This summer marked the grand opening of Birdie Factory, Boulder’s first indoor golf bar, located at 2520 Arapahoe Ave. in the plaza between Folsom and 28th streets. The concept comes from CU alumnus and longtime hospitality professional Andrew “Fergie” Ferguson, who aimed to create a space where people can both drink and play.
“I wanted to give Boulder somewhere where you can drink and do an activity,” Ferguson said. Boulder is known for its craft beer scene, and the city’s proximity to the mountains attracts people eager to get moving. But until now, there haven’t been many places to grab a drink (especially something besides beer) and do an activity at the same time.
Ferguson designed Birdie Factory with a range of Boulderites in mind. “We strategically put it next to campus so it’s good for students,” he said. “It’s a very female-centric complex, and this business type is typically very male-dominated. I wanted to make it approachable for everyone.”
Its location in a shopping plaza means ample free parking and quick access to nearby restaurants. Patrons can bring in their own food or order from neighbors like Flower Child, Tiffin’s India, Kalita Grill Greek Cafe, Boulder Fresh Garden Thai and Pizza Hut. With dining options already covered, Ferguson focused on building out Birdie Factory’s drink program.
The sleek bar is one of the first things customers see. It features 16 taps, wine by the glass and bottle, a range of spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. The menu includes eight rotating signature cocktails. With over 20 years in hospitality, Ferguson said, “I’ve managed a bunch of breweries and the like. I’ve seen community formed around these concepts.”
Just past the bar are Birdie Factory’s five golf simulator bays, each with a projector screen and room to swing. Players can bring their own clubs or rent on-site.
“Golf is super intimidating outside,” Ferguson said. “Here, there’s every cheat code in the world.” Players can adjust the settings to suit their skill level. “It’s like putting bumpers up at a bowling lane to encourage people to get into it,” Ferguson added. Players can choose from 1,600 courses, both real and imagined, and simulate any time of day or night.
For more serious golfers, the customizable features allow them to play through certain courses in different conditions — a useful way to prepare for tournaments or travel. Birdie Factory’s technology allows players to analyze their game in ways unimaginable on a traditional outdoor course. “We provide instant feedback using high-end analytical data,” Ferguson said.
The training bay includes a computerized floor pad and pressure plates to capture a golfer’s weight distribution throughout their swing. Cameras record and break down each movement, which can be viewed alongside an instructional model, which can be viewed alongside an instructional model. One-on-one lessons with a professional golfer are also available.
Ferguson has played at dozens of similar facilities around the world. “I saw the booming popularity of the technology, how nice it was to play in climate control, how much the data helped me, and how fun it was as opposed to going to sit at a bar,” he said.
Activity-driven entertainment venues like this have been spreading across the Front Range. Denver has several indoor golf bars, along with mini-golf-and-bar hybrids like PuttShack and Holey Moley (formerly Urban Putt), Punch Bowl Social with bowling and arcade games, and Upstairs Circus, a DIY workshop with upscale cocktails. In Longmont, visitors can try virtual reality at Longmont Social or play hybrid sports at Winner’s Circle.
“The cost of business keeps Boulder behind,” Ferguson noted. “Boulder needs this. There’s a number of people that just want a new place to be.”
For non-golfers, Birdie Factory has a pool table, three dartboards and a multisport bay where guests can play frisbee, soccer, zombie dodgeball and more. “They’re also just computers,” Ferguson noted. “You can come in here and play Fortnite.”
The screens can be used for movies or business presentations, and the entire space is available for parties and corporate rentals. Guests can walk in, book online or purchase memberships. “Once people experience it,” Ferguson said, “they come back.”