In the molecule of the title compound, [ZnCl2(C11H10N2)], the ZnII atom is four-coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral configuration by two N atoms from the 6-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligand and by two Cl atoms. There are π–π contacts between the pyridine ring and the five-membered ring, and also between the pyridine rings, [centroid–centroid distances = 3.685 (3) and 3.757 (3) Å, respectively]