Houston’s latest pickleball-inspired sports bar, PKL Social, finally debuted this week, delighting locals who had been eagerly anticipating its arrival since the venue was first announced nearly two years ago.
Four Pickleball Courts
Led by the team behind FM Kitchen & Bar, which is renowned for its comfort food and warm patio ambience, PKL Social nestles at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Shepherd Drive.
PKL Social is open every day and serves lunch and dinner until late. Patrons can reserve its four pickleball courts online for $30 per hour.
For those with a more laid-back approach, $10 open play sessions are available weekdays from 11 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm.
Come April, the venue will host Friday night pick-up games, complete with a round-robin “King of the Court” showdown. Beginners can take part in learn-to-play happy hours held on the first Sunday of each month.
“Eatertainment” venues with pickleball options are springing up all over the U.S. at the moment. Read our article here to find out more.
An Onsite Pro Shop
Additionally, an onsite pro shop offers a selection of gear and apparel to cater to players’ needs. Equipment is also available to rent.
PKL Social isn’t just about the game; it also functions as a multi-use sports bar experience. Its dog-friendly patio, sheltered for comfort, has over 20 TVs and a colossal 130-inch video wall, ideal for catching all the March Madness action and the start of the baseball season. Patrons can also engage in friendly competition with games like cornhole and ping pong.
The neighboring FM Kitchen on Shepherd Drive shares a 10,000-square-foot patio space and provides all the food on offer in PKL Social.
PKL Social’s expansion was made possible by acquiring the former site of the Aura Houston nightclub, which has provided a more extensive parking area accommodating the guests of both establishments.
An Incredible Surge In Popularity
Reflecting on the venture, PKL Social operating partner Jason Mok spoke enthusiastically about the attraction of pickleball in Houston:
“Pickleball has seen an incredible surge in popularity over the past few years, and we’re thrilled to bring this dynamic and accessible sport to Houstonians in our own vibrant and social way.
“As the name implies, we’ve worked diligently to ensure we have developed both a top-notch pickleball venue and curated the laid-back atmosphere of your go-to hangout spot.”
PKL Social joins other pickleball-themed bars in the area, following in the footsteps of Bumpy Pickle in Second Ward, which opened in November 2023, and Chicken N Pickle in Webster, which opened in February 2024, backed by football stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.
Read more about the pickleball scene in Houston here.
