Since opening last August in the longtime site of River Hills Family Fun Center in nearby Greenfield, Holey Mackerel—metro Milwaukee’s newest miniature golf destination and family fun facility—has been hard at work making gradual and consistent improvements. Last fall brought the completion of the clubhouse bar and arcade, followed by batting cage repairs, updated greens, and the long-awaited return of the golf course water features this summer. Now that another autumn is here, Holey Mackerel is preparing to completely shift its focus to indoor happenings aimed at keeping the fun going through the end of winter.
On November 4, Holey Mackerel’s indoor portion will become “SipNShanty,” a seasonal pop-up concept that blends the cozy ice shanty feel with inventive cocktails and eclectic food offerings.
“We wanted to find a way to keep this clubhouse open year round,” Holey Mackerel owner Tripper Duval says. “The idea is you’re sitting in an ice shanty with your friends, having some drinks, and eating some snacks.”
SipNShanty will maintain the family-friendly approach of Holey Mackerel, but will also feature some adult-oriented offerings in the form of new cocktails, such as a Pistachio Espresso Martini, Banana Brûlée Cocktail, and even a drink that incorporates helium bubbles and smoke.
Meanwhile, the business’ new “ShortFin” food truck concept—named after a color-changing squid that mackerels are known to eat—will serve up cold weather comfort cuisine like chili, specialty sausages, truffle fries, and a Korean fried chicken slider.
SipNShanty’s first stint will run until December 5. After that, Holey Mackerel will temporarily transform into a Grinch-themed pop-up for the remainder of December. That pop-up will include holiday decor, Christmas trees being sold in the parking lot, hot cocoa (and boozy riffs on hot chocolate for grown ups), pictures with Santa, and a holiday market featuring products from local vendors. Once January comes, SipNShanty will return to give Greenfield craft cocktails and tasty bites in an ice fishing-themed arcade through late March.
“There really isn’t a cocktail bar in the Greenfield area, and to offer that to the people who want it is super valuable,” Duval says. “It’s new, fun experience in a new environment. And if you’re feeling crazy, you can go freeze your ass off and play a quick nine.”
Once opened, Duval says he expects SipNShanty’s hours to be 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. So get those last rounds of mini golf in while you still can and prepare for indoor fun at Holey Mackerel’s forthcoming SipNShanty pop-up this fall and winter.
