Pickleball has seized popular culture with a vengeance. That incessant "pok pok" sound of paddles striking wiffleball now echoes throughout neighborhoods with no signs of letting up. In short, it's here to stay. Combine that with the tsunami of "Eatertainment" establishments, places for folks to eat, drink, and play recreational games, and it was only a matter of time before these two phenomena came together.
Enter The Painted Pickle, an all-new "Competery" from the team behind The Painted Pin and The Painted Duck. The Pin and Duck set the bar high for what entertainment-driven concepts could be like, focusing on a high-end experience, diversity of gaming along with top-tier food and cocktails. The pressure was on for the group to deliver a hipster gaming trifecta...and the Pickle delivers with an overhead smash shot.
Located in an industrial indoor/outdoor warehouse in converted industrial development Armour Yards (known as "The Armour Ottley Loop") at the nexus of Midotwn, Buckhead, Piedmont Heights and Brookwood Hills, the Pickle offers an expansive front and rear patio near the Atlanta Beltline and Sweetwater brewery. The 32,500 square foot space boasts several different personalities: a bar-n-grill outdoor patio vibe, a "hipster in the Hamptons" indoor bar and lounge area, and of course, their indoor pickleball 'court'yard with eight courts, a cottage-style clubhouse, an elevated central seating area overlooking center court, and one signature outdoor court. That area feels like you died and woke up in Country Club heaven, the courts are immaculate with never-ending faux hedgerows boxing in each area. There's also a stage for live music and other competitive pub games like a putting green and gaming lawn, 3 ping pong rooms, bucketball, subsoccer tables, cornhole, table shuffleboard, darts, strategy & board games and so much more. There's honestly something for everyone and even though it feels super-upscale, it also feels very inclusive--like it's your club.
The menu includes Instagram-worthy small plates, salads, bowls, sushi rolls, charcuterie and cheese boards, and sandwiches such as paninis, open-faced tartine, and traditional handhelds like cheffed-up burgers. Additional brunch options are offered on the weekends. The bar program has no shortage of talent and includes Beverage Director Julian Goglia (The Pinewood Tippling Room, The Mercury, Rumi's Kitchen), CEO & President Justin Amick (Advanced Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator) and Director of Operations Robert Nonemaker (Certified Cicerone and Certified Sommelier) curating the cocktail, wine and beer lists respectively.
The Painted Pickle is what you would expect from Amick and his partner, William Stallworth--one-of-a-kind high design, flawless execution, and an unmistakable experience of value. And stay tuned for more--the group is getting closer to opening the long-awaited rooftop bar concept, Patina, a "high energy nightlife focused bar, dining, cocktail and wine lounge, garden and private events space" will be situated atop Star Metals Offices on Atlanta's Westside with sweeping, 260-degree panoramic views of the entire city, according to a press release. A long-term lease was signed for over 12,000 square feet in the Allen Morris Company's second installation in the Star Metals District.
