On the edge of a sunbaked stretch of Belcher Road, in a building where echoes of old warehouse days still hang in the rafters, something new stirs. It smells faintly of fresh paint, hopped-up ales, and the rubbery whisper of pickleball paddles kissing neon-yellow spheres.
This Friday, Pickle & Pint — a brand-new indoor pickleball and craft beer sanctuary — opens its doors at 13200 S Belcher Road in Largo. And what’s promised isn’t just a game. It’s a collision of sport and spirit, a mashup of sweat, camaraderie, and celebration under cool air and color-shifting LED lights. The focus keyword? Indoor pickleball — and Pinellas County will never be the same.
A Grand Opening with a Twist of Suspense
The official grand opening runs Friday, May 2nd from 5 to 10 PM, and Saturday from 8 AM to 10 PM. But this isn’t your average ribbon-cutting ceremony. Think free open plays, demo sessions, Joola giveaways, and classes taught by pros with a mischievous glint in their eye — as if they know how addictive this game is, how easily it worms its way under your skin.
They’re giving away prizes, too. But here’s the real prize: twelve pristine courts, each a state-of-the-art arena where battles will be won, friendships born, and rivalries quietly forged over post-game brews.
40,000 Square Feet of Air-Conditioned Obsession
Pickle & Pint is a 40,000-square-foot fortress built against the tyranny of Florida’s swampy summers. Step inside, and the temperature drops. Your shoulders relax. And suddenly, you remember what fun felt like before the sun tried to kill you.
The air-conditioned space doesn’t just house courts. You’ll find ping-pong, cornhole, and cozy little corners where you can sip smoothies, munch on personal pizzas, or take a deep breath after a game that went longer — and harder — than expected.
There’s something vaguely cinematic about the layout: part community center, part secret speakeasy for people who wear sneakers instead of suits.
The Vision Behind the Paddle
Co-founder Roth Block isn’t just building a business. He’s crafting a sanctuary. “We wanted to combine one of the Tampa Bay area’s favorite recreational sports with a social environment in a spot where it doesn’t matter how hot it is outside,” Block says.
That word — “combine” — sticks with you. Because this place really is a fusion: sport and leisure, movement and margaritas, competition and community.
He talks about friendships, about year-round play, about the importance of a place that lets locals and visitors feel like they belong. And in the murmur of bouncing balls and laughter echoing through a court, you can feel the plan working.
Where Every Hour Is Happy Hour
This isn’t just a pickleball gym. It’s a vibe. The bar and lounge are magnetic — pulsing with craft beer, wine, and cocktails designed for toasts and tall tales. The furniture whispers “stay awhile.” The menu screams “treat yourself.”
There’s even Happy Hour pickleball, which might be the most Florida thing ever invented — a post-work ritual that blends sweat with sips. And while you’re tossing back a local IPA or an espresso-laced cold brew, someone at the next table might be booking the space for a birthday or company event. It’s that kind of place — adaptable, unpredictable, alive.
Programs, Leagues, and a Little Chaos
Pickle & Pint was built with versatility in mind. There are private court rentals for those who want to keep it intimate. There are leagues and drop-in sessions for those who thrive in unpredictability.
You’ll find classes for beginners who don’t yet know how obsessed they’re about to become, and seasoned players who arrive with grips already chalked and strategies whispering through their minds. This place doesn’t judge. It welcomes.
Not Just a Venue — A Movement
Pickleball isn’t just exploding in popularity — it’s mutating, evolving, and embedding itself into Tampa Bay’s social DNA. And Pickle & Pint is the epicenter of that shift.
Located just off Belcher Road, it’s a perfect stop for players from St. Pete, Clearwater, and the greater Pinellas area. It’s central, it’s bold, and it’s ready for you.
Here, it’s not just about how you play. It’s about how you feel while you play — and afterward, too.
The Echoes After the Game
As the neon lights dim and the laughter softens into murmurs, you’ll realize something strange: you don’t want to leave. Not yet. Maybe not ever. There’s something magnetic here — a tension, a pulse, a need that this space satisfies.
It’s not just a place to play. It’s a place to be.
Get ready to rally, relax, and repeat — because indoor pickleball just leveled up in Pinellas County. And this is only the beginning.
Are you on social media? Check out our profile for more local news! Follow @TampaLatest for up-to-the-minute updates in Tampa, Florida.
