Where to Play Table Tennis in London
There are three main places you can play table tennis in London:
- At a sports centre
- At a table tennis bar
- Outside for free
This helpful guide will show you how you can play at each of those places.
Table Tennis Bars in London
There are bars in London which have table tennis tables. Some of these have conventional tables, and some have interactive tables for fun, related games. These ping pong bars also offer other games like beer pong. Generally it cost £5 to £10 per player per hour to play and are cheaper if you go off peak.
Bounce Table Tennis London
Bounce Table Tennis is one of London’s most prominent table tennis bars, with locations in Farringdon, Shoreditch and Battersea. They have 17 tables, student discount and serve food as well as drink. They take bookings on their website and it is also possible to walk in
Bat and Ball Table Tennis Bar London
Bat and Ball Ping Pong Bar in London is another popular table tennis bar in London. Based in Stratford, they allow individual and group bookings for their table tennis tables. They have two floors, 5 tables and show live sport. They also take walk-ins but as they have less tables, it is better to book in advance.
Table Tennis Clubs in London
You can also play table tennis at a number of sports centres in London. There are table tennis specific clubs where you can get coaching, enter tournaments and play in leagues. Table Tennis England has a map of London table tennis academies, where you can find a club in your area. It is best to go to a club’s website, and enquire there for further information.
Table Tennis Sports Centre Booking London
It also possible to book table tennis tables in sports centres for singular sessions. Services like Better show sports halls with ping pong tables, and you can sessions through them, which are generally 40 minutes to an hour. Playfinder also has a list of table tennis tables in sports centre which can be booked. This type of session generally cost £6-£7 for a table.
Free Table Tennis in London
London has some outdoor table tennis tables which are free to play on. A number of parks round London have these facilities, PingPongMap will show you tables in your local area. Some of the best are in Granary Square Kings Cross, where tables are undercover which will protect players from the weather. Most of these tables will not provide table tennis bats or balls, which will require you to bring your own. It is also best to go at off peak times, to avoid having to wait to use a table.
Other Playing Table Tennis FAQs
Can you volley in table tennis?
No, you are not allowed to volley in table tennis. It is an illegal shot and if you do, your opponent will win the point.
How big is a table tennis table?
Competition table tennis tables are around 1.5M wide and 2.75M long. Generally, sports clubs and table tennis bars will have full size tables but some tables you can buy are smaller than this standard size.
How to serve in table tennis?
To serve in table tennis, throw the ball in the air and strike the centre of the ball, following through towards the direction you are aiming to hit the ball. Youtube is a good place for a more specific guide into how to service a table tennis ball.