We've all been there.
It’s Friday night. You and your significant other are wearing your most broken-in sweats, wrapped up side-by-side in a blanket on the couch. As they refill the popcorn bowl and you reach for the remote while grumbling, “Yes, I’m still watching” to your Netflix screen, it dawns on you: You’re in a date night rut. The bar scene? Been there. The local music scene? Done that. Your Netflix queue? Watched … twice. There are only so many reruns of “The Office” one couple can take.
If you and your person are ready to try something a bit different from your typical weekend plans, look no further than one of these weird and wonderful things to do downtown in Greeley, Colorado, for a more adventurous date night.
1. Throw axes at the Hatchet House
Just not at each other, obviously.
If you love a bit of healthy competition, reserve a lane at the Greeley Hatchet House located downtown at 820 9th St. For $35 per person, you can find your feel-good ax and perfect your throw during a 90-minute session.
Bonus: The Hatchet House allows outside food, so pick up your go-to order from your favorite restaurant in town and take it with you. (We recommend an order of queso and fish tacos from The Rio.)
2. Become a pinball wizard at Stella’s
Order a big plate of fries and two video game-themed cocktails, pay for game tokens, then gear up to land your skill shots at Stella’s Pinball Arcade and Lounge (802 9th St.), downtown Greeley’s one and only pinball arcade and lounge. Featuring classic cabinet arcade games, pinball machines, and retro tabletop games, they often host comedy shows, open mic nights, and themed playlists to provide added entertainment while you play.
3. Play the heavy cardboard at Greeley’s Game Night
Greeley Game Night at the Boomer House has an excellent back story. Owners Lane and Amy have been hosting board game events nearly every week since 2011. After hosting game nights in their home for several years, in 2016 they decided to share their love for modern board games with a bigger community, first at meetups around town and now at their place of business.
They now own the historic Boomer House (1024 8th St.), where you can join up with others on Greeley’s Game Night and play one of 300 board games. (Or bring your own—Cones of Dunshire, anyone?) Boomer House is open for game events Friday-Sunday, with different windows available for different age groups. For date night, we recommend going on Saturday nights from 5-10 p.m., which is reserved for adults only. (Boomer House asks that you RSVP here.)Technically there is no entry fee to join a game, but there is a $10 food and drink minimum purchase. But you don’t mind—you weren’t going to play Settlers of Catan without a WeldWerks Juicy Bits in hand anyway, were you?
4. Treat yourself to an evening at the theater
Ditch the competitive spirit and settle in for a night of fantastic live performance when you book tickets to a show at the Union Colony Civic Center (a.k.a. The “U-Triple-C" for those in the know).
With over 100 events held per year, the UCCC, located at 701 10th Ave., offers a wide variety of Broadway musicals, comedy shows, and concerts from touring acts and the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.
In addition to the performing arts, the UCCC is home to the Tointon Gallery, which features free art exhibits from local and nationally acclaimed artists.
5. Skate the ice under cool music and bright lights
You’ve heard of cosmic bowling. Level up and take your date cosmic skating at the Greeley Ice Haus (900 8th Ave.) any Friday or Saturday, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Most people associate ice skating with December, but take it from us, it’s the perfect August outing when those Greeley temps hit triple digits. A summer date night where you don’t have to sweat through your shirt in front of someone you’re hoping to romance later? You’re welcome in advance.
There are so many restaurants, adventures, and activities to try in Greeley; we’re just getting started! If you want to see your favorite spot featured on a My Greeley recommendation list for things like family fun, open space adventures, and overnight staycations, contact us to help #WriteTheNextGreeleyStory.