Long-Awaited Elyria Swansea Pickleball Venue Opening in January

After years of diligent planning, tireless work and tedious delays, Moodswing, Denver’s newest multi-use pickleball venue and event space, is finally set to make its debut on Saturday, January 3. Pickleball enthusiasts have been hearing buzz about this project, located off I-70 in the Elyria Swansea neighborhood, for over a year.

Now, the fully-converted warehouse boasts twelve pickleball courts (six indoor, six outdoor), two bars, and a slew of open concept community areas to host all sorts of social outings, from daytime co-working, first dates and group hangs, to large parties and tournaments for 200+ people.

For Moodswing co-owner and chief marketing officer Giovanni Leone and his business partners Justin Riley (Rayback Collective; Improper City) and Colton Cartwright (Perpetual First), bringing this project to life was a feat of athleticism in itself.

“It was a complete group effort. We’ve talked to some people and they’re like, ‘How are you guys still friends after three years and everything you guys have endured?’ And I think that speaks really well to our longstanding friendships,” Leone says.

The idea for Moodswing first took shape in 2023. Riley and Cartwright had been friends for approximately a decade, and often bonded over the cool, relaxed vibe of community pickleball matches. Leone developed a professional relationship with Riley while working as a general manager for Improper City. The two would spend work meetings reviewing professional development goals and profit and loss statements so that when the time came, Leone would also be able to confidently enter the entrepreneur space. By that summer, Moodswing — as a joint project — was underway.

Not long into the process, the team went through Denver’s notorious permitting delays, waves of construction notes from the city, and what seemed like endless bureaucracy, which halted construction and pushed back the projected opening date multiple times. Thanks to the hard work and determination of the team, along with effective advocacy from Denver’s District 9 city councilman Darrell Watson, Moodswing got permit approvals this summer and construction has been in motion ever since.

The Design

The aesthetic of Moodswing is modern industrial, drawing inspiration from sound waves, light waves, bold colors, and kinetic movement. To curate that vibe, the team enlisted 4240 Architecture to design the space along with interior design consultants FAM Design, and metal fabricator Aaron Holtzer. 

Leone explains, “We want it to be weird and funky and a little crazy, but not psychedelic, trippy over the top. So it’s a fine line of finding the middle ground here.” Moodswing plays with color through the use of fluted glass, terrazzo countertops, and wallpaper accents, as well as shape through the design of the bar, the archways flanking the pizza oven, and the mid-century modern furniture.

The team ventured to Xiamen, China to source materials, picking through various tiles, linens, leathers, and over 300 options for terrazzo. Leone says this trip cut costs considerably and opened up the team to a world of options unavailable or unaffordable in the United States. It also dispelled some common stereotypes about products made in China being cheap or poorly made. With fluted glass, colorful countertops, and custom-made furniture, Moodswing balances comfort and style throughout each section.

Game On!

The pickleball courts are located in the back, with dedicated park play courts for those seeking to join spontaneous games with random players. Courts are also available to reserve by the hour via an app called PodPlay. “We’ll find a group of coaches who want to work out of this space and anytime you book a reservation, you have the opportunity to add a coach (who sets their own rates), kind of like a personal trainer,” notes Leone.

He adds that booking rates will be comparable to other area venues, $20-$30, but Moodswing plans to also provide communal paddles and balls free of charge to avoid “nickel-and-diming” the experience. Moodswing also has retail space offering branded paddles, t-shirts, hats, and water bottles.

The Food

Chef Nicholas Dalton of Brasserie Brixton was the consultant for the food menu. He also helped the team eliminate guesswork by selecting the proper kitchen equipment and developing a cohesive staffing model that allows for fast pickup times, making it easy for guests to graze while they move about the space.

The menu is centered on Neapolitan-style pizzas, prepared in 90 seconds via an enormous pizza oven installed at the center of the venue. Selections include traditional pies as well as special creations like the chimichurri and salami pizza with roasted shallots; a pie topped with cabbage that is soaked in sesame oil overnight to soften it and create a deep umami flavor; and the decidedly provocative charred pineapple sauce pizza with mortadella.

Guests can also find an extensive array of salads and other dishes such as burrata with tomatoes and a Mediterranean rosemary white bean dip. “Because it’s an active open space and there’s pickleball involved, you want finger foods that you can pick up, put down, move around, change spaces, go outside if you want,” Leone notes.

For the early birds, Moodswing, which also functions as a co-working environment, offers coffee service from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, featuring espresso and lattes, breakfast burritos from Uptown & Humboldt, and an assortment of house-made pastries.

Future Plans

Once the weather warms, there will be even more opportunities to take advantage of the impressive mountain views (especially at sunset), the patio, outdoor courts, and the stage, which is perfect for DJ sets and live performances. “We’ll probably do some pop-up bars outside on the turf when we’re busy for St. Patrick’s Day and stuff,” Leone says.

Ultimately, Moodswing has been a labor of love that aims to be a much-needed third space for Denverites seeking community. Leone says the Moodswing team is eager to welcome everyone in the new year.

His advice for pickleball beginners? “Don’t get angry, maybe have a beer in you, and it’s not as hard as it seems!”

Moodswing is located at 3625 East 48th Avenue and will host its grand opening on Saturday, January 3. Its hours will be 8 a.m. to midnight daily. For more information, follow @moodswingdenver on Instagram.