Michigan Hotel Debuts Six Pickleball-Inspired Cocktails To Celebrate Major Pickleball Tournament

Some of the world’s best pickleball players have descended upon Grand Rapids, Michigan this past weekend for the Grand Rapids Beer City Open Pickleball Championships. And as such, they need all-star accommodations. AHC Hospitality, owners of the historic Amway Grand Plaza and a sponsor of the tournament, planned on providing just that. 

Amway Grand Plaza’s four RoofTop Pickleball courts have established the hotel as a hotspot for pickleball in the city. Pros and amateurs alike will be able to try their hand at the sport and book outdoor courts situated on the hotel’s Wellness Floor.

This year, the hotel will also debut signature craft cocktails that pay tribute to the spirit of Beer City Open with a play on pickleball terms, featuring pickle-infused ingredients. The cocktails include:

• Volley Llama: A mezcal gimlet served with pickled peach sorbet at Spanish restaurant MDRD, set on the 27th floor overlooking the Grand River.
• Briny Backhand Martini (seen above): The hotel’s speakeasy IDC’s rendition of a dirty vodka martini with a splash of pickle brine.
• Shake and Bake-N: A unique whiskey sour made with bacon-washed bourbon featured at the Lumber Baron Bar.
• Bainbridge Island Spicy Margarita: A tropical margarita with a kick, inspired by pickleball’s origins and served at the lobby bar Rendezvous.
• The Erne Smash: A citrusy cocktail with a rosy hue thanks to Grand Rapids-based Iron Fish Soft Parade Vodka, served at the hotel’s Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
•  In the Kitchen: A refreshing vodka-based cocktail served with vanilla coconut cream at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck.

Including Amway Grand Plaza, AHC Hospitality will welcome athletes and spectators to stay and play at its Curio Collection by Hilton, JW Marriott Grand Rapids, Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown, Hyatt Place Grand Rapids and AC Hotel by Marriott Downtown Grand Rapids.

Held July 9 through July 14 at Belknap Park, the tournament is run by The Grand Rapids Pickleball Club. For the first time this year, Major League Pickleball, the highest-tier competitive league in professional pickleball, is hosting their “Mid-Season Tournament” in conjunction with Beer City Open. All 22 professional pickleball teams will compete for the title and crown of Beer City Open, Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Champion. Major League Pickleball is also offering $200,000 in additional professional prize money. 

Admission to Beer City Open is free for spectators. In addition to the roster of pickleball matches, the tournament will also feature food trucks, beer tents from Bells Brewery and Michelob Ultra, a liquor tasting room and local vendors.