Founded in 1924, and now with over 70 courts, the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is the oldest and largest in the world, according to Vice President Erik Hahmann.
Do the St. Pete shuffle.
Walk into the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club at 559 Mirror Lake Drive N on a Friday night and the slick green courts are packed with young city residents. Originally dominated by seniors, the pastime’s surge in popularity with millennials has left older residents scratching their heads.
“If you’re a young person and you tell someone you play shuffleboard, it’s always met with something along the lines of laughter and ‘isn’t that for old people?’” said Erik Hahmann, USFSP student and St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club vice president. “Then they come to the club, especially on a Friday night, and see what it’s all about.”
The shuffleboard club opened in 1924 and has over 70 courts, making it the oldest and largest club in the world, according to Hahmann. Although the club had more than 5,000 members in the early ’60s, it saw substantial membership decreases through the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
“Thankfully, 10 years ago, a dedicated group of members began the ‘Friday Night Shuffle,’ where we open the club to the public from 7 to 11 p.m.,” said Hahmann. “People can bring their own drinks, and there’s always music. It has helped save the club, and we now get over 200 people on a usual Friday night.”
The “Friday Night Shuffle” is free, but donations are encouraged.
The club started its first league two years ago with 12 teams. This season boasts 34 teams, something Hahmann sees as indicative of the sport’s continued growth.
“It’s an awesome place to hang out and have fun,” said USFSP senior Zach Mills, 22. “If you don’t know how to play, everyone there is more than willing to show you the ropes.”
The venue, however, isn’t only reserved for serious shufflers and Friday night fun-seekers.
St. Petersburg locals Jen and Travis Smith chose to have their wedding at the shuffleboard club due to its affordable pricing and vintage appeal. Jen was a member at the club last fall.
Local newlyweds Jen and Travis Smith chose to tie the knot at the club because of its charm and affordable price.
“We picked the club because we loved the vintage look and it was reasonably priced,” said Jen. “I was on a team last year in its fall league, and we had also been there before on Friday nights.”
Although some of the sport’s critics tend to discount its difficulty, Hahmann stresses the importance of hand-eye coordination, a deft touch and strategic thinking abilities.
“Just because it doesn’t involve a lot of physical athletic ability doesn’t make it lesser,” he said. “If you think it’s easy, come down on a Friday night and I’ll show you it’s anything but.”
The shuffleboard boom seems to be a trend almost exclusive to the St. Petersburg area – but not quite.
The only other major city to see a similar surge thus far is Brooklyn, home to the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club. According to Hahmann, the two business partners who started the club were blown away by the popularity and atmosphere of the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club while vacationing in the area. As a result, the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club was born, and has flourished.
Information:
The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m., and Fridays from 7 – 11 p.m. For more information call (727) 822-2083 or email info@stpeteshuffle.com
