Par-Tee Putt
Par-Tee Putt is an indoor mini putt golf course in the heart of downtown.
Bringing back mini golf as a viable date idea in the twenty-twenties and beyond, this modern course plays on the nostalgic feeling of wanting to bring something new to the game.
There's a lot going on in this 7,000 square-foot space.
There's three whole courses crammed in here, co-existing with two designated areas where you can dine on pizzas and beer.
Instead of the 18 holes usually played at older, more mildewy courses, the place has a whopping 27 themed holes filled with references to old TV shows and cult classic films.
Start off at the welcome desk, where you can book a time slot (you can also do that online).
It's $15 per person, which will let you play a total course (that's nine holes) in groups of four. It should take you about 30-45 minutes to play nine holes. After that, it's an extra $10 for every extra course you want to add to your game.
You'll be equipped with a putter, a golf visor, a score-keeping card, and a token, which you'll feed into a gumball machine in exchange for a ball.
From there, it's pretty simple. Use or avoid the obstacles in each course to get your ball into the hole—hopefully under par (which is often two strokes).
The biggest enjoyment here is seeing the different designs of the holes, which were custom-made by the Toronto-based movie prop studio 16 Tonnes.
From Jaws to Seinfeld, Family Guy, and Beetlejuice, the place is definitely a playground for the 80s and 90s kids.There's odes to Toronto, too: the first hole of Course 1 lets you tee off from the base of 301 Front Street before trying to hit your ball off mini TTC buses, and the second course utilizes a spinning CNE ferris wheel.
The place definitely lacks the expansiveness of larger mini putt spots, meaning your ball does less travelling and more gimmicky bouncing and hopping around.
A Game of Thrones hole requires you to shoot up into the Iron Throne (made out of putters instead of swords). It'll definitely require practicing, and if not done carefully, actually runs the risk of bouncing back into somebody's face.
Even more complicated ones are present too, like the Rube Golderg, which involves feeding your ball into a big machine that requires cranking. It's certainly an experience.
When you're done the game (and have realized just how bad you really are at mini golf) you can head to the seating area for a decent menu of starters, sandwiches, and 12- or 18-inch pizzas.
The Beets and Burrata salad ($18) comes with mixed greens, grape tomato, and honey dressing.
Pizza is made in-house, with flavours like Spicy Italian ($16 for 12-inch) or the Olive Garden ($15).
The hot dog sliders are definitely my favourite, since they make the most sense for the golf course theme. It's $12 for three simple dogs with mustard, relish, onion, and hot pepper on the sides.
Tall cans range from $9.50 to $10.50 with beer from the usual brands, plus Goose Island, Mill Street, and Brickworks. Drinks on tap range from $8.50 to $9.50.
Cocktails include the Fairway Fizz ($13) with Ketel One and orange bitters.
The Bad Lie ($13) is a Pimm's drink with Ketel One and ginger.
Par-Tee Putt is definitely a different way to spend an evening in an area where move and a dinner still reign as the ultimate date night.
Hector Vasquez