Electric Pickle pickleball, dining concept now open in Tempe

There is about to be a lot more racquet action in Tempe. Electric Pickle, the buzzy pickleball, dining and outdoor entertainment complex opened its courts to the public on Jan. 6.

The flagship location – five more are scheduled to open around the country in the coming months – spans almost five acres and includes nine pickleball courts, a two-story, 12,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor restaurant, Full Swing golf simulators, bocce ball, private cabanas, ping pong tables, corn hole, cabana bar, gardens and a stage for live music.

“Electric Pickle is more than just a pickleball venue – it’s a charge of energy that ignites camaraderie, competition and relaxation all in one space,” says Paul Frederick, founder and co-CEO of Electric Pickle and Eureka! Restaurant Group.

This “eatertainment” destination, as Frederick describes it, blends the fast-paced action of the nation’s fastest-growing sport with a vibrant social atmosphere, and is the first of its kind in the country. Created by the leaders behind Eureka! Restaurant Group and sponsor Knighthead Capital Management LLC, whose affiliates recently teamed up with Tom Brady and Kim Clijsters to acquire the Las Vegas Night Owls, a Major League Pickleball team, Tempe will be the debut city for the expanding brand.

“Tempe’s vibrant spirit created the perfect environment to launch this new concept, and we’re looking forward to welcoming guests as we kick off this exciting chapter for the brand,” Frederick says.

Of Electric Pickle’s nine state-of-the-art pickleball courts, four are covered, and five are equipped with cutting-edge AI technology, offering scorekeeping via smart wristbands to elevate the playing experience.

For those looking to get into the game, pickleball court reservations can be made online for up to two hours of play and accommodate up to 12 people with four players on the court at a time.

Walk-ins will also be welcomed on a first-come, first-serve basis, but it is highly recommended to reserve a court in advance. Memberships, available for $100 per month, include unlimited open play, advanced booking, exclusive morning discounts on court access and golf simulators from 6 to 10 a.m., as well as savings at the Pro Shop.

But pickleball isn’t the only thing on the menu at the 12,000-square-foot, two-story, indoor/outdoor space.

“The focus was always the food first, to have an outstanding food and drink menu with great global influences, and then to let pickleball and activities be centered around that,” notes Assistant General Manager Ivan Rosario. “All the cocktails, all the food – there’s no sugar, it’s all natural juices, no additives. We use the herbs and fruit from our garden to help with that process as well. We really wanted to make sure the food and drinks were as fresh and flavorful as possible.”

The sprawling facilities are adorned with lush herb gardens and citrus trees that lend beauty to the spaces between the courts as well as a fully functioning cabana adjacent to the main restaurant that offers food and drinks to those watching the action courtside.

The menu, like the location, covers a good bit of ground, but the offerings are thoughtfully curated, much like the space itself. The sushi selections are already a fan favorite; a standout is the Spicy Crunchy Electric Roll, made with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, seared ahi and a house ponzu sauce. Other highlights include sticky short ribs with Korean sauce and green onions; and barbacoa nachos topped with Fresno chiles and pickled onions. The menu also includes a healthy smattering of salads, sandwiches, burgers and 12″ pizzas (don’t miss out on the Hot Honey and Sausage Pie), as well as a substantial brunch menu.

No dinking would be complete without drinking, and the cocktail selection at Electric Pickle doesn’t disappoint. The playful program includes the Pickler’s Punch, featuring Wheatley vodka, watermelon, lemon juice, agave, Hampton Water Rosé and Chareau aloe liqueur, a passion fruit margarita with El Jimador tequila, passion fruit juice, agave, lime, chamoy and a Tajín rim; and the Electric Jalapeno Watermelon, with El Jimador blanco tequila, watermelon and lime juices, agave nectar and sliced jalapeno.

For those seeking a more exclusive scene, take your drinks to the second floor, where the Electric Pickle offers a stylish and chic lounge space that is open to the public yet designed for a more intimate experience – a perfect complement to the lively energy of the restaurant below and a great vantage point to take in every volley. Designed by Brick and West, the venue seamlessly blends lush greenery and garden with modern elements and the iconic pink courts to create a dynamic backdrop for the wide array of amenities.

Electric Pickle also offers event booking for celebrations, corporate outings and private gatherings. Court reservations start at 6 a.m. Monday to Sunday, and run until 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, and midnight Thursday to Saturday. The restaurant will open at 10 a.m. every day and stay open alongside court hours to keep up with the appetite for America’s fastest-growing sport.

While it swings for the fences, the team at Electric Pickle have aced the difficult task of serving up both fun and food without missing the details and should have locals lining up to call dibs on the next open court and table.

Electric Pickle. 8688 S. Emerald Drive, Tempe. Court hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 6 a.m.-midnight Thursday-Saturday. Restaurant hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-midnight Thursday-Saturday. Call 480-520-4000 or visit electricpickle.com.