by Cathy Martin

On June 28, pickleball venue Rally will debut in Lower South End at 101 Southside Dr.

Founders Barrett Worthington and Meg Charity, a pro pickleball player, created Rally as a place for “active millennials” and others to play pickleball in a social environment, accompanied by chef-driven food, craft cocktails and specialty coffee.

“We both have a tennis background but instantly fell in love with the very social aspect of the game,” Worthington says. No detail was overlooked in creating the spectator-friendly venue, which has two cocktail bars, a restaurant, coffee bar, pingpong tables, and four indoor and four outdoor pickleball courts.  

The founders view the Charlotte location as a flagship for the brand and anticipate opening several more Rally venues in the U.S. over the next few years.

Here’s what to expect:

THE SPACE

Designed by Washington, D.C.-based Lumber & Light with Charlotte architecture firm Redline Design Group, Rally is spread across 1.9 acres, including 27,650 square feet of indoor space. Each court has a designated lounge area with a dedicated server.

Following the LoSo aesthetic, there’s an industrial vibe; softer elements like white oak hardwoods, rattan pendant lights, area rugs and lots of fresh greenery soften the space. Other design details: vibrant murals with a Queen Charlotte motif by J.D. Deardourff, custom grasscloth wallpaper, and a punchy coral-and-aqua court paint scheme designed in the Netherlands.

There are plenty of spaces for lounging, whether you’re playing pickleball, watching friends play, or just hanging out. A gathering space with leather sofas and glass garage doors brings natural light and creates an open-air environment for morning coffee or happy-hour meetups with friends. A separate building houses the Annex cocktail bar, offering a more nighttime vibe and a separate event space.

FOOD + DRINK

Rally is a communal space, so much of the food is communal as well, says Chef Cory Chunn. Expect shareables like Neapolitan pizzas, tacos and kebabs along with salads, bowls and a few handhelds. “All of our food is meant to be interactive and fun,” Chunn says.

Rally teamed with Nightswim Coffee to create a custom blend, and a menu of standard coffee drinks will be complemented by seasonal flavors like honey lavender and pineapple ginger matcha.

The cocktail program was developed by Boston mixologist Jackson Cannon with an emphasis on “light, citrusy and refreshing,” Cannon says. For example, the Double Bounce, Rally’s take on the traditional espresso martini, is made with a custom vodka blend, coconut water and soda and served over ice in a Collins glass. Rally offers several spirit-free cocktail options as well.

THE PICKLEBALL

Courts can be reserved in 90-minute blocks starting at $72 for outdoor courts and $82 for indoor courts. Rally also offers classes, competitive and leisure leagues, and a corporate wellness program, according to director of pickleball Jim Kucera.

There’s Rally Rookies, a one-hour beginner class, and Pickle Pump, a fast-paced workout supplement with drills where players will “hit as many balls as we possibly can,” Kucera says.

In keeping with the hospitality aspect of Rally, on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Rally will host a social with up to 32 players on the outdoor courts, with players rotating in and out of games.

THE DETAILS

Rally is located at 101 Southside Dr. (near Sugar Creek Brewing). Book a court at rallypickleball.com. Court reservations open five days in advance. No reservations are required to dine or drink at Rally’s bars, café and coffee bar.

Hours:

Main house and courts: Sun. – Thurs.,  7 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Fri. – Sat., 7 a.m. – 12 a.m.
The Annex cocktail bar: Mon. – Thurs., 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Fri. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

featured image courtesy Rally