Manchester Makes Its Move as Zouk Launches Free Weekly Chess & Chai Nights

Zouk Tea Bar & Grill is partnering with social chess community Knight Clubbers to launch free weekly chess Battles in Manchester, beginning on Monday 28 September 2026.

Knight Clubbers organises social chess Battles designed to make playing chess in person easy and accessible. The format welcomes everyone from experienced chess players to people who have only played online or are new to the game.

Launching on Monday 28 September 2026, Chess & Chai will take place every Monday on Zouk’s mezzanine in partnership with Knight Clubbers.

There is no entry fee and chess sets are supplied at the venue.

Players join through the Knight Clubbers app before meeting other players and challenging opponents during the evening.

Zouk will give attending Knight Clubbers players their first chai free of charge, alongside 10% off drinks and a dedicated Chess & Chai food menu.

The menu includes Seekh Kebab & Chips, Chicken Tikka & Chips, Paneer Tikka & Chips, Burger & Chips and Chicken 65 & Chips, each priced at £15.95.

Smaller options include portions of Indian snacks such as Vegetable Samosas, Onion Bhaji’s and pakoras.

Zouk hopes the weekly event will create a new regular meeting place for Manchester’s chess community, while encouraging more people to give the game a try.

Helen McCarthy, Marketing Director at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, said:

“We want Zouk to be somewhere people can come together, not only somewhere they visit for a meal.

Chess & Chai felt like a brilliant fit for us. 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.

You absolutely don’t have to be an expert. We want experienced players, beginners, students, people who usually play online and anyone who simply fancies doing something different on a Monday night.

The chess is free, the boards are ready and your first chai is on us. We’re really excited to see a new Manchester chess community develop here at Zouk.”

Knight Clubbers Battles are designed as informal three-hour social sessions rather than conventional chess tournaments. Players can meet different opponents during the session, while the Knight Clubbers platform records their participation and progress.

Chess & Chai launches at Zouk on Monday 28 September 2026 and will then take place every Monday.

Aurélien Morel, Founder of Knightclubbers.com, is excited for Zouk’s first Knight Clubbers Battle as the restaurant will be the first battle arena in the North of England. He said “The first rule of Knight Club is: you must talk about Knight Club!”

EVENT DETAILS

Chess & Chai at Zouk × Knight Clubbers

Launch: Monday 28 September 2026

Then: Every Monday

Venue: Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5QS

Admission: FREE

All abilities welcome

Chess sets provided

First chai complimentary for Knight Clubbers players

10% off drinks for Knight Clubbers players

For more information on Knight Clubbers or to register on the app visit: https://knightclubbers.com/

For more information on Chess at Zou visit: https://zoukteabar.co.uk/blog/events/free-chess-manchester-chess-chai-launches-at-zouk