SPiN, a ping-pong social club, to open in Center City

Bowling alleys and billiard parlors have gone the upscale-bar route in Philly.

Now comes ping pong.

SPiN - a New York-based chain of high-energy ping-pong social clubs equipped with 17 Olympic-style tables, private lounges, and restaurant and bar - has targeted a July opening at 15th and Walnut Streets, taking 12,000 square feet in the new-ish glass building that also houses Cheesecake Factory.

And, like the ping-pong table in your rec room as a kid, it will be in the basement. You'll enter on 15th Street through a door linking Verizon, WeWork, and &Pizza.

SPiN, edgily decorated with street-art decor murals and featuring a house DJ booth, targets corporations for team-building as well as walk-in players. It also offers tournament leagues, private lessons from pros, and private events for up to 500 people.

It's free to walk in. Prices for table time have not been announced, but SPiN clubs in other cities charge $19 to $29 for 30 minutes and $29 to $49 for an hour, depending on time of day.

SPiN, whose founders include the actress Susan Sarandon, has clubs in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto.

(Not that it's a backhanded compliment, but you might check out Trolley Car Table Tennis Club in East Falls to get in shape for the opening.)