New pickleball paradise with massive patio swings into Washington Avenue
Pickleball-playing Houstonians will soon have a new bar pitched to their pastime.
FM Kitchen operating partner Jason Mok, a former Rice University tennis player, discovered pickleball during a trip to Austin. For those unfamiliar with the sport, it combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Played either one-on-one or two-on-two, the smaller, badminton-sized court makes it relatively easy to learn and promotes social interaction between the players. Those aspects all appealed to Mok.
“Pickleball’s X-factor, in my opinion, is that it’s such a fun, social activity but also very approachable and relatively easy to pick up compared to tennis or golf,” Mok said in a statement. “Making pickleball more accessible and combining it with the lively outdoor patio and sports bar atmosphere is something that we felt the Inner Loop was missing, and we can’t wait to bring this new and unique concept to Houston.”