Outlaw Pickle: San Antonio's next spot for play and pours
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An idea of what Outlaw Pickle will look like. Rendering: Courtesy of Delineate Studio
A pickleball venue is set to open this fall in a space that balances court time with cocktails.
Why it matters: San Antonio has been playing catch-up in the booming pickleball scene and the upcoming Outlaw Pickle gives enthusiasts an option with a stylish twist.
The latest: Managing partners Romie Chaudhari, Mitch Gelina and Ross Krachey are aiming for a September opening.
- It's located in the Park North Shopping Center near Alamo Drafthouse and Pinstack. Krachey calls it "an emerging entertainment hub" with easy access from the airport, The Rim and downtown.
Zoom in: The 22,000-square-foot space will feature five themed courts, each designed under the venue's "modern Western" aesthetic.
- There will be a parquet dance floor that doubles as a shuffleboard court and a stage for live music.
The vibe: Unlike brighter, gym-like pickleball clubs, Outlaw Pickle will use court-specific lighting while keeping the surrounding cabana areas dim for a lounge ambiance.
- "This would be a destination for multiple things, not just for people to go play pickleball," Chaudhari tells Axios. "It'll be a high-end venue, but day-to-day, it'll be a place to watch games, play shuffleboard, hang out and have a few drinks."
What to expect: Outlaw Pickle will also feature high-tech food options including PizzaForno and Roboburger, which are essentially vending machines. Krachey says the food will be prepped onsite, but will be served through the machines.
- The bar will focus on whiskey and tequila cocktails, with four beers on draft.
- For those looking to impress, Black Ivory Coffee — one of the world's rarest beans — will be available for drinks like espresso martinis.
What they're saying: Both partners say the real power of pickleball is how quickly it brings people together.
- "For a social aspect, there's nothing like it. And I think that's why there's so much interest," Chaudhari says.
- "Every day I go to the pickleball courts, I know 20 to 40 people. Pickleball is magic," Krachey, who moved to San Antonio from Austin knowing no one last year, says.