It’s easy for work and domestic life to turn into the same old routine day in and day out. Making a commitment to set aside an evening on the calendar every week or two with your significant other is vital, not just to keep the spark alive, but also to simply have a break from routine and remember what life is all about.
The problem is that even date night can get repetitive if you’re not careful. A movie, a couple of drinks or dinner at your favorite Italian are all great, but variety is the spice of life, so why not try something a bit different next time? There are all sorts of fun ways to spend an evening in and around Lakewood without having to break the bank.
Two minds are better than one at Amazing Escape Room
Escape rooms have really taken off over the past decade or so. Since the big shut-down a couple of years ago, they have come back more varied than ever. That’s certainly the case at Amazing Escape Room, just up the road in Freehold. Fun for two and even better with four if you fancy a double date, there are several themes to try out, and the Game Master is always on hand with a cryptic hint or two if you really get stuck.
If you work your way through all the escape rooms, they also offer other fun activities such as indoor ax-throwing. There’s no better way to share the love after a stressful week!
Best of all, most escape room challenges take about an hour, so there’s still plenty of time for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat before returning to reality.
Poker and bowling – the perfect combination at Finnigan’s
You don’t have to drive all the way into Atlantic City for a game of poker. Finnigan’s Lanes is well known for bowling, but they also host regular bar poker games. The game is Texas Holdem, there is no buy-in and the focus is on fun, no high rollers here!
If your poker skills are on the rusty side, a few games of live dealer casino holdem are an ideal way to prepare. It’s available at dozens of online sites, check gamblingsites.com for more details. The great thing about casino holdem is that the basic strategy is similar to Texas Holdem, but you are playing against a live dealer, not other players, which makes things less stressful if you are out of practice!
The bowling is fun too, and there are pool tables in the bar area. If that’s the sort of combination that evokes memories of your early dates, Finnigan’s could be just the place for a fun date night with no frills but lots of laughs.
Catch some culture from the back row at the Strand
Looking for something a little more romantic, and dare we say it, sophisticated? Back in the day, a night at the theater was the go-to date, these days, people forget it is even there. That’s a shame, because a lot of people work tirelessly to keep the historic Strand theater going, after celebrating its centenary last year. Back in the early days, it was a popular hang out for the likes of Grover Cleveland and John D. Rockefeller.
Enough of the history lessons, though. The point is, there’s always something different happening at The Strand. This year is particularly good for music lovers, with some of the premier tribute bands playing everything from the Rat Pack to the Eagles to Black Sabbath.
Doors typically open at 6:30pm for an 8:00pm start, but double check the details when you buy your tickets. To make the evening extra-special, VIP tickets with backstage passes are available for most events – speak to someone at the box office to find out more.