Padel at the Pub has opened its first site at The Black Horse in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, bringing two new padel courts to the popular community pub.
The site opened on 12th September with a successful launch event that saw plenty of people take to the courts, alongside live music, food and drinks throughout the day and into the evening.
The concept brings one of the world’s fastest-growing sports together with the hospitality and community atmosphere of the British pub, creating a destination where people can play, eat, drink and spend time together.
Padel is an accessible and highly social racket sport, usually played in doubles. Its appeal reaches across different ages, abilities and levels of sporting experience, making it a natural fit for a community-focused venue.
However, Padel at the Pub is about far more than court bookings.
Padel at the Pub players don’t just play. They stay.
“Padel at the Pub players don’t just play. They stay. They eat. They drink. They bring friends,” said Sam Schroder, owner of Padel at the Pub at The Black Horse.
“By connecting sport with hospitality, we are creating an experience that drives footfall, builds community and creates value for both players and the pub.
The traditional pub has always been about bringing people together. Padel does exactly the same thing around the court. By combining the two, we can give people more reasons to visit, introduce the pub to a new generation and create a genuine social hub for the local community.”
Now open every day from 7am-10pm, Padel at the Pub at The Black Horse welcomes experienced players and complete beginners alike. Future plans include social games, coaching, leagues, competitions and events.
The Black Horse brings the concept to life with a food and drink offering that extends well beyond the courts. Its Padel Café is open daily from 8am–4pm, serving drinks, breakfast and lunch for players to enjoy before or after their game.
Players can also relax with a drink in the pub or its large garden, or book a table inside The Black Horse for a meal after playing. Loved by locals, the pub’s menu features classic British favourites alongside a selection of other dishes, created using locally sourced ingredients.
This means a one-hour court booking can become a much longer social experience, with players staying to eat, drink and spend time with friends and family.
The Black Horse is the flagship site for the wider Padel at the Pub Group, demonstrating how pubs with suitable land can introduce a new income stream while attracting additional customers throughout the day and week.
The model is designed to unlock underused outdoor space and connect court activity directly with food, drink and hospitality. It creates new reasons to visit for families, local residents, businesses, schools and existing padel communities.
Sam added:
“Padel provides the activity. The pub provides the hospitality. Together, they provide the community. The Black Horse is the perfect place to bring that vision to life. With the Padel Café, the pub, a large garden, events and a fantastic food and drink offering all in one location, players can enjoy much more than just their time on court.”
The courts are open every day from 7am–10pm. For further information and to book, visit www.padelatthepub.co.uk
