(January 2019) FUN and food are a winning combination for any friends or family group on a day out.
And a great new venue now open in Birmingham delivers on both fronts.
Mr Mulligans, in Broadway Plaza, is certainly creating a buzz with the latest in its chain of 12 bar and crazy golf complexes around the country.
If you’re looking for something other than the norm that appeals to all ages (cinema and bowling are the usual go-to poor weather options in our household), this is a fab new idea guaranteed to win the thumbs up from everyone from the competitive dad to that hard-to-please teenager in the family, especially if they thrive off that competitive edge to their leisure time.
With this ‘crazy’ concept, Mr Mulligans is definitely on course to become a hit with this new offering. But, as we were lucky enough to be among the first visitors through the doors, what was our verdict following all the hype?
There are three 12-hole courses to choose from in Birmingham, each adopting a fun space theme. While the final touches were being made to the third course, we were eager to test the other two. Was there to be more fun than you could shake a stick at? Yes, lots of laughter.
However, while the theming and layout of the courses work well, the design of the holes themselves did disappoint for me. They were too simplified and lacked enough variety. One might say, style over substance even.
While crazy golf, of course, is not a pastime to be taken too seriously (after all, we’re not talking Tiger Woods here!), it does need to pose a degree of challenge – and I felt we largely sped through the courses in double-quick time averaging a par two or three – which sadly had far more to do with the simplicity of the holes than the skill of the competitors.
Over in the bar and restaurant, we enjoyed our pick from a small but satisfying menu which offers a choice of pizzas, burgers, wraps, salads, sharing plates and side dishes, average price £7 for mains. The junior menu for £4.95 including a drink – was particularly good value and is unlikely to break the bank if you’re accompanied by a group of hungry young golfers. And, of course, there’s a tempting selection of ice cream sundaes if it’s an extra special treat. Simple food – but delicious.
The beauty of this place is its accessibility to so many different types of fun-seekers. As well as children’s birthday parties, it offers school party and corporate booking opportunities as well as seasonal and adult events.
Prices are perhaps what you would expect, from £6-£8 for 12 holes up to £12-£14 for 36 holes. This would seem better value if the games lasted a bit longer, as previously mentioned.
Parking is available and heavily discounted for customers in the neighbouring Plaza car park.
All in all, definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for somewhere new to try. While I wouldn’t go as far as describing the space-themed attraction as out of this world, I can vouch for its family fun factor – and hope to return to try our luck when the wraps come off the third course.
Visit: www.mrmulligan.com/birmingham for updates.
