MORE THAN GOLF
The Bunker’s new downtown location created for anyone
>> A new entertainment destination recently opened in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The Bunker, the name being a nod to both the origins of the sports bar and lounge as well as after the sandtraps on a golf course, held its grand opening for its newest location last week. Offering seven TRACKMAN bays, two full bars and a full menu, this new location has been in the process for quite some time according to one of the owners Troy Miller.
“So we have been looking for three years in Saratoga and we’ve been in heavy talks with three or four different landlords that really wanted us, and we wanted to go there, but for one reason or another, it always fell apart,” Miller said. “So, we kind of thought maybe we weren’t meant to be here. Then we found this space and it was too small downstairs, but then the tenant upstairs left so we were like, let’s cut a hole in it and go up.”
Miller shared wherever they went it was going to be a heavy build-out and would involve a lot of change but knew the result would be something incredible — and he could not be happier with the location of 307 Broadway.
“If you’re coming from the south, which most people who visit here are, we are the entrance to Broadway,” Miller said. “So that’s obviously a good position to be in. With the open air too, all of the windows slide to open up, it can be like this building is almost on stilts. In the summer we’re hoping to do outdoor seating as well and really create an incredible entrance to the city, something that you take note of when you have to drive by to enter.”
This is the seventh location Miller and co-owner Burl McCutcheon opened since October 2019. What was originally started as a networking tool created in Miller’s basement has now transformed into sports bars and lounges in Clifton Park, Guilderland, Latham, North Greenbush, New Hartford, Mohawk Harbor and now Saratoga Springs — which Miller has called their “big swing.”
“It was never meant to be a business honestly, it was just meant to be a cool thing and then it just kind of took off,” Miller said. “COVID actually gave us the confidence to move forward in that you would think we would have struggled during it but we kept growing, so we were like ‘let’s go for it.’ Saratoga is our biggest swing, it’s the Manhattan of our area.
“When you mention the Capital District, Saratoga is the place to be so we want to be the main spot here.”
There are many opportunities for golfers to utilize the Bunker, be it for golf lessons, taking part in leagues put on or just enjoy
ing practicing and playing in the bays. The four bays downstairs cost $75 per hour, and have multiple courses people can try. Upstairs there is a VIP Suite, which offers a Bay, two dart boards and extra seating, and The Kimball Room, which offers two bays in a private setting, both of which costs $160.
What Miller says set’s the place apart from other indoor golfing experiences is the social scene it provides, explaining no other place like this has a full restaurant, lounge and offers live music like they plan as well as still offers the best technology for golf training.
“We’re a full social scene,” Miller stated. “So whatever you want this place to be, we will meet your needs. The other places will just meet your need for golf.”
Beyond golf, Miller explained the hope is for the venue to be utilized by everyone and can be used as an event space for golfers and non-golfers alike. Explaining the venue is positioned really well as a nongolf social theme, with much of the golfing experience having to be searched out when just sitting in the lounge or dining area, this allows those who may just want to come for lunch or for drinks to not think anything of the golf aspect.
“We are always battling that ‘we thought you were just golf,’” Miller said. “If you come in here you realize it’s not but if you were to just drive by you might not give it a second chance as far as a place just to go to with friends for lunch.”
“Our end goal is to create a place where non-golfers have a good time while, obviously, meeting the golfers’ needs too. We want everyone, anyone at all to just think ‘let’s go to the bunker.’ Whether you just want to get a drink or you want entertainment, it really can be for any level of human being from a millionaire to your average person. We can fit all those demographics.”
Miller truly wants the Bunker to be the “ultimate place to go to have fun” be that partying or just going out for dinner. He also wants this to be a venue that people want to rent out be it for surprise parties, corporate events, political functions, baby showers or anything else someone could think up — he just hopes the Bunker can be people’s go-to spot to socialize and have a good time.
For more information or to book a bay, visit https:// getinthebunker.golf.