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Free Chess Manchester: Chess & Chai Launches at Zouk
Free Chess Comes to Manchester with Chess & Chai at Zouk
We’re launching a brand-new way to spend Monday evenings at Zouk with Chess & Chai, our new free weekly social chess event in partnership with Knight Clubbers.
The first event takes place on Monday 28 September 2026 from 7pm-10pm, followed by Chess & Chai every Monday throughout October and beyond.
Whether you’re an experienced chess player, someone who normally plays online or a complete beginner, you’re welcome to join us.
And best of all, the chess is completely free.
A New Free Chess Event in Manchester
Knight Clubbers brings people together to play chess face-to-face in bars, cafés and social spaces.
Their Battles are deliberately different from a traditional chess tournament. They’re informal, sociable and open to different levels of player.
At Zouk, the Battles will take place on our mezzanine every Monday, creating a regular home for the Manchester Knight Clubbers community.
Chess sets are provided, so you don’t need to bring a board or find someone to play before you arrive.
Simply register with Knight Clubbers, join the Manchester event and come along.
Do You Need to Be Good at Chess?
Absolutely not.
One of the reasons we loved the Knight Clubbers concept is that it makes playing chess in person much more accessible.
We’d love to see experienced players join us, but Chess & Chai is equally suited to beginners, students, casual players and people who may only ever have played chess online.
You can come with friends or attend on your own and meet other players when you get here.
As we said when announcing the partnership:
“Chess crosses ages, backgrounds and languages, and Knight Clubbers makes it easy for people to come along and play without the pressure of a formal tournament.”
That welcoming, social atmosphere is exactly what we want Chess & Chai to become.
Your First Chai Is on Us
It couldn’t be called Chess & Chai without the chai.
Knight Clubbers players attending our Monday Battles will receive their first chai complimentary.
You’ll also receive 10% off drinks from our usual drinks menu while attending Chess & Chai.
There’s no requirement to eat or drink in order to play. Chess remains completely free.
However, if you do get hungry during the evening, we’ve put together a simple Chess & Chai menu using some of our most popular dishes.
Chess & Chai Food Menu
Choose from:
Seekh Kebab & Chips – £15.95
Chicken Tikka & Chips – £15.95
Paneer Tikka & Chips – £15.95
Burger & Chips – £15.95
Chicken 65 & Chips – £15.95
Or grab a smaller snack:
Vegetable Samosa – £6.95
Samosa Chaat – £7.95
Onion Bhaji – £6.95
Our usual food and drinks menus will also be available.
When Is Chess & Chai at Zouk?
Our first Manchester Knight Clubbers Battle takes place on:
Monday 28 September 2026
We will then be playing every Monday in October:
- Monday 5 October
- Monday 12 October
- Monday 19 October
- Monday 26 October
And Chess & Chai will continue every Monday after that.
Where Is Chess & Chai?
Chess & Chai takes place on the mezzanine at:
Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
Unit 5, The Quadrangle
Chester Street
Manchester
M1 5QS
We’re just off Oxford Road and within easy reach of Manchester city centre, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester.
How Do I Join?
Chess & Chai is free to attend, but players should register through Knight Clubbers.
Once registered, find the Zouk Manchester Battle and join the event.
Then all you need to do is turn up.
The chess boards are ready.
The chai is waiting.
Manchester, your move. ♟
Useful Links
View our menus
Register or learn more about Knight Clubbers Free Chess Events
Book a table
Enquire about private hire
Find Zouk Manchester on Google Maps
Read our latest customer reviews
Contact the team for general enquiries, availability and menus: manchestermanager@zoukteabar.co.uk
Contact the events team for private hire and event bookings: events@zoukteabar.co.uk
Visit Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
Unit 5, The Quadrangle
Chester Street
Manchester
M1 5QS
Phone: 0161 2331 090
Website: https://zoukteabar.co.uk/
Bookings: https://zoukteabar.co.uk/bookings/
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