About this club
Empire Racquet at 419 8th St SE (Barracks Row). Opened February 28, 2025. Address and phone confirmed from Capitol Hill BID listing + HillRag 2025-02-25 (reputable DC neighborhood news). Court count: 2 pickleball courts (configurable multi-sport space; also hosts cricket, tennis, soccer). HOURS DISCREPANCY: HillRag opening article says 4:45pm–midnight; Yelp (Jan 2026) shows 4:45am–11:15pm. Current hours not confirmed from official site (empireracquet.com has SSL issues). Phone call recommended to confirm current hours.
The details
Top recommended pickleball gear
Our picks from the pickleball buying guides — chosen editorially, never by the venue and never by spend.
Paddles · Best overall
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 16mm
View on Amazon ↗
Beginner paddles · Best starter feel
JOOLA Essentials
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Balls · Outdoor standard
Franklin X-40 Outdoor (12-pack)
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How many pickleball courts does Empire Racquet Pickleball have?+
Empire Racquet Pickleball has Court count not yet published.
Is Empire Racquet Pickleball open to the public?+
Yes — Empire Racquet Pickleball is open to the public on a pay-to-play basis.
What are Empire Racquet Pickleball's hours?+
4:45 PM–midnight (per HillRag Feb 2025 opening article); Yelp Jan 2026 shows 4:45 AM–11:15 PM — discrepancy flagged; confirm current hours directly
Where is Empire Racquet Pickleball located?+
Empire Racquet Pickleball is located at 419 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003.