Where to Play Pickleball in Houston
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country, and it has certainly taken Houston by storm, with new dedicated pickleball facilities popping up across the city. If you’re a pickleball lover, now you can find indoor courts, outdoor courts, courts with amazing food and entertainment, and even some that offer a more professional approach with lessons and such.
If you haven’t taken to the courts yet, here’s the gist: pickleball is basically a mix between tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong. It’s similar to these sports in that it’s played on a hard court, and all you need is a paddle and a ball to play, but it’s different in that it’s played on a court that’s nearly three times smaller than a tennis court.
There are a few other nuances that set it apart from tennis, but what keeps the crowds hooked with the game is its laid-back culture and how easy it is to play. For one, it’s way more social than tennis. Pickleball is about more than just the sport: it’s about the food, the friends, the drinks…the vibes, if you will. It also doesn’t take very long to play, so you can do a few rounds, then socialize with your coworkers or friends while you catch a game on TV or order food and drinks from the bar.
“Pickleball is a sport that I see people get into who have never played any other sport,” says Bruno Ortega, general manager at Pickleball Social in Spring Branch. “It’s easy for beginners; anybody can play, even people who never felt they had the ability to.”
That said, it can absolutely get more complex and competitive the more you advance: spots like Pickleball Social and Elite Pickleball Club offer clinics, lessons, and advanced leagues and tournaments. “You usually play to 11 points and have to win by two points; that’s why it’s so addictive,” Ortega says. “You always want to play one more game.”
Getting a group together to play is easy. Most pickleball places in town offer open play hours for $10 to $15 per player, or court reservations ranging from $30 to $50 an hour, depending on the day of the week and peak times. A few other spots also offer memberships that get you in for unlimited open play and other discounts around the club. The magic about open play is that it’s like a pickup game at the park, except that you stack your paddles on the chain link fence on each court. As soon as a game is done, the next four paddles go in.
Here are the most popular pickleball centers in Houston to get your fix.
Bumpy Pickle
East Downtown
Bumpy Pickle’s edge is that it was Houston’s first pickleball (and volleyball!) facility. It’s a great place to unwind with friends, family, or coworkers in any of its nine pickleball or five sand volleyball courts. An outside bar serves great cocktails and eats such as flatbreads, salads, nachos, sliders, and more. And an air-conditioned indoor bar provides respite from the summer heat. Pro pickleballers can also count on regular 2×2 or 4×4 tournaments and leagues.
Cost: $30–40/hour
Courts: 9
Food & Drinks: Full-service bar; flatbreads, salads, entrees, and shareables
Paddle Rentals: $5 paddle rental; $5 pickleballs, yours to keep
Perks: It’s dog-friendly, and you can host events here too
Cons: Small parking lot, so finding a spot can be a struggle
East River 9
Fifth Ward
East River 9 is located in Midway’s East River development, only a mile from downtown. It’s first and foremost a driving range, but there are also six pickleball courts and other games on offer too, like cornhole and giant Connect Four. This may be the perfect casual Friday night hang: play a round or two of pickleball as you catch the sunset, take great photos, order a nice meal from Riverhouse Houston next door, and just take it easy.
Cost: $30–50
Courts: 6
Food & Drinks: Eats from Riverhouse Houston
Paddle Rentals: $5
Perks: Beautiful downtown views, live music, and really good food
Cons: Not as many pickleball courts as other spots
Elite Pickleball Club
Heights
Elite Pickleball Club is the first fully dedicated indoor pickleball facility in the city, opened by Shellton Jean Baptiste, an actual professional pickleball player from Salt Lake City. Out of the most popular spots in town, Elite may be the one that caters to intermediate to advanced players the most, with annual membership options that get you reduced drop-in play fees and court reservation costs. Membership also gives you earlier access to reserving the court(s) you want. That said, it does have great offers for newbies too: You can book a one-on-one with an instructor to improve your game, no matter what level you’re starting at. The club also has a shop carrying top-of-the-line gear like pickleballs, paddles, clothing, and more.
Cost: $30/hour for members; $40/hour for guests; memberships start at $300
Courts: 8
Food & Drinks: None
Paddle Rentals: $5
Perks: Dedicated pickleball place, friendly competition, all indoor courts divided by skill levels
Cons: Possibly better suited for more advanced players
Pickleball Social
Spring Branch
Very much like the neighborhood it’s in, Pickleball Social is a relaxed spot featuring 13 pickleball courts, multiple spacious areas with other games like cornhole and Ping-Pong, lawn chairs, bars, and patio decks. Though it seems low-key, it may just be the right spot if you want to learn to get better at pickleball under little to no pressure. Pickleball Social offers memberships that range from free to $85 a month. These memberships get you in for open play at any time, plus 15 percent off court reservations and equipment rentals. The club also offers private pickleball lessons for $85 an hour, semiprivate lessons, group drills, and group clinics.
Cost: $40–50/hour; memberships start at $65/month
Courts: 8 outdoor courts, 5 indoor courts
Food & Drinks: Mainly shareable bar food and salads; outdoor bar
Paddle Rentals: $6 paddle rental
Perks: A few indoor courts, family friendly, offers clinics, leagues, and tournaments
Cons: Not as “vibey” as other spots
PKL Social
Rice Military
If you’re here for the hangs first and pickleball second, PKL Social in Rice Military may be the best option for you. Right next to busy Shepherd Drive and attached to buzzy FM Kitchen & Bar (its sister concept), it provides a great opportunity to have an active and competitive social hang with friends while grubbing on delicious burgers and drinks in a sports bar environment. There are dog-friendly patio spaces, lawn games, and more than 20 big-screen TVs.
Cost: $30/hour
Courts: 4
Food & Drinks: Delicious burgers, bites, and drinks from sister concept FM Kitchen & Bar
Paddle Rentals: $5 per paddle; 2 pickleballs per reservation
Perks: Great bites, lawn games, and an epic drink menu with refreshing cocktails
Cons: 21 and up
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