You knew it was bound to happen. Ever since we discovered the PortoPong inflatable beer pong raft back in 2007, PortOPong had been the kings of inflatable beer pong table market. There were a number of other companies that tried to knock off the idea of an inflatable beer pong table but most came up short. That is until the guys over at GoPong created the Pool Pong Party Barge.
The Pool Pong Party Barge was recently introduced and in our opinion, changes the game when it comes to inflatable beer pong rafts and floating beer pong. We recently had the opportunity to test out and review the Pool Pong Party Barge in a real tailgating environment.
(Disclaimer: We did receive a sample Pool Pong Party Barge for free. The fact this sample was provided to us free of charge in no way influenced our opinion of the product nor did it impact our ability to test and review the product fairly and objectively.)
First we will look at the similarities of the Pool Pong Party Barge and compare it to the original PortOPong Pro. On both the PortOPong and the Party Barge there are two triangular patterns of cup holders that hold 10 party cups for beer pong. On either side of the beer pong rack is an additional cup holder for the wash cup or the chill cup if you aren’t putting beer in the triangle cups. Both the PortOPong and the Party Barge come with a large inflation valve for easy inflating and deflating. Both products feature raft tether anchors on each of the four corners so you can tie string or ropes to the rafts to prevent them from floating away. But beyond those features, that is where the similarities end.
One feature that the Party Barge has that the PortOPong does not is the center cooler. The Party Barge boasts a sunken cooler area with a lid that can hold up to 18 canned beverages and has room for ice to keep them cold. How many times have you been playing beer pong in the pool and wanted to start a new game and you have to get out of the pool to get more beers? Or how many times have you yelled for someone to bring you a few cold ones so you can start your next game? Now with the central cooler, you just have to grab a few more and you are ready for your next game.
Even if beer pong is not your game, the Party Barge can be used as a social floater. The central cooler holding 18 ice cold beverages makes it like a floating bar so nobody is too far away from their next drink. The Party Barge also comes with eight additional cup holders around the perimeter of the raft for additional partiers to place their drinks. Don’t even load up the triangle with cups and the Party Barge is a social floater for eight to 10 people.
Although these aspects do not pertain directly to tailgating, one idea for the Party Barge would be for river float trips. Tie the Party Barge in between two inner tubes and you now have cup holders and a floating drink cooler that can hold 18 cans and ice as you leisurely float down to the sand bar where you will set up camp for the night. No more trying to rig up some sort of pool noodle to wrap around a hard sided ice chest. Tie up to the Party Barge and you are a floating Mardi Gras for the rest of the day.
With regards to tailgating, the raft tether anchors can be utilized to suspend the Party Barge off the frame of your pop up tent to give yourself a levitating beer pong table while out in the parking lot. The Party Barge deflated would take up a lot less room in your tailgating vehicle on the way to and from the game or concert. One thing we would suggest is to not use the central cooler if you are going to suspend it. That cooler area is not strong enough to hold an 18 pack with ice unless it is floating in water or is supported by something solid like a folding table.
Based on a head to head comparison, the Pool Pong Party Barge is the better floating and inflatable beer pong table based on price and possessing more options. The PortOPong is designed for playing beer pong in the pool and that is about it. The Party Barge is not only for beer pong but it is also a social floater and a floating bar with the central cooler holding 18 canned beverages and ice. Based on price, the Party Barge is slightly more expensive than the PortOPong but the additional features are worth the extra few dollars more.
After thoroughly testing the Pool Pong Party Barge we are going to give it the Tailgating Ideas “Tailgate Approved” stamp.
To buy your own Party Barge, click HERE.