Ping pong bar Smash to open in Wimbledon later this month

Owner, Brighton Pier Group subsidiary Eclectic Bar Group, will open the venue on 30 September at The Broadway.

It follows the debut of its Smash ping-pong-focused bar in Reading, Berkshire, on 27 May.

Located on the site a former Po Na Na nightclub, the Wimbledon Smash format will revolve around ‘Olympic-grade’ ping-pong tables and more than 60 bottled craft beers and ciders.

The food menu centres on pizzas and salads while other drinks include ping-pong themed cocktails, such as the Pingstar Martini and Mojito in a Spin.

Smash joins Eclectic’s other venues which include Embargo Republica, Lola Lo Fez, Po Na Na, Lowlander and Coalition.

Smash’s move into the capital will see it compete against London-based Bounce, the social entertainment brand founded by Adam Breeden, entrepreneur and co-founder of darts bar Flight Club and bowling venue All Star Lanes.

The first Bounce opened in Farringdon in 2012, with a second launching in Old Street in 2015.

It marks the continued growth of the ‘dinnertainment’ sector, where the lines between dining and social activities are being blurred. The Institute of Competitive Socialising, the group behind Swingers, the crazy golf, street food and bar concept, is set to launch a new site in Leadenhall Street in the City.

Last year Pizza Pilgrims opened a restaurant in West India Quay where customers can play Mario Kart, pinball and bocce ball – an Italian version of petanque – while they dine.