Are freezing temps forcing you into hibernation mode? Time to get out and make some memories instead. Rochester has plenty of indoor activities and creative ways to spend time with friends. Here are five friend date ideas to keep your social calendar warm all winter long.
Indoor Ice Skating at the Rec Center
Love the idea of ice skating but not the winter chill that comes with it? Grab your friends and head to the Rochester Recreation Center, where you can glide across the ice indoors and stay warmer while doing it. The Rec Center has two rinks with open skating throughout the week, so it’s easy to plan a fun, 90-minute skate date without worrying about the weather.
Open skate is $6 per person with a $3 skate rental fee. Both figure skates and hockey skates are available, ranging from youth size 9 to men’s size 13, and you’re always welcome to bring your own.
New to ice skating? Get there early to grab a skate aid before they’re gone. And remember to bring some winter gear to stay warm and comfy. Think gloves, a hat, and a light jacket.
Check the public open skate schedule before you go, then spend time skating, laughing, and staying active.
After you’re done, head across the street (Elton Hills Drive) for a bite to eat and something warm to sip at Novio’s Café & Wine or Bull’s Bierhaus.
Looking for more local skating spots? Check out our Guide to Ice Skating in Rochester for more local spots to hit the ice.
Oyster Night at Bleu Duck
If you want good conversation, great wine, and to feel like you’re not in Minnesota for a few hours, check out Bleu Duck Kitchen & Oyster Bar. Every Wednesday, the restaurant hosts $2.50 Oyster Night (with the purchase of selected bottles of wine and bubbles), featuring some of the freshest oysters in the area.
Bleu Duck’s passion for oysters began on a trip to the Northeast, when a conversation with local oyster farmers sparked the idea. That trip led to a partnership with the Maine Oyster Company, where Bleu Duck now sources a rotating selection from boutique farms along the Maine coast, as well as from Nova Scotia, Cape Cod, and New England.
In 2021, Bleu Duck dropped 5,000 oysters into Casco Bay in partnership with the Maine Oyster Company, creating a batch exclusive to the restaurant.
Order a few oysters, grab something to drink, and settle in for the perfect midweek hangout. The cozy atmosphere is a great spot to catch up, celebrate something small, or just make Wednesday night feel like the weekend.
Stay In and Order Out
Not every friend date means changing out of your sweatpants. Sometimes the best nights are the ones spent at home with good food and easy conversation.
Instead of using big delivery apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash, support local and order from your favorite Rochester restaurant. Another great option is to order online through Waiter Express. It’s a local company based right here in Rochester, so your order directly supports Rochester’s restaurants and drivers. There’s a flat $6.95 fee per restaurant, and drivers get 100% of all tips.
Turn on your favorite playlist, pick a nostalgic movie, pull out a board game, or just hang out and catch up. No reservations, no dress code, just yummy eats and slowing down with the people who make life feel a little lighter.
Bingo
If your friend group loves bright lights and bragging rights, you’ll be happy to know that Rochester’s bingo scene is alive and well. There’s a place to play almost every night of the week!
Many local games are coordinated by Elks Lodge #1091 to help raise money for programs that support people living right here in our community.
So, grab your dauber and your lucky charm and plan your next night out with friends. You can find a full list of weekly games in our Rochester MN Bingo Roundup.
Axe Throwing at Old School Arcade
Tired of the same old coffee catch-ups? Head to Old School Arcade for stress relief, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs.
You can throw axes, ninja stars, tomahawks, knives, or even a shovel if you’re feeling bold. It’s beginner-friendly, completely safe, and every session is supervised by an instructor who’ll show you how to hit that perfect bullseye.
Prices range from $15 per person for 30 minutes up to $35 for two hours. Bring out your inner kid with an unlimited arcade pass for just $5 more and keep the fun going after your round.
You can book online to guarantee your spot, and Old School Arcade welcomes walk-ins too. Just remember to wear close-toed shoes.
End your outing with a bite to eat at nearby Brothers Bar & Grill or grab a sweet treat from La Michoacana Purépecha, known for its authentic Mexican ice cream and popsicles.
Follow Old School Arcade on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on special events, new games, and seasonal promotions.
