Great Group Dates in Philadelphia
Keystone Mini-Golf and Arcade. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
Jump
Sign your crew up for a block of time at Sky Zone trampoline park — jump times start every hour — grab your free Sky Socks, and feel like kids together for a while. Pre-gaming not recommended. Multiple locations.
Eat
Avoid that tedious “How many small plates should we get?” conversation and have a special-order meal designed for a group. At Michael Solomonov’s new(ish) Abe Fisher, you can opt for an order of short ribs for the table or Hungarian duck for two; at Amada, the suckling pig comes with family-style fixings. Or you can simply make the meal the experience: With tiki drinks, the Benihana hibachi chef acrobatics become even more impressive; the huge round tables at Ocean Harbor are perfect for a crowd, and you can grab what you want off rolling carts that are teeming with tasty dim sum. Abe Fisher, Rittenhouse, 215-867-0088; Amada, Old City, 215-625-2450; Benihana, Cherry Hill, 856-665-6320, and Plymouth Meeting, 610-832-5924; Ocean Harbor, Chinatown, 215-574-1398.
Putt
Nine holes. Nostalgic Americana. Vintage arcade games. The new indoor Keystone Mini-Golf and Arcade makes for a fun-filled night … especially since it’s BYO. It’s also just a short walk to Frankford Hall, where there’s brats, giant Bavarian-style pretzels and Jenga. Keystone Mini-Golf and Arcade, Kensington, 267-626-4653; Frankford Hall, Fishtown, 215-634-3338.
Race
If you’ve got eight people, you’ve got enough drivers for a private track — your own Mini Grand Prix — at Horsham’s Speed Raceway. After the trash-talking, you can all make nice again over a dinner by the fire at the newly renovated Blue Bell Inn. Losers buy. Speed Raceway, Horsham, 877-757-7333; Blue Bell Inn, Blue Bell, 215-646-2010.
Zoom
At Lancaster’s Refreshing Mountain, you can choose from two zip-lining courses—the obstacle-ridden Challenge Adventure Tour or the view-rich Aerial Excursion Tour. Should you want to make a night of it, they’ve got cabins for rent that sleep up to eight. Stevens, 717-738-1490.
Nosh
Pull together eight people for a private after-hours event at the 9th Street DiBruno’s, where you’ll sample tons of meats, cheeses and olives, without the usual frantic Fight Club atmosphere. Chat with experts, BYOB, and get 10 percent off all purchases. It’s $450 for a group of eight; larger parties are accommodated, too. Advance booking is required. Bella Vista, 215-922-2876.
