Swingers and Las Vegas have long been a compelling combination. Now, a new kind of Swingers, the miniature golf, drinks and street food experience that began as a pop-up in East London, has raised $52 million to fund a global expansion that is scheduled to include a location at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
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“Vegas is the home of entertainment globally, so we’ve always had one eye on it,” said Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder and co-chief executive officer, in a statement. “Our concept usually revolves around the English country golf club, so even though venues are indoors, they feel like they’re outside and are covered in plants and trees,” he says. “For Vegas, we wanted to go bigger and better, and said: Instead of the English country golf club, let’s make it an English country house and make it the best house party that people have ever been to.”
MGM Resorts International approached Swingers about bringing their “crazy golf” to the Mandalay Bay space.
Swingers has been expanding rapidly over the past few years. In 2022, it opened its first New York location in NoMad under the Virgin Hotel and now has a second location in Washington, D.C.
The New York Swingers has welcomed as many as 8,000 people per week, according to Grech-Smith. The clientele has been a mix of dates, groups and an increasing business in corporate events whereby “crazy golfers” sip on $17 frozen palomas between holes. A round of golf costs around $24 in New York; the pricing for Las Vegas has yet to be determined.
Now Swingers is betting big on #VegasGolf. Plans call for the location to open in 2024.
“We’re obviously feeling bullish about the future, and the fact that our investors have put a whole load more cash into the business shows that they are, too,” Grech-Smith said.