From the outside, Basketball Social House doesn’t announce itself loudly. Tucked away in a strip mall, it could easily be mistaken for just another neighborhood spot. But step through the doors, and the experience unfolds in layers... art-lined hallways, soaring ceilings, the hum of conversation, the echo of basketballs on polished courts, and the unmistakable energy of a place doing something entirely its own.
“It’s really hard to explain until you come in,” says Jimmy Bemis, co-founder of Basketball Social House. “I always tell people, you just have to come in. Once you see it, you kind of get it.”
That sense of discovery is no accident. Basketball Social House was built on the idea that people today aren’t just looking for a place to eat or drink, they’re looking for an experience. And in a world filled with pickleball clubs, immersive golf lounges, and reimagined entertainment spaces, Bemis saw a glaring gap.
“Nobody’s ever done this with basketball,” he says. “You’ve got Topgolf, you’ve got pickleball, baseball, everything else. But basketball is a gigantic market, not just here in the U.S., but internationally. And no one had really figured out how to build an experience around it.”
Bemis didn’t come from hospitality, at least not originally. He spent more than two decades in financial services before making a pivot that would ultimately change the trajectory of his career. Along the way, Bemis found himself immersed in food, beverage, and entertainment, and unexpectedly captivated by it.
“I realized people were moving away from traditional restaurants and into experiences,” he says.
At the same time, Bemis and his business partner were experimenting with a basketball skills competition concept. As the events grew, so did the vision.
Basketball Social House defies easy categorization, and Bemis is careful about how he frames it.
“When people hear ‘Basketball Social House,’ they think basketball comes first,” Bemis says. “So they expect concession food. That’s been our biggest hurdle.” First and foremost, Bemis emphasizes, Basketball Social House is a bar and restaurant. “And a really good one,” he adds.
Initially, the menu leaned heavily into trendy, unexpected offerings. “We were doing Korean bao buns and some really cool foodie things,” he says. “But it was a little too unexpected for the clientele.” The solution wasn’t to simplify, it was to refine.
“Now, whatever we do is on trend for a traditional bar and grill, but we do it really well,” Bemis explains. “We just make sure we’re the best in the area.” The approach is intentional... slightly lower prices than competitors, significantly higher quality.
“If we’re going to do something,” he says, “it has to be excellent.”
If you spend time at Basketball Social House, the food becomes part of the conversation, often unexpectedly so.
“My favorite is the pear and goat cheese salad with grilled chicken,” Bemis admits. “I get it with ranch, I’m usually more on the healthy side.”
Weekend brunch has become a draw of its own, with dishes like the breakfast burrito, next-level chicken and waffles drizzled with sriracha honey, and a standout avocado toast. “We have a little bit for everybody,” he says. “And that’s important.”
As guests move through the space, they’re met with something unexpected: art. Not as decoration, but as identity. “When you walk through the facility, it’s like walking through an art gallery,” Bemis says. The idea evolved organically. A chance conversation with the owner of Black Book Gallery sparked a collaboration that now defines the space. “He said, ‘I have all this artwork but nowhere to display it. Why don’t you let me display it here?’” Bemis recalls. “And I thought, that’s amazing.”
The main hallway now rotates curated pieces from artists across regions and styles. Beyond that, Basketball Social House has become a platform for local, female, and minority artists. “We really wanted to give people an opportunity to showcase their work,” Bemis says. “It’s always changing. Every time an artist comes to us, we’re like, yes let’s find a space.”
The building itself plays a role in the experience. From the outside, it’s unassuming. Inside, it’s expansive. “You walk in and it doesn’t look that big,” Bemis says. “And then you realize it’s 22,000 square feet.” Guests pass through art-lined corridors before emerging into the main bar and restaurant, where Bemis says he can always spot first-time visitors. “They just stop,” he laughs. “They’re looking around like, ‘I don’t know what this place is.’” That moment of surprise is exactly the point.
“I wanted it to feel like a hidden warehouse, a speakeasy,” Bemis explains. “That downtown vibe, but without the hassle of being downtown.” In the early days, Bemis imagined Basketball Social House as an open, community-driven gathering place. Reality required some recalibration. “People need a little more structure,” he says candidly.
“That’s where the themed nights and social events came from,” he says. From live music and trivia to large-scale corporate gatherings, the space adapts fluidly. A standout event this winter is the Centennial Casino Night Gala on February 21. “I really wanted to celebrate all the businesses in Centennial,” Bemis says. “People overlook it sometimes. But I have this facility where I can bring everyone together and highlight what’s great about this community.”
When pressed for a simple explanation of the space, Bemis pauses. “The easiest way to describe it is to say we’re like the Topgolf of basketball,” he says. “That makes the connection.” But the differences are what matter most. “Nobody just hangs out at Topgolf for dinner and drinks,” Bemis says. “Here, you can. That’s how good our bar and restaurant are.”
For those willing to walk through the door and see for themselves, Basketball Social House offers something rare: a place where sport, food, art, and community don’t compete, they coexist. Check Out The Basket Ball Social House: 7450 S University Blvd Suite 200, Centennial, CO 80122
"Nobody's ever done this with basketball. You've got Topgolf, you've got pickleball, baseball, everything else. But basketball is a gigantic market."
"People need a little more structure. That's where the themed nights and social events came from. From live music and trivia to large-scale corporate gatherings, the space adapts fluidly. I really wanted to celebrate all the businesses in Centennial."