The owners behind FM Kitchen and Bar are set to bring a new concept to fruition this fall when PKL Social opens at 1102 Shepherd Drive, Houston.

According to a press release from Scurfield Group, the media team working on the concept, the new outdoor patio and sports bar will have a focus on pickleball—a game that combines badminton, ping-pong and tennis. The PKL and FM operating partner, Jason Mok, who is also a former Rice University tennis player, said he was intrigued by the game from the moment he discovered it.

“Pickleball’s X-factor, in my opinion, is that it’s such a fun, social activity but also very approachable and relatively easy to pick up compared to tennis or golf,” Mok said in the release.

According to the release, Pickleball was deemed the fastest-growing sport in America between 2019-21 by the 2022 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Single Sport Report.

The space will have four pickleball courts, a covered deck space, big-screen TVs, yard games, cabanas and 10,000 square feet of patio space. The pickleball courts will be on a pay-to-play basis with rates determined by peak hours, the release said. PKL Social plans to also host leagues, clinics and open play for all levels of players.

Guests can also expect a list of cocktails to choose from, such as the PKL cherry limeade, the Honey Deuce and a frozen paloma. The concept will also offer draft and packaged beers, seltzers and nonalcoholic beverages, the release said.

According to the release, popular food items from FM Kitchen and Bar will be featured on PKL Social’s menu, including the signature FM Burger, the spicy fried chicken sandwich, wings, tater tots and breakfast tacos.

“Making pickleball more accessible and combining it with the lively outdoor patio and sports bar atmosphere is something that we felt the Inner Loop was missing, and we can’t wait to bring this new and unique concept to Houston,” Mok said.