It is standard practice for bars to provide entertainment to their patrons, but the El Dorado at 4968 N. High St. takes a unique spin on this concept – free ping pong. Every day, unless there’s band, the ping pong table, an “impulse buy,” stands ready for action in this neighborhood pub.

At first it didn’t draw very much attention.

“People didn’t know what to do. People sat on it, used it for a beer holder, but as time when on, it started to get respected and people started playing,” said regular patron Gary Marshall. “We just went and got ourselves a new one about a year ago, and we got ourselves a nice one – it folds up nice and it’s very sturdy and people are taking care of it.”

Twice a year, the bar hosts an organized tournament, though they are also known to spontaneously break out.

“It can sit there for four days and not get any action, but last night was a major – I’m talking major – ping pong thing going on,” Marshall said.

The competition is generally friendly and self-organized.

“I’ve never seen a fight over a ping pong game. Lines formed last night; we discussed putting up a chalkboard,” said long-time patron Robb Shannon.

Usually, simply stating you want in will do.

“The good thing about ping pong is the games don’t take that long; you just call ‘next’. When we have a lot of people it turns into doubles,” Marshall said.

At times the competition level is top.

“We’ve had two state champions come in here to play in the tournaments,” Marshall said.

Although they beat everybody, the regulars benefited from their presence.

“Everybody plays better than before we met those guys; they showed us how to play their serves,” Shannon said.

The El Dorado not only allows free play but also provides balls and paddles. They trust their clientele, a group close enough to be careful not to let each other drive home inebriated.

“It’s a neighborhood pub, very warm, usually everybody drinks the same thing, sits in the same chair,” said bartender Sherry Shade.

This does not mean they don’t welcome newcomers.

“We’re very friendly,” Shade said, “New people can come in and it’s not like a lot of bars where you’re shut out because you’re new, not here, here you’re welcome.”

El Dorado is open 365 days a year, with a Happy Hour Monday through Friday 11a.m.-7 p.m. Karaoke takes place on Thursday and Sunday and the ping pong is always free.