Inside a mahjong professional's quest to bring players together

The tile game mahjong has been played for generations, holding a special place in several cultures. But recently, the game has had an explosion of popularity.

After the pandemic, many young people were searching for third spaces. And David Bresnick, a professional mahjong player, was looking for a place to play. So, in 2023, he decided to open Sparrow’s Nest in Midtown Manhattan.

“It would be so great if there was a home for mahjong, a place to do it,” Bresnick said.

Click the audio player above to hear his story.