In a world dominated by screens and digital interactions, many are feeling burnt out and looking for alternatives to their usual sources of entertainment. Hotels across the globe are responding to this need by offering a more analog and old-school form of socializing – game nights. These events are gaining popularity as people seek a break from their addiction to phones and a chance to connect with others face-to-face.
One prime example is the Beaumont in London, which started hosting monthly game nights in November. Guests are invited to come together and socialize over classic games like chess, backgammon, Rummikub, Scrabble, or cards. These events are held in the hotel’s Gatsby’s Room and are free to attend. Players can purchase drinks or snacks from the regular menu. To elevate the experience, the hotel recently introduced a special game night featuring a presentation by a renowned mathematician. Tickets for this event sold out quickly, showing the high demand for such social gatherings that force people to put their phones down and be present in the moment.
In Los Angeles’ Koreatown, the Line Los Angeles has turned its monthly game night, known as Love, Peace & Spades, into a must-attend social event for locals. The event promises a night of classic Black family games like spades, bid whist, tonk, and Uno. Since its launch, attendance has steadily grown, fostering authentic relationships and meaningful interactions among participants. Love, Peace & Spades is free to attend, with specialty cocktails and food available for purchase at the lobby bar. The event even celebrated its first successful matchmaking story, with a couple meeting at the game night and later getting married.
Charleston Place in South Carolina has found success with its Mahjong Mondays, organized in partnership with local mahjong instructors. These bi-weekly events have become a staple of the local social scene, attracting a mix of locals and hotel guests. Tickets are priced at $100 per player, including a glass of wine and guided American mahjong instruction. The popularity of Mahjong Mondays has been steadily growing, with younger crowds joining in for a girlfriends’ night out or a unique date night activity.
As the world becomes increasingly digital, the resurgence of hotel game nights signifies a desire for more traditional forms of socializing. These events offer a break from the virtual world and provide an opportunity to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions. From classic board games to card games and mahjong, hotel game nights are bringing people together and creating unique social experiences that go beyond the typical online interactions. In a time when personal connections are more important than ever, these analog gatherings offer a refreshing and much-needed escape from the digital noise of everyday life.