This summer, Moon King Entertainment Group, part of the Watterson Brands family, announced plans for a major “family-friendly entertainment destination” in Bluffton. It’s called The Press Room, and it promises to be a place “Where Exceptional Experiences Come to Life.”
The entertainment hub will open in several phases, said a press release published this summer, with construction expected to begin in September 2026 and completion of Phase 1 targeted for Summer 2027.
In the first phase, the former Island Packet newspaper building at 10 Buck Island Rd. will see a significant expansion of the Watterson Brands-owned brewery, Side Hustle Brewing Co., already located there—a transformation that will make Side Hustle into a full-service taproom restaurant with seating for nearly 200 guests, plus additional seating in a game room and beer garden.
“The property will feature multiple bars for a huge variety of refreshing beverages, an upscale coffee shop with seating for approximately 60 guests, a full-service ice cream parlor, and a 6,500-square-foot private event venue capable of accommodating more than 300 guests for weddings, corporate events, celebrations, and community gatherings.”
There are additional plans for the future, including an “18-hole indoor black-light miniature golf course with dedicated party rooms” and, in the basement, an “elegant speakeasy featuring live entertainment alongside a separate upscale dining experience.” No launch timeline has been set for Phase 2 yet.
“We are proud to bring our largest entertainment venue to Bluffton,” Billy Watterson, CEO of Watterson Brands, said in the press release. “By repurposing the historic Island Packet building rather than replacing it, Moon King Entertainment Group continues our commitment to revitalizing meaningful local landmarks.”
You can keep up with the project by following @moonkingentertainmentgroup on Instagram.
