1905 E North Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202
Nine Below is a unique item to mention in this blog because I can’t give it a standard review as the courses are always changing. What I can do is share as much content as I can and link you to their site (see link above).
Nine Below is located in the thriving East Side of Milwaukee between UWM-Milwaukee’s campus and Milwaukee School Of Engineering’s (MSOE) campus. Taking concepts of mini golf, DIY, and drinking, one would have a difficult time not enjoying the wonders that Nine Below has to offer. The first time that I had gone, I brought Missus Mini Golf, two co-workers and their significant others. After checking at the bar, we got our green at hole 2. The thing with Nine Below is the power is in your hands. You can make your hole as simple or as complex as you feel.
To do this, you are going to need some obstacles. Nine Below has this awesome obstacle room named Obstacle Garden which is where mini golf hole ideas begin to grow. Many pieces incorporate objects from popular shows, games, and celebrities. Some utilize tunnels, some utilize textures, while others are just outrageous. They do add more items pretty much every time you go.
Some items I would like to see would include pipe play, working windmills, and other moving obstacles.
You get an hour to design your hole and then an hour to play the other 8 holes that other groups made. If there are not 8 other groups, the Nine Below staff designs the remaining hole(s). You start on the hole after yours and end on your own. Being a bar, merriment is had and some craziness follows. It can get a bit toasty in that smaller area so keep that in mind before you put on a sweater.
This section shows some of the various holes we have seen in our last two trips to Nine Below to date:
My critique
Obstacles: A lot to choose from but many similar styles. Needs to work in some pipe play options, classic mini golf obstacles like windmills, and moving items that require timing on your shot.
Also, sometimes people design holes that are over crowded and just don’t work. Sometimes simple is better.
Green Layouts: There are 18 greens at Nine Below but you only play 9 in your round. I think a great opportunity is to make a extended round on Fridays and Saturdays that opens up the other 9 greens and allows customers to play all 18. Each green has variation and each pit has a special surprise. With many hole placements, every round is a different experience. Unfortunately some greens are a bit cramped but not much control on that, creators just need to be creative.
Bar options: I’m not a drinker but they do have variety, reasonable prices, and some special themed drinks. Food is simple bar food and has some room for some growth.
Nine Below could team up with some local restaurants to offer some other specials. There is a restaurant right above them. Surely they could make a deal.
Price: Price varies on the amount of people you bring with you. It could be nice to offer a membership or some other promotion that brings customers in more often. A season pass of some type might promote repeat customers
Special Events: Nine Below is having their first tournament on November 5th! See their site for more details.
Staff: Staff is very friendly, conscious of their customers, quick with media, and a lot of fun!
Other notables: Bar games, clean establishment, well maintained equipment, and super active on social media!
Summary: Overall a fun place to be. Every experience is a little different and is really up to your imagination!
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