Good company outing ideas get the whole team involved without forcing anyone: a ping pong tournament with doubles across departments, a game night with easy side games, a shared-plates meal instead of a seated dinner, or a short meeting followed by play. SPIN hosts all of these at eight venues, and party planners handle your event so that you can relax and enjoy.
Company outing ideas your team will actually enjoy
Each idea lets people choose how they join in. The first eight happen at SPIN, and the last two work anywhere.
- SPIN Pros ping pong tournament: SPIN Pros lead the tournament and the social play around it, so you get to play instead of refereeing. Every level is welcome, and staff keep ball baskets stocked so play is uninterrupted.
- Cross-department doubles mixer: You can pair colleagues from different teams on the same side of the table to strengthen cross-departmental relationships. Switch partners every few rounds so people meet coworkers they rarely see.
- Game rotation for non-players: Guests who want a break from ping pong can move between giant Jenga, tabletop shuffleboard, giant Connect 4, and Atari Pong. If you are planning for a multi-generational workforce, the mix gives every age group a way to join in.
- Shared plates instead of a seated dinner: SPIN’s chef-driven scratch kitchen serves shareable, snackable plates that coworkers grab between games. No sit-down dinner is required, so people keep playing and talking while they eat.
- Meeting or off-site, then play: Open a meeting or strategic off-site with a short presentation on SPIN’s audio/visual system, then move to the ping pong tables. The same format suits milestone celebrations, where leadership can thank the team before the games start.
- Client outing with your logo on the paddles: SPIN can put your company logo and message on paddles, balls, and table decals, so clients see your brand during play. Guests can order craft cocktails from the full-service bar between games.
- Holiday party tournament: Set a holiday dress theme such as ugly sweaters, then hand out light-hearted awards during a short toast. See holiday parties at SPIN and these office holiday party ideas for more ways to plan it.
- Small-team party package: Groups of 4 to 20 can book a SPIN party package with a bar package, stationed food, and their own ping pong tables. For more options, see these outing ideas for small teams.
- Volunteer day with a local charity: Choose a local charity your team cares about and volunteer together.
- Cooking class: Book a group cooking class so the team cooks a meal side by side.
Corporate events at eight SPIN venues
Host your next company event
Book off-sites, client events and company celebrations at any of our venues, with party planners who handle your event so you can relax.
What makes a company outing actually worth everyone’s time?
A company outing is worth everyone’s time when people choose how they take part. Some want to compete, some want to watch, and everyone wants to talk. People also tend to enjoy an event more when they can move around instead of sitting in one seat all night.
Let Guests Choose How They Join In
Mandatory team bonding turns an outing into an obligation that employees dread. Skip anything that makes everyone perform or sit through long speeches. Let colleagues rotate between ping pong, cheering from the sidelines, and grabbing a drink, so no one has to play to be part of the event.
Optional extras help quieter guests join in without picking up a paddle. A team photo at a photo booth gives everyone something to share after the event.
Balance Activity With Social Space
Outings work best when guests can play and talk in the same room. Nonstop games wear people out. Plan for seating near the tables so coworkers can catch their breath and keep talking between matches.
Plan Around the Weather
Bad weather can cancel an outdoor plan with little notice. An indoor venue removes that risk. These indoor outing ideas and winter outing ideas cover options for rainy days and cold months.
How do you choose activities that work for different personality types?
Pick activities that work for outgoing competitors, quiet observers, and people who don’t play sports, without putting anyone on the spot. Offer doubles for pairs, side games for small groups, and a place to watch.
Low-Pressure Options for Non-Players
Not every employee wants to jump into a tournament bracket, and no one should feel pressured to play. At SPIN venues, coworkers who prefer a calmer pace can switch to tabletop shuffleboard or test their reflexes on Atari Pong. Guests who don’t play can catch sports on SPIN’s screens with a drink in hand.
Welcoming Every Skill Level
Ping pong works well for mixed corporate groups because the game requires zero prior training to enjoy. Experienced players can showcase technical spins with Stiga paddles, while beginners enjoy casual rallies with coworkers. If you want structure, SPIN Pros lead the tournaments and social play.
Pairs and Small Groups
Doubles put two people on each side of the table, which suits guests who would rather not play alone. Split the tournament bracket by team or department so small groups have a side to cheer for. Guests who want to stay off the table can keep score or cheer from the sidelines.
How much should companies budget for team outings?
Company outing budgets depend on venue selection, guest count, dining preferences, and whether you reserve dedicated tables or purchase a buyout. Decide which of those factors matter most before you ask for a quote.
How SPIN Quotes Events
SPIN does not publish event capacities, per-guest event prices, or minimum spends online. Quotes come from each venue’s event team. For a general look at what affects the price, read this breakdown of team building costs.
Options for Smaller Budgets and Groups
A small team does not need a full private buyout. For smaller groups looking for budget-friendly company outing ideas, party packages accommodate 4 to 20 guests on most weekends from Friday evening through Sunday at select venues. These packages include a bar package, stationed food, dedicated ping pong tables, extra seating, and unlimited balls, bookable 30 days ahead.
For 2 to 10 guests, book a table reservation. You get a ping pong table for your group without booking a private event package.
What timing and logistics make company outings run smoothly?
Smooth company outings depend on three tasks: gathering your headcount early, securing your preferred date in advance, and telling your team the venue logistics. Finish all three early, and you get to enjoy the outing instead of running it.
Send a Complete Inquiry Early
Popular dates fill up first, so send your inquiry early, especially for a large group outing. Include your estimated headcount, ideal date, and time window so the venue’s event team can prepare an accurate quote. Tell the party planners what the event includes, such as a short presentation, a tournament, or awards during a toast.
Day, Night, and After-Hours Events
SPIN hosts events day or night and can open for private events outside normal operating hours. Every venue is family-friendly until 9 PM, when it becomes 21+. For the full planning process, see this guide on how to plan a company outing.
Managing Dietary Needs and Food Service
Ask about dietary needs and allergies when you collect RSVPs. The chef-driven scratch kitchen prepares shareable plates with clear labels for avoids-gluten, vegan, and vegetarian items. Because the kitchen handles dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts, fish, and shellfish, pass every allergy directly to the venue’s party planners.
Company outings at SPIN
Host your company outing at SPIN, where coworkers will enjoy ping pong, great food, and craft cocktails in one place. Book SPIN for a meeting, a company celebration, or a client event. Table configurations are flexible, so the room is set up around your group.
At SPIN, we started the original ping pong social club in New York City about 15 years ago, and no membership is required. Today, our eight venues welcome groups in seven cities: Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Toronto, and New York City at our Flatiron and Midtown locations. Our team building events flex from an intimate team offsite to a full-company takeover.
Party planners at each venue handle your event so that you can relax and enjoy. You can add house DJs, photo booths, or interactive installations, and the audio/visual system handles presentations or music. Send your inquiry through our private events page, or choose your venue to start with the city closest to your team.
Related Articles
- How do you avoid holiday party planning burnout as an event organizer?
- Can you plan meaningful holiday activities in just one afternoon?
- Why do group activities that involve mild challenge build stronger connections?
- What are corporate team building activities that actually change behavior long-term?
- What made New York City a table tennis hotspot?
