Chalk Ping Pong And Billiards Lounge Opens In South Beach
Soft Opening Wednesday, December 28
Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge
1234 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL

Chalk is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. For private bookings and advance reservations, call 305.532.8662 or visit www.chalkmiami.com.

New venue first of its kind in South Florida, redefines nostalgic games with sophisticated style
Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge is an eco-friendly, multi-room venue that boasts 6,600 square feet of engaging design and interactive entertainment.

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge will become Miami’s first and only temple to these time-honored games with its opening Wednesday, December 28, 2011. The 6,600-square-foot space, located at 1234 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach, is the brainchild of managing partners Robert Chalk, Sayra Moto and Joseph Blount, who designed the lounge as an “adult rec room.” In addition to table tennis and pool, the multi-room venue will feature a hand-picked menu of international beers, an inventive mixologist-driven cocktail menu, 12 LED flat screens broadcasting sporting events from around the globe, private game rooms for intimate gatherings and one-on-one competitions, and a digital jukebox carrying more than 2,500 songs that will be streamed via a state-of-the-art Turbo sound system.

“Some of my best memories as a child involved playing pool with my dad,” says Chalk. “Everyone seems to have their own ‘Ping-Pong story’ as well, so our goal was to capture that nostalgia and simultaneously bring the traditional pool hall to the next level with a chic and sophisticated style.”

Situated in the former Washington Federal Bank location, Chalk boasts seven International Table Tennis Federation-approved Cornilleau Ping-Pong tables, five Diamond Pro-Am billiard tables and classic board games such as Connect 4 and Checkers. Single-elimination table tennis tournaments will be held throughout the year. Private rooms for both Ping-Pong and billiards are also available and can accommodate groups of up to 15 guests. Each private room features customizable audio that can be controlled via iPhone, as well as iPad cocktail service. The 290-person space also offers outdoor seating for 30 on its front terrace.

Chalk is one of the only environmentally friendly lounges in South Beach, boasting an eco-conscious design that includes LED lighting, Dyson hand dryers, biodegradable cups, waterless urinals and emailed receipts. “Being ‘green’ is a major part of Chalk’s philosophy,” says Moto. “This mantra is also reflected in our cocktail menu, which is sourced through mostly organic ingredients.” Eco-friendly libations are crafted at Chalk’s two full-service bars and include the Honky Tonkitini, a mixture of vodka, cucumber juice, lime juice, frosted mint syrup and hand-clapped mint leaves, garnished with a cucumber wheel; Dropkick Murphy, tequila, muddled pepper slices, cilantro leaves, agave, lime juice, topped with orange juice; Blue Balls, coconut vodka, blueberry syrup, lemon juice and muddled blueberries; and the Drop Shot, coconut-flavored rum, chipotle-pineapple syrup, lime juice, cranberry juice, topped with prosecco and pineapple garnish.

Interior design is a “Metro-Retro” homage to the mid-century modern building in which it is housed, which was designed by famed architect Maurice Weintraub in 1961. These elements encompass a blend of modern metropolitan aesthetic with funky nostalgic accents, such as a vintage silver and black Louis XV-style chair that can be found in one of its private rooms. The shimmering blue walls are complemented by black Le Corbusier-style sofas and ottomans, which sit atop Mondo Bolo black-composite flooring. The private billiards room, known as The Vault, was constructed out of the space’s former bank vault and showcases a deconstructed safe door with its mechanics fully exposed.

A 300-square-foot wall in the main room will cycle a selection of art from local and national artists curated by SuperMarket Creative. The first installation will showcase an organic montage of paddleboards covered in graffiti art, designed by local Primary Flight artists including: George Sanchez Calderon; Typoe; Books III Bischof; She Kills He; Chris Oh; Jessy Nite; Pest 131; Pucho; Brian Butler; Keen One; and Jill Weisberg.

In addition to supporting emerging and established artists, one of Chalk’s cornerstones is the support of humanitarian endeavors through its “Ready, Set, Give” initiative. The program is a testament to partner Joe Blount’s extensive philanthropic background, and aims to benefit numerous worthy causes each year.

The hourly rate for Ping-Pong and pool table use is $15. A $50 monthly membership is available by applying online at www.chalkmiami.com and includes perks such as advance table reservations, reduced drink and table pricing, and a complimentary bottle of champagne on the member’s birthday.

Photo credit: Robin Hill