A quad of concepts are delivering new-to-the-market adult playgrounds throughout Raleigh.
Raleighites are ready for the next big thing. Something beyond a shiny new restaurant or bar—a do-worthy destination that would lure people to town or entice residents to make a day/weekend out of. In essence, a hot spot that takes our “best place to live” next-level.
Answering the call is a roster of recreation concepts rolling out as soon as this summer. First up, Hibernian Hospitality guru Niall Hanley is expanding his reach and upping the fun factor on Glenwood South with Hop Shots, a Putt-Putt-esque experience bowing behind Raleigh Beer Garden in early July.
The never-before-seen addition to DTR will deliver an 18-hole contoured Putt-Putt course, plus table tennis, foosball, cornhole and two shipping container bars, catering to those who long for some movement while they’re drinking—or those who just aren’t into nightlife at all. “You can see people want more activities,” maintains Hanley. “We have the space in Downtown to make something like that, which is unusual.”
- 18 holes of Putt-Putt
- Table tennis, foosball, cornhole
- 2 bars
Then, leaning into the ever-growing pickleball hype, there’s Pin Point, the largest and first combined indoor pickleball and golf concept in the Southeast. Think of it like a baby country club, says CFO Dylan Bryan, with both a membership and drop-in model for those who want to work on their putting and/or chipping (via the only indoor chipping area in the Southeast), play a round or two of pickleball with friends, educate themselves or their kiddos on the game of golf/pickle, or savor a snack and a drink as a spectator.
“Getting a bite to eat with friends, then going to a bar gets old pretty quick,” says Bryan. “Raleigh doesn’t really have [a recreation concept], so we want to be the cornerstone of that—maybe be something that grows within the area that others will see the success we hopefully have and be like ‘OK, there’s a need for this.’ … This is a desire for the community, and we’re answering it.”
- 16 pickleball courts + 2 championship courts
- 8 golf simulators
- 3 chipping bays with separate green & hitting areas
- Full bar + prepackaged food in partnership with local Ella’s Popcorn (salads, sandwiches, wraps, chips, etc.)
- Corporate event space equipped with projectors
- Club fitting rooms, changing rooms, lessons, youth leagues, events (live music, sports watch parties, etc.) & more
And on the heels of its premiere “eatertainment” playground, Jaguar Bolera is adding pickleball on the Salvage Yard side in early 2025 to its already-popular duckpin bowling, karaoke, darts and other activities.
The laid-back design and vibe of the Raleigh Iron Works outpost will be mirrored in the new addition, allowing Raleighites to “lean into experiential food and beverage, design, games and activities that let them interact beyond typical ‘going out’ offerings,” says founder Robert Thompson. “We know people want to do more than just sit across the table from each other with apps and drinks”—though of course, you can do that too.
- 4 indoor pickleball courts, 1 outdoor court
- 16,000 square feet of “garden” space
- Food counter with selects from Jaguar Bolera menu
- Total 110 self-pour taps across both buildings
And not to be forgotten, there’s dual eat/drink + play Swing Racquet + Paddle. A destination in itself, the racquet and paddle sport club that leans more park rather than sea of courts—and serves up a restaurant/rooftop sports bar to boot—takes “a real swing at reducing barriers to entry by having a blended public/private model,” says Director of Brand Development Cole Wilson. (Stay tuned for an updated timeline in Q3.)
As with the other players dropping on the scene, “Swing is a best-of-both-worlds concept,” maintains Wilson—“combin[ing] a campus of fun, fast-growing sports with first-class food, beverage and entertainment options.” What more could you really want? Looks like Raleigh finally came to play.
- 25 pickleball courtes (8 indoor)
- 28 tennis courts (6 indoor, 6 covered)
- 15 padel courts
- Beach tennis/volleyball + pingpong tables + outdoor pavilion
- Restaurant/rooftop sports bar in partnership with celeb chef Fabio Viviani feat. a “better-for-you inspired menu”
- Cafe in the Tennis Centre with quick bites, beverages, coffee & more
theraleighbeergarden.com; pinpointraleigh.com; jaguarbolera.com; swingnc.com
