West Loop’s Newest Opening Features Bowling, Games, and Booze

Punch Bowl Social’s first Chicago location debuts Saturday

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Mar 9, 2018, 12:06pm CST

Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

There’s another place to play in the West Loop starting Saturday night when Punch Bowl Social — a 30,000-square-foot playpen with food, booze, arcade games, and a bowling alley — debuts. Punch Bowl is a Denver chain that already has a location in suburban Schaumburg. But this spot is a more urban design with cornhole, darts, and virtual reality.

Laundromats are a popular front for surprises, and Punch Bowl visitors will enter past pastel-colored machines. Punch Bowl casts a large net for those who just want to drink and game, hungry customers who want a full meal, and people who just want to watch sports. Fried chicken, lobster fries, and grain bowls are on the menu.

The drinks mirror other locations, but given this location’s proximity to the United Center, home of the once mighty Blackhawks, they’ve renamed one punch after the Stanley Cup. There’s a variety of signature drinks, draft beer, and wine.

Walk through the adult wonderland below. Saturday’s opening ceremonies include a performance from Local H to raise money for KT’s Kids.

Punch Bowl Social, 310 N. Green Street, (312) 809-9551, hours not posted yet.