Moms Night Out—No Wine Necessary

Wine-drinking moms have become a bit of a cliché. Memes, videos and articles circulate the web of moms gathering together to drink and talk about their kids. And while there are definitely times when a glass of wine with girlfriends is just the ticket, there are also times when you’re looking for something a little different than hitting up the same old wine bar.

Here are ten ideas for out-of-the-[wine]-box fun with your favorite ladies. Wine optional.

  1. Throwback time. Ever want to play a game and not have to worry about someone (ahem, four-year old, cough) will throw a fit if they lose? How about playing a game at a local game shop. Guardian Games has a packed calendar with drop-in board game times, and Cloud Cap Games offers several weekly game night drop-ins.
    The detailsGuardian Games, 345 SE Taylor St., Numerous drop-in times, see their calendar. Free.
    Cloud Cap games, 1226 SE Lexington St., Strategy Game Night is 6-11 pm on Wednesdays. Free.

  1. Have a painting party. Shops like The Loaded Brush and Vine Gogh guide you step-by-step through the painting process, leaving you with a masterpiece of your very own to take home. There’s plenty of time to chat with friends between instructions. While alcohol is offered, there’s no pressure if you’re abstaining.
    The details: Loaded Brush, 5538 SE 22nd Ave. See calendar for paintings and schedule. $40.
    Vine Gogh, 6802 SE Milwaukie Ave., See calendar for paintings and schedule. $35.
  1. Go for an art walk. Both the Pearl and Alberta districts have monthly art walks. The Pearl’s is on the first Thursday of the month, and Alberta’s is on the last Thursday of the month. You can explore the neighborhood while hopping into local galleries. A great chance to catch up with friends while catching up on the cultural scene. And all for free, too!
    The details:Plan your route by checking out the websites above. Walks are free!

  1. Steam it up. Head to one of Loyly’s two locations (NE and SE) for a communal sauna. You’ll feel relaxed and cleansed and ready to take on the world! Or at least, your kids!
    The details: Loyly, 2713 SE 21st, and 3525 NE MLK Blvd. Open daily, hours vary. $23.
  1. Experiment with tea. Just as with wine, tea is its own culture. Portland has some amazing tea houses that can introduce you to the world of tea in a cozy and intimate setting. Check out Tea Chai Te, Kiva, Townshend’s Tea Company, or Red Robe Tea House & Café to get you started.
    The details: Tea Chai Te, 7983 SE 13th, 9 am – 9 pm daily; 734 NW 23rd Ave., 9 am – 10 pm daily
    Kiva, 1533 NW 24th Ave., 8 am – 4:30 pm daily
    Townshend’s Tea Company, Multiple locations
    Red Robe Tea House & Café, 310 NW Davis St., Suite A, Monday-Friday, 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 8pm
  1. Strike out. Be active and have fun with a night of bowling. Whether you can keep the ball out of the gutter or not, you’ll have fun cheering each other on and not worrying about what shoes to wear.
    The details:Find your closest bowling alley here.

  2. Putter away. There’s mini golf. And then there’s mini golf at Glowing Greens. True to its name, Glowing Greens is black light-lit, meaning it literally glows. Add in a dash of pirate, and you’ve got yourself a pretty memorable ladies’ night out. Play for 9 or 18 holes.
    The details:Glowing Greens, 509 SW Taylor St. and 3855 SW Murray Blvd. Beaverton, Sunday – Thursday, 12 pm – 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 12 pm – 11 pm. $11 per adult. 
  3. OMSI After Dark. OMSI not the first place you think of when heading out without the kids? Well, the adult-only OMSI After Dark will have you rethinking that. Held on the last Wednesday of every month, you can explore the museum at your own pace, as well as take part in monthly-themed experiments and discussions.
    The details: OMSI, 1945 SE Water St., Last Wednesdays at 6 pm, $15 non-members, $7.50 members. Advance purchase recommended. 

  4. Laugh yourself silly. Check out an improv show at Funhouse Lounge. Many Thursday nights, you can watch, laugh, and maybe even be part of, an improvised game show, where two teams of improvisers go head-to-head on behalf of their contestant.
    The detailsFunhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th, Most Thursdays at 7 pm. Free admission.

  1. Get off your feet. Tired mama feet can use a good pick-me-up now and then. Head to Barefoot Sage for an extravagant chance to catch up with friends while lounging on comfy couches and having your feet rubbed. Heaven.
    The details: The Barefoot Sage, 1844 SE Hawthorne. Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. Soaks start at $25. Packages start at $55.
Ali Wilkinson
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