Introducing: Spin Toronto, the new King West ping pong club co-owned by Susan Sarandon (no, really)
(Image: Roxy Hunt & Tony Castle)
After a soft open a month ago, Spin, the ping pong bar and lounge, held its official launch party last night. If you thought table tennis was a nerdy game best restricted to basements and community centres, Spin’s creators, Franck Raharinosy, Andrew Gordon, Jonathan Bricklin, Toronto partner Ryan Fisher and, ahem, Academy Award–winning actress Susan Sarandon would like to change your mind. After all, table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988 and the Spin Galactic social clubs have been popping up in North America since 2009 (there are clubs in New York and Milwaukee already, with another in St. Petersburg, Florida, on the way). Unlike the matches of your youth, however, this new ping pong culture seems to be as much about the social as much as the sport, which should explain Spin’s surprisingly large cocktail, wine and beer menu.
The 12,000-square-foot space was designed by Emil Teleki and Jessica Nakanishi in collaboration with Todd Oldham in New York, and it has 12 ping pong tables, a lounge and a private party room. The two bars serve a variety of beers, wines and cocktails, including the Stamos ($14), with Bacardi Gold, Amaro Montenegro, house-made tobacco tincture and maraschino. The food focuses on sharing plates, like devilled eggs ($5), a mixed taco plate ($24) and barbecue popcorn ($3). There are also sundaes ($7) in flavours like Guinness, sweet potato or cheddar, which are served with whipped cream and candied fruit. Of course, ping pong this high-class doesn’t come cheap: annual memberships can be purchased at individual ($500) or family ($750) rates; non-members can enjoy an hour of play for $20–$28 depending on the time of day.
The opening party brought out the ping pong elite, including all four founders, as well as champion table tennis players Wally Green, Kazuyuki Yokoyama and Soo Yeon Lee (who didn’t let her dress’s thigh-high slit or her six-inch Louboutins get in the way of her game). And an unexpected appearance from the Breakfast Club ’ s Judd Nelson confirmed for us that even tough guys aren’t too cool for ping pong.
Spin Toronto , 461 King St. W., 416-599-7746, toronto.spingalactic.com
95478 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Devilled eggs plate ($5) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-devilled-eggs-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-devilled-eggs.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-devilled-eggs.jpg 624 374 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-devilled-eggs/ spin-devilled-eggs 0 0
Devilled eggs plate ($5)
95479 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Lobster roll sandwich ($16) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-lobster-roll-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-lobster-roll.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-lobster-roll.jpg 624 374 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-lobster-roll/ spin-lobster-roll 0 0
Lobster roll sandwich ($16)
95477 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) The Stamos ($14): Baccardi Gold rum, Amaro Montenegro, house-made tobacco tincture and maraschino cherry Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-cocktail-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-cocktail.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-cocktail.jpg 624 374 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-cocktail/ spin-cocktail 0 0
The Stamos ($14): Baccardi Gold rum, Amaro Montenegro, house-made tobacco tincture and maraschino cherry
95480 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) The Longhouse George ($9): Seagrams V.O., Apfelkorn apple liquor, chocolate bitters and vanilla syrup Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-mason-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-mason.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-mason.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-mason/ spin-mason 0 0
The Longhouse George ($9): Seagrams V.O., Apfelkorn apple liquor, chocolate bitters and vanilla syrup
95474 (Image: Simone Olivero) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-balls-shirt-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-balls-shirt.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-balls-shirt.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-balls-shirt/ spin-balls-shirt 0 0
95520 (Image: Ryan Emberley) Actors Stacey Farber and Angela Asher Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-farber-Asher-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-farber-Asher.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-farber-Asher.jpg 624 468 {"copyright":"Ryan Emberley"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-farber-asher/ spin-farber-asher 0 0
Actors Stacey Farber and Angela Asher
95661 (Image: Ryan Emberley) <em>The Breakfast Club’</em>s Judd Nelson Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-judd-nelson-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-judd-nelson.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-judd-nelson.jpg 624 468 {"copyright":"Ryan Emberley"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-judd-nelson/ spin-judd-nelson 0 0
The Breakfast Club’ s Judd Nelson
95472 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) It ain’t easy being a ball boy at Spin Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-ball-boy-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-ball-boy.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-ball-boy.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-ball-boy/ spin-ball-boy 0 0
It ain’t easy being a ball boy at Spin
95481 (Image: Simone Olivero) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-players-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-players.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-players.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-players/ spin-players 0 0
95482 (Image: Simone Olivero) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-posters-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-posters.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-posters.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-posters/ spin-posters 0 0
95483 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Set of three snacks ($8): bourbon and bacon caramel corn, barbecue popcorn and honey-roasted almonds Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-snakcs-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-snakcs.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-snakcs.jpg 624 374 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-snakcs/ spin-snakcs 0 0
Set of three snacks ($8): bourbon and bacon caramel corn, barbecue popcorn and honey-roasted almonds
95486 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-table-bucket-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-table-bucket.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-table-bucket.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-table-bucket/ spin-table-bucket 0 0
95473 (Image: Simone Olivero) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-ball-bucket-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-ball-bucket.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-ball-bucket.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-ball-bucket/ spin-ball-bucket 0 0
95488 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-taps-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-taps.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-taps.jpg 624 472 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-taps/ spin-taps 0 0
95475 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-bar-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-bar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-bar.jpg 411 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-bar/ spin-bar 0 0
95487 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-tables-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-tables.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-tables.jpg 624 423 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-tables/ spin-tables 0 0
95476 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-blinds-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-blinds.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-blinds.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-blinds/ spin-blinds 0 0
95484 (Image: Roxy Hunt and Tony Castle) A table tennis table Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-solo-table-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-solo-table.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-solo-table.jpg 624 400 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-solo-table/ spin-solo-table 0 0
A table tennis table
95522 (Image: Ryan Emberley) Soo Yeon Lee holds a paddle as Wally Green looks on Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-lee-green-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-lee-green.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-lee-green.jpg 624 468 {"copyright":"Ryan Emberley"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-lee-green/ spin-lee-green 0 0
Soo Yeon Lee holds a paddle as Wally Green looks on
95524 (Image: Ryan Emberley) Model and table tennis pro Soo Yeon Lee Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-Soo-Yeon-Lee-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-Soo-Yeon-Lee.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-Soo-Yeon-Lee.jpg 468 624 {"copyright":"Ryan Emberley"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-soo-yeon-lee/ spin-soo-yeon-lee 0 0
Model and table tennis pro Soo Yeon Lee
95489 (Image: Simone Olivero) Table tennis champs Kazuyuki Yokoyama, Soo Yeon Lee and Wally Green Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-trio-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-trio.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-trio.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-trio/ spin-trio 0 0
Table tennis champs Kazuyuki Yokoyama, Soo Yeon Lee and Wally Green
95523 (Image: Ryan Emberley) Kevin Eiben, Ronald Flemons, Susan Sarandon, Mike Bradwell, Wes Lysack Introducing: Spin Toronto https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-owners-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-owners.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/spin-owners.jpg 624 468 {"copyright":"Ryan Emberley"} https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-spin-toronto/slide/spin-owners/ spin-owners 0 0
Kevin Eiben, Ronald Flemons, Susan Sarandon, Mike Bradwell, Wes Lysack
I wonder how much they paid Sarandon to become a “partner”?
$14 for a cocktail? Really?
You can feed a family for a week in some countries with that.
You do realize you read this article on Toronto Life right? Not exactly a bastion of frugal living.
dope overall!
Pretty cool to have this in Toronto.
We always liked some social life plus a bit of exercise. Ping pong and coctails – a nice and refreshing innovation, surely to be a hit with sportier crowd, and not just with the Asian afficionados.
Good for you, Toronto!
Went to Spin Toronto on a 1st date last night and had a BLAST! What an ice breaker. Such a funny, entertaining way to casually spend an evening.
Note* “Bubbly Betty” cocktail was amazingly tasty.
Partied there last night, the food is just fabulous, especially the desserts.