

Becoming a ping-pong wizard
I adjust the sweatband nestled above my brow, catch my breath and bounce back and forth nimbly on my toes awaiting my opponent's serve. I take my right arm back into a vicious forehand as I return the serve with mighty authority. A rally ensues in time to a killer soundtrack spun by a DJ.
My opponent hits me with a dizzying return, so I pivot to reply with a backhand.
"Fore!!!!"
Can you yell that indoors?
Is it appropriate for table tennis?
Giggles, smiles and joy layer on top of my relief that - thank goodness, no one was injured by a 2.7 gram, 40 mm, gas filled, celluloid, ricocheting round ball zinged at them unintentionally by an overenthusiastic, uncharacteristically competitive virgin of the sport.
Transformed by fun and the retro turquoise sweatband/matching wristband combo I was proudly rocking, I became a ping-pong wizard (calm down Who fans, I know Tommy played pinball, not ping-pong - so relax before you "talkback") overtaken by table tennis fever at Milwaukee's own ping-pong club, SPiN Milwaukee.
Intrigued by the fact that the franchise was created in part by Susan Sarandon and designed by MTV's House of Style host Todd Oldham, I had to check out this addition to Miltown nightlife. I mean, Janet from "Rocky Horror" clearly knows how to have a good time and MTV in the '90s still played music videos. Ahhhhh, memories.
I had no idea that I, like the entire Chinese population, would be consumed by the sport of table tennis. Maybe it's the rhythmic sound of the paddle hitting the ball then the ball ricocheting off the table that has mesmerized me into a wiff-waff maniac, (The sport originated in Britain under the terrific name of wiff-waff. I urge you to check out ping-pong history here.)
I ventured into SPiN expecting a normal evening out, but left consumed with purchasing a table of my own, wanting to do a "training session" with one of SPiN's ping-pong pros and with a sense of exuberance I haven't felt in a really long time.
Plus – imagine this fitness fiend's delight when an evening out turned into a workout session. Oh yeah, the calorie burn from ping-pong can be upwards of 173 calories an hour, which means you can sample SPiN's great menu with a little less guilt.
SPiN even has a locker room for you to freshen up in before enjoying a cold one at their bar.
Memberships are available for pongthusiasts wanting to make regular appearances at my new personal "happiest place on earth."
No athletic ability is required. Just a desire to let go and laugh.
Strap on your sweatband, lose the self-conscious attitude, grab a paddle and be sure to yell "FORE!" when the ball goes rogue.
Talkbacks
beefsupreme | Feb. 16, 2012 at 10:57 a.m. (report)
ping pong is an awesome bar game. Spin is great. i think more bars should consider buying a table or two.
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osculant | Sept. 16, 2011 at 12:01 p.m. (report)
I love ping-pong. I am lucky enough to have one at work that we play at lunch. And I LOVE the idea of a ping-pong bar.
HOWEVER...
This place is a total rip-off! I don't care if they have the nicest balls paddles and tables (and I don't know that they do), they charge $24 an hour! Unless of course you come before 6pm, then its still $16! Of course, you can get a membership for $324 and pay $12 an hour. These prices are insane. Its more expensive than Billiards, Darts, Ice Skating, Bowling, Batting Cages, Mini-golf, Go-Karts, Brewers games, Admirals games, Laser Tag...hell, per hour its 6 times more expensive than a day at Six Flags!!!
I know people who have gone there in large groups (10+) and they were buying plenty of drinks and food ($$) and the place was way under capacity, and when their hour was up, they were promptly kicked off the table and not even allowed to finish their game.
Even Milwaukee prostitutes don't rush you that much.
For the price of a yearly membership and a few games a year you could go out and buy a table, paddles, and balls and still save on money.
Also, "2.7gram, 40mm, gas filled, celluloid, ricocheting round ball" straight from their website. I hope they at least bought you dinner...
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sandstorm | Sept. 12, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. (report)
saw your spouse backing up Alice Cooper on Leno.
looked like he was having a blast.
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Victor Golf | Sept. 12, 2011 at 1:57 p.m. (report)
Nice advertisement complete with staged photos. I hope SOMEONE got paid for this.
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jacob.allen83 | Sept. 12, 2011 at 12:25 p.m. (report)
Hello! My name's Jacob, I am one of the bartenders and a part of the Street Team Promotions for SPiN Milwaukee. I'm very happy to hear you had so much fun, and please do keep us on your list of things to do. Just so you know, we have fantastic food also. On Mondays, we have half-off burgers, sandwiches, and apps until 6pm. Also gets you a free half-hour of pong too. Happy hour starts at 4pm with some $2 pints of Sprecher taps! Hope to see you down there again sometime soon, and thank you very much for the feedback on your first time. Have a great day!
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