AR Workshop to Zanzabar: From A to Z, 10 spots around Louisville for unusual group dates
Are you and your friends looking for something a little out of the ordinary to do this weekend? Louisville has plenty of options.
Sure, our city has its fair share of places and events for traditional dates or group outings, with restaurants, concerts and musicals to choose from. But it also has more unusual entertainment options — including bouldering, craft classes and even axe throwing.
Whether you're looking for something to do with children, going on a date, getting a drink or on the hunt for great food, Louisville has it. And plenty of options are indoor activities you can enjoy all year.
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Here are 10 venues that offer unusual entertainment options:
AR Workshop Prospect: 10618 Meeting St., Unit 101
You'll leave AR Workshop Prospect with a souvenir.
It hosts classes where visitors can learn how to make items including chunky knit blankets, jockey silk door hangers, candles and more. Those interested can register in advance and the materials will be ready on the day of the class. If you're going with other people, you can request to be seated together.
The business also offers the space for private events, sells kits to make your projects at home and even offers customized projects in case you're not in the mood to work.
After Hours at the Speed: Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St.
Museum outings and dates are normal, but what about a night at the museum? Every third Friday of the month, the Speed Art Museum stays open until 10 p.m. with a unique experience offering visitors a chance to enjoy music, artistic performances, a cash bar, food and art.
After Hours at the Speed is free for members, with a $20 entre fee for nonmembers. The price drops to $14 for seniors, students and veterans or active military members, according to Taleah Gipson, supervisor of guest experience.
If you still want to enjoy the art but get to bed early, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Climb NuLu: 1000 E. Market St.
Want a little taste of adventure? Climb NuLu is a great option.
This indoor bouldering gym was built for people of all ages and experience levels, from "brand new to veterans of the Red River Gorge," the business' website says — no harness used.
Climb NuLu has different programs, including a bi-monthly Queer and Trans Climbing Club, a bi-weekly Youth Climbing Club and a Sunday yoga class. And if you just want to hang out with friends or alone, day passes are available at $15 for first-timers and $13 for returning climbers. Large groups can book the space as well.
Climb NuLu is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends.
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The Craftery in Louisville: 823 E. Market St., Suite 102
If you're looking for a place to be creative, check out The Craftery at NuLu Marketplace.
At this craft bar, you can make planters, coasters, bracelets, wood leash holders and more while sipping drinks. Each project has a different price and drinks, from wine and beer to non-alcoholic beverages, are sold separately.
According to its website, you can choose a craft session and reserve a spot ahead of time. Options include Makers with Mimosas, where visitors craft while drinking mimosas, along with Crafternoons and Craftnights. After that, you choose a project to work on. The venue also offers weekend reservations for events.
The Craftery is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Flame Run, 815 W. Market St.
Flame Run is another spot where you can let your creativity run wild.
The downtown business lets customers make their own blown glass projects — including galaxy paperweights ($75), ornaments ($40), bourbon glass ($65) and vases ($100). The process takes between 15 to 45 minutes, but your project should be good to go after it stays overnight to cool.
Other options and experiences offered include glassblowing classes ($250 for beginners, $700 for a three-day seminar) and Spirit Glass, which allows participants to encase ashes of a loved one inside of blown glass. A gallery is also on site that displays glassblowing work of artists from around the world.
Flame Run is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (between June and August). If you are going with a group of five or more people, you will need to pay in advance.
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Flying Axes, 610 Nanny Goat Strut
The name gives it away at Flying Axes — the NuLu business lets customers throw unlimited axes at a target for an hour for $20, with beers on tap. Lanes can fit two people or larger groups, with an option to reserve the space in advance.
The venue also hosts the American Axe Throwing League, a seven-week season that "combines serious competition, and not-so-serious socializing." It meets Tuesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Flying Axes is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, from 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, from noon to midnight Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Main Event: 12500 Sycamore Station Place
If you're looking for family-friendly fun, good burgers and a place to watch sports, Main Event may be what you're seeking.
The massive venue has several options for fun, including bowling, laser tag (even for adults) and gravity ropes (with a harness). Pool tables, and an arcade with virtual reality games and classics are on hand as well. Main Event also sells food and drinks and can be booked for private events or school activities.
Main Event is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.
Recbar: 10301 Taylorsville Road
Recbar is the place to go if you're in the mood for some nostalgia.
The pub, located in Jeffersontown, has more than 70 pinball machines and more than 60 other games, with options including Rampage, Deadpool, Mortal Kombat, skeeball and air hockey.
You can't play on an empty stomach, though — Recbar has 16 beers on tap and more than 50 options total, along with a full menu of food. The bar is open to people of all ages, though kids 16 and under must be with an adult and the business is only open after 10 p.m. to people 21 and up.
Recbar is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to midnight on Sunday.
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Topgolf: 301 Oxmoor Lane
If the name doesn't give you a clue, Topgolf is a golf range, and it also offers different games to compete with your friends, partner or family. And if golf isn't your favorite, the venue also serves food and drinks and has big televisions to watch sports events.
Topgolf is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Prices vary every day, but on Tuesdays all games are half price, according to the business' website.
Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
Zanzabar is "the epicenter of Kentucky pinball," according to its website, but the St. Joseph venue offers more than that.
The bar has been open since 1983 and is still going strong. It's the city's only vintage arcarde, it bills itself on its webstie, with frequent pinball tournamnets and Sunday night trivia competitions. It doubles as a high-profile music venue, hosting bands, singers and DJs throughout the month.
The bar also offers a food menu with nightly specials and options including burgers, hummus and wings.
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Reach Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville things to do: 10 spots for unusual group activities
