Inside Dupont’s New Swingers, a Crazy Golf Course Slinging a Steady Stream of Cocktails

A London brand of adults-only mini-golf courses called Swingers unveils its first U.S. location on Friday, June 18, bringing Dupont Circle a wild, color-soaked spot for high-end street food, dozens of craft cocktails, and overall post-pandemic revelry.

Cocktails designed to loosen up 21-and-up golfers and guests include its signature gin and tonic that naturally stars England’s Tanqueray, an elevated espresso martini made with Café Borghetti, and a frozen “Happy Gilmore” with Crown Royal and Coca-Cola, along with spins on classics like an Old Fashioned that loops in peanut butter and caramel and a “Skyline Boulevardier” built with mezcal. The full cocktail list will come to life in September with a whopping 35 options served at its four bars.

The gigantic two-level space that formerly housed outdated bars Buffalo Billiards and the Front Page is unrecognizable, completely transformed into an elaborate 1920s-era English golf clubhouse that doesn’t take itself too seriously (1330 19th Street NW). “There’s no dress code, ban on phones or penalties for going out of turn. Unless you’re at the bar,” notes its site.

Celebrities like Cardi B and Ariana Grande photoshopped as avid golfers line the walls. Drinking is not only allowed on each of its two 9-hole golf courses — it’s encouraged. Bar “caddies” roam around with staff offering golf tips while taking and delivering cocktail orders.

Rey Lopez for Swingers

A 9th hole prize wheel rewards players with free shots, pizza, cheesecake, and other edibles from its four-stall food hall. Score cards are an afterthought, with a 3-D photo booth that invites golfers to contest their placement on a gold, silver, and bronze podium. Challenging putt-putt elements include corkscrews and a ticking 25-foot clocktower capped off with a circular LED display visible from the top bar.

It costs $19 to $24 to play one round, but non-golfers are also invited to eat and drink inside the sprawling 500-seat setup that includes an outdoor terrace.

A four-stall food hall at the base of the 20,000-square-foot complex marks D.C. restaurant group Knead Hospitality + Design’s first foray into fast-casual. Options include a pared-down take on Ed Lee’s Succotash (Lil’ Succotash); Mexican street food from Mi Vida chef Roberto Santibañez (Tu Taco); pastries and soft serve from NYC-based partner bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr; and Knead’s first shot at pizza (Kneadza Pizza).

Rey Lopez for Swingers

Rey Lopez for Swingers

The downstairs “Clubhouse Bar” can be booked for large groups and social gatherings.

Rey Lopez for Swingers

Swingers started out as a five-month pop-up in a London warehouse in 2014 and has since grown into two permanent Swingers venues in London. The U.S. expansion, fueled by a $20 million fundraising round from Cain International, will include an additional location in NYC’s Flatiron District Virgin Hotel in early 2022.

• Dupont Circle Is Getting a New Food Hall for Tacos, Pizza, Burgers, and Pastries [EDC]
• Two More Longtime Dupont Bars Are Closing Up Shop [EDC]
• A Huge Mini-Golf Course With Its Own Food Hall Will Open in Dupont This Summer [EDC]
• A Huge New Mini-Golf Bar With Its Own Mini Food Hall Opens Soon in Dupont [EDC]