Step Inside Charlotte’s Newest Fairway—No Sunscreen Necessary
I’ve hit plenty of worm‑burners, but never in air‑conditioning with a craft mezcal margarita in hand. That changes this fall when Dunbar Social by Topgolf fires up its simulators inside The Ballantyne Hotel.
Five Bays, Zero Weather Delays
The 9,200‑square‑foot venue tucks five high‑tech bays under one roof, each holding ten guests and a mountain of bravado. Full Swing tracking means every slice gets forensic treatment. Non‑golfers? Try zombie dodgeball, baseball, or hockey and still heckle Dad’s backswing.
Hours, Seating, and a Menu Worth a Mulligan
- Hours: Mon‑Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Inside: 116 seats, including a nine‑chair bar for post‑round replays.
- Terrace: 36 seats wrap an outdoor bar top fit for sunset victory laps.
- Plates & Pours: House‑made pizzas, shareables, zero‑proof cocktails, and a bourbon list bold enough to fix your hook.
Why Ballantyne Gets First Swing
General manager Christophe Le Chatton calls it “interactive play for golfers and non‑golfers alike.” Translation: you can finally book a family outing where nobody rolls their eyes. Topgolf exec Jason Fierro says the technology “lets guests compete on iconic courses without a passport.” Your passport thanks him.
Booking Details
Group reservations are already pinging, and bachelor parties are jockeying for prime Friday‑night slots. Bring your own clubs, borrow theirs, or just come for the nachos—nobody keeps score after the second round anyway.
☕ Sponsor Break
Fuel up at Einstein Bros. Bagels on Conlan Circle before your tee time. Grab an everything‑bagel‑and‑lox combo, sip their dark roast (extra credit: oat milk), and sprint to the simulator with shmear still on your visor. Drive‑thru opens 6 a.m.; Wi‑Fi keeps your fantasy league humming. Bonus: they cater your “I shot 82” celebration.
📸 Everyone Has a Story
Send your photos and golf‑related tall tales to ballantyne@strollmag.com — we’ll run the best shots; you keep the bragging rights.
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About the Author
Nell Thomas files stories for Strolling Ballantyne and The Charlotte Mercury—usually from a window seat at Einstein Bros. Bagels, Ballantyne. Current order: honey‑almond shmear on an everything, plus a dark‑roast refill. When she’s not counting birdies, she’s counting bagels. More by Nell at cltmercury.com.
Creative Commons License
© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, “Dunbar Social by Topgolf Brings Virtual Golf and Craft Cocktails to The Ballantyne Hotel,” by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY‑ND 4.0.
“Dunbar Social by Topgolf Brings Virtual Golf and Craft Cocktails to The Ballantyne Hotel”
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY‑ND 4.0)
