Drew Brees opens Metairie pickleball entertainment venue | Business News | nola.com

Deputy Metro Editor

The new pickleball palace co-owned by Drew Brees has opened in Metairie, and the famed quarterback is in town this week to mark the grand opening.

Pickle N Pins had a soft opening last week, and Wednesday marked its debut to the public.

In addition to the sport of pickleball, a tennis-like game that is the country's fastest growing sport, people can play other games — duckpin bowling, padel and krazy darts along with axe throwing and yard games such as cornhole and ping pong.

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees concentrates on throwing an axe at the grand opening of Pickle N Pins in Metairie on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Duckpin bowling is like a miniature, easier version of regular bowling, said Pete Dudchenko, a business partner. The balls and pins are smaller, lanes shorter and the rules are different.

"It doesn’t require a lot of skills to start out," he said, and you're less likely to throw gutterballs.

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports outside the U.S., similar to a combination of tennis and racquetball where the ball bounces off a wall. It's more athletic and fast-paced, Dudchenko said.

For those who want to learn any of the sports, the venue will have an instructor available. And they plan on hosting open-play sessions, where anyone can come by themselves to learn and play with other beginners.

There's also a twist to the more familiar activities of axe throwing and darts. The boards you're aiming at have projected images, so different games can be played, like throwing axes at a tic-tac-toe board or darts at moving balloons.

The entire 38,000-square-foot facility is indoors, but there is an outdoor area with string lights and yard games that includes cornhole, washers, foosball and ping pong.

The variety of activities means "there are different things that you can do depending on how fast you want your heart rate to get," Dudchenko said.

Drew Brees and Darren Balsamo, co-owners of the new Pickle N Pins, hang out on opening night in Metairie on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Pickle N Pins has a full bar and restaurant along with a giant TV screen for watching Saints games, and a stage for live entertainment.

The food menu includes game-friendly fare, from nachos and mozzarella sticks to salads, sliders and pizza.

Dudchenko said they hope to cultivate a nightlife vibe, and the facility is ages 21-and-up only after 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It's also available for booking parties and corporate events.

As for cost, the activities are charged by the hour:

And there are ball and paddle rentals available for both court types. There are also membership option for people who want to play more often.

The five pickleball courts and two padel courts can be reserved in advance, and during Wednesday's grand opening it's free from 3-6 p.m., first come first served.

Players enjoy a game of pickleball at Pickle N Pins in Metairie on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The business is co-owned by Darren Balsamo, Brees’ partner in the Surge Entertainment Centers & Adventure Parks, located on the east coast, Florida, Alabama and other Louisiana cities. The Metairie location will soon have a Surge Entertainment center next door, said Pete Dudchenko, a business partner.

The grand opening is not the only event Brees is scheduled to attend this week. On Thursday, he'll be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.

Pickle N Pins is at 6930 Veterans Memorial Blvd. near Lafreniere Park, open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (21+ after 7 p.m.).

Email Lauren Walck at [email protected].

Deputy Metro Editor