Tired of spending every weekend at the same bar or restaurant?
Epicure & Culture has collected unique ideas for a memorable night out in the United States—all with a culinary twist.
Each of our top picks includes quality food to keep you fueled for bowling, live music, arcade games, culinary crawls, and whatever else the evening brings.
1. Adult Arcade at Punch Bowl Social
Denver, Portland, Austin, Detroit & Cleveland
Punch Bowl Social prioritizes top-notch cuisine, creative libations, and nostalgic entertainment. The flagship is in Denver, Colorado, but they’ve expanded across the U.S.
Dig into GastroDiner fare made with locally sourced ingredients, like cauliflower nachos and “hipster chicken” brined in PBR and pickle juice. Sip adult milkshakes, share punchbowls, or enjoy fresh juices before diving into old-school fun—pinball, boutique bowling, karaoke, darts, billiards, ping-pong, and shuffleboard.
2. Interactive Sommelier Smackdown at Philadelphia Wine School
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ever dreamed of being on *Iron Chef*? At the Sommelier Smackdown, two of Philly’s top wine pros go head-to-head to pair the best wines with a four-course tasting menu—and you get to judge.
This Wednesday-night showdown has earned praise from *Wine & Spirits* and *Wine Spectator*. Held at the Wine School of Philadelphia, tickets are $74.99 and sell out fast.
3. Golf-Themed Entertainment at Topgolf
Various cities in Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and California
Topgolf blends the competition of golf with the vibe of your favorite hangout. Their point-scoring games are fun for all ages and skill levels—from aspiring pros to total beginners.
Fuel your game with creative eats like injectable donut holes or the signature “Mushi”—sticky rice, drunken beans, spiced chicken, and cheddar rolled in a jalapeño tortilla and topped with sour cream, avocado, and sriracha.
4. Al Fresco Dinner & a Movie at Street Food Cinema
Los Angeles, California
Spend a summer night watching an outdoor movie, enjoying gourmet food trucks, and listening to live music. Street Food Cinema reimagines the traditional moviegoing experience under the stars.
Events run weekly across 11 Los Angeles locations from May through October, featuring curated film lineups, delicious eats, and rising music acts.
5. Gaming Under the Influence
Chicago, Illinois
If game shows are your guilty pleasure, don’t miss *Gaming Under the Influence*, a live weekly game show with booze, nerf guns, and smoke machines. It runs Fridays from 8–11 PM and streams online.
Guests 21+ can sign up for free drinks and games. A food pop-up with local chefs is in the works, so stay tuned. Register here.
6. Vintage Dinner & Bowling at BreakTime Bowl and Bar
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Set inside a renovated 1920s mill, BreakTime combines vintage duckpin bowling with elevated comfort food. Think leather sofas, exposed brick, and a full-service bar.
The food comes from Bread Lab downstairs and includes indulgent dishes like lobster mac and cheese, cheeseburger flatbreads, plantain sandwiches, and pulled pork nachos. Duckpins are hand-set and balls personally returned to your lane. BYOB and bowling shoes!
7. Picnic & Live Music at Grande River Vineyard
Palisade, Colorado
Bring your lawn chair and relax at Grande River Vineyard’s “Heard It Through the Grapevine” concert series. These Saturday events offer live music, great wine, and delicious food for a good cause.
You can pack your own picnic or grab dinner on-site while enjoying everything from jazz and bluegrass to classical and Latin music—all in a gorgeous vineyard setting.
8. Downtown Napa Culinary Crawl
Napa, California
Want to sip and stroll through Napa? Join one of the bi-monthly culinary crawls to sample bites and drinks at three restaurants over one Thursday evening.
Each crawl lasts from 5–8:30 PM and rotates venues and pairings. Expect expertly paired bites, drink specials, and plenty of local flavor.
9. Piano Bar at Sid Gold’s Request Room
New York City
Located in Chelsea, Sid Gold’s is a glitzy, Mad Men-style piano bar that brings back the pre-disco charm of live sing-alongs and cocktails.
Guests sip drinks and snack on retro favorites like deviled eggs and pigs in a blanket while gathered around the piano. Music ranges from ’60s soul to punk to modern indie, all shaped by the pianist of the night.
10. Table to Farm at Living Farm Café
Paonia, Colorado
Go beyond “farm to table” and experience a night of “Table to Farm.” Start with a winemaker’s dinner at Living Farm Café, where Chef Mike serves seasonal meals paired with local wines and spirits.
Then, head down the road to his family farm to see where your ingredients were grown. On Tuesday nights, you can even cuddle baby lambs during their “Love a Lamb” hour—an adorable bonding event for locals and visitors alike.
