The Black Bunker Bar and Grill, the recently renovated dining venue at the Billings, Mont., property, is part of a push to improve the experience for club members and to attract more patrons from the public. The restaurant previously had no separate name, and now offers a pub-style atmosphere with a variety of casual fare.
The Black Bunker Bar and Grill, the recently renovated restaurant at Briarwood Golf Club in Billings, Mont., offers views of grassy fairways and blue water features, the Billings Gazette reported.
The updated dining facility is part of a push to improve the experience for the members who own the 18-hole private club, but also an effort to attract more patrons from the public to broaden the base of the business, the Gazette reported.
“During the day, it’s a pretty spectacular view of the course and the city,” said General Manager Scott Pekovich. “We’ve got one of the top golf courses in the state. We just want to make sure we update our facilities to match.”
Thursday marked the first day of Black Bunker, the newly named and newly renovated restaurant inside the clubhouse. It’s named for the dark sand traps that dot the course, atypical from the usual light, sandy-beach look of bunkers at other courses, the Gazette reported.
The restaurant, which previously had no separate name, closed in December for renovations. Workers moved the bar in front of the windows to improve the view for patrons and added new, wooden furniture to create a “pub-style” atmosphere, the Gazette reported.
Menu items will includes burgers, soup, salads, fish and chips, appetizers and a variety of casual fare, he added. Eight big-screen TVs show sports and other highlights around the room. “We’ve got a little bit of everything,” Pekovich said.
The bars will have eight Montana beers on tap, including offerings from Billings breweries Montana Brewing Co., Uberbrew and Angry Hank’s. Among the beers is the Black Bunker Stout, a Montana Brewing Co. beer sold exclusively at Briarwood. Tyler Ellis has been named head chef, and his resume includes stints at several Billings restaurants, including the Rex, Lilac and Ten inside the Northern Hotel, the Gazette reported.
Pekovich said Briarwood has about 300 members and is aiming to grow to about 350 to 375. Membership has fluctuated from about 275 to 320 in recent years, the Gazette reported.
The club’s direct competition comes from other private golf clubs in the area, including Hilands, Yellowstone Country Club, Pryor Creek in Huntley and Laurel Golf Club. However, Pekovich notes he’s basically in the outdoor recreation business, where consumers have many choices, the Gazette reported.
“Where is a family going to spend their money? We’re trying to provide bang for their buck,” Pekovich said.
Black Bunker is the only restaurant in the Blue Creek area, and the nearest eatery is four miles away. The course is surrounded by homes, and Pekovich said he hopes more will realize they can grab a meal close to home, the Gazette reported.
Members are still the core business, largely because they’re required to pay a $75 per quarter meal charge. They also voted on a range of submissions to determine the name Black Bunker, a distinguishing feature of the Briarwood, Pekovich said.
“They’re already out here golfing. We want them to stick around and hang out with us,” Pekovich said.
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