SPiN into a Funky Ping Pong Bar at Newest Spot in Philadelphia
Story, photos by Jennifer Ferrell
In the spring of 2007, Friday night ping pong parties in a Tribeca loft hosted by Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy, known as “naked ping-pong”, quickly grew from a few friends to a few hundred. Artists, models, bankers, hipsters and celebrities mingled to create quite a SPiN.
In the summer of 2009, Bricklin and Raharinosy joined forces with Andrew Gordon to launch SPiN, with the opening of its flagship location in New York City. Today, SPiN has grown into a global brand, with venues in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Austin, and soon Washington, D.C. with more on the way. Except nobody is getting naked nowadays… that we know of anyway.
United by ping pong, welcome to SPiN.
Cool graffiti art lines the walls at SPiN in Philadelphia.
Even more graffiti art on the way down the steps at SPiN in Philadelphia.
The state of love today at SPiN in Philadelphia.
The space screams cool at SPiN in Philadelphia.
With its colorful street art decor, interesting light installations and chain curtains highlighting the pool tables, the indoors at SPIN are showcasing a creative night of fun! During the cold months of Philly’s winters, it is often difficult to find active adult entertainment for an enjoyable time out. SPiN promises all the merry of a social bar alongside a crafted menu and different activity with your friends or date. Grab a table, some snacks, a drink (or several) and enjoy!
My friend and I reserved a table to arrive on a Saturday night to play some ping pong and enjoy a few snacks and drinks. The night was very cold and we were looking for entertainment indoors that would still be lively. Upon arrival, we were immediately set up with a table to play against each other alongside other groups of friends enjoying their active Saturday. Each table offers a period of time to play with a bucket of bright orange balls that scattered to and fro and were collected by the employees. As a suggestion, you might wish to plan ahead and reserve more than just one hour. Were had so much fun, that hour seemed like minutes!
SPiN was action filled as it contains all the makings of any local bar alongside enjoying time with your friends playing a game next to others doing the same. It has the charm of a new funky Philly bar with the warmth and comfort of your bestie’s basement. This place would be a great location for birthday gatherings or even an active date!
To burn off all of our yummy dining and to check out the scene, we began to migrate from one room to the other, checking the vibe in each one. Perhaps the most visually interesting room was the “Red Room” complete with a sexy neon sign that reads, “Meet Me in the Red Room.” Other rooms were larger and had many tables with occupants drinking and playing. The atmosphere is chaotic yet filled with everyone sharing the same activity but in a parallel experience.
After spending time in each room, we made our way past the signature and often occupied, bathtub full of ping pong balls. We got in giggling like all the others who came before us while we sank into our bath. Trying to get out with tall suede boots proved challenging but was worth the laughs.
On our way out, we checked out the SPIN Store before leaving. We both decided this is the perfect place to take a large group of our friends for some games and treats and are both looking forward to returning. SPiN yourself into this cool place and enjoy!
You can put your face in the hole of this oversized paddle for photo fun! SPIN locations can be found across the country and enjoyed right in Philly in Center City.
