Culture and Lifestyle Activities and Entertainment Sports The 10 Best Pickleball Courts In The South For A Fun-Filled Experience By Kelsey Glennon Kelsey Glennon Kelsey Glennon is a travel writer & photographer with experience traveling to over 50 countries. She’s a Floridian and solo female traveler covering luxury hospitality, interior design, sustainability, and lifestyle. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on July 20, 2024 Close Photo: Courtesy Rally Pickleball For the third year in a row, Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport. The approachable paddle sport has gripped the nation, particularly the South, where it’s known for its popularity among warm-weather retirement communities. But pickleball isn’t just for the geriatric anymore. The activity has crossed generations and state lines, igniting a nationwide obsession. Don’t believe me? Just look at these pickleball courts popping up across the South. From scenic venues with rooftop bars, to trendy neighborhood hubs where you can grab a craft coffee, cocktail, or healthy meal while you play, these courts are more than just a fun way to sweat; they’re gateways to active social lives, serving as a medium for meeting new people and cultivating community. Even if you’re still hesitant about picking up a paddle and giving the ping-pong-tennis hybrid a try, these courts are still worth stopping in for the social atmosphere and amenities—co-working spaces, lounges, clubs, cafes, restaurants, and bars. More than just sport courts, these pickleball venues are where you’ll find good food, good drink, and good dink. 01 of 10 Toon Town Pickleball Courtesy Jesse Brantman Photography Jacksonville, Florida Toon Town Pickleball is a 6-court indoor facility in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, just two blocks away from the Jacksonville Jaguar’s home stadium. The vibe is playful and lighthearted thanks to wall-to-wall murals depicting popular cartoon characters, graffiti, and graphic art, hand painted in large part by artist Kyle Monteiro. Toon Town recently put itself on the map with a viral video garnering over 17 million views. Stop in here to play on the Jaguar teal courts with gold nets before you head to a football game. Stay to wet your post-pickle whistle at the 3,500 square foot lounge, The Toon Saloon. jaxtoontown.com, 1726 E Church St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Explore Jacksonville 02 of 10 Chicken N’ Pickle Courtesy Chicken Nâ Pickle Multiple locations This sporty neon green “eater-tainment” chain is spreading across the country, with locations across the south in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The menu here leans heavily on (you guessed it) chicken, but still changes with the seasons and claims to source fresh and local. Expect to find your typical pub fare alongside healthy options like bowls and salads. Indoor and outdoor pickleball courts anchor these locations, and individual social channels showcase their schedule of events, such as beginner clinics, open play, skills & drills, and family nights. chickennpickle.com 03 of 10 Crush Yard Pickleball Courtesy Crush Yard Pickleball Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Eight air-conditioned, blue-and-orange indoor pickleball courts, a restaurant, and a bar draw social pickleball players just outside of Charleston. Executive Chef, Brandon Buck, curates a menu of shareable classics to go with 48 self-serve beer and wines on tap, and bottomless soft drinks, slushies, and coffee. In addition to pickleball courts, there’s an arcade, ping pong, cornhole, and board games. The weekly leagues draw community members here for regular socializing. Perhaps the best entertainment is just watching the pickleball games from the mezzanine level, which overlooks all 8 courts. Local pickleball staff pros are available for lessons, classes, kids camps, clinics, and privates. crushyard.com, 3365 S Morgans Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466 04 of 10 Sip & Pickle Courtesy Sip & Pickle Miami, Florida Miami’s first pickleball social club, Sip & Pickle, is located in trendy Wynwood, a neighborhood known for its world-famous murals—the Wynwood Walls. True to the character of its location, Sip & Pickle’s 75,000 + square-foot open-air courts are encircled by large-scale painted shipping containers. This South Florida spot can be reserved by the hour, with courtside add-ons including beer, wine, and champagne. Or you can enjoy food and drink underneath their airplane hanger bar as the Miami sunset lights up the sky. sipandpickle.com, 2250 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127 05 of 10 Rally Pickleball Courtesy Rally Pickleball Charlotte, North Carolina Where other pickleball venues feel predictably like sports bars, Rally Pickleball feels more like a hip local lounge. The coral and turquoise courts are joyful, inviting, and unintimidating for first-time players. Lining the courts are cozy living rooms outfitted with leather sofas and illuminated by glass garage doors that open up to unite the indoor and outdoor courts. Rally also features a cafe, ping-pong area, retail pop-up space, and a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, The Annex, slinging locally-inspired craft cocktails (Cheerwine Negroni anyone?). Find new and returning players here in the morning for “Courts & Coffee,” sipping locally-roasted brew while enjoying rotating play. In the afternoon, the space is a popular co-working spot and lunch venue. rallypickleball.com, 101 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217 Explore Charlotte 06 of 10 Pickle and Social Courtesy Pickle and Social Gwinnett, Georgia On the outskirts of Atlanta, you’ll find 6 indoor, 2 pavilion-covered, and 8 outdoor pickleball courts. But it’s the diverse entertainment that draws a crowd to this chain. Kick back with your friends at the Rooftop Bar, Biergarten, or Cornhole Yard. Order dishes to your table such as short ribs, smoked wings, hot chicken sandwiches, or salad bowls from the Backyard Bar & Grill. Bring your pet and lounge outside on the astroturf grounds, Central Park, while grooving to tunes coursing from the live music stage. You can rent courts and equipment here by the hour if you have a group of four or more, or drop in on your own during their open-play sessions for as little as $5 per person. pickleandsocialgwinnett.com, 2925 Buford Dr Suite 2100, Buford, GA 30519 07 of 10 Austin Pickle Ranch Courtesy Giant Noise, Photo; Angela Wang Austin, Texas “Pickleball for all ya’ll,” is the quintessential Texas motto of these purple and green courts in Texas’ “weird” city. Sixteen indoor courts are available for rent by the hour. Or drop in during open-play hours, called “Ranch Play,” happening 7 days a week in the morning and evening. The Ranch is partnering with a local food truck to offer light bites and will soon debut a menu of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Swing in for one of their events such as the Greenhorn Clinic, a beginner lesson for $10, or Ladies Night every Tuesday evening. If you get tired of pickleball, the Austin Pickle Ranch sprawl includes ATX Beach next door, featuring sand volleyball courts and a full bar. austinpickleranch.com, 11000 N Interstate Hwy 35 Building B, Austin, TX 78753 Explore Austin 08 of 10 The Exchange Courtesy The Exchange New Orleans, Louisiana Located in a repurposed 100-year-old warehouse, The Exchange is the Gulf South’s premier pickleball facility for food, drinks, and social fun. The space can accommodate up to 900 people in its indoor-outdoor environment and can satiate hungry players from its two bars and full kitchen. More than just your standard bar food, the kitchen crafts New Orleans-inspired dishes like remoulade, Creole tomato sandwiches, fried pickles, and locally sourced meat and cheese platters. Wash it down with beverages like the Spicy Watermelon Margarita, Espresso Martini, or signature Pickle Shots. A large outdoor courtyard offers extra places to relax on lounge furniture or play corn hole and ping pong. theexchangenola.com, 2120 Rousseau St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Explore New Orleans 09 of 10 The Sandy Pickle Courtesy The Village Dallas Dallas, Texas The playfulness of pickleball, beach volleyball, and putting greens come together in this active hub in Dallas, curated with local food and drink. Dine on burgers made with Texas beef and freshly baked buns from the onsite bakeshop—Doughregarde’s. Sip on cocktails mixed with sparkling Topo Chico or pitchers of local beers. Located in a larger entertainment complex called The Village, The Sandy Pickle is surrounded by lively businesses such as coffeehouses, boutiques, wine bars, art studios, pet care, a salon, and a hotel. playsandypickle.com, 5683 Village Glen Dr, Dallas, TX 75206 Explore Dallas 10 of 10 Performance Pickleball Courtesy Performance Pickleball Richmond, Virginia This 12-court indoor facility in Richmond, Virginia, also features a restaurant aptly named The Kitchen (a term used for a section of the pickleball court close to the net). Expect to stay light on your feet with a menu of smoothies, fresh salads, flatbreads, and pressed sandwiches. Sip on cocktails made with Richmond’s own locally distilled Cirrus vodka, or choose from a hefty menu of beer, wine, seltzers, and ciders. Become a member if you’re local to Richmond, or drop in as a non-member for open “pod-play.” ppbrva.com, 8641 Quioccasin Rd, Henrico, VA 23229 Explore Richmond Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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