Ever since my twenty-something son had told me how much he enjoyed visiting a bar with ping pong tables in Central London a while back, I’ve been keen to experience it myself. The opportunity presented itself last night – the West End was gridlocked with folk wanting to see the switch on of the light exhibitions so I hopped onto the Jubilee Line.
Westfield Stratford City is always a pleasure to visit – but impossible to avoid some impulse shopping. And, as usual, I got confused between the lower ground area where you arrive on the tube and the ground level where you can exit to The Street which is where the new Bat and Ball is located. I almost missed it as when viewed from one direction there’s just a small neon sign. From the other direction there’s a massive two-storey window so it’s absolutely obvious.
At ground level it’s a barn of a bar (the biggest in Westfield). It’s relaxed and informal. There are open booths to one side which will comfortably seat six people and towards the back are those fabulous big wooden tables where you could seat at least 12 of your mates. To the other side is a more traditional bar area – I liked the wall of framed photos which reach up to the ceiling.
The food is similarly relaxed – and suitable for those on a tight budget. Pizza slices from £3 (whole pizzas from £8), sourdough toasties and wraps (£5), salads from £7 – and there are also some sharing plates and buckets of wings (£12). Drinks focus on craft beer, wine and cocktails.
Up the open stairs – admiring the pots containing trailing plants on the walls – and I reached the massive open mezzanine level which is the games hall containing 12 championship tables. There’s another bar here and, last night, a DJ pumping out some lively numbers.
Table tennis: 30 minutes off-peak time costs just £8 and 60 minutes peak time costs £25. Whilst booking is recommended, they always keep two tables free for walk-ins. It’s open from 10am to midnight.
The Bat and Ball is a yearlong pop-up ping pong bar and café run by Nick Pring and Malcolm Heap from Urban Pubs and Bars.
http://www.thebatandball.com/
