Nobody ever accused pickleball of being terribly posh. But Solarium, a new Midtown racket sports-inspired lounge with restaurant, bar and patio at 820 Holman St., reimagines the pickleball and padel experience with a stylish blend of luxury and social sports. Rex Hospitality Group, the team behind MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails and MAVEN at Sawyer Yards, in partnership with hospitality experts, The Kirby Group, reconceptualized the former Holman Draft Hall into a 9,000-square-foot multi-level entertainment playground invested with country club refinement and racquet club bravado that opens on May 1.
In redefining the sports bar model currently governing social sports, Rex Hospitality has created a unique hybrid that doesn’t exist at Solarium’s level on the hospitality landscape. The company has envisioned a new, fashionable way to enjoy dining and drinking against a backdrop of social sports liveliness but with the added cachet of enhanced menus, VIP experiences and retail offerings.
“Solarium is more than your standard recreational sports facility – it’s a place where sport, social connection and luxury seamlessly come together,” said Nina Quincy, president of Rex Hospitality Group in a statement. “We’ve taken a familiar recreational experience and transformed it with high-end hospitality, thoughtful design, and an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and sophisticated.”
Named for its central indoor/outdoor bar area, which is fully enclosed in glass, Solarium provides a bright and welcoming oasis in the heart of the city. The expansive glass-walled bar features a main bar with a variety of seating arrangements – ranging from communal tables for large parties to high-top tables for more intimate gatherings. The decor features a natural, earthy palette with rich textures—wooden details, velvet chairs, and performance fabrics—accented by Rolex green, taupe, and black, creating a striking contrast against the building’s steel, industrial framework.
Outside, guests will find The Courts, an outdoor venue featuring four pickleball and two padel courts. Surrounding the courts are five bays built from repurposed shipping containers, each offering a private, glass-fronted space to enjoy the action while relaxing in air-conditioned comfort. An extension of Solarium’s indoor lounge, the bays offer dedicated food and beverage service and are available for private events, VIP parties, or competitive play. Solarium’s main building is also available for private events, with customizable options for groups seeking a vibrant, upscale venue with full-service food and beverage offerings. Adjacent to The Courts is a separate “pro shop” offering equipment sales and rentals, merchandise, and take-away coffee and snacks during the morning hours. The pro shop is also the designated check-in area for all court reservations, which can be made online or in person. An overhead walkway provides an optimal bird’s-eye view of the courts for those looking to take part as a spectator.
Solarium offers a twist on classic clubhouse fare. The all-day menu features bar bites and comfort food, including bang bang shrimp, Buffalo wings, empanadas, house burgers, po’boys, truffle grilled cheese, and skewers. Solarium’s weekend brunch menu features both sweet and savory dishes such as pancakes, Belgian waffles, shrimp and grits, and shakshuka. To finish, the Back Court desserts offer indulgences like a banana split, build-your-own sundae, and caramelized apples with lemon sabayon.
The beverage program mirrors the energy and creativity of the menu, featuring a curated cocktail list with signature sips like a citrus vodka and cherry aperitivo remixed spritz, a pandan-spiked transfusion with grape, ginger, lemon, and soda, a Sakura highball, and frozen drinks. Guests can also expect classic favorites such as a carajillo, old fashioned, daiquiri, and margarita. A variety of canned and bottled beers, wines, and zero-proof cocktails are also available. Classic brunch cocktails include mimosas and an array of spritzes.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for three consecutive years. Padel—a social sport with Mexican origins—has been gaining global popularity. In honor of its Hispanic roots, Rex Hospitality sought to bring the sport to Solarium, positioning it at the forefront of this exciting trend.
Court pricing varies daily, with pickleball courts ranging from $10 to $30 and padel courts from $20 to $40. The courts open daily at 9 a.m. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. for weekend brunch. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
