'Eatertainment,' pickleball venue sets opening date for first Ohio location

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- An "eatertainment" venue known for a mix of food and recreation, including pickleball and axe throwing, has set the opening date for the company's first Ohio location in Columbus.

Smash Park will begin welcoming guests on Aug. 26 to the venue at 495 Polaris Parkway in Westerville's Westar Place business district. The new destination marks the Iowa-based company's first Ohio location, with over venues in Des Moines, Iowa; Roseville, Minnesota; and La Vista, Nebraska.

"We carefully consider each new location, and the Columbus metro is a diverse and active community, perfectly suited for the booming sport of pickleball," CEO Monty Lockyear said when the location was announced in March 2024. "The community has been so welcoming, and we can't wait to bring our unique mix of food, drinks, entertainment and recreation to Westerville."

Smash Park features more than 32,000 square feet of indoor space, home to pickleball courts, a restaurant, axe throwing, duckpin bowling, party darts, an arcade, shuffleboard, cornhole, private karaoke and a separate 21-and-older bar called the Paddle Club

The venue's 15,000-square-foot outdoor space includes more pickleball courts and cornhole, yard games and a rooftop bar. Pet-lovers can find a dog-friendly outdoor patio and a dedicated dog space.

The Westerville destination will soon be hosting leagues for pickleball, cornhole and darts. The recreation area will be equipped for nighttime entertainment such as glow pickleball. In addition, Smash Park has said it will be the go-to place for weekly events such as trivia, themed tournaments, and its popular Brunch Bingo.

Smash Park sits on about 3.5 acres in Wester Place, a business district home to headquarters for DHL Supply Chain North America, Vertiv, Central Ohio Primary Care and OrthopedicOne.

"More than ever, companies are choosing locations where they know their employees will want to come into the office. Many companies are uncomfortable with return-to-office mandates, but places like the Westar business district in Westerville offer a wide range of amenities that encourage and may even incentivize employees to want to work in the office a majority of the week, because of all the great things they can do independently and collaboratively with coworkers," said Rachel Ray, Westerville economic development director.