Field Day wants to be your other backyard
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The 20,000-square-foot indoor space is joined by another 9,000 square feet outside. Photo: Courtesy of Field Day
Huntsville's newest hangout spot aims to fill a gap in the city's adult entertainment scene with food, drinks and a lineup of activities including mini golf, axe throwing and duckpin bowling.
Why it matters: Coming to University Drive near MidCity mainstays like TopGolf and Dave & Buster's, Field Day wants to be a third space that, according to owner Matt Hubbard, offers variety and a laid-back atmosphere missing elsewhere.
- The expansive 20,000-square-foot space carries an occupancy of nearly 1,000 people, Hubbard says, and 18-foot-tall murals on the wall depict classic sports films like "Happy Gilmore," "Caddyshack" and "Space Jam."
- Aiming for a late-August opening, Field Day plans to have interactive darts, two golf simulators and two LED TV walls alongside the mini golf, axe throwing and six lanes of duckpin bowling.
- A 9,000-square-foot outdoor space with a large outdoor stage is where Hubbard hopes to host live music and DJs, saying he wants people to think of it as "an extension of their backyard."
What they're saying: "We want Field Day to be thought of as a place to just come and eat and drink and hang out," Hubbard tells Axios Huntsville. "We're not interested in turning tables quick. We want more guests ... We're interested in you hanging out."
- Hubbard, who's opening Field Day with his wife, Katie, a Huntsville native, says reactions have so far been positive.
Zoom in: Field Day will also have a full bar and restaurant with elevated bar fare featuring "a little bit of everything," including wings, smash burgers and plenty of salads, says Hubbard.
- "I'm vegan, and if I had my way, maybe it'd be all vegan items," he said. "So we like to have a little mix of everything to complement everybody's tastes."
Context: Hubbard says it's Field Day's variety of activities and footing as an approachable hangout spot that set it apart from other entertainment venues around MidCity.
- "I'd much rather be doing some competitive socializing with any one of the games we have at Field Day," he said. "You don't often think about if you're hungry and want to go eat, 'Let's go to TopGolf.'"
- He envisions watch parties for SEC football games, reality TV shows like "Love Island" or even family movie night screenings.
Zoom out: A lot of research went into understanding Huntsville's growth, what's driving it and why other big names in adult entertainment are locating here, Hubbard said.
- "I think it's only going to continue to grow," he said. "The numbers looked great from the beginning. I think Field Day is poised to be a local attraction."