Monday afternoons from 1.30pm to 4.30pm in the hall behind The Good Shepherd Church on Thackeray's Lane, Woodthorpe. Players of all abilities are welcome, and new players can drop in for a cup of tea and watch, or have a game.
East Leake Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at East Leake Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Gambit Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings in the upstairs room of the Lincolnshire Poacher on Mansfield Road, ten minutes' walk from the Victoria Centre, and stays open all year. Newcomers can enjoy casual games in a friendly setting, while competitive players can join one of seven Notts League teams or the internal rapidplay and club championships.
Kimberley Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Kimberley Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Mansfield Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings in the first floor room at the Brown Cow on Ratcliffe Gate. It is a strong league club, runners-up in the top Notts League division in 2025-26.
Mansfield Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Mansfield Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Mapperley Library Chess is a free drop in chess session at Mapperley Library, run by adult volunteers and open to all ages and skill levels. No booking is needed and the venue has full access.
Newark Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings at the Rutland Arms Hotel on Barnby Gate, in a ground floor room with wheelchair access. Juniors are welcome, and the club runs three Notts League teams.
Nomads Chess Club meets every Monday evening, including bank holidays and through the summer, in the conservatory of The Embankment pub on Arkwright Street. Players of all abilities are welcome, from online players trying over the board chess for the first time to league regulars, and juniors are welcome too.
Nottingham Central Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings at The Embankment pub on Arkwright Street. It fields several teams in the Notts League, so it suits players looking for regular league chess.
Retford Bridge Club holds face to face duplicate bridge on Tuesday evenings at its traditional Hallcroft venue, with low table money and half price fees for students under 26. Visitors and members are welcome.
South Mansfield & Blidworth Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Friday evenings at the Mansfield Mechanics Institute in Forest Town, with EBU Master Points awarded. Players of any standard are warmly welcomed, and new and returning players can get help learning or improving their game.
West Bridgford Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Monday evenings at Edwalton Golf Centre. New members are welcome and the club will help players without a partner find a game.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs, sociable newcomer session (Master Points, no NGS)
Keyworth Bridge Club, Keyworth. Duplicate pairs, face to face
Bonington Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs, social club
West Bridgford Chess Club, West Bridgford. Junior chess (ages not stated)
Radcliffe & Bingham Chess Club, Bingham. Junior chess (ages not stated)
West Bridgford Bridge Club, Edwalton. Duplicate pairs
Nomads Chess Club, Nottingham. Club night: social chess and league matches, all abilities
West Bridgford Chess Club, West Bridgford. Club night: league matches and social chess
Radcliffe & Bingham Chess Club, Bingham. Club night: league matches and social chess
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs (Master Points and NGS)
Beeston Library Chess, Beeston. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
West Nottingham Chess Club, Bramcote. Beginners' coaching
West Nottingham Chess Club, Bramcote. Junior club (ages not stated)
Retford Bridge Club, Retford. Duplicate pairs, face to face (combined with online session)
Nottingham Central Chess Club, Nottingham. Club night: league matches and social chess
West Nottingham Chess Club, Bramcote. Club night: league matches and social chess
Gambit Chess Club, Nottingham. Club night: casual games, league matches and internal competitions
Keyworth Bridge Club, Keyworth. Duplicate pairs, face to face
Mapperley Library Chess, Mapperley. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Gentle duplicate for less experienced players, crib sheets and advice allowed
Ashfield Chess Club, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Club night: league matches and social chess
East Leake Library Chess, East Leake. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
Beeston Chess Club, Beeston. Club night: social chess
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs (Master Points and NGS)
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Improvers lectures with practice hands (Autumn term 2026)
Mansfield Chess Club, Mansfield. Club night: league matches and social chess
Newark Chess Club, Newark-on-Trent. Club night: league matches and social chess
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Duplicate pairs (Master Points and NGS)
South Mansfield & Blidworth Bridge Club, Mansfield. Duplicate pairs
Kimberley Library Chess, Kimberley. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
The Nottingham Bridge Club, Nottingham. Beginners' drive
Mansfield Library Chess, Mansfield. Drop in social chess for all ages and levels
The venues with the most regular nights are The Nottingham Bridge Club in Nottingham (7 nights), West Nottingham Chess Club in Bramcote (3 nights) and Keyworth Bridge Club in Keyworth (2 nights). We list 21 venues in all across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 30 sessions run every week. The Nottingham calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 17 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at West Nottingham Chess Club, Nomads Chess Club and Gambit Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Five regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually £2.50. 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.
