High-tech golf simulators set inside a new sports bar bring a different kind of energy to Scranton, PA…
There’s something quietly telling about the kinds of places that open when a city starts trusting its own rhythm again. Not loud. Not flashy. Just confident enough to invite people in and let the experience do the talking.
That’s where Seven Under, opening this winter inside Scranton’s Oppenheim Building, finds its footing. It’s a golf-driven social bar, yes, but it’s also something more relaxed and human than the concept might suggest. Less country club, more neighborhood hangout. A place built around movement, conversation, and the simple pleasure of doing something together.
At the center of it all are three golf simulators powered by TrackMan technology, the same system used by professionals on tour. But this isn’t about chasing perfection or obsessing over swing metrics. According to co-owner Jake Dougherty, the goal is accessibility, making golf something people can enjoy without blocking off half a day or knowing every rule before they walk in.
“You don’t have to take four or five hours away from family or friends,” Dougherty has said. That philosophy shapes the entire experience. Seven Under isn’t trying to turn guests into golfers. It’s giving them a reason to linger, compete a little, laugh a little, and maybe stay for one more round.
As the evening unfolds, the space shifts with it. Earlier hours lean into play, with groups rotating through the simulators. Later on, the room settles into something more familiar, a sports bar energy where the bays double as viewing spaces and the focus drifts from swings to screens. It’s a natural evolution, mirroring how nights out actually unfold.
Food comes via Picciocchi’s Pasta, a name that already carries real weight in Scranton’s dining scene. Known for comforting, well-executed Italian dishes and a loyal following, the partnership adds depth and credibility. This isn’t filler food or an afterthought; it’s a kitchen people already trust, grounding the experience and giving Seven Under a culinary backbone that feels intentional rather than convenient.
The Oppenheim effect…
That sense of intention extends beyond the space itself. Seven Under is part of the broader evolution of the Oppenheim Building, one of downtown Scranton’s most quietly influential addresses. Once a traditional retail anchor, the building has grown into a true mixed-use hub, offices buzzing during the day, residents coming and going, and food and drink drawing people in after hours.
In warmer months, the rooftop bar adds another layer entirely. With open air, skyline views, and a laid-back social energy, it’s become a seasonal fixture, the kind of place where nights stretch easily into conversation. With Seven Under now joining the mix below, the Oppenheim offers something increasingly rare in Scranton: multiple reasons to arrive early, stay late, and let the evening unfold naturally.
That layering matters. It encourages walking instead of driving. It turns a quick stop into a night out. It helps downtown feel lived-in rather than visited.
And that’s where Seven Under fits best, not as a standalone attraction, but as part of a growing rhythm in the city. It doesn’t try to reinvent nightlife or demand attention. It simply adds another note to a downtown that’s learning how to play in harmony.
When Seven Under opens its doors, it won’t just add another bar to the map. It will reinforce something Scranton has been quietly building toward: nights that feel easy, social, and unforced, the kind you don’t rush through, and don’t quite want to end.
