The Irvine Spectrum Center, designed 30 years ago to be Orange County’s new downtown, is ushering in another exclusive with the opening last week of two Australia-born experiential concepts—Holey Moley Golf Club and Hijinx Hotel.
The two locations, operated by the Australian company Funlab, occupy 35,000 square feet of space in the spot where 24 Hour Fitness once operated near the movie theater. It’s a major score for the Spectrum, which remains one of OC’s most popular retail destinations, drawing more than 16.5 million visitors annually.
“We pride ourselves in curating unique merchants that are often only available at our center,” Blake Windal, vice president and general manager of the Irvine Spectrum Center, told the Business Journal. “With its first location in the U.S., Holey Moley Golf Club and Hijinx Hotel is one such merchant that will provide our guests with truly unique and immersive experiences.”
Funlab, which oversees a growing portfolio of interactive brands that includes bowling lanes, arcades, escape rooms and miniature golf courses, first entered the U.S. market in 2023. The entertainment operator told the Business Journal that the company views the Irvine Spectrum as a critical outpost in its expansion.
“Irvine Spectrum is an absolute hub, both on retail, and entertainment, and it’s been renowned for that forever,” Funlab Global Chief Executive Blaise Witnish told the Business Journal. “And so, we wanted to be a part of that.”
Witnish said the Funlab team first toured Irvine Spectrum three years ago and had to wait for space to become available. They signed a lease 18 months ago and construction started in May. Hijinx Hotel and Holey Moley Golf Club in Irvine are expected to employ over 100 people.
Entertainment-Forward
The Spectrum shopping center is already home to a handful of entertainment and interactive brands, such as the Improv Comedy Club, The Escape Game and Dave & Buster’s.
When the shopping center opened 30 years ago, it wanted to be known as Orange County’s downtown with its mix of exclusive restaurants and entertainment venues.
The mall debuted in 1995 as “The Entertainment Center at Irvine Spectrum” and was home to one of the county’s earliest multiplexes, now known as Regal Irvine Spectrum.
Nowadays, Irvine Spectrum spans 1.2 million square feet and is the fourth largest shopping center in OC with taxable sales of $649 million for 12 months ended June 30, 2025.
Witnish said Funlab is investing in Irvine for the long haul.
“This is a long lease. We don’t want to leave here,” said Witnish, who was recently promoted from chief operating officer to the top role in November. “We’re really happy to be here, and we want to create something that’s going to be for the infinite.”
Insatiable Appetite for Experiences
Each Funlab location can cost anywhere from $13 million to $18 million to build out, according to the CEO.
“The amount of money that we spend to make it really inviting, I think, is critical,” Witnish said. “We want you to feel immersed, and you can’t do that with plywood.”
Funlab first opened a Holey Moley mini golf location in Denver two years ago and now counts seven U.S. outposts.
“There’s an insatiable appetite for entertainment and experiences in this country,” the CEO said.
Holey Moley has 27 themed holes, divided into three courses on the ground floor, for customers to choose to play. The mini golf spot includes a restaurant and bar that serves specialty drinks and dishes.
Hijinx Hotel occupies the remaining space, with multiple rooms spanning the first and second floors. The ground floor features a hotel-like entrance and lobby, a bar and three private karaoke lounges. A grand staircase and elevator lead to the second level, which features 15 challenge rooms featuring interactive games for groups of two to six people to compete in. A restaurant speakeasy is located on the top floor.
“It’s at the intersection of immersive entertainment and competitive socializing,” she said.
Weekends are typically fully booked, Witnish said, and if the venue is bought out for a corporate event, the Spectrum space can hold 700 people across both brands. Hijinx and Holey Moley will also be open until 1 a.m.
“We trade unbelievably well in the day, and we trade unbelievably well at night,” Witnish said. Funlab plans to work with local universities to attract students through related discounts.
