Electric Pickle blends pickleball and entertainment in Tempe Article originally posted on AZ Big Media on October 24, 2024 Electric Pickle, an electrifying new concept blending pickleball, outdoor entertainment and a 12,000-square-foot, two-story globally-inspired restaurant, is gearing up to open its 4.5-acre flagship location in Tempe on Dec. 16. Located near Interstate-10 and Warner Road, just south of Ikea, Electric Pickle is brought to life by the visionary leaders behind Eureka! Restaurant Group and sponsor Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. The Tempe location, marking the first of many planned openings across key U.S. markets for the brand, will feature nine state-of-the-art pickleball courts—four of which are covered—equipped with private cabanas for premium service. “Pickleball has taken this country by storm, and with Electric Pickle, we’re aiming to further elevate the experience,” said Paul Frederick, founder and co-CEO of Electric Pickle and Eureka! Restaurant Group. “We’re blending our love for the fast-paced, action-packed game with our passion for delivering upscale culinary offerings in a vibrant and social atmosphere.” Designed by Brick & West, the venue mixes lush greenery with modern, striking elements, creating a dynamic yet inviting environment where guests can play, dine and socialize. Electric Pickle’s bold signature restaurant will offer inventive cocktails and dishes ranging from creations such as the Sticky Short Ribs ($24) with Korean BBQ sauce, sesame seeds and green onions; Garlic Noodles & Shrimp ($28) with egg noodles, roasted garlic, parmesan and shrimp; Truffle Bacon Mashed Potato Pizza ($20) with truffle cheese sauce, bacon and mashed potato; and even sweet desserts like the 4-Layer Carrot Cake ($14) with cream cheese frosting and chopped walnuts. Four of the pickleball courts will feature first-of-its-kind AI technology, offering enhanced gameplay experiences. In addition to pickleball, visitors can keep the fun going all day long at the bocce ball courts, Full Swing Golf Simulators and ping pong tables before hanging out on the lawn, which features a live-music stage and cornhole. Electric Pickle will also offer memberships featuring exclusive perks like unlimited gameplay and priority court reservations. This is not Knighthead’s first venture into the fastest growing sport in America, as Knighthead, through certain of its affiliates, recently teamed up with seven-time Super Bowl World champion Tom Brady and Tennis Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters to acquire the Las Vegas Night Owls, an expansion team for the 2023 Major League Pickleball season. Electric Pickle will be hiring 150 employees in early November ahead of its opening at 8688 S. Emerald Drive in Tempe. Reservations will open two weeks prior to the grand opening. In addition to Arizona, Electric Pickle has plans to expand with soon-to-open locations in Las Vegas; Roseville, California; Katy, Texas; Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Reno, Nevada. For more, visit electricpickle.co.