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Birmingham’s latest alternative entertainment venue - offering a “unique immersive ping pong experience ” officially opens its doors this weekend.

SERVE, a underground ping pong bar, nightclub, restaurant and lounge all -in-one opened on Friday, August 17.

The owners have converted the massive basement unit space at 55a Temple Row, formerly used as a gym studio in the late nineties - into a food, drink and entertainment venue.

SERVE has a gigantic bar area with 17 ping pong tables. Guests can enjoy cocktails, beers and wines as well as order food to keep refuelled after a vigorous game of ping pong!

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

There's a separate room with two ping pong tables for corporate events and birthday parties.

The venue is open from 11am but after 7pm there is a strict over 18s policy and the space develops a more night club vibe complete with live DJ.

The venue is the brainchild of David Smith and James Day, who first met in New York and began to develop the idea for a venue which combined four key elements - "food, drink, service and fun."

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

David Smith, Managing Partner, said: “We’re delighted to have opened our very first SERVE venue in the world.

“People are more demanding these days about what they want from a night out, they don’t want to just stand around drinking, they want alternatives. The concept for SERVE is really great food, really great drinks, really great music, all surrounded by an activity – in this case, ping pong.

"SERVE offers a hip, nightclub culture combined with something fun and entertaining. Ping pong social venues have taken off in the states and from the reaction we’ve had so far, it’s obviously going to be just as popular here.

“The plan is to have SERVEs around the world - in Paris, New York, Madrid and London. But we wanted to open our first one in the UK away from London.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

"It was a case of finding the right size location. We needed a huge space - so this place ticks all the boxes. And of course there is an exciting buzz about Birmingham right now.

"We know the city is getting better and better. Birmingham will always be home to our head office and flagship space.”

David added: “We’re open seven days a week so please come and see for yourself what we have to offer - whether you’re a ping pong pro, a complete beginner or just here for the cocktails, there’s something for everyone. ”

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

The food menu includes light bites such as chicken wings ( £7 for 6) as well as burgers served up in Chinese steamed charcoal marble bao buns (£4) There's also a variety of flatbread sandwiches to choose from with fillings including duck and fig (£10).

SERVE is open 11am - Midnight Sunday - Thursday and 11am to 2am Friday and Saturday.

Prices for a 30 minute SERVE game experience range from £16 to £42. There is a maximum of 6 players per table at this price.

SERVE joins other alternative entertainment venues in the city including Ghetto Golf in Digbeth and Lane7 bowling venue at the Cube.