5 spots to play 'Ping-Pong' in NYC
Bryant Park in Manhattan offers free, year-round pingpong, with tournaments and special events. Credit: Rebecca Disbrow
To purists, it's called "table tennis," but to generations of suburbanites who grew up playing it in their basements, it's "Ping-Pong." Technically, that's a Parker Brothers trademark -- but it's much more fun to say.
City hipsters have caught the suburban vibe, with tables and paddles popping up in bars (thanks to fans like Susan Sarandon) and other venues.
Now comes Pongtopia! a three-day festival that continues through Saturday in the grand Winter Garden atrium of the World Financial Center in downtown Manhattan. There you'll find a tournament, with experts showing off their technique, and an exhibit of cool graffiti-painted tables and paddles curated by street artist Billi Kid.
Got the urge to play? Here are five city spots to get your pong on.
WHAT Table-tennis fest with masters tournament, exhibit of graffitied tables (auctioned) and paddles (selling for $250 each; proceeds benefit Operation Design, a nonprofit bringing architects and designers together with kids in public schools), plus tables where the public can play or get topspin tips from pros.
