New York's hottest club is an underground mini-golf course near Penn Station

Julie ZeveloffApr 25, 2023, 05:47 IST

A Skee-Ball-style mini-golf hole was a good twist on two family classics.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Enjoying nightlife is a way different experience than my 20s.
So I was intrigued when I was invited to Swingers, a "crazy" mini golf club near NYC's Penn Station.

With two young kids and a demanding job, I don't get to experience much in the way of nightlife anymore.

So I was intrigued when my husband and I were invited to a friend's birthday celebration at Swingers, a "crazy" mini-golf club in a neighborhood not far from Manhattan's Penn Station that opened last summer.

Although I usually hate swinging a putter around, I didn't hesitate to check it out. Perhaps things had changed so much in the five years since I became a parent that mini-golf had possibly become cool.

When we arrived at Swingers for a 7 p.m. reservation, a line was already forming at the door.

Showing IDs at the Swingers entrance.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Inside, a host took our names and we waited for an escort to take us downstairs to our table.

Golf touches like this white picket fence were everywhere.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

I got my first clue that I was in for a fun night on the way down the stairs.

Photos cover the walls at Swingers.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Arnold Schwarzenegger looked ready to tee up.

A younger Arnold takes the green.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Even Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour made an appearance.

Looking victorious.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

My first impression: the cavernous space was surprisingly funky, with a Disney World-meets-country-club vibe.

The open space was partitioned off into several separate bars and courses.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

With three separate nine-hole courses, a couple of big bars, and a dining area, the place is big enough that even on a busy Friday night, it didn't feel overly crowded.

A garden party in the hall.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Even if you're not a mini-golfer, Swingers has a fun cocktail menu and a killer selection of "street food."

There's a drink for every type.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

I tried the Frozen Paloma Prima, with tequila, Aperol, grapefruit, and lime.

It was icy and festive!Julie Zeveloff/Insider

The place also delivered on its promise of "delicious street food."

The waffle fries were A+.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Our friends tried the tacos from Tacos Fonda.

The food arrived quickly.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

There's a big seating area for diners in the middle of the three courses.

Tables of hungry golfers.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

It's also where the DJ booth was located.

The centrally-located DJ booth.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

While Swingers is still a relatively new phenomenon in New York City, the concept is nothing new.

Golf tee toothpicks made for a fun garnish holder.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

OK, by now you're probably wondering if anyone actually plays mini-golf at this place and if it's any fun.

Mini-golf minus the whining kids and beating sun? Sign me up.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

At our designated tee time, a "caddy" gave us the rundown on the course and our scorecards, and handed us putters and golf balls. We were off!

The place left no detail unfinished.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

We were on the Waterwheel course, which had a tricky rotating wheel as its final hole.

A view of the signature waterwheel hole.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

The rules are pretty standard — six shots max per turn, putting only. They also ask you to move through the course in 30-40 minutes or so to avoid a backup.

A scorecard at Swingers.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

In a feat of smart course design, each hole had a little stand to hold our scorecard and beverages.

Convenience at its best.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

I don't know if it was the drinks, the music, or the fact that we were with old friends, but the game gave me a new appreciation for an activity I usually dread.

A new twist on an old family outing.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

It was fun to discover the neat tricks and design quirks baked into the course.

This windmill had a colorful twist.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

My favorite part was a hole with a Skee-Ball-style setup.

Teeing up.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

The course ended with one last twist: Get a hole-in-one on the namesake waterwheel hole, and you'd get a chance to spin a prize wheel.

Spun for fun only. No holes-in-one were made at the waterwheel.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

After our game, it was over to another section of the club — this one resembling a Gilded Era ballroom — for a final drink and dessert.

Chandeliers adorned one of the bar rooms.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

The sweets at Swingers are supplied by Mah-Ze-Dahr bakery, and they are fantastic.

The order window at Mah Ze Dahr bakery.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

We particularly liked the cookie duo. These babies were served warm.

Left: chocolate chip. Right: chocolate explosion.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

As is fitting for any made-for-social-media destination, guests can stop at a selfie booth on their way out the door.

A made-for-Insta selfie booth.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Would I recommend Swingers if you're seeking a true NYC nightlife experience? Probably not. But for a first date or night out with friends, it's a fun, well-run, unique option in a convenient location.

The sign outside Swingers.Julie Zeveloff/Insider

Would I recommend Swingers if you're seeking a true NYC nightlife experience? Probably not. But for a first date or night out with friends, it's a fun, well-run, unique option in a convenient location.

I'm a single woman in NYC who shops at Trader Joe's on a $60 budget every 2 weeks. Here's what I buy.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

New York's hottest club is an underground mini-golf course near Penn Station

When we arrived at Swingers for a 7 p.m. reservation, a line was already forming at the door.

Inside, a host took our names and we waited for an escort to take us downstairs to our table.

I got my first clue that I was in for a fun night on the way down the stairs.

Arnold Schwarzenegger looked ready to tee up.

Even Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour made an appearance.

My first impression: the cavernous space was surprisingly funky, with a Disney World-meets-country-club vibe.

With three separate nine-hole courses, a couple of big bars, and a dining area, the place is big enough that even on a busy Friday night, it didn't feel overly crowded.

Even if you're not a mini-golfer, Swingers has a fun cocktail menu and a killer selection of "street food."

I tried the Frozen Paloma Prima, with tequila, Aperol, grapefruit, and lime.

The place also delivered on its promise of "delicious street food."

Our friends tried the tacos from Tacos Fonda.

There's a big seating area for diners in the middle of the three courses.

It's also where the DJ booth was located.

While Swingers is still a relatively new phenomenon in New York City, the concept is nothing new.

OK, by now you're probably wondering if anyone actually plays mini-golf at this place and if it's any fun.

At our designated tee time, a "caddy" gave us the rundown on the course and our scorecards, and handed us putters and golf balls. We were off!

We were on the Waterwheel course, which had a tricky rotating wheel as its final hole.

The rules are pretty standard — six shots max per turn, putting only. They also ask you to move through the course in 30-40 minutes or so to avoid a backup.

In a feat of smart course design, each hole had a little stand to hold our scorecard and beverages.

I don't know if it was the drinks, the music, or the fact that we were with old friends, but the game gave me a new appreciation for an activity I usually dread.

It was fun to discover the neat tricks and design quirks baked into the course.

My favorite part was a hole with a Skee-Ball-style setup.

The course ended with one last twist: Get a hole-in-one on the namesake waterwheel hole, and you'd get a chance to spin a prize wheel.

After our game, it was over to another section of the club — this one resembling a Gilded Era ballroom — for a final drink and dessert.

The sweets at Swingers are supplied by Mah-Ze-Dahr bakery, and they are fantastic.

We particularly liked the cookie duo. These babies were served warm.

As is fitting for any made-for-social-media destination, guests can stop at a selfie booth on their way out the door.

Would I recommend Swingers if you're seeking a true NYC nightlife experience? Probably not. But for a first date or night out with friends, it's a fun, well-run, unique option in a convenient location.