It would be a piece of cake to make a new friend when you were a child, but even if we try avoiding exaggeration, as an adult, making friends and meeting new people are some of the biggest problems of this modern world. Thus, many people are now looking for ways to improve the quality of human connection and combat loneliness in our environment by engaging in new kinds of interaction and shared experiences. From poetry to pottery to sports, people are seeking out events that go beyond the activity itself.
One such effort is transforming the social landscape of Pune – and it’s not just about the sport they offer to learn and play, they are redefining the way people socialise and spend time together.
We are talking about Pickle Haus, the brainchild of two young Pune techies, Bhavya Mehta and Yash Mundada, which has taken up the challenge of teaching Pickleball to Punekars while adding value to their experiences beyond just the sport.
What is Pickle Haus?
With a focus on community, learning, and connection, Pickle Haus is changing the way people engage with the game. Because it is not only just about mastering the sport; but also about fostering meaningful interactions, building friendships, and making every game a memorable experience.
While speaking with the Free Press Journal about Pickle Haus, Bhavya, who is a techie by profession and a big travel and sports junkie, said, "We do some experiments around pickleball. We want to help people learn pickleball—how to play, the rules—but we do it in a bit non-structured way. Instead, we keep it fun. Since four people can play on the ground and eight people can play at a time, during breaks, they get to know each other and interact, have refreshments. We have volunteers who engage with people who join us for the game, and after the game, sometimes we do brunches, breakfasts, or drinks. This gives people a chance to meet and make friends, especially when they end up meeting the same people repeatedly."
Pickleball culture in Pune
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court, it uses a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
While speaking with the Free Press Journal, Meenakshi Dave, who often plays with Pickle Haus, said, "I tried pickleball for the first time, and it was way more fun than I expected! I walked in with strangers, but the group was super welcoming. Our coach, Bhavya, patiently explained the basics and even gave me a few tips."
"The game itself? Fast, engaging, and surprisingly easy to pick up. I fumbled a bit at first, but everyone was encouraging, which made it so much better. Laughter, high-fives, and a few decent shots later—I was hooked!," she added.
As he spoke about the game, Bhavya said, "Pickleball is easy to adopt and doesn't require a very strong fitness level. We've tweaked a few rules to make it more accessible. After playing sports, there's a sense of joy that leaves you eager to play again. Additionally, you meet people, engage in some banter, and it goes beyond just the game." He added, "We do a lot of mixed doubles, and we've seen connections sparking a lot."
The pickleball culture in Pune, Bhavya said, has picked up over the last 3-4 months. When they started, there were only a few stakeholders in the sport and limited courts. However, now several facilities are coming up, the infrastructure is improving, and the game has received a good response from Punekars.
Here's how the Pickle Haus was born
Bhavya mentioned that he and his co-founder Yash Mundada, both passionate about sports, created a platform to combine social well-being with sports.
He explained, "As adults, we've lost touch with many friends who moved for work or education, and making new friends becomes a challenge. We wanted to combine social well-being with sports, which is why we chose pickleball—it's trending, easy, and accessible to people of all ages and genders."
He added, "We don't promise mental or physical well-being, but we focus on social well-being, which can naturally help with the other two. Many people have made lasting friendships through the Pickle Haus sessions —some have played 10-15 games together, and a group of girls is even planning to go to Bali after meeting through pickleball."
Sessions, sessions and sessions
As he spoke about the memorable sessions organised by Pickle Haus, Bhavya shared that one of the highlights was the Pune Founders Meet, where founders from different startups across the city came together to play pickleball. He also recalled their Christmas party, which saw 40 participants bonding over games and socialising, with many of them forming lasting friendships.
Reflecting on her own journey of falling in love with the sport and the community, Shauri Jain, a tennis player, recalled, “As a tennis player, I was in search of good courts nearby but struggled to find playing partners. That’s when I discovered pickleball—the closest game to tennis—and came across a post by Pickle Haus on Instagram. Curious, I joined their women-exclusive socials, and that marked the beginning of my journey with this amazing community. Pickle Haus is more than just a community; it’s a space where you connect with like-minded individuals and build new friendships. What started as a way to stay active has now become a regular part of my routine, and I truly enjoy the sense of belonging and energy that come with every game.”
Regarding future events, he said they will host "Dink and Date," "Dink and Drink," tournaments with multiple teams, and festive events like the recent kite flying event. "We will go beyond just the game and bring the community together for night treks, and even a 'Bring Your Parent to Court' game," he added
By blending sports with community-building, Pickle Haus has created opportunities for Punekars to make meaningful connections and form lasting friendships. With fun, relaxed events like brunches, mixers, and themed gatherings after the game, they’re breaking down social barriers and offering a new way to meet people. The game, which is easy to learn and accessible to all, has quickly gained traction, with events such as "Dink and Date" and "Dink and Drink" bringing people together for a mix of sport, fun, and friendship. Pickle Haus is reshaping the way we socialise and fostering a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.
