Offline Weekly: Edition #1 🀄
Knightcap Chess, East Never Loses, Rummiklub and a special giveaway!
Welcome to Offline Weekly: Edition #1, featuring IRL communities and the stories that built them.
Introduction
In the last year alone, millions of people across the globe have begun gathering in person in small, interest-driven groups.
Amidst the global loneliness epidemic, these in-person spaces have served as a refuge from the chronic online-ness that plagues so many of us, and particularly young people.
These spaces are what we coined for Eventbrite as Fourth Spaces; gathering places that transcend physical location, bringing people together through shared passions and bridging online communities with real-world connections.
And they mark the shift from where we gather to why we gather.
For so many of these hosts, these communities began as passion projects. Now, they are growing and thriving communities, bringing people together around shared interests and experiences.
These spaces are the future; our future. They are where people meet in today’s world - and will continue to meet in our future. And they are only growing in value, in size, and in impact.
You may know them primarily as run clubs. But for every interest, there is now a Fourth Space - an offline gathering of like-minded people.
What is this newsletter, and who is it for?
Every week, we will be featuring a handful of these Offline communities, because to understand these communities and their hosts is to understand our future.
This newsletter is for people who want to understand where culture is today and where it is going. It is for hosts who want to be inspired and learn from the stories of others.
And it is also, importantly, for brands and marketers who are ready to truly build community. Those who recognize that offline connection is more than just another strategy: it is a brand purpose, meeting the moment for young people seeking more meaningful connections.
Today, advertisers power the attention economy, monetizing our attention and keeping us on our screens. The longer we spend on screen, the more dollars they make.
Tomorrow, brands will power the connection economy. Supporting hosts and communities through integrations, cohosting, and sponsorships. Meeting people where they are, in the communities that shape them.
The future of brand marketing and community building is Offline.
Bringing people together.
And building a world for human connection.
Edition #1: Board Game Communities
This week, we’re featuring board game communities where young people are reclaiming age-old board games to shape new IRL experiences.
From chess nights to Mahjong tables and even Bingo nights, these games have become a draw for those craving structure, presence, and connection in a low-stakes environment.
The data:
This habit seems to have emerged from COVID, with the NYT reporting “the number of board game events organized using Partiful quadrupled in the past year, and the number of board game-related groups on Meetup has increased about 10 percent per year from 2021 to 2023”.
dcdx research with Eventbrite showed Bingo events tripling and board game events growing in popularity by 8x in 2024.
This week, we featured 3 board game communities and their stories.
1. East Never Loses (Los Angeles)
East Never Loses is a Mahjong collective rooted in Los Angeles, founded by Angie, who first fell in love with the game during long nights in Taipei, smoking, snacking, and playing into the early hours. What began as cozy living room lessons with friends soon evolved into full-blown parties under the name Mahjong Mistress. In 2024, Angie quit her job to pursue Mahjong full-time, relaunching the project as East Never Loses. Today, the collective is known for curating culturally grounded events that reclaim and reintroduce Chinese-style Mahjong to a new generation, while honoring the game’s rich history.
Q&A with Angie, the host of East Never Loses.
Q: How did East Never Loses get started, and how has it evolved since then?
A: East Never Loses really began in Taiwan. While living there, I spent countless nights in Taipei smoking, snacking, and playing Mahjong late into the night. When I returned to LA in 2020, I started teaching my friends how to play. What began as an intimate living room gathering quickly grew into a series of iconic parties, especially through my other Mahjong group, Mahjong Mistress. In 2024, I decided to quit my job and focus on Mahjong full time under the name East Never Loses.
Q: Where do you see East Never Lose going? Ideally, what would you like to see happen with this community in the coming years?
A: Ideally, I see East Never Loses growing into a welcoming and ever-expanding resource for anyone interested in learning Mahjong—especially in a safe, inclusive, and friendly environment. I’d love for it to connect with other cultural movers, particularly in the film and art worlds, and to evolve in ways that feel organic and grounded. Mahjong has often been commercialized without proper context, and my hope is that this community continues to engage with Chinese-style Mahjong in a way that honors its history while allowing it to grow meaningfully and respectfully.
Q: What is it about this moment in culture where people are gravitating to communities like this?
A: People are craving real connections. The rise of board games and in-person gaming reflects a broader desire to socialize without relying on drugs or alcohol. In a world that’s increasingly digital, experiences that bring people together in person feel more meaningful than ever. Communities like East Never Loses offer a space to gather, meet people, and learn something new.
Where to find them next?
🍞 Mahjong Market — June 14
🎶 Mahjong Melody w/ Mahjong Mistress — June 22
2. Knightcap Chess Club (Miami & Austin)
Knightcap Chess Club is redefining what a chess night can look like. Founded by Taylor Harrison, the club began in Toronto and has since expanded to cities like Austin and Miami. Their events blend the strategy of chess with a stylish, social atmosphere. Open to all skill levels, Knightcap invites guests 18+ to come for the game, stay for the conversation, and enjoy a more approachable, elevated take on a timeless tradition.
Q&A with Taylor, the host of Knightcap Chess Club.
Q: How did Knightcap Chess Club get started, and how has it evolved since then?
Knightcap started pretty simply. I just wanted to host a chess night with good music, a relaxed vibe, and people who were down to hang out and play, without all the pressure that usually comes with chess. I didn’t really expect it to turn into a thing, but the response was unreal from the beginning. What started as a casual night with a few boards and some friends has grown into this whole community with events in multiple cities, brand partners, DJ sets, and even a radio show.
Q: Where do you see Knightcap Chess Club going? Ideally, what would you like to see happen with this community in the coming years?
A: I’d love for Knightcap to keep expanding into new cities, but also into new formats - tournaments, team-building, content, merch, maybe even our own venues one day. We’ve proven that chess can be a cultural event, not just a competitive one, and I think there’s a lot more we can do to push that idea further.
Q: Who makes up the community at Knightcap Chess Club events?
A: It’s a real mix and that’s one of the best parts. You’ll get a few strong players, of course, but mostly it’s people who are curious, social, and want to do something a little different with their night. Some people haven’t played since they were kids, others are teaching their friends on the spot. It’s casual, it’s open, and it attracts people who like good music and a good atmosphere.
Where to find them next?
Follow them at @knightcapmiami or @knightcapaustin for exciting events happening closer to you.
3. RummiKlub (Los Angeles)
RummiKlub started with two friends bringing Rummikub to LA bars just for fun, and quickly turned into something much bigger. What began as a casual way to meet people has evolved into a growing community centered around connection, play, and culture. With a waitlist for every event, partnerships with major brands, and plans to expand nationally, RummiKlub is reimagining what a game night can be, intentional, stylish, and built for real-world connection.
Q&A with Marnie Wekselblatt & Laura Galvan, hosts of Rummiklub.
Q: How did RummiKlub get started, and how has it evolved since then?
A: We started RummiKlub because we were craving something different. Not a bar. Not a club. Something better. We’re two New Yorkers who moved to LA and found ourselves wanting a way to connect with people that felt more intentional and way more fun. We'd casually bring Rummikub to bars, and every time, strangers would ask to join and end up staying for hours. That’s when we realized we were onto something. What started as casual game nights with friends has grown into something so much bigger than we imagined — with sold-out events, custom game sets, brand partnerships, and a waitlist of over 200 people every time.
Q: Where do you see RummiKlub going? Ideally, what would you like to see happen with this community in the coming years?
A: RummiKlub has always been about creating space for real connection, and we’re just getting started. We’re expanding to NYC this summer with Tao Group Hospitality, and long-term, we see RummiKlub popping up in every major city — from curated events, exclusive merch drops, and eventually a membership model. Our custom game sets that are launching this summer will bring the brand into people’s homes and extend its presence beyond the event space. The goal is to build a brand inspired by our community. What we’re building is more than just a game night. RummiKlub is a platform for culture and connection. We partner with brands across industries in meaningful ways — from event sponsorships and product features to co-hosted experiences that either stand on their own or elevate what a brand is already doing. It’s a way for brands to tap into a highly engaged audience that values intention, experience, and real community.
Q: Who makes up the community at RummiKlub events?
A: It’s a mix of creatives, founders, and people across fashion, media, and entertainment — culturally in-the-know, and looking for something different. What they all have in common is a desire to connect in a way that feels organic. No name tags, no small talk, no pressure. Just a shared table, a little competition, and an elevated environment that still feels inviting.
Q: What is it about this moment in culture where people are gravitating to communities like this?
A: People are craving real connection. In a world where so much of our socializing happens online, it’s easy to feel more disconnected than ever. RummiKlub is a reminder to slow down and be present. There’s something powerful about sitting around a table, phones down, and realizing that everything you need is already in front of you. It’s about creating an intentionally curated space where connection happens naturally and the right people find each other. Follow us @rummiklubla on Instagram to stay in the know about all of our upcoming events. And who knows, we may be popping up at a city near you :)
RummiKlub is kindly giving away one of their brand-new custom Rummikub sets. Follow @rummiklubla on IG and DM them “dcdx” to enter.
Where to find them next?
🎲 RummiKlub @ Gravitas — May 30, 8PM
Beverly Hills, CA | $35 with approved RSVP
An elevated night of Rummikub, Backgammon & Poker inside the exclusive Gravitas members club. Cocktails, snacks, and post-game hangs at Rummi Afters. Dress code: cocktail attire–ish.
RSVP + Ticket — be sure to purchase by 5/27 to lock in your spot.
🎲 RummiKlub NYC — July 2025
New York, NY | Join the waitlist
RummiKlub LA is making its next move — see you in NYC this summer. Details dropping soon, keep an eye on their Instagram.
We hope you enjoyed edition #1 of Offline Weekly, a newsletter featuring up-and-coming offline communities.
We believe the future of brand marketing and community building is Offline.
For more information on how we connect brands with offline communities, visit us at offlinetalent.com or email us at connect@offlinetalent.com.
I love board game communities! Another good one is Joust Society in NYC.
love it!