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Grab Your Friends for these Group Activities in Austin

  • February 13, 2023
  • | 7:00 AM

Get your crew together and get out there!

Are you and your friend group stuck in a rut? Constantly undecided about what to do together? Always resorting to the same old dinner or brunch plans because they are familiar? Then this guide is for you. Austin is full of novel, exciting, and unusual things to do, if you only know where to look. Whether you and your gang are adrenaline junkies, game players, or cheese lovers, there’s something here to pique your interest.

? Escape Hour

Escape Rooms

If you regularly have game nights where you compete against each other, but want to try something new (or the same person just keeps winning, and you’re over it), try one of the many escape rooms around town, and experience working together for a change. Several locations have popped up over the last few years, such as the Austin Panic Room, the Escape Game, and the Escape Hour. The latter, which changes their scenarios frequently, currently has 5 different extremely immersive experiences, where you work as a team, using clues to solve puzzles and beat the clock. The Escape Hour is currently running a 10% OFF promotion for Unation readers, so check it out while the offer lasts!

?2113 Wells Branch Pkwy #4300, Austin, TX 78728

Website
?Topgolf

Topgolf

If you’re at all familiar with golf, then you are probably always looking for an opportunity to practice, and Topgolf makes it easy to work on your swing. This large entertainment complex offers an interactive and inclusive game, taking weather out of the equation with their covered, climate-controlled bays, and throwing in food and drinks to make the time fly. Reservations are not required (though suggested for groups larger than 7), and bays are priced per hour. You can bring your own clubs, or use theirs at no additional charge. You absolutely do not have to be any good, and all skill levels are welcome

?2700 Esperanza Crossing, Austin, TX 78758

 

Website
?Dirdie Birdie

Mini Golf

Further options for golf aficionados include both indoor and outdoor choices of mini golf. Weather permitting, take your group to the Butler Pitch & Putt. Operated by the Pecan Grove Golf Partners, group of local residents and business owners that “loves parks, hospitality, and golf,” this downtown 9-hole course aims to make the game fun and accessible for all, with no reservations required. By contrast, the Dirdie Birdie, Domain’s 12-hole course, is an immersive indoor option, with food and drinks galore. It’s $18 per person to play. We highly suggest making a reservation, especially on weekends, and if you want to change up your Happy Hour routine, check out their drinks and bites Mon-Fri 2-6PM

Butler Pitch & Putt

?201 Lee Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78704

Dirdie Birdie

? 10910 Domain Dr Suite 120, Austin, TX 78758

Website
? Urban Axes

Axe Throwing

A competitive bunch would probably enjoy one of Austin’s axe throwing venues. Urban Axes, for instance, celebrates “the delightfully forbidden act of taking a break from the monotony and stress of city living and throwing an axe at a wooden target.” Anyone can throw an axe, though with admittedly varying results, so this is the perfect way to test your aim over a beer or two, while your friends cheer (or maybe laugh). Booking information for all group sizes is available on their site, and their “Axeperts” will happily host you and guide you

?812 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

Website
?SmashATX

Smash ATX

Ping pong is always a crowd-pleaser; why not get together for a night of table tennis, food, and cocktails? At Smash ATX, you can put your hand-eye coordination to the test, while enjoying elevated comfort food and drinks, which per the website “will only make you a better ping-pong player.” There are 10 tables, a separate dining room for larger events, big-screen TV’s and a full bar. They do recommend table reservations, which for 3 or more people is $30 per hour, though weekdays until 6 pm and all day Sundays are ½ off.

?213 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

Website
? Electric Shuffle

Electric Shuffle

Shuffleboard, anyone? Electric Shuffle takes this bar game favorite to insane new heights with their tables specifically geared toward large groups (up to 24), which are split into 2 teams. There is some serious technology at play here, resulting in a much more interactive version of this classic pastime. Stop by for Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3-6 PM or check out their weekend brunch, which includes games, an entire bottle of prosecco PER GUEST, a DJ, and bacon jam pizzas.  You can reserve your table, and even pre-order food, to avoid a wait.

? 91 Red River St STE 102, Austin, TX 78701

Website
?Bull&Bowl

Bull & Bowl

If you find yourselves downtown, a fun group option is Bull & Bowl, which is a restaurant and bar with both a duckpin bowling alley and the wildest mechanical bull in Austin. Wondering what duckpin bowling is? Around since the 1900s, it is a 10 pin version of bowling that uses a smaller ball, shorter lanes, and unlike the traditional sport, you get 3 attempts at a strike. The mechanical bull needs no explanation: it’s really just a device to laugh at your friends. Other fun offerings include skee-ball and hoops. The perfect spot for birthdays, bachelorette parties, graduations, they can accommodate up to 400 guests. They do recommend reservations for parties of 10 or more, so plan accordingly

?501 W 6th St #200, Austin, TX 78701

Website
?Antonelli's

Antonelli’s Cheese Dinners

For cheese-loving chums, the perfect group activity might be a night at Antonelli’s Cheese House (which is across the street from the beloved shop). Raclette Night features a tableside melting machine, which lets you melt the namesake cheese directly on to your bread, charcuterie, and veggies (yes, please!). Fondue Night is a bit more hands-on: you make 2 kinds of fondue. Tables accommodate up to 6 people and can be reserved online by checking the calendar for available dates.

?500 Park Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

Website
?Playland Skate Center

Playland Skate Center

For a fun dose of nostalgia, gather the group at Playland Skate Center. Adult Nights are Tuesdays 7-11pm and Saturdays 9pm-12am, with Tuesdays being heavier on the “regulars,” which makes for great people-watching (as well as being less hectic, particularly in the first hour). Each Adult Night has a DJ (lineups can be found on their social media pages), and those not wanting to skate can grab a drink and watch from the sidelines. Insiders know to come early, at least 10 minutes or so, though some arrive 30 minutes prior to opening. Just starting out on ?? Consider Thursdays 3-8:30 pm when there’s a bit more elbow room to work on your moves

?8822 McCann Dr, Austin, TX 78757

 

Website

Curated by

Yana Maryanovsky

Yana Maryanovsky

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