Billiards and ping pong players at the Denver flagship needn't go far if they work up a thirst.
We can't boast like this often, so it belongs right up top: Detroit is a year ahead of Chicago.
Punch Bowl Social, a Denver-based chain of "gastro-entertainment pubs," sets Dec. 10 as its opening date in The Z parking garage -- about 12 months before its projected arrival in Chicago's Wicker Park area.
OK, the news isn't huge -- but a post-bankruptcy city grabs every brag it can.
"Mark your calendar for our grand opening party December 10," the restaurant announces Monday afternoon at its Detroit Facebook page.
The adult playground mix of recreation and refreshment will fill 24,000 square feet on the entire Broadway street-level side of the 10-level garage zigzagging at Broadway and East Grand River on one side, and Library and Gratiot on another. In addition to food and beverages, there will be bowling, ping pong, darts, marbles tables, shuffleboard, karaoke, Foosball, pinball, sports on huge TVs and 1980s video games.
"Michigan-area breweries will get first stab at draft lines,” CEO Robert Thompson told Sheri Welch of Crain's last spring. He spoke of a November opening originally.
The site is Punch Bowl Social's fourth. The debut was in Denver two years ago, followed by Portland in mid-2013 and Austin in August.
The newest location's menu gives an idea of what to expect: burgers (beef, buffalo, turkey, veggie), buffalo jalapeno meatloaf, sandwiches, tacos, chicken and waffles, daily specials (including a meatless item).
Detroit is "a great American story we want to be part of,” Thompson told Crain's. "It's a comeback, and everyone loves a comeback."
Related coverage at Deadline Detroit:
Punch Bowl Social Confirms Plan For November Debut in The Z, April 2
Bowling lounge at the three-year-old Denver location of Punch Bowl Social.
