Boston’s Got a Fancy New Ping-Pong Venue

Boston has high-end dart-throwing; Boston has boozy ax-throwing. Now Boston also has a fancy ping-pong venue with food, drinks, and “ballers” that chase after stray balls. Spin — a chain founded over a decade ago that now has locations in New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and beyond — opened in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood (30 Melcher St) on October 26. Spin counts actress (and ping-pong enthusiast) Susan Sarandon among its investors and cofounders.

The venue, which includes 14 ping-pong tables and a full kitchen and bar, has gone all-in on Boston buzzwords on its local food and drink list: There are Fluffernutter wontons, for example, and Boston cream pie, as well as a coffee-based cocktail called Killin the Dunks (which includes Vermont maple syrup for an extra New England touch) and another called the T (rye, Aperol, lemon, cinnamon, apple cider), which is hopefully more pleasant to drink than the T is to ride. (In general, it’s a comfort food-y menu, meant to be shared — think wings, pizzas, and such.)

Local artist Blind Fox, whose work graces the walls of many Boston restaurants, painted pop art and graffiti-style murals for Spin’s Boston’s location, an expansive space that includes two private rooms, and bar, and... a bathtub. Spin has also partnered with Boston-based organization Artists for Humanity for the location’s creative needs; the organization works to provide teens with paid employment in art and design.

While customers can walk in any time during normal operating hours (currently Tuesday through Saturday, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. or midnight, depending on the night), advanced table reservations are available, as are private event rentals. During regular hours, tables are $39 per hour, with space for up to 10 people per table. The venue is 21+ after 9 p.m.

And, because this is 2021, there are COVID details: All employees of Spin are required to get the COVID vaccine, and each location adheres to the applicable local rules and regulations, which means that masks are mandatory within the Boston location unless actively eating or drinking. QR code-based ordering for food and beverages is also in place.