What attracts so many residents and visitors to Brooklyn? Many migrate to this borough to indulge in the many fine restaurants, eateries and watering holes. Others prefer to shop at all the local boutiques. Live sports, music and entertainment draw plenty of people to Brooklyn venues like the Barclays Center and The Bell House. And even more folks are drawn to the beach and famous attractions at Coney Island.
In addition to the many motivators listed above, Brooklyn also attracts anyone who’s looking for something different to do with their free time. In recent years, one old school activity has made a triumphant return to Brooklyn: shuffleboard.
What is Shuffleboard?
If you’re not familiar with shuffleboard, it’s a game in which the players slide disks or pucks, either by hand or using a cue across a table or court. The object is to get the disks or pucks into the designated scoring areas of the table or court. The player with the most points wins.
While wildly popular in the mid-20th century (especially in beach communities and on cruise ships), shuffleboard’s popularity waned in the later half of the century. However, this fun pastime started to enjoy a resurgence in popularity the past few years – especially in Brooklyn.
If you’re eager to enjoy this fun game for the first time or the hundredth time, here are a few of the best places to play shuffleboard in Brooklyn!
Best Place for Court Shuffleboard
Approaching its 10th anniversary, the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is the brainchild of owners Ashley Albert and Jonathan Schnapp. Inspired by a trip to St. Petersburg, FL, Albert and Schnapp returned home and set about making their dream of bringing shuffleboard to Brooklyn. In 2013, they opened the club in a renovated Gowanus warehouse and word of this wonderful place quickly spread.
Featuring over 20,000 square space of games and seating, the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club welcomes residents and visitors for a game on one of their 10 regulation-size shuffleboard courts. Patrons can also enjoy the club’s collection of board games, tropical drink specials, and DJs. Plus, the food selection is always changing thanks to the rotating food trucks who provide the club’s diverse menus.
If you fall in love with shuffleboard, you can always join the club’s Monday and Tuesday night league – the largest shuffleboard league in the world!
Best Places for Tabletop Shuffleboard
Playing on a regulation size court isn’t the only way to enjoy shuffleboard. Many folks prefer to play this fun game on the tabletop variant. Just like court shuffleboard was popular in beach resorts, table shuffleboard could be found in plenty of bars and clubs across the country. During the 1980s, these boards began to be replaced by video games (especially video poker). In the past 10 years, more establishments sought to create more of a community atmosphere. To do this they brought back games like billiards and table shuffleboard.
While there are many great local places with tabletop games, two of the best bars to play shuffleboard in Brooklyn are The Commissioner and Luckydog.
Located in Park Slope, The Commissioner serves up a diverse selection of fine beer and liquor as well as tasty treats like 12-hour-smoked chicken wings. In addition to the great drinks and delicious food, The Commissioner also boasts a wonderful selection of board games, dart boards and, its most popular entertainment attraction, table shuffleboard.
Like its name suggests, Luckydog in Williamsburg is a dog-friendly bar with a great drink selection and live music. During the warm weather months, their outdoor patio emits a backyard BBQ vibe, while many residents enjoy dropping in on Sundays for free bagels. While many folks enjoy these perks, just as many flock to Luckydog for the table shuffleboard!
While there are plenty of great places to play shuffleboard in Brooklyn, 363 Bond Street residents have an extra advantage: access to a shuffleboard table at Social by 363 – our luxury lounge!
Open and available to all 363 Bond Street residents, our elegant lounge includes a full bar, fireplace, tech room, billiards, and, of course, shuffleboard.
If you’re ready to live your best life in a luxurious Brooklyn apartment, it’s time to contact us!