Five Iron Golf is lining up its first suburban swing in downtown Naperville, aiming to bring its simulator-driven "eatertainment" concept to a second-floor space at 47 E. Chicago Ave. City records list April 19, 2027, as the target opening date and show the operator is asking for a late-night permit to pour drinks until 1 a.m. on weekend nights. The plan calls for roughly a dozen high-tech simulator bays anchored by a full kitchen and bar in the middle of downtown.
How Big, How Late, How Many Simulators
Documents filed with the City of Naperville show the project would occupy about 10,590 square feet on the building's second floor, with 11,190 gross square feet overall. The floor plan lays out 11 single TrackMan iO bays plus one duo bay, according to City of Naperville filings. The packet also details proposed hours, a sample menu and the request for a Class B Restaurant & Tavern license with a Late Night Permit that would allow service until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Five Iron's Suburban Debut
If the plan is approved, the Naperville spot would be the chain's first Illinois location outside Chicago, as reported by Patch. Five Iron, which launched in New York in 2017, already lists multiple Chicago locations on its site. The Naperville outpost would extend that footprint beyond the city limits.
What The Venue Will Feel Like
The concept aims to split the fairway between serious practice and social nightlife. CEO Jared Solomon has framed Five Iron as a place that caters to both dedicated golfers and casual groups. "Our whole goal from the beginning has been to be the best place for the serious golfer as well as the entertainment-type person," Solomon told Restaurant Business. Industry coverage notes the brand combines lessons, club fittings and leagues with a kitchen that turns out shareable appetizers, pizzas and bar staples.
Permits, Late-Night Cap And Next Steps
City staff point out that downtown Late Night Permits are capped at 22 and that all of those permits are currently spoken for. The Five Iron application asks the Liquor Commission to bump that cap up by one to clear the way for the new venue, according to the city's agenda packet. The Liquor Commission was slated to review the request at its July 9 meeting, and any change to the cap would still need City Council approval under local rules.
Why This Matters For Downtown
The move tracks with a national wave of "eatertainment" operators moving beyond traditional central business districts into suburban downtowns as they chase dinner and late-night crowds. Coverage of the sector points to larger flagship locations and franchised expansion as reasons chains are testing non-urban markets. The Chicago Tribune and other local outlets have reported on the proposal while the city weighs the permit request.
What’s Next
The application still has to clear the city's licensing and permitting process. If the Liquor Commission and, if needed, the City Council sign off on the late-night permit or a change to the cap, developers would move ahead with buildout aimed at the spring 2027 opening target. For more on the company's plans and future booking details, see Five Iron Golf and the city's public filings.
