As part of a Now Plus One Innovation Summit, we took our group of clients to check out out the latest in nightlife entertainment at SPiN New York. For ping pong lovers, this 13,000 square foot social club is heaven on earth! The club offers 17 individual tables, including a stadium-like center court. In addition, SPIN New York houses a pro shop, lounge, bar, private room sponsored by Fred Perry and over a dozen internationally known professional coaches and players who are available for private and group instruction.

I, of course, didn’t even need a coach! (Notice how I am serving the ball when my co-player is not even expecting it!)

Our clients were impressed by the dozens of “buckets of balls” conveniently located by each table, and containing enough ping pong balls for players who “accidentally” serve their balls across the room. This small gesture of luxurious convenience turned into a very valuable insight for our own brand discussion.

Whether ping pong will have the same comeback as another retro classic, bowling, remains to be seen. From our experience at the place, the balls kept on flying (witness our overwhelmed Now Plus One member Naz below) and the beer pitchers kept on emptying!