Branson entertainment venue readies for opening day

A multimillion-dollar Branson entertainment venue first announced in early 2022 is set to open this week.

July 3 is the scheduled grand opening for The Social Birdy following several small private events in the days leading up to the public unveiling, according to a news release. The $5 million venture at 1250 Branson Hills Parkway is just west of several big-box retailers, such as The Home Depot and Target. Officials previously targeted a May launch 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, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

“We want to create a setting people enjoy so enthusiastically that they plan to come back over and over again. We strategized and planned a ton to ensure that The Social Birdy would be more than a once-a-year visit for locals and tourists,” said Trey Pelz, co-owner, in the release. “We are committed to creating repeatable shared experiences that are not ‘sub-par.’ We want The Social Birdy to become everyone’s default for date night.”

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 was general contractor on the project with Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective as architect.

Around 14,000 square feet comprise the interior, with an additional 4,000 square feet for the back patio area that includes fire pits, televisions and seating capacity for around 85, according to past reporting. The menu for the restaurant includes burgers, fried and hot chicken, a fry flight with flavors such as truffle garlic parmesan and lemon pepper buffalo, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, shakes and a full bar.

The venue’s golf and pickleball pro shop will carry name brands such as Bad Birdy, Callaway, Cobra and TravisMathew, according to the release. Additionally, it houses an area where professionals will assist golfers with custom club fittings and golf lessons.

Pelz said The Social Birdy, which includes four pickleball courts on the back end of the facility, will staff around 55 employees. Bocce ball, shuffleboard and cornhole also will be among the outdoor games available to play.

“Pickleball is such a great social sport that brings people together no matter what their skill or background,” Pelz said in the release. “It’s a low-key way to get some exercise and have fun with friends.”

The five golf simulator bays at the venue can take players to 80 different golf courses and provide several hybrid golf games, according to the release. The simulators also offer baseball, soccer and dodgeball, among other game options.

Pelz said extensive engineering work had been the biggest issue contributing to project delays, according to past reporting. The project also grew from when it was first announced in January 2022 as a $3.5 million, 9,000-square-foot venture.

The location overlooks a portion of the golf course at Branson Hills Golf Club and is about a mile from U.S. Highway 65.