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Interior shot of an empty venue with a ping-pong table, bar, and colorful mural that features a woman with long blonde hair and sunglasses.
The ping-pong tables at Spin.
Spin

Where to Eat Well While Playing Mini-Golf, Pickleball, and Ping-Pong in Boston

Your non-sport-playing friends will be eager to tag along when the food is this good

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The ping-pong tables at Spin.
| Spin

Boston has long had the reputation of being a sports town. Not only do Boston’s well-decorated sports teams have a slew of national championship titles, but many city residents also love participating in sports, whether it’s running one of the most exhausting and strenuous marathons or rowing the Head of the Charles Regatta. It’s no surprise that activity-centered sports venues remain popular here, and newcomers keep springing up. Here are the best places to drink a beer and play sports with your friends, family, and coworkers.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

American Flatbread

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For both longtime residents and students nearby, Sacco’s screams nostalgia. Established in 1939 by the Sacco family, American Flatbread took over this storied bowling alley but kept many of the original features, including the vintage-style candlepin bowling. Entering this place feels like traveling back in time, plus some delicious wood-fired pies and 20 craft beers on tap.

Urban Axes

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Located just a short walk away from Union Square station on the Green Line, Urban Axes has become a trendy spot for office outings since its opening. Though some may be deterred by the idea of hurling an axe at wooden targets while casually sipping beer (I mean, what could possibly go wrong?), this activity is not as dangerous as it may sound. There are axe-throwing coaches on-site to provide guidance and ensure safety. And the axes are 1.5-pound hatchets.

Five Iron Golf

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The New York-based indoor golf venue has expanded to Boston with one location in the heart of downtown. This two-floor space has 15 golf simulators, which apply fancy, in-depth technology to help golfers of all levels to improve their skills. Using the simulators, guests can also choose to play on PGA courses. There are two full bars onsite, as well as a full kitchen offering snacks, pizza, burgers, and more.

A high-ceilinged space with comfortable couches, high top tables and chairs, and a bar visible in the background.
A bar and lounge space at Five Iron.
Five Iron Golf

Flight Club

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This Seaport darts club has a raw bar, a restaurant, and 11 spacious dart-playing areas that can accommodate up to 20 people each. For the dart-playing guests, the food menu features bite-sized crowd-pleasers, such as yuzu guacamole, kung pao cauliflower, and pepperoni meatball sliders. From the raw bar, a selection of New England oysters and clams are on offer.

Two darts-playing areas with wooden accents, bare lightbulbs, and digital screens
Inside Flight Club.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Spin Boston

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Located in the Seaport, this ping pong venue boasts 14 Olympic-grade ping pong tables and is a perfect spot for large and small events and gatherings. It has an extensive food and drink menu, with many items paying homage to Boston (Fluffernutter wontons, anyone?). Some of its cocktails can also be made in a batched format for multiple people, dubbed “group therapy.”

A colorful ping-pong table with chairs alongside and open windows that overlook a street.
Inside Spin.
Spin

Puttshack

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Opened in Fall 2022, Puttshack is an indoor mini golf venue located in the Seaport. The two-floor space features four nine-hole mini golf courses, and each has an interactive tracking system that keeps and displays the score on the big screen. It has an extensive food menu that takes inspiration from global cuisines, as well as a cocktail menu highlighting the trendiest cocktails of the moment. If you’re more of a beer drinker, there are multiple local craft breweries on tap, including Sam Adams, Jack’s Abbey, and Downeast cider.

Indoor mini gold with several holes around the course visible, awash in neon pink, blue, and green colors.
Puttshack’s neon-tinted interiors.
Puttshack

Lucky Strike

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Located right next to Fenway Park, this family-friendly bowling alley, previously known as Jillian’s, has been a long-time mainstay in the neighborhood. It also has an arcade area and a full kitchen and bar. Thanks to its prime location and extensive food and drink options, this bowling alley can get busy on weekends and holidays, so be sure to make a reservation ahead. 

PKL Boston

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For those who want to play yard games without going to somebody’s yard, this Southie venue has it all. Not only does PKL have five pickleball courts, but also has space for cornhole and shuffleboard. It’s a perfect space for small and large get-togethers without the burden of organizing food and drinks, thanks to its on-site bar and kitchen. From local craft beer to wine to creative cocktails, customers can pick and choose what they want to go with the eclectic food menu.

An indoor pickleball court with cornhole and some high-top tables. A mural in the background features a chimpanzee in an astronaut suit floating through space.
The pickleball courts at PKL.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

American Flatbread

For both longtime residents and students nearby, Sacco’s screams nostalgia. Established in 1939 by the Sacco family, American Flatbread took over this storied bowling alley but kept many of the original features, including the vintage-style candlepin bowling. Entering this place feels like traveling back in time, plus some delicious wood-fired pies and 20 craft beers on tap.

Urban Axes

Located just a short walk away from Union Square station on the Green Line, Urban Axes has become a trendy spot for office outings since its opening. Though some may be deterred by the idea of hurling an axe at wooden targets while casually sipping beer (I mean, what could possibly go wrong?), this activity is not as dangerous as it may sound. There are axe-throwing coaches on-site to provide guidance and ensure safety. And the axes are 1.5-pound hatchets.

Five Iron Golf

The New York-based indoor golf venue has expanded to Boston with one location in the heart of downtown. This two-floor space has 15 golf simulators, which apply fancy, in-depth technology to help golfers of all levels to improve their skills. Using the simulators, guests can also choose to play on PGA courses. There are two full bars onsite, as well as a full kitchen offering snacks, pizza, burgers, and more.

A high-ceilinged space with comfortable couches, high top tables and chairs, and a bar visible in the background.
A bar and lounge space at Five Iron.
Five Iron Golf

Flight Club

This Seaport darts club has a raw bar, a restaurant, and 11 spacious dart-playing areas that can accommodate up to 20 people each. For the dart-playing guests, the food menu features bite-sized crowd-pleasers, such as yuzu guacamole, kung pao cauliflower, and pepperoni meatball sliders. From the raw bar, a selection of New England oysters and clams are on offer.

Two darts-playing areas with wooden accents, bare lightbulbs, and digital screens
Inside Flight Club.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Spin Boston

Located in the Seaport, this ping pong venue boasts 14 Olympic-grade ping pong tables and is a perfect spot for large and small events and gatherings. It has an extensive food and drink menu, with many items paying homage to Boston (Fluffernutter wontons, anyone?). Some of its cocktails can also be made in a batched format for multiple people, dubbed “group therapy.”

A colorful ping-pong table with chairs alongside and open windows that overlook a street.
Inside Spin.
Spin

Puttshack

Opened in Fall 2022, Puttshack is an indoor mini golf venue located in the Seaport. The two-floor space features four nine-hole mini golf courses, and each has an interactive tracking system that keeps and displays the score on the big screen. It has an extensive food menu that takes inspiration from global cuisines, as well as a cocktail menu highlighting the trendiest cocktails of the moment. If you’re more of a beer drinker, there are multiple local craft breweries on tap, including Sam Adams, Jack’s Abbey, and Downeast cider.

Indoor mini gold with several holes around the course visible, awash in neon pink, blue, and green colors.
Puttshack’s neon-tinted interiors.
Puttshack

Lucky Strike

Located right next to Fenway Park, this family-friendly bowling alley, previously known as Jillian’s, has been a long-time mainstay in the neighborhood. It also has an arcade area and a full kitchen and bar. Thanks to its prime location and extensive food and drink options, this bowling alley can get busy on weekends and holidays, so be sure to make a reservation ahead. 

PKL Boston

For those who want to play yard games without going to somebody’s yard, this Southie venue has it all. Not only does PKL have five pickleball courts, but also has space for cornhole and shuffleboard. It’s a perfect space for small and large get-togethers without the burden of organizing food and drinks, thanks to its on-site bar and kitchen. From local craft beer to wine to creative cocktails, customers can pick and choose what they want to go with the eclectic food menu.

An indoor pickleball court with cornhole and some high-top tables. A mural in the background features a chimpanzee in an astronaut suit floating through space.
The pickleball courts at PKL.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

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