Is table tennis having a moment? Try it for yourself in Tampa Bay

Move aside pickleball, there’s a new racket sport in town

Two people playing table tennis. We can't see their faces because the image is too low, and the other has their back turned, but they are stood by a blue table, with the ball in play hovering over the net.

Pickle & Pint opened in 2025. | Photo via Pickle & Pint

The nation’s collective interest in table tennis exists in a strange time loop: once every four years, as the Summer Olympic Games roll around, interest in the sport spikes.

Now, with the success of “Marty Supreme,” the game is gaining attention again — no Summer Games required. If you want to get ahead of the curve, grab a paddle and head to one of these local spots:

  • The best part of a new hobby? Community. That’s what awaits at the St. Pete Ping Pong Club. Members meet every Wednesday to play at Outcast Brewing Company.
  • Once you’ve made a few friends, bring them to Pickle + Pint in Largo. Open until 10 p.m. most nights of the week, this spot has tables for hire, food + drink options, and an extensive list of beer and wine.
  • The City of Tampa has a couple of free-to-use tables at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Remember to bring your paddles and balls.

Did we miss your favorite place to play table tennis? Let us know.

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