Casual Dinner / Ping Pong & Drinks at SPiN New York

What: Pipa tapas y mas / ’wichcraft / Boqueria / Shake Shack (Dinner) → SPiN New York (Ping Pong & Drinks) → Almond or Berrywild (Dessert) / Flatiron Lounge (Drinks)
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Duration: 1.5-3 Hours
Preparation: If going to Shake Shack, check the weather to make sure it’s not going to rain; if going to Pipa, make a reservation; call SPiN to confirm there are no events going on that will interfere with renting a table, reserve a table for a half hour ($15) or full hour ($30).

Ping pong on a date is a great activity providing a fun element to the night (or day) since anyone can play. Combine it with drinking, good music and a cool scene and you’ve got SPiN New York, the relatively new hang out for all things ping pong near Madison Square Park. Call up to make a reservation for a table and grab a casual dinner beforehand.

There are many dinner options nearby including Pipa tapas y mas and Boqueria, which both offer a great selection of Spanish tapas, the only ‘wichcraft location to offer dinner service and Shake Shack, the ever-popular casual dining experience. If you prefer sitdown service, make a reservation at Pipa or try your luck at getting a table at Boqueria. After dinner, head over to SPiN and check in at the front desk (reservations are highly recommended since the space holds regular events and can fill up on most nights).

If you’re still going strong and want to do something after ping pong, head over to Almond (open until Mon-Thu: 11pm, Fri-Sat: Midnight, Sun: 10pm) for sit-down dessert service and order the buttermilk waffle or maybe the chocolate pot de crème. If you’re more in the mood for frozen yogurt, there’s a Berrywild near SPiN instead. For more drinks, head over to Flatiron Lounge a few blocks away.

SPiN New York (Flatiron)
Lounge / Club, Ping Pong
304 Park Avenue S, Entrance on 23rd St (btwn Park Ave & Madison Ave), South side of street; 212.982.8802
Activities: Ping Pong, 15 tables
Amenities: 9,000 sq ft Main Room with 15 state-of-the-art JOOLA Tables, Cushioned playing surface (Olympic caliber), Custom designed lighting, Locker rooms with shower, World Class players and coaches for private and group instruction, “Fred Perry Common Room” with 2 tables for private bookings, Pro Shop, Robotic ball machines
Prices: Table Rental Rates – $15 per half-hour for standard tables, $20 per half-hour for pro courts, $50 per half-hour for stadium court. Member Rates – $7.50 per half-hour for standard tables, $10 per half-hour for pro courts, $25 per half-hour for stadium court.
Hours: Sun-Wed: 11am-Midnight, Thu-Sat: 11am-4am
Music: DJ music on weekends and select nights
Events: Check out upcoming events here
Notes: New hotspot ping pong mecca (Susan Sarandon is one of the founders), large open space with ping pong tables, bar and lounge seating area off to the side, private lounge with professional table, regular celeb spotting, rent tables by the half-hour, events held regularly including singles ping pong matchmaking, round-robin tournaments, professional player spotlights and other special events, call before going and make a reservation.
How to find it: Look for sign on door, follow stairs down to lobby/check-in area, walk further to get to main room.

Dinner Options
Pipa tapas y mas
Restaurant, Spanish / Tapas
38 E 19th St (btwn Park Ave S & Broadway), South side of street; 212.677.2233
Prices: Soups/Salads: Less than $10 – Mid $10’s; Tapas: Less than $10 – Mid $10’s;
Specialties/Meats/Cheeses: Mid $10’s – Low $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Good date spot, cool tapas and wine bar, part of ABC Carpet & Home, unique ornate décor with chandeliers everywhere and other items associated with home furnishings, always popular, some outdoor seating and a bunch of communal and smaller tables inside.

‘wichcraft
Café / Restaurant, American Nouveau / Sandwiches
11 E 20th St (btwn Park Ave & Broadway), North side of street; 212.780.0577
Prices: Small Plates: Less than $10 – Low $10’s
Dinner Hours: Mon-Fri: 6-10pm, Sat-Sun: No Dinner Served
No Reservations Accepted
Notes: Gourmet sandwich shop and café during the day, small plates restaurant at night (starting around 6pm) on the second floor of this 20th St location, welcoming atmosphere, outdoor seating area, menu includes items on grilled bread and dishes focused around vegetables, meat and fish, limited but good selection of reasonably-priced wines and beers, click here for small plates menu and here for wine/beer list.

Boqueria
Restaurant, Spanish / Tapas / Nuevo Latino
53 W 19th St (btwn 5th Ave & 6th Ave), North side of street; 212.255.4160
Prices: Tapas: Less than $10 – Low $10’s; Entrees: Mid $10’s – Upper $20’s
Only Reservations for Parties of 6+: 212.255.4160
Notes: Cool, lively, Spanish & tapas spot, light and warm colors make up the chic décor, bar scene up front with a long communal high table in the back and small tables for two along the wall, solid main dishes in addition to the tapas offerings, expect a bit of a wait during prime dining hours.

Shake Shack at Madison Square Park
Outdoor Café, American / Hamburgers / Dessert
Madison Ave (at 23rd St), Northwest corner; 212.889.6600
Prices: All Items: Less than $10
Hours: Daily: 11am-11pm
Notes: Ever-popular outdoor grub kiosk at the southeast end of Madison Square Park, specializes in burgers, frozen custard and other items including a portobello mushroom burger, hot dogs, french fries, various drinks, wine, beer, shakes, cups & cones and sundaes, expect lines up to well over an hour long during prime dining hours (lunch and dinner) with waiting times lessening a bit during off hours (11am-11:30am, 2-5pm, 9:30-11pm), use the “B-Line” (usually no or a limited wait) to order frozen custard and/or drinks, ample seating with tables and chairs nearby.

Dessert
Almond
Restaurant, American Traditional / French
12 E 22nd St (btwn Park Ave S & Broadway), South side of street; 212.228.7557
Prices: Apps: Low – Mid $10’s; Entrees: Mid $10’s – Mid $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Hamptons transplant, slick and trendy restaurant, good long bar, large spacious dining area with warm dark-wood décor, dim lights and welcoming but not too loud atmosphere, solid food and service, outdoor seating and open-air walls on nice nights, check out the pool table in the back, try at least one of the desserts.

Berrywild (*Closed*)
Dessert, Frozen Yogurt / Smoothies / Parfait
2 W 23rd St (btwn 5th Ave & 6th Ave), South side of street; 212.727.2740
Hours: Daily: 11am-11pm
Notes: One of the many frozen yogurt competitors in the city, smaller chain with only three locations, 6+ different flavors to choose from, fresh fruit and dry toppings including “yogurt balls,” a few tables inside for sitting.

Drinks
Flatiron Lounge
Lounge, Specialty Cocktails
37 W 19th St (btwn 5th Ave & 6th Ave), North side of street; 212.727.7741
Notes: Good specialty cocktails spot, sit at the bar or a bunch of tables in the back.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 6:30 pm and is filed under FreshIdeas and tagged with activity, creative, flatiron, fun, madison square park, market, outdoors, ping pong. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.