Branson entertainment venue targets May opening
The Social Birdy to incorporate restaurant with large game lineup
BY: MIKE CULLINAN, REPORTERmcullinan@sbj.net
Posted online March 22, 2024 | 3:33 pm
Two years after being announced, entertainment venue The Social Birdy is on the verge of taking flight this spring, officials say.
Construction of the $5 million venture is heading into the final weeks at 1250 Branson Hills Parkway, just west of several big-box retailers, such as Target and Home Depot. Co-owner Trey Pelz said a May opening is projected for the 18,000-square-foot project, which incorporates a restaurant and bar, an 18-hole putting course, pickleball courts, golf simulator bays and a full-service golf and pickleball shop.
Pelz and friends Mark Mason, Matt Martin and Chris Rohr, as well as several silent partners, own the business through MMTC Development Group LLC. Springfield-based Richards Construction & Renovations LLC is general contractor on the project with Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective as architect.
“We’re kind of in the home stretch of cleanup and getting things prepped and finished painting,” Pelz said, adding the completion date also will depend on weather, as outdoor work on areas such as the putting course continues.
Both the cost and size of the project has grown since its January 2022 announcement, Pelz said. The concept was originally 9,000 square feet with an estimated $3.5 million price tag.
Pelz said extensive engineering work has been the biggest issue contributing to delays. He noted the location overlooks a portion of the golf course at Branson Hills Golf Club and is about a mile from U.S. Highway 65.
“We were really wanting this location because of the proximity to 65 and the accessibility for Springfield guests,” he said. “We bought the side of a hill. And so unfortunately with sitework in the Ozarks, you don’t know what you don’t know until you get in.”
Looking out off the 4,000-square-foot back patio area that will soon have fire pits, a bocce ball court, numerous televisions and seating for 85, Pelz said he’s excited for customers to soon come and experience the venue’s unique view of the Branson area.
“We love the Ozarks. We didn’t want to take away from it,” he said. “This is a beautiful area, and so we wanted to be able to have a spot back here where you got couches and chairs and you can sit up here in the evenings and hang out, have some food, have a drink and enjoy everything.”
Amenities abound
Around 14,000 square feet comprise the interior, which includes a restaurant that Pelz describes as serving “elevated bar food.” Menu offerings include nine burger options, sandwiches, chicken wings and salads. The full bar will include an extensive selection of bourbon along with 22 craft beers on tap.
“We bought our own $30,000 custard machine, and we’ll be doing our own custard, our own recipe for that, and having really high-end milkshakes,” he said, adding the restaurant also will offer a fry flight, with flavors such as lemon pepper and garlic truffle parmesan. “You get four of our signature fries and six of our signature dipping sauces, so you can share the fries with other friends.”
As visitors enter the building, the golf and pickleball shop will be off to their immediate left.
“Our golf shop turned out to be a little bigger than we had planned. It’s also the only golf shop that we know of that’s a true golf and pickleball pro shop,” he said, noting it also will service equipment, provide club fittings and paddle regrips, as well as offer demonstrations.
“There’s nothing like being able to hold it, feel it,” he said. “If you’re going to spend $400 on a driver, why not spend $400 on a driver that you’ve gotten to test drive?”
