With most of us being stuck indoors for the last few years due to covid, many of us want to be out of the house as much as possible. But if there’s only so much Pizza you can eat or cocktail bars you can visit then we have something new for you.
Table tennis or ping pong is a fun sport that can sharpen the mind, and our reflexes and even if you are completely rubbish at it you can still have an amazing time.
Today we will be looking at some of the best table tennis tables in London so you can become the tiger Tim of the table tennis world.
No self-respecting table tennis list could exclude Bounce. Located in both Farringdon and Old Street, Bounce caters for up to 500 people at a time and offers a wide list of games, drinks and overall fun.
Not only does Bounce have more ping pong tables than you could ever need but it also has additional games such as shuffleboard, Wonderball and Beer Pong to keep the fun lasting for hours.
You can also get a free drink from Bounce if you sign up for their newsletter before going.
Bounce is one of my favourite places in London to play table tennis and overall it’s a good place to visit for a fun night out. You can find out more about Bounce and book a table on their website below:
For something a little more competitive you may want to consider the table tennis fight club which requires an invite from an existing member to join the club (but anyone can go and play). If you’re into table tennis more than the average person and like the fight club vibes then this could be something to get you out of your house for a few hours every week.
Table tennis fight club is located in Kings Cross and they hold sessions on Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm to 5pm. The full address for Table Tennis fight club is:
Somers Town Sports Centre, First Floor, 134 Chalton Street, NW1 1RX.
If the cost of living is getting to you and you want an affordable way of entertaining yourself or your loved ones then Ping is a great way to do so.
Ping’s mission is to bring ping pong to the people and they do this by taking over empty shops or locations and filling them with ping pong tables where anyone can play for free.
What an amazing idea!
Ping is always adding new locations to play from so if you want to learn more we recommend you visit the Ping website to see locations near you.
Bat and Ball is located in East London at Westfield Stratford, Montfichet Road, Stratford, London E20 1EJ and has a lively atmosphere where you can enjoy a round of ping pong while sipping on some trendy drinks.
Bat and Ball have 5 championship-sized ping pong tables spread across two large floors. Just like Bounce, they take group bookings, offer food and drink and you can watch live sports there too.
Bat and Ball does get very busy so if you are wanting to play Ping Pong then we suggest that you book a table otherwise you will be disappointed. You can learn more about Bat and Ball by visiting their website.
A bar where you can eat amazing burgers, draw on the walls and play ping pong. Sounds like my type of night.
The Doodle Bar located at 60 Druid Street, London, SE1 2EZ is another great place in London to play table tennis. The table tennis is actually free too which is an added bonus.
Overall this is one of the most relaxed table tennis environments on the list so if you are looking for something that’s a little more fun and less competitive the Doodle Bar could be the best option for you.
While winter is approaching fast many of us won’t be playing outdoors but just in case you want to play ping pong in London in the warmer months there are some awesome ping pong tables scattered outside in London. Some of these locations include:
The wind can affect your overall experience when playing table tennis so it’s probably not a good idea to play outdoors in the winter but if you do I’m sure you will still have a tonne of fun.
Here are some more excellent places in London where you can enjoy table tennis:
Baranis (Covent Garden): This vibrant bar is known for its relaxed atmosphere and a few ping pong tables where you can have a fun game while enjoying drinks and food.
The Queen of Hoxton (Shoreditch): A popular bar with a rooftop space offering ping pong tables along with drinks and a lively atmosphere.
The King’s Head (Islington): A pub with ping pong tables where you can enjoy a relaxed game while sipping on your favourite drink.
Table tennis can be difficult to master but you don’t need to be a master to beat your friends and a few tips can help you. Good footwork is essential in table tennis, so try to be light on your feet so you can move into the right positions and make solid shots. Practice moving around the table quickly from side to side as these quick reactions will help you to win your first few games.
In addition to footwork, mastering the basics is crucial. This means developing a strong foundation with fundamental skills like the forehand and backhand strokes and understanding proper serving techniques. A solid grasp of these basics will significantly improve your overall game.
The serve is another critical part of table tennis. It’s important to work on making your serves both consistent and accurate, as a strong serve can challenge your opponent right from the start of the rally.
Another key aspect to focus on is spin. Learning how to put topspin, backspin, or sidespin on the ball can make your shots more unpredictable and difficult for your opponent to return. Experimenting with different spins will give you an advantage in your matches.
Being able to anticipate your opponent’s next move is also important. By paying attention to their body language and observing the ball’s trajectory, you can better predict where the ball is going and get in position to return it more effectively.
Finally, regular practice is essential. The more often you play, the more your reflexes and consistency will improve. Whether you’re playing with friends or in a more competitive environment, putting in the time on the table will help you develop your skills and enjoy the game even more.
We have included a youtube video on how to play table tennis below, there are some good tips here:
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