Putt’s happening? Fresh details surface about the return of Albuquerque’s Putts N Pints

The comeback of one of Albuquerque’s beloved miniature golf spots is moving along, with fresh details about the venture rolled out on Putts N Pints’ new website.

The website, which launched last week, shows that Putts N Pints — the official name of the business set to revive Albuquerque’s former Putt-Putt Golf & Games at 5100 San Mateo NE — is slated to open this summer.

“Mini-golf is back!” the website declares in bolded lettering beneath a logo sporting a beer glass, golf ball, putting green and putters.

Scott Salvas, owner of Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Co., further confirmed the summer opening, official business name and the Brew Lab team’s involvement with the miniature-golf venture in a news release Friday morning.

The official announcement and website launch come several weeks after a banner signaling that the business was going to reopen popped up at the site earlier this year, igniting excitement and nostalgic frenzy across social media.

“We didn’t expect the ‘reopening soon’ banner to drive the enormous buzz it has generated on social channels, online and on-air,” said Salvas, CEO and president of Putts N Pints, in a statement. “It’s been a powerful reminder of how many people have memories tied to this place, and how much the community wants it to return.”

The property’s former miniature-golf operation, Putt-Putt Golf & Games, opened in 1972 and served as a popular entertainment destination for families and field trips before suddenly closing in 2017.

Friday’s news release said the property was well-maintained by its owners — G3 Investors LLC, a real estate holding company of the Garcia family, which owns Garcia Automotive Group — preserving the site and its zebra and giraffe statues “as a recognizable fixture in the community.”

Salvas said the Putts N Pints venture is a natural expansion for Brew Lab, which he said has always wanted to operate in the brewery and community space.

“What we’ve really learned along the way is part of being in the community is providing great experiences and great entertainment,” Salvas said.

The property’s three outdoor putting courses will be up and running again alongside expanded food and beverage offerings, a retro arcade, pool tables, a virtual golf lounge and an upgraded party room. The new business intends to “preserve the charm and nostalgia of the existing miniature golf course while introducing enhancements that today’s guests will appreciate,” the website says.

While “adult beverages” will be on the new menu — including a selection of beer, wine and spirits — Putts N Pints will also maintain “a welcoming environment for guests of all ages,” the website says. Party packages for kids and adults are also outlined, with the business prepared to welcome gatherings from the traditional kids’ pizza party to retirement parties and corporate team-building events.

With the business’ summer debut swiftly on its way, Putts N Pints is also opening up opportunities for sponsorship partnerships and employment. Positions the business will be seeking include bartenders, servers, cooks, game attendants and managers. Altogether, the business will create roughly 25 jobs, Salvas said.

At its core, Salvas said, the revival of the mini-golf spot marks the comeback of an Albuquerque landmark for making memories.

“This is a special place,” Salvas said. “We’re excited and humbled and privileged to be bringing this back to the Albuquerque community,” Salvas said.

Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.