With two Twin Cities locations, The Burrow is an entertainment venue serving families looking for weekend fun, friends looking for a great night out, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and bigger groups. “The Burrow was created as a Minnesotan gaming den fit for all ages. Restaurants and bars used to be the go-to places to hunker down, but that's changing,” said owner Thomas Wartman.
Located in both Oakdale and Victoria, The Burrow offers games ranging from axe throwing to mini golf, steel-tip darts, go-karts, golf and sports simulators, and more. “While many entertainment venues center around one particular activity, at The Burrow, guests can choose their own adventure,” said Thomas.
Another sister venue of The Burrow is The Fair on 4, located on the 4th floor at the Mall of America. “The Fair on 4 features one of North America’s only indoor two-story go-kart tracks, with state-of-the-art electric Sodi go-karts,” said Thomas. “Guests will find a fair-themed amusement hall, 11 full-service axe lanes, classic arcades, an 8-foot tall stuffed bear, as well as scratch-made food and boozy cocktails!”
The ability to cater to all ages and keep everyone entertained sets these venues apart from restaurants and bars. “We consider The Burrow to be adult-focused, but family-friendly,” said Thomas. “Parents find themselves at ease with ample space for kids to explore while they sit back and enjoy quality food and drink or decide to join the fun.”
Entertainment on Tap
Demand for these entertainment venues is on the rise. According to a 2022 Business Wire study, the family indoor entertainment industry is anticipated to reach $69.5 billion by 2030, a 10.9% increase from last year. In the Twin Cities alone, entertainment venues for indoor mini golf and pickleball courts have hit the market in recent years, like Thr3 Jack in the North Loop which features sports simulators. Hopping on the pickleball trend, The Burrow in Oakdale will open four indoor and outdoor courts in the spring of 2023.
In Minnesota, when it gets cold outside, these indoor entertainment venues provide the perfect way for friends and families to gather and stay active—and eat good food. “We know that friendly competition pairs best with good hearty food, hand-crafted cocktails, and local taps,” said Thomas. “Our scratch-made kitchen features artisan pizzas and house-smoked meats to fill even the heartiest of appetites. Guests can choose up to 40 local tap beers, a variety of spirits, or one of our feature margaritas on our newly-released craft cocktail menu.”
Guests certainly won’t go hungry and can easily spend a whole day at one location, making this type of venue both fun and convenient for large groups. “Family groups, party buses with bachelorette/bachelor groups, corporate gatherings, 40th/50th birthday parties; all of these groups are flocking to venues where the menu isn’t just food and drink, but activities too,” said Thomas.
Activities for Days!
Activities vary between the Victoria and Oakdale locations, but groups can partake in golf and sports simulators, mini golf, mini bowling, laser tag, and of course axe throwing. All locations offer leagues, and axe-throwing activities include demos and safety instructions so everyone can feel at ease. Live entertainment is also on the menu, and guests can enjoy local acoustics acts as they take part in a variety of activities.
While the Victoria location is The Burrow’s original venue, a unique offering at the Oakdale location is “Foxy’s Den,” a premium event space with cozy décor, a dedicated bar, lounge seating, and endless games. Perfect for corporate events, birthday parties, or any celebration.
So instead of binge-watching Netflix this winter, check out The Burrow and keep the winter blues at bay. Stay active, make memories, gather with your favorite people, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. All information on activities, private events, locations, prices, and food can be found at theburrowmn.com. To see all the fun to be had at the Mall of America location, head to thefairon4.com.