BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s not often that a business in its soft opening phase already is planning expansive changes.
But A.J. Mitchell and business partner Kyle Randell already can envision the transformation of Twisted Tees into a world-class entertainment destination for the Lehigh Valley.
“This is what we would call phase one. Phase two is coming next,” Mitchell said Thursday, a little more than a week away from the grand opening celebration that will show off the business’ state-of-the-art golf and multi-sport simulators, practice greens and backyard games.
“It's going to be an additional over 12,000 square feet, and we're going to be adding mini golf definitely, and something else."Twisted Tees co-owner A.J. Mitchell
Twisted Tees is based at the Outlets at Wind Creek, occupying a 10,000-square-foot space where Charming Charlie was located.
It will have its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jan 27, with plenty of prizes up for grabs.
“So we actually have the agreement to expand the space,” Mitchell confirmed.
“It's going to be an additional over 12,000 square feet, and we're going to be adding mini golf definitely, and something else. But I don't want to put officially on record what that is just yet.”
He said Twisted Tees would expand into the space currently occupied by Famous Footwear, which will be moving to the second floor of the outlets.
“The agreement has been made amongst all ownership and we are full bore ready to go in the design phase of it,” he said, with a projected timeframe inside of 2024 to have the construction completed and doors open on the expansion.
“October, November hopefully,” Randell added.
Twisted activities
Twisted’s TruGolf simulators offer up the chance to play about 100 different courses that are part of the TruGolf library, plus a practice range to improve accuracy and stroke.
“The sims are rented by the hour, and really the max number is right around six people,” Mitchell said.
“It can do as many as eight in some of the games, but then you're really limiting how much time you can spend.”
Customers will pay to reserve or rent the simulators, with prices fluctuating based on the time of day or the day of the week.
“It’s all available to book right online," Mitchell said. "We offer rental clubs and we’ve partnered with Mizuno golf. So we have some beautiful rental clubs."
If golf isn’t your thing, the simulators switch over to a multi-sport option, with interactive games like baseball, bowling, football, soccer, disc golf, Western style shooting galleries — even zombie dodgeball.
Rounding out the entertainment, there’s a billiards table, a true putting green based next to the simulators, and a backyard area where guests can play giant Jenga, Connect 4, chess or cornhole.
“Bringing the family in is important to Kyle and I, having four kids and having two kids, all young,” Mitchell said. “It was important, and the same thing can be said for the ax throwing venue next door.”
"It's been a really great partnership, again, to try to bring more to this complex and the draw not just be the casino.”Twisted Tees co-owner A.J. Mitchell
For a couple of years, they’ve also operated Angry Jack’s Axe Throwing Club. That puts the combined square footage of that venue, Twisted Tees and the planned expansion somewhere around 32,000 square feet of entertainment space.
“That’s the fun thing about the ownership here is this is what they envisioned,” Mitchell said.
“It's been a really great partnership, again, to try to bring more to this complex and the draw not just be the casino.”
‘Dirty Dogs’ and drafts
While the entertainment options are endlessly immersive, you don’t want to forget to grab a drink and something to eat.
Mitchell said Twisted Tees wanted to stand out from any other sports bar in the area, and it's certainly set itself apart from standard fare in their offerings.
“We wanted to feel different," he said. "We wanted when you come down here to see more craft cocktails, craft beer. And I think we accomplished that working with Birthright Brewing.”
Some of those Birthright brews include the Wu-Tangerine Berliner Weisse, the Gunga Galunga American Pale Ale and the Natural Mystic DDH Double India Pale Ale.
Looking for something with a little more kick? Try one of its Hard Axe cocktails, such as the Hard Arnie or the Cotton Candy Lemonade.
As it turns out, the partnership with Birthright stems from those cocktails, Mitchell said.
“To be honest, that's what excited us about Birthright," he said. "We held a really large ax-throwing tournament, and that was kind of the test, as they came in and partnered with us for that event.
“And we had hundreds of people, and everybody just raved about it, the Hard Axe line. And it also helps that his whole branding scheme is axe throwing and axes and golf, so it's fantastic.
“But yeah, all his imagery and their whole philosophy fit really well here with the Arnold Palmers and the iced teas and lemonades, and what will be the slushies in the warmer months.”
Care for a twisted cocktail? Try a Tee-Off Tini, with Faber vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine, served up with a sugar rim and cherry.
Or perhaps something a little more exotic? How about a Paloma Mist, with agave spirit, triple sec, grapefruit and lime juice, club soda, and served up with a salt rim, lime and orange wedges.
By this point, with all the golfing and the drinks, it also might be good to check out the menu.
Assembling their eats, Mitchell and Randell said they focused on a “less is more” approach.
Of course, there are the classic starters and sides such as fried mozzarella, baked wings in a variety of sauces, and twisted nachos. But make sure you get a hefty helping of the fried potato scoops, either on their own or loaded up with shredded cheddar, bacon, green onions and sour cream.
The cornerstone of the menu lies in the Dirty Dogs, hot dogs so big “Ya gonna need a fork!”
“We are going with upscale hot dogs," Mitchell said. "Not your normal, run-of-the-mill hot dog. Hot dogs are popular here and we're in a very big hot dog area, so we wanted to upscale it.
"So as it says on the menu, a fork and knife, right? So bigger hot dog, bigger roll and all the fresh toppings you can think of."
Varieties run from the Ball Park, a classic steamed frank and bun, to the Mac Caddy, which is loaded up with Twisted Tee’s Beer Mac N Cheese.
“Our head bartender, she orders that all the time because it brings her back to being a kid: hot dogs and mac and cheese. It's all that on a bun,” Mitchell said.
“Our head bartender, she orders that all the time because it brings her back to being a kid: hot dogs and mac and cheese. It's all that on a bun."Twisted Tees co-owner A.J. Mitchell
If you happen to be a vegetarian or vegan, they’ve got you covered — Twisted Tees also serves up Dirty Dogs with LightLife Jumbo Smart Dogs. Gluten free buns also are available.
For those looking for something a little different, there are plenty of flatbreads available as well, including everything from a traditional pepperoni with San Marzano sauce and fresh mozzarella, to a fig and prosciutto combo with caramelized onions, crumbled goat cheese, fresh basil and balsamic glaze.
Save room for dessert, because there are options for cookies and ice cream, with a huge, warm, double chocolate chunk cookie served up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Or enjoy an apple crisp with a buttery crumble topping, also decked out with a scoop of ice cream.
And if you’re able to move by that point, get back up and hit the greens.
