Two proper outdoor tables, free paddles and balls, and an attendant who signs you into a slot — in the middle of Midtown, a few metres from Sixth Avenue. It costs nothing, needs no membership and no equipment of your own, and the queue moves because play is timed. The tables sit under the plane trees on the park's north side, which means shade on a hot afternoon and one of the more improbable views in the city over your opponent's shoulder.
What to expect
Check in with the host near the tables to get on the list and collect paddles and balls. Play runs in timed slots when it is busy, so there is a wait at peak times but it turns over quickly. The area is shaded and there are chairs nearby for anyone waiting.
Good to know
- 42nd Street–Bryant Park on the B/D/F/M drops you at the north-side entrance
- Paddles and balls are free from the attendant — bring nothing
- Sign up with the host rather than waiting at the table
- Two tables only, so lunchtime and late afternoon are the busiest
- The season runs spring through September; tables come out with the warm weather
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Common questions
Do I need my own paddle?
No. Paddles and balls are provided free of charge by the attendant at the tables.
How do I get a table?
Sign up with the host on site. Slots are allocated in turn, and play is timed when there is a queue.
How many tables are there?
Two, on the north side of the park near Sixth Avenue.
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