Brisas
East Hampton
New York
What do you get if you cross padel with pottery, and experience it all in a Polaroid era hippy haze? The hidden gem of The Hamptons’ exclusive tranche of padel clubs, that’s what.
Review
A Polaroid Padel & Pottery experience
With the padel boom we’re witnessing worldwide, clubs and resorts are coming in all shapes and sizes. Of those embryonic clubs on the market, some give padel’s Mexican history a full-throttle hug, some give it a nod, and to some, well, it barely crosses their mind.
There’s a club 100 miles east of Manhattan, in Long Island’s famed The Hamptons area, that is the epitome of the former. A club that gives padel’s Mexican roots not just a full-throttle huge but a gigantic smooch, too. In fact, ever since the Brisas brand launched back in January 2024, the impressive founding duo of Rohan Kamdar and Lucho Gazcon have been cheerleaders for the sport’s Mexican story – however, cheerleading in their own inimitable, less-is-more, distinct way. Because with Brisas, this brand new club shows great reverence to the sport’s roots and shares the associated lifestyle that Mexico boasts. They emphasise community, celebrate inclusivity and artistic tradition, and reconnect guests to authentic living. Yow so?
Well, the uniqueness of this club is owed to the dedication of the team that explored Mexico, where Enrique Corcuera invented the sport in 1969. Stepping through the engraved wood entrance feels like you’ve hopped on a plane out to Central America. From the clay pots to wood carved tables and rustic seating areas, Brisas has redefined what it means to be a stylish padel club. It feels timeless and authentic. Less is more is the Brisas way.
Close enough to East Hampton's delectable beaches, shops and restaurants, Brisas is accessible yet secluded from the chaos that the 4th July weekend brings. Designed to enjoy more than just Padel, it offers wellness and relaxation in abundance.
If at one end of the scale, some padel clubs are unashamedly about transactional pay and play, then Brisas is at the other end of the scale, priding itself on an intangible feel that you’ll just know once you drive through the gates. Throughout the year, Brisas aims to provide a number of events, festivals, and community activities for all those to enjoy more than just the club. With the promise of weekly pop-ups celebrating artisanal craftsmanship, they bring the community together through wellness and relaxation.
With a comprehensive four-volume rule book gifting members a summary of the history of the game, from the basic rules to best tactics, you feel enriched before even stepping onto the court. There’s that full-throttle embrace, again.
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Nestled through the woodlands past East Hampton Runway, the serenity and calm that Brisas offers is not what you might expect as you drive up to the tennis centre. Yet one turn to the left and you get a glimpse of the red courts, hidden behind a vintage Airstream (another nod to the polaroid era) and ceramic pots.
Enter through the carved wood archway and you’re immediately greeted by the front desk staff who smile softly and offer their services. Behind the desk they stock Brisas’ own padel rackets, balls. Their first edition rule book sits perfectly placed next to juices and ginger shots that can be purchased for a modest opening of the wallet.
Alongside their courts Brisas boasts a wellness area, offering a sauna and cold plunge. In keeping with the wooden surroundings, these amenities blend seamlessly into the club's overall aesthetic.
To the right, the Mexican hand carved wood table allows members to pass the time playing backgammon or warm up their reactions with a game of table-tennis. A subtle but stylish freestanding rail containing Brisas’ own range of t-shirts, hats and bags stands between you and the lounge area. Catering to those who enjoy something more calming, they have their pottery and yoga areas on show, set back from the courts.
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Brisas offers a sanctuary within 4,000 square feet. The outdoor lounge space blends slickly between the shingle and decking surroundings. The pace of life here feels 100 times slower than the Big Apple 100 miles to the west. People seem calm, even on the padel courts the style of play, either by accident or design, demonstrates a certain fluidity you don't always find at other clubs. The focus is solely on each point at hand, and making sure mistakes are left behind – behind in the real world.
Brisas is some form of sanctuary to those that visit. Providing an escape from the hustle of the big smoke, East Hampton has been blessed with a hideaway that only seems likely to keep enticing people back. Is this because of the authenticity of Brisas? Or does it just allow each individual to walk into the club and simply feel at one with who they are.
This pura vida style that Brisas has managed to create is echoed by the fact that everywhere you look people seem to be living in that very moment; present in a way that seems so rare in this screen-obsessed era in which we live. Whether it is on the padel court, lounging on the sofas, or carving pottery, guests are encompassing a peaceful attitude towards life – and a life that’s, let’s be honest, imperfect.
Padel, pottery and Polaroid moments. In their own words, it’s the sport as a reimagined classic.
What more could you wish for?
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Offering signature beverages and healthy snacks designed to nurture both body and soul, the menu is simple yet refreshing. Continuing the theme of wellness, Brisas menu consists of the type of juices and ginger shots beloved by the oh-so-healthy-crowd. To the chagrin of some, and such is the focus on wellness, you won’t find alcohol served here, but then Brisas are not trying to be all things to all people. They’re quietly, confidently projecting their own distinct brand that wouldn’t look out of place in a 1970s French Riviera mountainous photoshoot. Yet, while the bar may be dry, Brisas makes up for it with its wet option highlight, which is a post game cold plunge that will leave you feeling equally refreshed as that mojito might elsewhere on your padel travels.
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Ginger Lime Mocktail
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Acknowledging in the rule book all those that have put effort into making the club what Brisas is today, brings a personal feel to the club. Kamdar and Gazcon are the masterminds behind Brisas and welcome each member personally. It is this touch that, above all, makes Brisas stand out, and part of the Club Águilas collection.
Then, there’s Shani, who is founder of ROM Studio, a certified yoga and pilates instructor, and an avid potter. Throughout the summer, Shani has been focused on bringing her Costa Rican charm to East Hampton. Focused on the body as well as the mind, her unique hands-on approach gathers praise from clients as she provides intimate interaction and gently forces clients to spend time with their inner thoughts. An additional offering is their pottery classes offering classes as well as workshops and pop-ups.
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As you enter under the carved Brisas sign, you are greeted by three outdoor courts aligned perfectly across the width of the space, each sporting a red artificial grass with personalised Brisas foam lining the net.
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Over the summer, Brisas is joined by Leandro Azagra - AKA The Padel Professor - offering lessons to all levels. Leandro provides a unique but effective strategy to his teaching, applying his experience as a Mechanical Engineer with the technicality and tactics of padel shots. Brisas’ distinct personality is symbolised best by the independent spirit and eclectic team of its staff. It is a club for whom the word ‘chain’ must be anathema.
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Ensuring all members embed themselves within the Brisas lifestyle, clinics are offered daily to all. Tournaments are run on weekends and private lessons are available on demand for both adults and children.
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Hand-woven, Indian-made, Brisas-branded drawstring slacks.