New Johnson County bar has massive screen, $5 beers and batting cages
The big screen at a newly opened bar near Oak Park Mall is bigger than a sperm whale.
It’s also longer than a bowling lane and stretches farther than the distance from a baseball pitcher’s mound to the batter’s plate: a whopping 65 feet long and 11 feet tall.
Lance Windholz, the owner, can’t say for sure, but he believes it may be the biggest screen in any bar in the area.
“It should be an awesome place to watch games on,” he said.
Sandlot Social softly opened this week, offering cheap drinks, beer pong, putt-putt and — perhaps most notably — 10 baseball simulators.
Windholz’s concept at 12120 W. 95th St. in Lenexa utilizes HitTrax batting cage technology that allows players to practice, hit targets or play through a full game. Players can opt to play in the college or Major League Baseball stadium of their choice (including The K).
Once customers tap the screen to select their game type, they step into the batting cage. A foam ball shoots out from the screen, and players swing.
While Sandlot Social sells drinks, it’ll be a more family-friendly atmosphere during the day. Kids looking to practice their hitting skills are welcome to come in and play.
To ensure a spot, customers can book lanes on Sandlot Social’s website. Pricing varies but starts at $75 an hour for one to eight batters. Patrons don’t have to hit to enjoy Sandlot Social, however.
Windholz is hosting World Cup watch parties at his bar. He’s opening the bar early, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, for the U.S.-Australia game.
“Everybody’s trying to host a watch party right now, so it’s a little tough, but hopefully as people see our screen, they’re like, ‘Holy smokes, this is great,’” he said.
For the past few years, Windholz has been traveling to Las Vegas to watch March Madness. Sportsbook-style screens allow him to see every detail of the players’ expressions, as well as track multiple games at once.
When he came home, he couldn’t find anything similar.
“It wasn’t here, so I built it,” Windholz said.
All in all, the more than 15,000-square-foot space will fit about 320 people. If fans aren’t batting or watching games, they can play corn hole, foosball or darts.
His menu includes more than two dozen food options, including the Southwest egg rolls ($11), quesadillas ($14), black and blue burger ($14), beer brat ($12), and fish and chips ($14).
As for the alcohol, domestic draft and canned beer is $5. Customers can split a bucket of beers for $22. Craft cocktails, like the high heat margarita (tequila Ocho Plata, agave nectar, lime juice, jalapeño syrup and prickly pear syrup) are $10. Wine is also $10.
Windholz said that, so far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. His soft opening events have brought in enthusiastic batters and sports fans.
“We had a ton of bookings,” he said. “It should be a lot of fun.”
Sandlot Social will be open Mondays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to close (whenever people decide to head home) and Saturdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to close.
Exact hours may change or be further solidified.