Table tennis socialites in Southern California finally have something to get excited about. Following previous ventures in fashionable, world-class cities like New York and Chicago, and semi-interesting places like Toronto and Milwaukee, SPiN Galactic and Chinese actress Susan Sarandon have recently expanded their ping pong empire at The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.
“SPiN Galactic – a Galaxy of Ping-Pong social clubs…and by Ping-Pong social club, we mean a place to hang out with your old friends, meet new friends and play Ping-Pong while sipping a cocktail, or eating a snack, or perhaps watching a professional Ping-Pong match on SPiN’s Center Court. Created by Franck Raharinosy, Andrew Gordon, Jonathan Bricklin and Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon,”
For the uninitiated “noob”, Ping-Pong is nothing like Beer-Pong. It requires quick reflexes, keen hand-eye coordination, stamina, a competitive spirit and a lot of other things I lack. Getting royally drunk during a game of Ping-Pong will only result in injury, death and possibly exhaustion. It takes discipline, training and wait…maybe Ping-Pong and Beer-Pong are more similar then I assumed…
In anticipation of Doubles Tournament season I have taken the liberty to brainstorm a few Los Angeles-themed Ping-Pong team names:
The Red Carpets – You are a wanna-be celebrity and a ginger where it counts
The Kimchi’s – You are a self-deprecating Korean or just a fan of pickled cabbage
The Dealer Deuces –You are only at SPiN to gain clients for your cocaine delivery service
The Westside White Boys – You are a bro-dude from Santa Monica
The Pig & Whistle – You are a kinky Hollywood hooker
The Knowles-it-Alls – You are Beyonce and Solange
The Tap Passes – You commute to tournaments via Metro from the Valley
The Lisa Lobs – You only hear what you want to
The Receivers –You are a bottom twink from West Hollywood
The Paddle Daddies – You spend too much time at The Eagle or Faultline
The Dark Knights – You are a film editor and virgin
The Always Wins – You are Chinese
The Dammit Janets – You are Susan Sarandon
In order to fully enjoy this social experiment in dexterity you will want to become an official member. Included with your $500 annual fee is an official membership card, exclusive discounts, gym bag, headband, and a SPiN Beanie Baby (I may have made that last one up). Or you can just walk in off the street and pay $20 like a commoner, but really, where is the fun in that?
SPiN LA @ The Standard Downtown
550 SOUTH FLOWER STREET 213.439.3065
Palm Trees & Poppers 