Rejoice! The era of lockdown dates conducted awkwardly over Skype is (fingers crossed) a thing of the past.
The only thing we’re going to miss about them is the chance to blame a poor connection if the connection with your date is, erm, a poor one.
That, and perhaps not having to leave the house for a date. While lockdown dating may have been a blessing for some, especially for those serial first daters keen on ruthless efficiency, for many, it was a dreary, desolate reminder of just how restricted we all were.
But now things have opened up again, many of us singletons are faced with the dilemma of choosing where to go and what to do. Something unique, frivolous and inspired seems necessary after 18 months of boredom, don’t you think?
Coffee feels cheap and rushed. Afterwork drinks are akin to an audition, and dinner…don’t get us started on dinner! Do you really want to risk spending a full two hours – starters, main and potentially dessert – with someone that you have zero chemistry with? No, you don’t.
Enter Swingers.
We know what you’re thinking right now. No, it’s not that kind of event. That would be one hell of a niche suggestion for a first date. Instead, Swingers actually pertains to swinging a golf club. It also refers to one of our favourite spots in all of the capital.
If you’re keen on playing crazy golf in London with street food, fun drinks and a great atmosphere thrown in for good measure, then here’s why Swingers Crazy Golf Experience is IDEAL for a first date in London.
DISPEL FIRST-DATE AWKWARDNESS
Let’s face it, 99.999% of the time, meeting someone for a first date is an almightily awkward experience – especially if it’s a blind date or one hinging on a Tinder or Bumble profile and some limited online chat.
How do you dispel that inaugural date awkwardness? By playing mini golf of course. Indeed, the playful nature of the game can put those first date nerves to bed. Trying to get a hole in one can be a welcome distraction in awkward moments of silence or if you say something silly.
Moreover, it’s easy to be coy and flirtatious when you’re playing a game of crazy golf. You know the drill; the old ‘show me how to do that shot’ wraparound….we’ve on seen it in the movies.
On the other hand, if you’re not feeling it and the date’s a total dud, at least you have a game of golf to keep you occupied.
And keep you occupied it will; Swingers West End has two courses, the Helter Skelter and the Big Wheel, both of nine holes a piece. Not to be outdone, Swingers City also boasts two courses, the Lighthouse and the Windmill, with nine holes each, too.
NO NEED FOR A CONTINGENCY PLAN
Google ‘crazy golf london‘ and a number of outdoor venues will come up. Plan on heading to one of these and your date night could be ruined by the inclement British weather. Not at Swingers, it won’t. This is indoor mini golf, meaning that unlike most crazy golf courses, there’s no chance of rain stopping play.
There are two central London locations, one in the West End on Prince Street and one in the heart of the city in Browns Buildings. Not only does this mean that you don’t have to cancel your date if it rains; it also means that if you can’t book one venue, you’ve got a shot at booking the other.
Read: 6 IDEAL ways to spend a rainy day in London
YOU KNOW WHAT TO WEAR
When it comes to dressing for a date, it can be challenging to decide on the right level of formality, flirtatiousness and finesse. Navigating an outfit which looks good, is appropriate for the occasion and makes you feel great is a lot to contend with when you don’t even know how romantic things are going to get.
But if you know a game of mini golf is on the card, you’ll know how to dress. Simply swipe right on some jeans, boots and a blouse…anything casual that won’t impede your swing. Alternatively, you could go for some golf themed clothes (fancy dress is forbidden but ‘golf attire’ is very much encouraged), which can actually look rather sexy, don’t you think?
AN EXIT PLAN
At Swingers, it usually takes 30 to 40 minutes to play 9 holes. This means that if a date isn’t going well, you have the opportunity to leave after the game and exit a bad date early, no questions asked. On the other hand, if the date is going well, you can suggest a quick bite to eat, which brings us to our next point…
STREET FOOD
According to research by Caterer.com, 32% of people aged 18-34 would take a first date for street food because of its informality compared to that of a traditional restaurant. Why not join them by taking your date to a handful of the city’s best restaurateurs, all under one roof, in one night, at Swingers.
Yep, amazingly for a crazy golf venue, you’ll find Patty & Bun, Breddos Tacos, Pizza Pilgrims, Made of Dough and Hackney Gelato here.
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of Breddos Tacos, one of the capital’s best places to go for some seriously tasty tacos. At Swingers, the team have gone back to their food truck roots with a taco shack. Alternatively, Pizza Pilgrims have been knocking out some of London’s best Neapolitan pizza since 2012, with branches all over the city. A spot in a crazy golf venue is the natural progression for a burgeoning pizza chain, right? For the burger lovers, Patty & Bun has got you covered.
Blessed as Swingers is with food options, you can actually head here for a date without even having to swing a club or eat a bite. Crazy golf here is not compulsory, you can simply enjoy the refreshments on offer at the venue, and there’s no cover charge, too.
Read: 5 IDEAL places for the tastiest tacos in London
GREAT COCKTAILS
Good cocktails are a defining feature of many a great date. At Swingers, they take their drinks very seriously indeed, with an inspired drinks menu featuring over 40 cocktails alongside premium beers, wine, mocktails and soft drinks. The signature Swinger G&T is a real winner, and we just love the cheeky shots selection, too. ‘Sex on the Green’, anyone? Maybe not on a first date.
BOGEY, BIRDIE AND BOOGIE
Whether you’ve managed a bogey or a birdie during your golfing head-to-head, all will be forgotten when you hit the floor for a boogie. In case you hadn’t yet guessed where this night was leading, Swingers is open until late and has DJs dedicated to spinning great party tunes. So, swap your spikes for your dancing shoes once the game is done and let the real fun commence.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you’re looking to rejoin London’s dating scene with a bang – or should that be a ‘hole in one’? – then why not make the right first impression by suggesting somewhere fun, frivolous and fresh?
Swingers ticks all those boxes. Fore!
Location:
Swingers Crazy Golf – West End (nearest station is Oxford Circus)
Address: 15 John Prince’s St, London W1G 0AB
Swingers Crazy Golf – City (nearest station is Aldgate)
Address: 8 Brown’s Buildings, London EC3A 8AL
Price: Tickets cost £10 per person during off-peak times (Monday – Wednesday before 5pm) and £13 per person during peak times for one round of crazy golf. There are also food and drink packages starting from £26 per person. Crazy golf isn’t compulsory, you can join Swingers for street food and cocktails with no entry fee.
If you’re looking for more great date ideas, then check out these 5 unique date night ideas for Summer 2021.