A stylish new San Antonio social club wants you to take your mahjong squad out of your living room and into their parlor. The Polished Tile is now open at 511 W. French Place in Monte Vista, promising a new way to get together over the wildly popular game.
Founder Erika Gonzales was introduced to mahjong in 2025 by one of her best friends. She found the meditative game was calming, a new sensation for someone used to the hectic life of a C-suite executive. Now retired, she soon got to work on creating a thoughtful community space.
Photo courtesy of The Polished Tile
The Polished Tile is now bringing mahjong to Monte Vista.
“More than anything, The Polished Tile was created to be a social house where people gather to learn, connect, celebrate, and build lasting friendships, " explains Gonzalez in a direct message. “Mahjong just happens to be what brings everyone to the table.”
As a real estate investor, Gonzales knows the value of a good property. While The Polished Tile could be housed in almost any space, she chose the 1909 McGown Mansion designed by Alfred Giles, the famed architect behind the Menger Hotel.
The interiors honor both the building's heritage and the game itself. Although many of the furnishings nod to Art Deco glamor, players gather in front of a brick fireplace inset with egg-and-dart molding. The parlor wallpaper and the game tables themselves sport Chinoiserie prints, a nod to Mahjong’s Chinese roots.
Those who need a respite from the clacking can take a breather in the Jade Garden, a lounge set up for chit-chat or reading a book.
Stock up on mahjong tiles in the onsite boutique.Photo courtesy of The Polished Tile
But still, Gonzales’ beloved hobby is the heart of the business. An onsite boutique sells curated sets along with accessories, jewelry, home décor, and gifts. The Polished Tile even offers two- and four-session mahjong lessons for those looking to immerse fully.
“Our goal isn't simply to teach someone the rules,” says Gonzales. “It's to help them become comfortable, confident, and truly fluent in the game.”
Although The Polished Tile offers various levels of membership starting at $175 a month, single-visit and social passes are available for those who want to try before they buy. Coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks, and a curated selection of specialty nonalcoholic beverages are available to all guests, and some events serve more high-octane drinks.
Gonzales says an upstairs space with coworking space and conference rooms will open in the next 45 days, giving guests beautiful spaces for everyday tasks. Currently, The Polished Tile is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 am-8 pm, and Friday through Saturday, 10 am-10 pm, though hours will be expanded as the social club becomes fully staffed.
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