Entry No. 63 — the New Orleans file — filed under: arcade-play
Pickle N Pins
Co-founded by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Darren Balsamo, this sprawling Metairie game hall combines duckpin bowling, shuffleboard, axe throwing, pickleball, padel, and a darts variant called Krazy Darts under one roof with food and drinks. It runs late on weekends, until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The mix of lawn-game and pin-game options makes it an easy spot to bounce between activities.
The story
Veterans Memorial Boulevard is where you normally go for suburban errands, but Drew Brees—yes, the quarterback who brought the Lombardi trophy to town—decided Metairie needed a spot where you can throw axes, hit padel balls, and hurl mini bowling balls under one roof. Co-founded alongside Darren Balsamo, Pickle N Pins takes the sprawling indoor-sports formula and crams a staggering list of recreational fixations into a massive suburban venue.
The pickleball and padel courts bring in the serious rec-league crowd, but the real charm is in the oddball lineup tucked between the court fences and the bar. You've got duckpin bowling—short lanes, squat pins, smaller balls, and zero rented shoes—running right beside shuffleboard tables, axe-throwing targets, and a digital dart variant called Krazy Darts. It feels less like a traditional sports complex and more like someone assembled every tavern game invented since 1950, cranked up the lighting, and added a full menu featuring fried chicken and cocktails to keep the rivalries going.
What it's like
Expect high ceilings, the squeak of sneakers, and the constant ambient rhythm of plastic balls hitting paddles mixed with the heavy thud of axes embedding in wood backstops. It gets loud and crowded quickly, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the lights stay on until 1 a.m. While you can walk in for food or a drink, the courts and duckpin lanes operate on rigid reservation times—if you roll up unannounced on a peak night, you'll be watching from the perimeter while waiting for a open lane. Book your activity slots online in advance, grab a table, and rotate through the games.
The move: Reserve a duckpin lane, then settle the score over a round of shuffleboard or a couple of axe throws.
📍 Before you go Lanes and courts are best reserved ahead, especially weekends.
- 📍 Metairie
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 6930 Veterans Memorial Blvd #4419, Metairie, LA 70003
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Kenner Planetarium & Megadome Cinema Late Nite Laser — Pair a multi-sport arcade showdown with a quick drive over to Kenner to catch a late-night laser light show on a 50-foot dome.
- RT Ceramics — Balance a high-energy evening on the courts with a calm, hands-on Pottery Date Night at Ron Tolie's nearby studio.
- Metairie Cemetery (Lake Lawn Metairie) — Contrast Metairie's modern indoor game hall with a quiet daytime walk through the city's grandest marble tombs nearby.
Good to know
Who is behind Pickle N Pins?
The venue was co-founded by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and business partner Darren Balsamo.
Do I need to book courts and lanes ahead of time?
Yes, reserving your pickleball courts, padel courts, or duckpin bowling lanes online in advance is highly recommended, especially on weekends.
What activities are available inside?
The hall features pickleball, padel courts, duckpin bowling, shuffleboard, axe throwing, and a digital dart game known as Krazy Darts.
How late does it stay open on weekends?
It runs late on Friday and Saturday nights, staying open until 1 a.m.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · nola.com · Yelp · bizneworleans.com
last checked: 2026-06-23