Sun Dog Downtown Clubhouse to Open this Winter

This Winter, you can hang out, drink, eat, listen to music, and even practice your swing at 28 Main Street in Cortland.

Sun Dog Downtown Clubhouse, created by musician Chris Merkley, started as part of the proposal for Cortland’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

While the original project planned for a few miniature bowling lanes, the clubhouse will now have three indoor golf simulators.

“As we were starting construction, COVID hit and everything paused,” Merkley said. “I was watching all the relevant industries change, and there was no indication that it was going to go back to the way it was any time soon, or ever. I drafted a proposal to change that, so the bowling was replaced by indoor golf simulators.”

He also changed the plans for the stage to be on the first floor instead of the second floor, and the second floor to become residential.

“I grew up playing golf a lot,” Merkley said. “My father encouraged golf and music. Between those two things, my dad explained to me that they were both interests that I could pursue my entire life, and I really liked the idea of that.”

Downtown Cortland also has a limited number of winter activities, especially ones that are family-friendly, he said.

“Cortland is a really big golf community,” he said. “We have a lot of golf courses, and we have a lot of golfers. For those who aren’t fortunate enough to be able to escape to warmer climates in the winter and play golf year-round, this gives people something to do throughout the winter months, in terms of staying active.”

Sun Dog Downtown Clubhouse will have both table seating and bar seating, small lounge area and a stage. They will start out having live music occasionally, and then have it more frequently once the clubhouse is more established.

It will be a family-friendly environment and serve fairly casual food.

“Think of familiar items, with a little bit of a twist,” Merkley said. “Take the idea of clubhouse food and elevate it a little.”