It’s about that time to check in on URBAN PUTT, which has set an opening date of May 5th. Here are the latest details on what will be San Francisco’s first miniature golf course (with 14 holes!), two bars, and a restaurant. To recap, this upcoming Mission project is from Steve Fox, previously editorial director of PC World, editor in chief of InfoWorld, and editorial director of CNET. The location was previously Driscoll’s Mortuary, and has been vacant since 1999 (hopefully one of the spots on the mini golf course is a creepy crypt, bwah ha ha!).
Back in January, we mentioned that the chef is Dane Boryta, most recently at Bottle Cap in North Beach. It’s a full-service restaurant called UP at Urban Putt (it’s upstairs), and will be offering “comforting Americana cuisine,” with dishes like a wedge salad with blue cheese; six kinds of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza; and poutine with duck confit, hand-cut fries, cheese curds, and peppercorn gravy. Entrées include slow-roasted baby back ribs with heirloom cannellini beans, jambalaya, and braised artichokes with mushroom and English pea filling. Take a first look at the menu here.
You’ll also be able to get some Fairway Bites while on the mini golf green, like corn dogs, pretzel twists, and fried chicken and waffle skewers. Or if you’re hanging out at the bar, the Bar Bites menu will include fried chicken thighs, a burger, pulled pork sliders, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and more. There are also two private dining rooms, with room for 14 people upstairs and 25 in the salon downstairs.
The bar was originally going to be run by the Bon Vivants, but it looks like it’s just beer and wine for now. Colin Carroll has been named the bar manager—his background includes Elixir Saloon and Paul K Restaurant, plus some Portland locations—and he’ll be highlighting some local brews (including a custom beer from the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company) and concocting some low-proof cocktails until Urban Putt gets its full liquor license. There’s a bar upstairs at UP (with the restaurant, it comes to 70 seats total) and another bar downstairs, with room for 35.
The course itself is going to be pretty high tech, and they have assembled quite the team of local designers, robotics engineers, welders, and artists to make it a really cool experience. San Francisco architect Matt Hollis (who also designed Mission Bowling Club) is behind the design of the space. Look for custom ironwork, and other touches like wood and copper bar tops and Victorian-style light sconces.
Urban Putt will be open seven days a week, offering dinner every night, plus weekend brunch. Snacks, beverages, and appetizers will be available at the bar whenever Urban Putt is open. Mini golf will be available throughout operating hours. No one under 21 years of age will be admitted after 8pm. 1096 South Van Ness Ave. at 22nd St.
The UP sign with some golf balls and putters. Photo: Kristen Loken.
