The bar at Holey Mackerel in Greenfield offers daily happy hours.
When it opened in Greenfield in August 2023, Holey Mackerel became one of Milwaukee County’s newest mini-golf locations.
The venue also offers features such as an arcade, batting cages and a bar with a daily happy hour.
But with winter around the corner, Holey Mackerel is giving guests an opportunity to have fun by shifting its focus to indoor activities.
On Monday, Nov. 4, Holey Mackerel will debut SipNShanty, a seasonal indoor adventure that will offer guests cocktails and various food options, according to Holy Mackerel’s owner, Tipper Duval.
Guests are able to play classic Super Nintendo and arcade games inside Holey Mackerel.
“SipNShanty is what Holey Mackerel will become all winter long,” Duval said.
He said it will consist of fun nostalgic cocktails, an ice fishing/ice shanty theme, and food from Holey Mackerel’s new food truck ShortFin.
“It was created because while Holey Mackerel is a super fun summer spot, we want to create a fun food and beverage-focused spot that you can only find under our roof.”
Before it changed hands, the property had been closed every winter for the last 30 years, so Duval wants people to know the business will be open during the cold weather months.
“We want people to know we are open, and make it worth their time to come see what we have going on,” said Duval.
Sliders are one of the many food options available at Holey Mackerel.
ShortFin food truck will provide Korean chicken sliders, steak tacos, loaded fries, cheese curds and more
In addition to SipNShanty, guests can enjoy ShortFin ― a food truck that has permanent residency at Holey Mackerel ― named after the shortfin squid, which is known to be eaten by mackerels.
“While small and adorable, the squid is known to be able to change color and adapt to its surroundings,” Duval said. “That felt like a perfect description for how our truck will operate.”
While the food truck isn’t seafood-specific and won’t be serving up fresh squid, it will offer food items such as Korean chicken sliders, steak tacos, loaded fries, cheese curds and more.
Duval said the food truck is in the development stages, but is hopeful to have it in full action soon.
He also said there would be plenty of options for kids and that they are also developing a Friday fish fry and other unique specials that will correlate with sports and holiday-themed ideas, such as a Grinch-themed holiday pop-up that is planned to debut in December.
Guests have complimented Holey Mackerel, according to Duval
Duval said some of Holey Mackerel’s best compliments from guests have been about changes they notice at the business.
“Some of my favorite comments from people have been about how happy they are to see the constant upgrades, and being able to drive by and see all the changes and how hard we are working, and how good it all looks,” Duval said.
He also noted that he loves to hear about how much people enjoy the drinks and food they can get at Holey Mackerel because they never expect the quality and overall deliciousness to come from “a mini golf course.”
When asked how it feels to be an established business owner, Duval, who also owns the Lost Whale in Milwaukee, said he’s so busy that he never has enough time to think about it.
“All I can do is be thankful that people choose to come hang out at Holey Mackerel or Lost Whale and give enormous credit to Maria and Dan at Lost Whale, the whole crew at Holey Mackerel, and (to) Jes and my kids who are beyond patient and supportive of me. It’s hard, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Tripper Duval, the owner of Holey Mackerel and Lost Whale, is shown in front of one of the holes on Holey Mackerel’s mini-golf course.
Winter hours at Holey Mackerel expected to begin Nov. 6, depending on the weather
Currently, Holey Mackerel’s hours are Tuesdays from 3 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 10 p.m., Fridays from 3 to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Winter hours are expected to begin on Nov. 6 depending on the weather. Those hours will be Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 4 to 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Duval said those hours could be adjusted.
“If the business is there, we will consider opening earlier on weekends in the colder months so families can still come enjoy the food truck and arcade,” he said. “And of course throughout all of SipNShanty, we will have lots of family-style events for all ages and not just the grownups.”
For more information on Holey Mackerel, visit their website or follow them on social media.
Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Greenfield’s Holey Mackerel to take things indoors for winter season