A venue like no other

Tucked inside the buzzing precinct of Moorabbin’s entertainment strip, Archie Brothers is part arcade, part circus and part nostalgic dreamscape.

Think neon-lit bowling lanes, old-school carnival games, VR racing pods, wild cocktails and a themed mini golf course that’s anything but mini. The venue is a visual overload in the best way – complete with enough chaos to spark joy in even the most competitive soul.

Whether you’re launching a ball down a lane or navigating a themed putt-putt hole, it’s the kind of place that invites you to leave your cool at the door and just play.

For the Gary Peer Social Club, it was the obvious choice. Where else could we possibly want to go for a fun-filled night?

 

 

Getting our game faces on

The official start time was 6pm. But most of the team arrived well before then – primed for action and ready to roll.

As always, drinks were flowing from the minute the doors opened. Cocktails clinked, beers were cracked and the hydration station was well-populated. But the main event was yet to begin.

The night’s format was simple – and effective. One group kicked things off with a game of bowling, while the other dived headfirst into mini golf. Food rolled out as we played, and after round one the groups swapped.

The vibes were high, and friendly rivalries were forming fast. You could already tell it was going to be a good one.

 

 

Bowl now, brag later

Over at the lanes, it didn’t take long for things to get competitive. Some brought strategy. Others brought encouragement. All brought commitment.

As pins clattered and scores tipped up, the cheers (and jeers) could be heard from one end of the venue to the other.

There were clean strikes that earned standing ovations. Spares that triggered celebratory dances. And, of course, a healthy dose of gutter balls, which – depending on who you asked – were blamed on the shoes, the lighting, the rogue curve of the dead-straight lane, or a bumpy ball.

What made it even more entertaining? The techniques on display. From slow-motion lobs to backwards releases and the occasional two-hander, it was less about form and more about flair. And we loved every second of it.

 

 

Mini golf, major chaos

While the bowlers were bringing the heat, the other half of our team were navigating the weird and wonderful world of Holey Moley mini golf.

If you’ve never played it before, imagine 18 holes of unpredictable, pop-culture-infused madness. One minute you’re teeing off inside a giant arcade machine. The next, you’re sinking a putt through shark-infested waters or trying to land a ball on the Simpsons’ couch.

The course is cleverly designed to be equal parts fun and frustrating – which made it perfect for our crew. There were close calls, unexpected holes-in-one and a few spectacular misses that had the group in stitches.

But more than anything, there was laughter. The kind that only comes when you’re halfway through a game and realise no one’s really keeping score.

 

 

Food fuel, on the fly

Forget the sit-down intermission - this was a rolling feast. Trays of soft-shell tacos, cheesy pizzas, hot chips and perfectly golden sliders made the rounds to the lanes and through mini golf, so everyone could grab a bite between turns. It kept the energy high, the rivalries friendly, and the games moving - no pit stops required.

Between frames and putts, plates were swapped for bowling balls and putters, and a few extra sliders mysteriously disappeared (we’re not naming names). Call it peak multitasking: play, cheer, snack, repeat - ideal fuel for the second half of the night.

 

 

And the winners are…

No Gary Peer Social Club event is complete without a little recognition – and this time, we had three top-tier awards to hand out.

• Daniel Micmacher took home the Ultimate Champion title, proving once again that precision and performance pay off (especially when there’s pizza involved).
• Alanah O’Donnell cleaned up with Most Strikes, racking up pin after pin like a pro.
• And Nikki Janover? She earned the coveted ‘Almost There’ Award – a celebration of spirit and sheer determination. Because sometimes, all you need is one pin to fall… and for Nikki, it almost did. Cue the applause.

Mic drops and power ballads

Just when the night felt like it might wind down, someone found the karaoke room.

And like moths to a music flame, the team followed. Suddenly, we were in a whole new event. Ballads were belted. Rap verses were spat. And classics like Eminem’s Without Me, John Farnham’s You’re The Voice and a few Beyoncé bangers (obviously) turned into full-crowd performances.

No one was safe from the mic. Some harmonised, others howled. But all sang like nobody was watching (except we all were).

It was the kind of impromptu, unfiltered magic that only happens when the energy is just right. And on this night, it absolutely was.

 

 

Want in on the fun? Join the team that works hard and plays hard. Own your career with Gary Peer.