Located next to Mirror Lake in downtown St. Petersburg you'll find the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Way back in 1924 a group of six shuffleboard players organized what they called the St. Petersburg Mirror Lake Park Shuffleboard Club, the first strictly shuffleboard club in the world; in time it became the largest club of its kind in the world.
During its heyday, the club was more than a club for shuffleboard players. It was a community recreation center, where members could play bridge, watch movies, hold parties and dances. But its core remained shuffleboard players, and in time, the community centers and recreation centers, along with television, and the move to the suburbs drew people who weren't interested in shuffleboard away from the club.
In 2005, however, a group of young artists, known as The Artillery, took up the game and joined forces with preservationists to host Friday night games. At the outset, about 35 members of the group would gather at the club on Friday nights, with friends and families, to play shuffleboard in a party mood, complete with music and food. The public was invited to play for free on Friday nights (members could play any time). The growing numbers drew renewed attention to the club and led to some $150,000 of repairs in 2008.
Today with over 600 members, the 90-year-old St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is strong in spirit. With younger people taking an interest in the club and the game, and the city taking a greater interest in the club and its courts, they look forward to another century of shuffleboard in Florida and St. Petersburg.
Club members enjoy discounts to club events and club merchandise, free shuffleboard all year long, anytime play, participation in members-only events such as their league nights, participation in West Coast District and state tournaments, and 10% off club rentals. Regular annual member ships are $30 and are valid for a single individual, however you are welcome to bring 1-3 guests to play (enough to fill up a court). Annual family memberships are $50 and include two adults in the same household and their dependent children. You are welcome to bring up to 5 guests to play (enough to fill up two courts).
The club also hosts the Friday Night Shuffle which is free to all. Since starting their free Friday Night St. Pete Shuffle in 2005 they've welcomed 10,000's of people to the club. The Shuffle is held from 7 - 11 PM each Friday, weather permitting. Their volunteers will help you get set up on a court and show you how to play. Interested in attending one the free Friday Night Shuffles? Be sure to take a look at their Friday Night Guidelines before you visit the club.
To learn more about the club give them a call today at 727-822-2083 or visit the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club website.
The club is located at:
St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
559 Mirror Lake Dr. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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