Atomic Golf is one of Las Vegas’ newest high-tech golf venues. Is it a game-changer or just par for the course?
I have a confession: I’m a terrible golfer. Sure, I was technically on my high school golf team, but I spent more time eating through the clubhouse menu than perfecting my swing.
So, when a friend and I decided to check out Atomic Golf, the brand-new golf entertainment venue next to The STRAT, I knew I wasn’t there to showcase my non-existent skills.
I was there for fun, food, and maybe even a little competition. Atomic Golf promises a good time to all players, even those who’ve never hit a golf ball. I had to see if this was true.
The Bays
Atomic Golf is about gamified experiences. The bays fit up to eight people and have touch-screen monitors that display real-time game stats.
There are seven different golf games, each one exclusive to the property. Some are designed to keep things interesting, even if you’re more of a swing-and-miss type like me.
My friend and I played 21, a blackjack-style game where painted targets on the turf represent playing cards. The goal is to be the first to hit 21. Score too high, and you’ll bust out immediately.
Here’s why this game was perfect for me: If you completely miss your shot (which I did pretty much every time), the computer automatically draws a card for you. So, despite my terrible play, I still won a few games.
There are games for aficionados, too. For example, you might like Longest Drive if you actually know how to hit the ball far.
Starcast is a survival game where you’ve crash-landed on a planet. In this game, the targets represent resources needed to keep your crew alive.
The Food
I focused on food instead of golf while on the high school team, and I could easily do the same here. The menu is a surprise, more extensive and complex than I expected.
You can order food and drinks right from your bay, and we munched between turns.
We started with French Toast ($20), which came topped with the biggest slice of bacon I’ve ever seen. Thick-cut and crispy, it reached perfection when drenched in syrup. The accompanying French toast was pretty standard, with a familiar flavor elevated a bit by plump clouds of cream and sliced strawberries.
Next up: Chicken and Waffles ($19), but with a twist. Instead of plain maple syrup, it came with spicy syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar. The well-seasoned chicken was perfectly juicy, but the spicy syrup had too strong a kick for my wimpy tastes.
It was time for a savory bite. We ordered the Atomic Burger ($23), which came with caramelized onion and roasted tomatoes. The burger was messy and oozing in all the right ways, the patty dripping with melted cheese and tangy sauce. The fries were thin-cut and seasoned, which is precisely how I like them.
We also tried the Lobster Mac and Cheese ($30) because why not? Treat yourselves, my friends.
Each bite had the expected creamy goodness combined with lobster chunks. Neither of us could finish the bowl (it was entree number four, after all), but I took the leftovers home and had a comforting second meal.
The lobster mac is a foodie choice, but it’s not the fanciest thing on the menu. When your group really wants to splash out, go for the Wagyu ($40 per oz, 3oz minimum).
For drinks, my friend went with a Bud Light ($7), and I opted for a Lavender Lemonade mocktail ($10), which featured fresh blueberries and purple-hued lavender syrup.
The drink was quite tart, but if you want something stronger, Atomic Golf also has a solid cocktail menu. I was tempted by The King ($15), with Absolut vanilla vodka, Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, banana chip, and crème de cacao.
Beyond the Bays
Atomic Golf has four floors. Beyond the golf bays on the third floor, you can find:
- A digital Putting District with proprietary games (1st floor)
- A self-service Tap Room featuring local beers (3rd floor)
- The Cosmic Lounge, an event space perfect for private parties (4th floor)
- The Astrocade, a large open area with a bar, custom art displays, and 1,000 sq ft of screens (1st floor).
Check out the upcoming March Hoops event in the Astrocade; watch party tickets start at $100.
Final Verdict
So, did I improve my swing? Nope. But I did have fun. You really don’t need to be a golf fan to enjoy the games. On my next visit, I’ll try more games, test out the cocktail menu, and order another round of that French toast and giant bacon.
Atomic Golf is located at 1850 S Main St and is open until 10 pm on Sunday – Thursday and until midnight on Friday – Saturday.
