OT301 Amsterdam

Do I see a frowning face staring at the words Ping Pong Night? Trust me, whenever I have taken frowned faces to a Ping-Pong night at OT301 in Amsterdam, the frowns have turned to grins in a split second. Imagine thirty people around a ping pong table, beers in hand, taking turns to strike the ball until someone misses or is unsuccessful at their shot, and leaves the circle.

This circus will go on until there are two players left, and eventually a winner. Oh, and this happens to the sound of some DJ beats, which can vary between Balkan, tropical rhythms, drum & bass, and the sorts. Yes, it's a circle of madness, it's free entrance, and it is a lot of fun.

There are two more tables in the house, available for you to play your regular ping pong match. Aficionados will surround you, but also amateurs, locals and foreigners. There is a mix of different languages at the underground setting of OT301, a former squat that became a legalised cultural association. OT hosts an array of events like live concerts, cinema, clubbing nights, workshops, exhibitions, you name it. It also houses a vegan kitchen - De Pepper - that serves meals for a friendly price. But the Ping Pong Night, every Tuesday evening, will always remain a classic in my heart.