Ax throwing, archery battles: Here are some ideas for your next night out in RI

Are you looking for a date idea beyond dinner and a movie? Or maybe just something new to do with your friends?

Luckily, there are a lot of things to do in Rhode Island that will get you out of your normal routine, particularly if you like a healthy dose of competition. Plus, it doesn't hurt that a couple of photos from any of these places will look cool on your social media feeds.

Here are five ideas for your next night out.

Have an archery battle

Archery Games, 40 Sonoma Court, Providence, describes itself as “similar to dodgeball – but with bow and soft foam-tipped arrows.” No previous archery experience is required, just a competitive spirit.

While they have group packages if you’re looking to book a game of 12 to 24 players, they also have public games – though you do need to book in advance on their website. When you get there, there’s a 25-minute briefing and prep, following by 50 minutes of gameplay, according to the website. Wear your athletic clothes and get ready to go.

Find more information at archerygamespvd.com/contact.

Throw some axes

There’s something undeniably satisfying about when an axe makes contact with a target.

If you’re looking to get out there and try this extreme throwing event, there are a handful of places in Rhode Island to check out. There’s R1 Indoor Go Karting in Lincoln, where you can also take a few laps around the 1/3 mile track at speeds up to 45mph.

For places that focus on axe throwing, there’s Far Shot Providence, which opened at 95 Chestnut St, last April, and Blue Ox Axe Throwing, 545 Atwood Ave., Cranston. Blue Ox also has a smash room.

Far Shot and R1 both have bars, while Blue Ox is BYOB.

Play some games

Dave & Busters is a classic spot for a date night, but if you’re looking to branch out a little bit there are a few places you could go for a similar vibe.

First, there’s the new Level99 at The Providence Place mall, which is a collection of physical, mental, skill and communication game rooms that can be played in groups of two to six people. They also have a bar and a from-scratch kitchen.

What is Level99?: A look at the 'adult playground' opening at Providence Place mall

If you’re more into old-school games, there’s Free Play Bar, 182 Pine St., Providence, which is a steal with $7 admission most nights ($12 on Fridays and Saturdays) for unlimited play on the vintage arcade games and pinball machines. There’s a bar and they serve pizza.

Hit some golf balls

Like golf? Not a golfer but like the idea of whacking balls at a target? Check out Topgolf Rhode Island, the high-tech golf game that opened in Cranston this fall with 102 hitting bays that look out over the 215-yard green. Players can pick from different target-based games and all levels are welcome. There’s also a bar and a small restaurant, serving food like nachos, burgers and doughnut holes that people can snack on while they play.

A trip to Topgolf Rhode Island: We sent our sports reporter to Topgolf Rhode Island. Is it worth the hype?

If you prefer minigolf, consider crossing the border and going to Monster Mini Golf, 140 Taunton Ave., Seekonk, Massachusetts. The 18-whole indoor course with glow-in-the-dark decor and interactive monsters creates a playful vibe.

Break some things

Not into organized games, and would instead prefer something a little more chaotic? Try a rage room where you're just sent into a room with a bunch of junk to break, some tools to do it with, and told to have at it.

Smash ‘N’ Splash, 9 Cowesett Ave., West Warwick, has, as the name suggests, a smash experience and a splash experience. In the smash room, you suit up in safety gear, select your music of choice, and then have a 15-minute session to break things, and make one giant, cathartic mess – that someone else has to clean up.  And in the splash room, you get paints loaded into condiment bottles and water guns to make your creation under black lights.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 5 fun date ideas for you next night out in Rhode Island