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Play pickleball all year round at Algonquin’s Pickle Haus

With the popularity of pickleball, it only makes sense that Chicago area players would want to play indoors during the long winter months.

That’s what makes the opening of Pickle Haus at 1621 S. Randall Road in Algonquin on Nov. 17 great news for fans of the sport. The facility has 12 state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts. Five of them, called cabana courts, have couches, high-tops, and televisions. Every court has seating areas. Food and beverages can be delivered to the courts or enjoyed in the facility’s restaurant or bar.

“The great thing about pickleball is it’s a really easy sport for anybody to pick up, whether you’re young or old,” said Pickle Haus co-founder Graham Palmer. He added that the social aspect of the game also attracts people.

“You can play it very competitively but you can also play it in a social way, where you can take turns playing, and eat and drink and enjoy yourself,” Palmer said. “The highest barrier to entry of the sport is the lack of facilities, especially in climates like Chicago, the lack of indoor facilities.”

Seeing that need, Palmer and the co-founders decided to create an indoor pickleball facility.

“It was a joint vision between my company, Hubbard Street Group, we’re real estate developers, and the leadership team at College Park Athletic Club, a racket sports club in Bannockburn and in Lincolnshire,” Palmer said.

Jeff VanDixhorn, co-founder of College Park Athletic Club and a former tennis pro, is now also a pickleball player. He also praised the ease of learning the sport and its social aspects.

“We’ve been doing pickleball for years at the clubs I own,” VanDixhorn noted.

He said the courts at Pickle Haus “are probably the nicest courts you could ever play on. We did a five-layer DecoTurf cushioned surface. Every court is fenced on four sides which is a big deal. Most places you play, the ball is rolling across courts. The lighting is great. The facility has 24-foot ceilings, so it’s very open. Every court has a sitting area.”

The Hubbard Street Group already owned the building where the Pickle Haus is now located when they envisioned creating an indoor pickleball facility. It had originally been a furniture store. Hubbard Street Group purchased the building to create a 24 Hour Fitness but had to change those plans when 24 Hour Fitness went bankrupt.

The partners wanted to do more than host pickleball, Palmer said, so they brought in a food and beverage partner, Food is Family.

The eclectic menu, created by chef Sheamus Feeley, includes a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and pizza.

“We also have some brunch items on the weekends,” Palmer reported. “And we have a full bar with various cocktails and drinks and spirits.”

VanDixhorn compared the bar, with its nine TVs to “a really high-end sports bar.”

In addition to playing pickleball at the Pickle Haus, people can participate in a variety of activities, including taking lessons, joining a league, participating in a tournament, or engaging in open play. There’s also a large event space for private parties.

In addition, there are two golf simulators, where you can also get food and beverage service.

Paddles can be rented on-site and will also be sold. Balls can be purchased there.

It’s open from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, and 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

“It’s a really festive social outlet here,” VanDixhorn said.

More Pickle Hauses are being planned.

“We’re anticipating to have somewhere between three and five locations in Chicago,” Palmer said. “And also expand mostly to other similar climates throughout the United States.”

Call 815-575-9570 or go to picklehaus.com.

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.