This past Friday, I was one of a handful of people in the Brew Lab 101 orbit to be invited to a sneak preview of their newest offsite location, Putts N Pints.

To say that this project in the former Putt Putt space at San Mateo and McLeod in the Northeast Heights has been highly anticipated would be an understatement. It’s probably been the most persistent question, when is it opening, that the Crew has been asked over the summer, and from what Brew Lab 101 co-owner Scott Salvas told me, it’s been the one he has dealt with the most.

Salvas said the only thing that kept them from opening this past weekend was a piece of faulty safety equipment in the kitchen. Otherwise the rest of the joint is ready to go, save for a re-carpeting one of the three mini-golf courses outside.

Even as the invite-only crowd began to build, Salvas was kind enough to provide a quick tour. Since I had not been to the old Putt Putt in decades (yes, I’m old, we know that), I cannot say how much has truly changed from the old place.

The golf courses outside seem to have been kept largely intact, just with fresh coats of paint and some fresh turf. All the animal and dinosaur statues were cleaned up and repainted in some cases.

As for the inside, you enter through a door on the north side. The main room is divided by a center wall that runs east-west. On the north side of that wall is the arcade (which I did not get a picture of since it was crowded with customers). It includes classic video arcade games and pinball. Salvas said they got a really good deal on all of the arcade elements that will include service by the experts anytime there’s a glitch or a breakdown.

Opening up to the west side of the main room is an area with a couple of pool tables. Most of what lies south of that dividing wall is the bar area and some tall tables. Putts N Pints has a full liquor license, Salvas said, with national and international brands alongside the Brew Lab 101 beers and ciders on draft.

Around to the east side of the building is a private party room that will likely be kept open to everyone when no one has it reserved. A good chunk of the Lobo football team fit in there last week.

Salvas said the interior of the building took up the bulk of the budget and required most of the permitting, which remains as slow as ever with the city and the state. As soon as that replacement part arrives for the kitchen, they can ask for a final check-up by city officials who would then authorize the C.O. (certificate of occupancy). Salvas said that with luck, they could be open as early as Wednesday.

Keep an eye on Putts N Pints’ social media pages for that announcement. It’s been a long time coming, but from what I saw, it should offer up a good mix of nostalgia with modern touches that should make this a fun spot for kids and adults.

And besides, it’s not like summer temps are ever leaving. It will always be hot now. ALWAYS.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister