Explore new concepts taking over social spaces

Eatertainment or Retailtainment
Brett Hunsaker and I recently connected with commercial real estate experts across the country to capture insights on the latest trends transforming the industry. We previously explored the impact of innovative amenities on themultifamily market, this time our focus is on the rise of “eatertainment” and “retailtainment.”

These trends — where retail, dining, and entertainment intersect — are reshaping traditional retail spaces and drawing in more consumers. As the commercial real estate landscape evolves, even office spaces, including repurposed buildings (see our “Obsolete office buildings” article on LinkedIn) and expansive, vacant spaces are embracing new concepts to boost leasing efforts with more unique amenities. Across the nation, we’re seeing a surge of creative venues like pickleball courts, mini-golf, and other social sports paired with vibrant dining and entertainment options.

Our survey gathered real-time examples of companies leading this charge, breathing new life into commercial spaces and energizing the real estate sector. Here’s an overview of the top concepts and the forward-thinking companies spearheading this exciting movement:

Pickleball & Dining Concepts
Pickleball, a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is growing rapidly in popularity. Several new business models pair Pickleball with casual dining, craft beer, or other entertainment options.

Notable Companies and Examples

Putt-Putt (Mini Golf) & Dining Concepts
Mini-golf combined with themed dining and drinks. These venues appeal to both families and adults, often incorporating a bar, creative cuisine, or even themed décor to enhance the entertainment experience.

Arcade & Dining Concepts
The resurgence of arcades with modern spins like virtual reality (VR) games or themed environments paired with elevated food and drinks.

Notable Companies and Examples

Experiential Sports-Themed Bars & Restaurants
Restaurants and bars themed around sports or outdoor games like cornhole, bocce, or even virtual simulations for hunting, fishing, or sports like baseball and football.

Notable Companies and Examples

Golf Simulators & Dining Concepts
Golf simulators integrated into bars and restaurants, appealing to golf enthusiasts who want a more casual or high-tech way to enjoy the sport.

Notable Companies and Examples

Private Golf & Sports Clubs with Retail Focus
These are upscale, often urban, clubs with a focus on indoor golf or simulators, blending social experiences with high-end retail for sporting equipment, golf apparel, and more. They cater to golf enthusiasts who may not have time to visit traditional courses regularly.

Notable Clubs

High-End Fitness and Wellness Clubs
Some modern private clubs focus on fitness and wellness, blending retail elements such as high-end workout gear, luxury beauty products, and supplements with spa treatments, fitness classes, and exclusive social events.

Notable Clubs

Art, Culture, and Networking Clubs
These clubs appeal to professionals in art, media, and fashion, offering access to exclusive cultural experiences, exhibitions, and product launches, often with retail components such as curated art, fashion, or design collections available for purchase.

Notable Clubs

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

Private Aviation & Pilots Clubs
Catering to private pilots, these clubs offer amenities like private hangar spaces, pilot lounges, and high-end travel services. Some combine this with real estate, offering homes with direct runway access.

Unique Amenities

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

Private Entertainment Complexes
Private entertainment complexes that cater to VIPs looking for bespoke, high-end leisure experiences.

Unique Amenities

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

Hobby-Oriented Communities
Communities designed around specific hobbies, such as equestrian activities, motorsports, or art collecting. These spaces offer both residential options and unique amenities catering to these specific interests.

Unique Amenities

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

Notable Companies and Examples

Bowling & Entertainment Concepts
Modern bowling alleys combine the traditional sport with upscale dining, live entertainment, and arcade games.

Notable Companies and Examples

Multi-Sport & Social Gaming Venues
Multi-sport entertainment spaces offering a range of activities like axe throwing, shuffleboard, and virtual golf, often combined with a bar or casual dining experience.

Notable Companies and Examples

Axe Throwing & Dining Concepts
Axe throwing, which has become a popular social activity, combined with food and drinks, offering a unique entertainment experience.

Notable Companies and Examples

Interactive & Virtual Reality (VR) Concepts
Virtual reality or augmented reality sports experiences paired with dining and social spaces, allowing participants to engage in games or simulated sports in a digital world.

Notable Companies and Examples

PRIVATE AND SOCIAL CLUBS
Private social clubs have seen a resurgence, particularly in urban areas, where a growing number of individuals are seeking exclusive experiences that blend luxury, networking, and leisure. These clubs often cater to affluent professionals and enthusiasts in various fields, offering everything from
cigar lounges and wine cellars to private golf simulators and bespoke dining experiences. Here’s an overview of modern private social clubs with retail elements or membership-based models that are a bit different from the traditional clubs:

Cigar and Whiskey Clubs
These clubs offer exclusive access to luxurious spaces for cigar aficionados and whiskey lovers, combining retail elements like high-end cigar shops and tasting rooms with social environments. Members can often store personal collections of cigars and liquor.

Notable Clubs

City and Lifestyle Private Clubs
These clubs cater to urban professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs, offering spaces that blend coworking, networking, dining, and events in a luxurious, often retail-infused environment. Many of these clubs provide exclusive experiences like access to limited-edition products, fashion, or bespoke services.

Notable Clubs

Private Dining and Wine Clubs
These clubs offer an exclusive environment for food and wine enthusiasts, blending fine dining with private wine lockers, tasting rooms, and wine retail services. Members often enjoy access to special wines, culinary experiences, and even retail collaborations with winemakers or gourmet producers.

Notable Clubs

AMENITIES
Absolutely, there are many unique and unusual amenities that property owners, developers, and retailers are incorporating into their spaces to attract niche clientele, especially those with niche hobbies and specific passions. These amenities cater to affluent, VIP, or enthusiast groups and often blend lifestyle elements like community, privacy, and luxury into the experience. Here’s an overview of some innovative and high-end amenities:

Luxury Auto Storage & Social Clubs
Exclusive facilities designed for luxury car owners who need secure, climate-controlled spaces for their vehicles, but that also serve as social hubs for car enthusiasts.

Unique Amenities

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

2. Dog Parks & Pet-Friendly Amenities
Properties, especially residential and mixed-use developments, are increasingly incorporating pet-friendly spaces as a key amenity, catering to dog owners and their social lifestyle.

Unique Amenities
Private Dog Parks: Some high-end residential communities and shopping centers have private dog parks where only residents or members can bring their pets.

High-End Storage for Hobbyists
Designed for enthusiasts with high-value items like cars, boats, or art, these facilities go beyond simple storage to offer luxurious amenities and a community element.

Unique Amenities

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

Private Wine & Storage
Exclusive facilities for wine and cigar aficionados, offering not only storage but a luxury social experience.

Unique Amenities
Private Wine Lockers: Personalized wine lockers within upscale wine bars or restaurants, where members can store their collection and enjoy special events or private tastings. Cigar Humidors & Lounges: Private humidors within exclusive cigar lounges, where members can store cigars and enjoy access to members-only events

NOTABLE EXAMPLES

Conclusion
The retailtainment trend is rapidly expanding, with companies continually evolving to offer more immersive and interactive experiences. These new concepts appeal to a broad audience—from families seeking fun to corporate events and millennials looking for unique social outings.

Private social clubs are evolving beyond traditional members-only spaces, creating exclusive experiences that blend retail, dining, and entertainment. These venues are redefining luxury in a private setting.

By focusing on high-value services and unique community experiences, these concepts cater to affluent clients seeking beyond traditional retail or residential spaces. Incorporating amenities like luxury auto storage clubs, private dog parks, and high-end hobby-oriented communities provides property owners and developers with innovative ways to attract VIP clientele.

These evolving spaces redefine consumer expectations and foster community engagement. As demand for memorable experiences grows, developers and businesses have opportunities to create spaces that resonate with today’s experience-driven audiences. This shift blends convenience, luxury, and community, shaping the future of social experiences.