A new pickleball destination is getting ready to serve up fun this winter.
Picklewood Paddle Club, owned by Nathan Talbot and restaurateur Ethan Stowell, will debut at Urban Works in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, offering courtside food and drinks.
“The inspiration is just seeing how people can come together and have a good time. It’s really part of this entertainment sector where you have something more to do than just eat and drink. It’s that idea of breaking bread and creating community,” Talbot told What Now Seattle.
He continued, “We’ve created this vintage look for Picklewood that harkens back to a 1970s country club. We want to give that experience to anyone who wants to come here. It’s not exclusive but still has that kind of vibe and feel.”
When guests walk into the facility, they can head to either the pickleball courts or the restaurant.
The pickleball side features several courts, each with lounge seating for up to 12 behind the action. The space showcases a Wimbledon-inspired palette of green and terracotta and includes a full-service bar and mezzanine—ideal for private events or catching games from above. Garage doors on the lower level open to additional courts and outdoor seating.
The restaurant mirrors the same color scheme and centers around a U-shaped, walnut-topped bar. Vintage details throughout both areas create a classic country club atmosphere, from more than 300 antique tennis rackets to framed golf and tennis photos and plaid accents. Both spaces will also include 75-inch TVs, perfect for watching every game.
The menu will feature chopped salads, prawn Louie, chicken club and French dip sandwiches, burgers, and steak frites, all served with hand-cut French fries. Most sandwiches will feature pickles, a nod to the club’s name.
“Our head chef Evan [Kuehni], who comes from one of Ethan’s restaurants, has a lot of experience doing his own pickling. We’re going to have our own pickles freshly made and pickled in house,” Talbot said.
The drinks menu will also include pickle-inspired options, such as the Pickleback Martini, made with gin, dill pickle juice, dry vermouth and celery bitters. Other selections include a spicy margarita with pineapple juice, blanco tequila, chili honey syrup, jalapeño and lime juice, and a classic mule made with agave ginger syrup instead of ginger beer.
“I’m a father with three boys under 12 years old. On Friday night, there’s very few options of places you can go to do activities and eat with family,” Talbot said. “We’re excited about creating a great space in Seattle where people can come and have fun. We’re excited to show it off soon.”
Picklewood Paddle Club will host its grand opening on Dec. 5. For updates, visit the website or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
