13 Orphans

Oakland, California

13 Orphans is an Asian American owned mahjong den and speakeasy tucked behind a snack shop in downtown Oakland. Hong Kong style coaching is offered for newcomers alongside open play, so tiles and drinks share the same tables. The bar pours signature teatails built from tea culture and the elements of traditional Chinese medicine, matched with Canto Filipino bites and dim sum sets. Several rooms give the space room for drinking, playing and karaoke nights, and reservations are taken for tea lounge service. Owners Jenn Lui, Eman Garcia and Alan Chen built the place around community, and events fill much of the calendar.