The Clubhouse Experience: an exciting blend of food and simulation games

Although it appears to be a normal blank building from the outside, the Clubhouse is much more. Located on the bottom floor of the sky rise bank building in downtown KC, the Clubhouse is a restaurant and bar full of simulation games created by Top Golf programs. The perfect place for binge eaters and video gamers.

The games

My hour-and-a-half long time slot was the perfect amount of time to give all of my attention to the games and just enough time to redo my favorites

Starting off, the golf competition advanced level was a little too challenging for my taste, but nothing that was impossible. The game works by lining the ball under the white line of lights on the ceiling, which track where the shot is it on the wall. At first, I was hesitant at hitting the ball into a wall, but this disappeared after a few shots. Just like at Topgolf, there were multiple settings and games to play, from target practice to basic golf.

Next, soccer. The set-up was just like the golf except on a simulated soccer field. The only thing lying between victory was the me and the goalie. I took five penalty kicks and every time the words “next shot” appear I was ready to blast the ball at the screen. The game was fun, except for when the goalie blocked my shots, but after two rounds of it I was ready for a break.

Hockey was the hardest. Don’t be surprised when the score says “zero” next to your name. The targets are small and the commentator in the simulation can be quite judgmental of your slap shots. I was never close to hitting any of the targets, but that was because I was on advanced settings — big mistake.

If you really want to get a good workout in, play zombie dodgeball. Even if you have three people on your team, the zombies still win. Going up alone is a lot of work, just ask the sweat dripping down my forehead after one round of playing. The zombies need a lesson in manners — their advanced level personas like to jump and scare you when they win. Eventually my frustration built up and I began to throw anything from a football to a golf ball at the screen to get a kill— I even started hitting the screen with my hand.

The food

You would think the Clubhouse would still be trying to figure out their menu since they’ve only been open three weeks but think again. Their food was solid, even if the food is kind of weird (I’m talking about the guacamole deviled eggs.)

The Korean chicken was the best of all the picks. It’s tossed and glazed in a salty-sweet Korean barbecue sauce, but can also be topped with chipotle sauce to add a kick.

The pepperoni jalapeño pepper flatbread was so spicy I had to stop the game and chug down my entire glass of water. Other than the heat, it was still good flatbread with a good crispy crust. I’m not one for spice but those who are, this is perfect for you.

The salads are supposed to be strong all around according to the staff. The salad I tried out was on the sweeter side — it had arugula, sweet potatoes and edamame. The fresh flavors were a relief after the flatbread fiasco. The salad was second-best to the chicken.

The all indoor top golf games were the best part of the clubhouse experience. Overall, the Clubhouse is the perfect place for parties, family fun or a three-day weekend in October. It’s safe to say this might be my go-to the next time I’m bored on a Saturday afternoon.