Hear the words ‘crazy golf’ and most of us will conjure images of washed-out venues at tired holiday parks and gloomy seaside towns. If a friend suggests it, you may want to groan with despair, but perhaps the most cringe-worthy offence is hearing it suggested as a date activity. I urge you to shake off these misconceptions and put your wincing aside, as Swingers London has changed the face of crazy golf as you once knew it, forever.

Hanging back on a road that juts off Oxford Street, Swingers West End appears to be more of an exclusive London club when one first approaches. Manned with suited doormen outside and a cloakroom to relieve you of your belongings, the slickness of the venue strikes as soon as you arrive. Pass the first flight of stairs and enter a wonderland – pristine, full of bright and beautiful colours and lots of floral foliage, Swingers is a fantastical adult playground, abundant with the chatter and laughter of merry golfers happy to be releasing their inner playfulness. If you have frequented London and take an interest in the city’s social and dining scene, you will undoubtedly be familiar with Swingers’ famous first floor and its much-photographed windmill, funky cocktail list and street-food style vendors that line the edge. Enter 2022, a year bringing something brand new and if you can believe it, even better. 

Leading me away from the thriving first floor of golf, my attentive host guides me to the next level above. I walk past a spectacular fairground-themed mini-golf course (more about that later) and out to a glorious terrace with a smooth tile floor, a veranda bedecked with climbing plants, and white roses climbing a trellis. This brand new 2,500-square-foot terrace, with its additional bar, follows an exciting £2.5m development at Swingers, and boy has it delivered. Lanterns hang just beneath the retractable roof that promises to both let the sunshine in and protect guests on rainy days, and green and turquoise garden-style furniture is dotted around calling out to you to lounge and sip fragrant cocktails. Of course, that is on my agenda, but as I am attending brunch I start with a strong cappuccino and freshly squeezed orange juice. The orange juice is gorgeously sweet and refreshing and the perfect prelude to some ingenious cocktails from a menu that is more than extensive. With no less than eight different sections of the menu divided up by taste and style, I opt for the ‘put the lime in the coconut’, consisting of Havana Club Especial Rum, coconut syrup, lime, passion fruit and mint. Along with me for a round of golf is my best friend who orders the ‘fairway to heaven’, a divine concoction of Chase Pink Grapefruit Gin, apricot brandy, Earl Grey syrup, lemon juice and mint leaves. As we clink our glasses together I admire how versatile this venue is without being crammed full of people; it would work perfectly to suit everyone from hen parties to first dates, from anniversaries to days spent with family.

Manned carefully by guides, the golf course itself is an ingenious creation that summons a persona befitting a miraculous brainchild of Willy Wonka himself. As we make our way around, putting balls over bridges, through tunnels and onto turning Ferris wheels, we contently sip our scrumptious cocktails. Servers are on hand to top us up with more drinks needed – this is a great little attribute to the game and adds to the adult slickness, style and frivolity of the venue. After totting up our score cards and pocketing our cute complimentary Swingers pencil, we head back onto the sun-trap terrace to soak up some rays and fill up on some food. 

High-quality street food, including cult favourite and Swingers mainstay Patty&Bun, and their new chicken concept Jefferies, is exclusively located at Swingers West End. I tuck into the Jefferies’ grilled chicken sandwich, ‘Bear Grillz,  grilled confit chicken thigh, Caesar mayo, pickled onion and lettuce. My vegan companion opts for the Dig It Mushroom Burger, a braised field mushroom fritter, garlic parsley butter, cheese sauce, coleslaw, lettuce, tarragon mayo, brioche. We also share some satisfyingly salty and golden chips that go down a treat. 

It is clear that Swingers has changed the meaning of crazy golf, bringing a fabulous high-end experience to the centre of London. The beautifully bright and aesthetic new roof terrace is a brilliant addition to what was already a fantastic ‘go-to spot’, a feature making it all the more trendy, vibrant and fun. I would recommend Swingers to anyone looking for a fun activity in London – whether that be a date, a get-together with friends, a day out with colleagues or for fun with family.