Paddle Up: Here Are Houston's Best Pickleball Spots, Ranked
PKL Social offers a full food and bar menu.
Image: Courtesy Becca Wright
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. Pickleball enthusiasts can now discover a range of courts, from indoor and outdoor options to venues offering amazing food and entertainment, and some even provide a more professional approach with lessons.
Anyone who hasn’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; 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 on it is its laid-back culture and how easy it is to play. For one, it’s way more social than tennis. Pickleball is about the food, the friends, and the drinks. It also doesn’t take very long to play, so it won’t get too tiresome.
“Pickleball is a sport that I see people get into who have never played any other sport,” says Bruno Ortega, grand pickleball director of Pickleball Social. “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 players 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 also simple. Most pickleball places in town offer open play hours for $10–15 per player, or court reservations ranging from $30–50 an hour, depending on the day of the week and peak times. A few others offer memberships that get people in for unlimited open play and discounts. The magic about open play is that it’s like a pickup game at the park, except with stacked paddles on the chain-link fence on each court. As soon as a game is done, the next four paddles go in.
Now, with the rules and background behind you, it’s time to get your paddles ready. Here are the best places to play pickleball in Houston.
Bumpy Pickle was the first on Houston's pickleball scene.
Image: Courtesy Bumpy Pickle
Bumpy Pickle
East Downtown
Bumpy Pickle’s edge is that it was Houston’s first pickleball (and volleyball!) facility. It’s great 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 dishes such as flatbreads, salads, nachos, and sliders. Players can also cool down in the air-conditioned indoor bar, while the true pros play in its regularly hosted 2x2 or 4x4 tournaments and leagues.
Cost: $30–40/hour for one court
Courts: 9
Food & Drinks: Full-service bar; flatbreads, salads, entrées, 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
Drop Shots HTX
northside
This newer pickleball court made its debut in the Houston Farmers Market in June with six indoor courts. Drop Shots HTX also has other games like skee-ball, Ping-Pong, arcade basketball, and cornhole. Anyone looking for a quick break in between games can soak up some action from the nine-screen sports wall on the second level. In need of some sustenance? Grab a cocktail from the bar and a slice of pizza, a sandwich, or a cold acai bowl from Clutch City Kitchen, located inside Drop Shots HTX. To spice things up, book a glow-in-the-dark session on Fridays, where you can play in neon from 8pm to midnight for $40 a person.
Cost: $20–40/hour for one court
Courts: 6
Food & Drinks: Full-service bar with pickleball-themed drinks; food from Clutch City Kitchen
Paddle Rentals: $5
Perks: Arcade games to keep nonplayers entertained, family-friendly
Cons: Might not want to leave
East River 9's pickleball courts are adjacent to the golf course.
Image: Courtesy East River 9
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 a giant Connect Four. This may be the winner for a casual Friday night hang: play a round or two of pickleball and catch the sunset, take great photos, order a nice meal from Riverhouse Houston next door, and just take it easy.
Cost: $30–50/depending on duration & time of day
Courts: 6
Food & Drinks: Eats from Riverhouse Houston
Paddle Rentals: $5
Perks: Beautiful Downtown views, live music, and a great food menu
Cons: Not as many pickleball courts
Elite Pickleball Club's indoor courts come in handy during Houston's summers.
Elite Pickleball Club
Heights, clear lake
Launched by Shellton Jean Baptiste, a professional pickleball player from Salt Lake City, Elite Pickleball Club is the first fully dedicated indoor pickleball facility in the city. Out of the most popular pickleball places 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 offers earlier access to court reservations. 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 your playing level. Need some new gear? Visit Elite's on-site shop, which carries top-of-the-line pickleballs, paddles, clothing, and more.
A third location in The Woodlands is projected to open this winter.
Cost: $30/hour for members; $40/hour for guests; memberships start at $325
Courts: 24 at the Heights location, 14 indoor courts at Clear Lake location
Food & Drinks: None
Paddle Rentals: $5
Perks: Dedicated to pickleball, friendly competition, all indoor courts divided by skill levels
Cons: Possibly better suited for more advanced players
Pickleball Social is family-friendly but also has a bar for adults.
Image: Courtesy Pickleball Social
Pickleball Social
Memorial city, cypress
This pickleball destination is much more than its courts, it also offers multiple spacious areas with other games like cornhole and Ping-Pong, lawn chairs, bars, and patio decks. Plus, it's perfect for anyone who wants to improve their pickleball skills with little to no pressure. The club offers private pickleball lessons for $85 to $95 an hour, semiprivate lessons, group drills, and group clinics.
Cost: $40–50/hour; $25/hour, weekdays from 9am–12pm
Courts: 8 outdoor courts, 5 indoor courts at Spring Branch location; 6 outdoor, 7 indoor at Cypress location
Food & Drinks: Mainly shareable bar food and salads; outdoor bar
Paddle Rentals: $6 paddle rental
Perks: Indoor courts to beat the heat, family friendly, offers clinics, leagues, and tournaments
Cons: Not as “vibey”
Facilities like PKL Social have stepped up the pickleball game in Houston.
Image: Courtesy Becca Wright
PKL Social
washington corridor
Pickleball players who are in search of an extraordinary two-in-one hangout, look no further than PKL Social. It most recently just unified with its sister concept FM Kitchen & Bar to provide an even better experience for its diners and players. The most recent upgrade includes the two new Full Swing golf simulators, a family-friendly patio, and additional menu items like the chicken Caesar and buffalo chicken wraps, and fried shrimp baskets. The bar options are diverse, with a mix of seasonal cocktails and non-alcoholic options, plus spacious digs that boast big screen TVs that will help keep guests entertained all day long.
Cost: $35/hour; $17.50/30-minute booking
Courts: 4
Food & Drinks: Delicious burgers, wraps, and drinks
Paddle Rentals: $5 per paddle; 2 pickleballs per reservation
Perks: Great bites, lawn games, an epic drink menu with refreshing cocktails. Patios give you options. Members of the 21-and-up crowd can sit courtside, or guests can opt for the family-friendly side patio.
Cons: Can get crowded
Image: Courtesy of Becca Wright
Solarium
midtown
Rex Hospitality got in on the pickleball fun with this newer Midtown establishment. Solarium's 9,000 square feet boasts an indoor-outdoor bar area, as well as a full food and drink menu, four pickleball courts, and two padel courts. Particularly unique to Solarium are its five bays surrounding the courts, all built from repurposed shipping containers. These spaces allow for a more private, intimate hangout among friend groups looking to get competitive. Stop in for the hard-to-beat weekly specials, which include $12 beer and burger Mondays and Latin Fridays. Limited memberships start at $39 monthly and come with benefits like free open and unlimited play, guest passes, and parties, early access to reservations, and discounts on food and drinks.
Cost: $20–40/depending on duration & time of day
Courts: 4
Food & Drinks: Nachos, fries, fried pickles, burgers, po'boys, salads, desserts, and larger drink menu
Paddle Rentals: $8–15, depends on the paddle
Perks: Can book bays for up to 6 guests, full-service restaurant, creative cocktail and zero-proof options, family day on Sundays
Cons: Courts are usually 18 and up, difficult parking
