18 Fun Experiences for Date Night and Friends' Gatherings

-by Carol White Llewellyn

Do you ever feel like you’d like to do more than the “tried and true” dinner on the town or movie night when you have a date night or parent's night out with your spouse or partner, or you get together with friends? Here, we offer 18 businesses around greater Rochester that offer classes and activities that are perfect to share with another or to experience in a small group.

1. Aerial Arts of Rochester – Remember your fascination watching circus performers? Get a taste of that experience trying an air-born or grounded exercise class inn yoga, hula hoop, the silks and other circus arts. You’re guaranteed to have a high-flying time!
2. Axes & Ales – Looking for a unique fun, social activity? At Axes & Ales you can walk in and try this unique activity, sign up for a league, or even rent space for a party. No experience required!
3. Black Button Distilling classes – Although this is a distinctive place to purchase distilled spirits, it’s also a place that offers unique classes in bourbon blending and cocktail creation. They also offer spirit release evenings in which you get to sample their newest creations.
4. Casa Larga “Sip & Series” – Grab your partner or a friend for Casa Larga’s “Sip & Series” during which you enjoy a wine tasting while working on some special activity, such as a floral arrangement, painting a platter, making a terrarium or, in April 2024, celebrating the eclipse.
5. Color Me Mine Painting and Wheel Throwing – Pop into the studio with your sweetheart or gal pals and paint your heart out on something ceramic, or sign up for their pottery wheel throwing class.
6. Eastman Museum Talks – If you’re a fan of photography and film, you’ll find the Eastman Museum talks fascinating. Some are timely, such as a discussion on the Oscar Awards, and others focus on evergreen topics.
7. Farm House Fabulous Classes – Many think of this as a resource for home décor—and it is—but they also offer a unique variety of classes, from yoga and kick boxing to glass fusing, decoupage and clay casting.
8. Genesee Country Village & Museum – This historic village museum offers a variety of courses you won’t find elsewhere. From gardening and historic cooking techniques to classes in period clothing and historic crafts, you'll find a vast variety of opportunities to "step back in time," at the museum.
9. Hochstein – Did you know that, in addition to teaching children, Hochstein also offers a variety of classes for adults in both music and dance? And if you’ve lost connection to the musical instrument you love, check out the school’s various ensembles to consider restarting it!
10. Laughing Gull Chocolates Classes – Prep those taste buds for a delicious experience! Enjoy a chocolate tasting all on its own in the privacy of your home, or pair it with an experience such as sewing, a beer or cheese tasting, or learning how to make your own chocolate!
11. New York Kitchen – How often do you get to take a hands-on class, and then dine on the project you’ve created? Have fun learning to make anything from appetizers to stromboli! You’ll also fine a wide assortment of wine and cocktail creation classes, as well as a few assorted crafting classes scattered throughout the schedule.
12. Rochester Arc & Flame Classes – Although their main business is providing career courses in the field of welding, they offer a variety of one-night opportunities to learn the fundamentals of smithing, working with glass, or jewelry making.
13. Rochester Brainery Classes – This is one extraordinary resource for finding almost any type of class that might interest you. They pair with community partners to offer one-event classes in everything from cooking to gardening, and from jewelry making to cocktail creation…and beyond.
14. Rochester Museum & Science Center Lecture Series – If you enjoy science, RMSC offers an excellent lecture series called “Science on the Edge,” in which experts in various fields of science reveal the mysteries of the universe on topics ranging from ecology and climate change to celestial happenings.
15. Stacy K – Have you and your friends ever wanted to try your hands at floral design? Enjoy an evening of learning to make stunning floral arrangements with the team at Stacy K as you “Sip, Shop and Design.” You can also book a party or team building event!
16. Studio 34 Classes – Studio 34 offers an assortment of hands-on classes and workshops for anyone wanting to explore digital photography or working in glass or metal, or even yarn hooking!
17. Susan B. Anthony House & Museum Lecture Series – If you’re interested in women’s history, you’ll enjoy the museum’s Monday Lecture Series that is offered by subject matter experts once a month. Small group tours of the museum are also available by appointment.
18. Writers & Books Adult Classes – Although many think of writing as a solitary endeavor, taking a class together and providing mutual support is a great way to start writing or move your book forward. Writers & Books offers a variety of Workshops & Master Classes, as well as a free weekly community writing group session on Saturdays.

Note: The photo above was taken, with permission, at a cooking demo at Genesee Country Village & Museum