Ping Pong clubs: London's favourite new past time?

The capital is no stranger to these types of sports clubs come cocktail bars. The Book Club in Shoreditch has long-been entertaining East London trendies with a medley of board games and pastimes usually reserved for quiet nights in with the family. Meanwhile, Blueberry Bar & Kitchen (also in Shoreditch) combines Ping Pong nights with the latest art exhibitions, poetry readings, and live music.

However whilst most establishments nod at the game, the launch of Bounce London last week has seen taken things up a notch or two. The self-proclaimed ‘Home of Ping Pong’ is an all-singing, all-dancing entertainment venue with space to eat, drink and play wiff-waff.

The stunning bar specialises in gin concoctions, playing homage to the area's previous life as the gin epicentre, whilst the rustic restaurant hosts an open pizza oven delivering more-ish stone-baked pizzas, antipasti boards, and salads. The dining parts of the club are a wonderful balance of laid-back charm and a la carte finesse, with the clear focus on fantastic ingredients to make simple yet extremely tasty creations.

The result is an environment that provides quality food and drink without prestigious snobbery, adding to a relaxed atmosphere. The gaming area holds 14 Butterfly Ping Pong tables, including the Olympic 2012 table and the World Championship table. This is what distinguishes Bounce from the other players; the sheer scale and dedication to the sport is enough to impress even hardcore enthusiasts, yet not intimidate light-hearted fun-goers. The opening saw Olympic fever reignite as Timo Boll, the German world No 7, played for most of the night with Paralympic silver medal winner Will Bayley, in a nail-biting stand-off on centre court.

The Olympics have undoubtedly raised the awareness of this humble sport once assigned to church halls and youth clubs, yet an apparent celebrity craze has also injected a new lease of cool in the game.  Word on the street is that Elle Macpherson has booked a table at Bounce, whilst Bono hosted a recent game at the GQ Awards, and Damon Albarn is a fan.

So is now the time for this modest sport to shine? Well the capital seems to think so.

Ping Pong Bars in London

Bounce London
One of the best ping pong experiences in LDN with 17 tables, delicious pizza, and sumptuous cocktails. Holborn, EC1N 2TD www.bouncelondon.com

Ping
A newly-opened cocktail bar with 4 ping pong tables working on a honours system and DJs taking the party into the early hours. Earls Court, SW5 9QG www.weloveping.com

The Elbow Room
Marrying table tennis with pool tables, beers and 2-4-1 happy hour, this bar is the perfect stop for a competitive games night. Old Street, EC2A 3BS www.theelbowroom.co.uk

Rich Mix Pongathon
takes place at Rich Mix every first Tuesday of the month, bringing with it social tournaments and creative entertainment. Shoreditch, E1 6LA www.richmix.org.uk

Words: Katie Grange