Slingshot has not been open during its posted hours in recent days. (Mike Platania photo)
Another Scott’s Addition “eatertainment” venue has closed, though it looks like its space won’t sit vacant long.
Slingshot Social Game Club has ceased operations at 1304 MacTavish Ave.
With duckpin bowling, bocce ball and skee-ball, Slingshot was one of a handful of gaming and hospitality venues in the neighborhood. It opened in 2019 as a spinoff of Robert Lupica’s Circuit Arcade Bar, a bar on Leigh Street in the neighborhood that closed last fall.
Lupica couldn’t be reached for comment last week regarding Slingshot’s closure. It’s unclear when exactly it closed. The venue hasn’t been open during its regularly posted hours in recent days and construction paper lines its windows.
City records show that Slingshot’s space is already being eyed by a mystery group.
Last week a building permit was filed for a tenant change at the space, describing the scope of work as a “light renovating of (sic) existing restaurant space for new restaurant use.”
A Virginia ABC license was also filed earlier this month for Slingshot’s space for “Scotty’s.” The entity that filed for the license is represented by attorney Michael Lafayette of Lafayette, Ayers & Whitlock; however, it’s unclear who exactly is behind the new venture.
Slingshot’s building was bought by North Carolina development firm Hem + Spire as part of a larger, $11 million deal in 2021. Hem + Spire’s founding Principal Maxwell Joseph wasn’t available for comment by press time.
Slingshot is the third entertainment concept to shutter in Scott’s Addition in the past year, following The Circuit and shuffleboard bar Tang & Biscuit. The Circuit’s space has been reborn as sports bar and card shop Parlay Bar & Lounge, while Tang & Biscuit’s old space is set to be demolished for a sizable mixed-use development.
As someone who patronizes these venues, this is a deeply concerning trend. These venues are great, cheap entertainment options for people seeking a place to hang out with friends on a Friday night or Saturday in a low-key environment. What’s the draw of Scott’s Addition now if all of the entertainment venues disappear?
Really good point. Concerning that these venues have all closed ~ the last year, too. Wonder what this means for the future of the area, then.
The only thing I can imagine is rents are sky rocketing to the point that these places simply cannot afford to locate there. We see it happening in Short Pump as well.
Wes and Walker: This is all about economics. If the entertainment venues aren’t profitable, they will close, or if the land becomes more valuable for a “higher and better use”, the owner of the property will sell, or become a co-developer of the perceived better use.
That’s what’s happening in Scotts Addition now as the area matures.
I’m gonna have so much fun going out on Friday night to stare up at a 6-Over-1 with a bank on the first floor.
It really draws the crowds.