Summertime is popularly categorized as the best time of year. The sun beams wash over us in a delicious heat and the brisk breeze of night makes for memories we remember forever. As the days get longer and night falls slower, we aren’t as inclined to wrap up our days quickly. With the sun up past 8 p.m., figuring out what to do at night can result in a variety of options beyond clubbing and bar hopping.
Clubbing and bar hopping seem to hold a monopoly on nightlife activity. The opportunity to dance, mingle, drink, and live carefree come wrapped in a bow at these venues. However, the glitz and glamor of nightclubs are starting to fizzle as younger generations move to different nightlife events.
For many millennials and Gen Z, clubbing has just become more hassle than it is worth. Between the cost of covers, Ubers, and drinks at the bar, going to the clubs and bars has become too expensive to maintain. In fact, the Office of National Statistics no longer includes the cost of club entry in their list of common goods and services when calculating the inflation rate.
Nevertheless, clubbing doesn’t have to be the only nightlife activity you partake in. Whether it’s a night out with the kids, date night with your beau, or just a chill evening with friends; finding a night time activity this summer shouldn’t be difficult.
“There are a gazillion things you do on any particular night, and depending on your friend group, making a decision can be hard. Some want to have a trivia night, others want the traditional night out on the town with drinks, and others just want to simply people watch and see what happens…It can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be that way,” says Alan Siege, CEO and host of The Pitch Show.
So, we have cultivated a list of options for you to try on your next night out!
- Late Nights at the Museums
After hours events at galleries and museums have become an increasingly popular trend over the past few summers. Institutions all across major global cities are keeping their buildings open for a few hours into the night to allow for patrons to indulge in exhibits and activities even after work. These events can include a DJ, food and drinks, arts and crafts, and so much more. Here are some museums and galleries you can consider hitting:
- After Hours at the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
- Tate Lates at the Tate Modern and Friday Lates at the Victoria and Albert Museums in London
- The Met After Hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
- Late Nights at Maison Gainsbourg and the Louvre Museums in Paris
- Live Performances and LecturesOpting to skip the club doesn’t mean you have to give up a chance for music and dancing. Live music performances and shows are certainly an excellent way to get your fill of musical entertainment. Live performances offer a multitude of entertainment avenues: whether it’s watching a play at the theater, laughing alongside the crowd at a comedy show, or swaying to the beat at a band performance, there is something for everyone.
- Adventure ActivitiesStimulating your body and mind through adrenaline can be a sure way for a memorable night, especially with the kids. Escape rooms, bowling, laser tag, and other action packed activities always make for a great time. Bringing out that competitive nature not only pushes your body to the limit, it also opens your mind to processing puzzling challenges.
- Outdoor/Drive-In Movies
We all know with summer comes movies. We can anticipate huge franchise drops such as “Inside Out 2,” “Bad Boys 4,” “Despicable Me 4,” and the highly awaited remake of “Twisters.” While new films are exciting, sitting in the frigid cinemas every week may become fatiguing. Instead, try out some outdoor movies and drive-in theaters. Many of these events will show a fair mix between nostalgic films and relatively new drops. Plus, there’s always popcorn hot, fresh, and ready to buy!Regardless of what you choose, finding the perfect night time activity doesn’t need to be a pain. So, before you get ready for a reckless night of loud music and creepy guys, consider some alternatives for your nightlife this summer!
