Jessica Perry//August 30, 2023//
Jessica Perry//August 30, 2023//
Pier Village is seeking to strike a chord with patrons with a unique new entertainment space featuring practical and virtual activities along with a full bar and lounge.
At 8,000 square feet, Pier Pins at 20 Melrose Place in Long Branch brings state-of-the-art bowling, virtual reality sports simulators and table games to the Shore shopping, dining and entertainment destination.
According to Kushner Cos., which acquired Pier Village in 2014, Pier Pins offers something for everyone — whether they’re visiting with family, friends, or looking for a corporate team-building base.
The venue includes four full-sized bowling lanes; three sport simulator bays offering a chance to play golf, lacrosse, soccer and more; and air hockey, ping pong and pool tables.
A public grand opening event for Pier Pins is set for Sept. 7 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
“We knew that a high-end entertainment concept would be the ideal complement to the diverse slate of food and beverage and shopping experiences available to visitors at Pier Village,” said Kushner Principal Nicole Kushner Meyer. “We’re excited to host our grand opening for the public and showcase our latest enhancement to Pier Village that we are confident will cement its status as the Jersey Shore’s premier year-round destination.”
Scaling up the offerings is Pier Pins’ full-service bar, which offers high-top and lounge seating, handcrafted cocktails and a range of wines and beers, along with a curated menu of bar bites overseen by the team at Pier Village’s Salt Steakhouse.
Operations veteran Ernie Blundell will manage Pier Pins, New York City-based Kushner announced Aug. 29, bringing more than three decades of management experience at iconic attractions including The Empire State Building, The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, The Seattle Space Needle and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.
“Every single detail — from the décor to the thoughtfully crafted menu to the selection of games — has been meticulously orchestrated to ensure an unparalleled experience for each and every guest who walks through our doors,” Blundell said in a statement. “This unparalleled new offering stands as a true testament to Pier Village’s commitment to offering something for everyone at the Jersey Shore.”
Earlier this year, Pier Village announced two other new tenants set to open their doors this summer at the 140,000-square-foot mixed-use destination: Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls and Sunglass City.
Pier Pins is open Sunday to Thursday from noon to midnight and Friday and Saturday from noon to 2 a.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged.