Best Outings For Groups In Los Angeles

Are you and your crew stuck in a rut when the subject of making plans together arises? Not to worry. After digging into this list, you'll be armed and ready with a refreshing suggestion that will forever deem you the guru of group get-togethers.

What are your favorite places for a group outing in Los Angeles? Share in the comments below!

Live Action Simulation Games
Room Escape LA
8255 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(310) 869-7167
www.la.roomescapelive.com

What started as online video games has since evolved into live action room escape games in Japan, Europe, and more recently, the United States. In these experiential simulation games, a scenario is presented to your group before being locked inside a room. Together, you must work to uncover cryptic clues, gather necessary items, and solve puzzles. Logic, creativity, and teamwork are a must to successfully accomplish your objective and escape in 60 minutes time. Groups are supervised under the watchful eye of the game master, who can be called upon to provide a limited amount of clues when the group gets stumped.
 
While other escape room concepts exist in LA, this one follows the European style that limits the group size to six. As such, you aren't forced to join a room with a large group of strangers that compromise the intimacy of the experience. In addition, the rooms have been built out with realistic, movie set worthy details that set the tone for a truly immersive experience that thrusts players into a new reality. In one scenario, you and your band of professional thieves are tasked with cracking the bank vault full of diamonds before the alarm sounds and the cops arrive. The other scenario is a cold war bunker, where your team of special agents must stop a nuclear launch sequence from blowing the world into oblivion.
 
This adrenaline pumping adventure is a game changer that doesn't require a special occasion to enjoy. New room additions to come include a prison break or finding the cure for a zombie apocalypse. Rates start at $33/person and depend on the size of the group. Bookings can be made online or by calling for more information.

Craft Distillery Tour And Tasting
Greenbar
2459 E 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 375-3668
www.greenbar.biz

As LA's first distillery since the Prohibition, Greenbar has upped the ante by running a sustainable operation that also happens to produce the largest portfolio of organic, handcrafted spirits in the world. Hour long distillery tours offer an up close and personal look at the production floor where you'll see stills, fermentation tanks, and other state-of-the-art shiny things. Additionally, a "friend in spirits" will show you around and explain the unique production process and top of the line ingredients that are involved in crafting artisanal spirits. After you've built an affinity for what they're all about, your group will finish the tour in the fully decked out Skybox tasting room. Here, you'll be led through a guided tasting of spirits crafted by Greenbar makers (don't worry, each are just ¼ oz servings to ensure you won't leave drunk). Tasting flights are rotated often, providing the perfect excuse to come back to sample something new. Before leaving, check out the company store to pick up your favorite spirit, barrel aging kits, or a line of brandy liqueurs that aren't found anywhere else in the country.

A Rocking Workout On The Sunset Strip
RockSweat
@ Roxy Theatre
9009 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
www.rocksweat.com

Are you and your friends often torn between the decision to work out or go out? Thanks to RockSweat, you can now do both at the same time. Malibu residents Evan and Diane Harrison represent the radio industry vet and group fitness pro behind the concept. Says Evan "I'm a fitness junkie, but I always felt like the connection between music and fitness was missing. I realized that great music venues with amazing sound systems, smoke machines and projected images to give a full concert environment usually sit vacant in the morning, after the cleaning crew leaves." After approaching various LA clubs with their idea, RockSweat found its stage at Sunset Blvd's iconic music venue The Roxy.
 
RockSweat combines a 45-minute full body workout set to the backdrop of a rockin' concert, equipped with a live DJ, emcee, a great sound system, and all the bells and whistles of a live music show. The workouts are a fusion of high intensity interval training, dance cardio, Pilates, and ends with a short session of yoga. Playlists span all genres and decades too, with everything from Rolling Stones, Tiesto, Madonna, Tupac, Ed Sheeran, and beyond. It won't replace your normal workout routine, but it's a sure bet to be more fun. Tickets can be purchased online; make sure to visit the website for information on session times.

DIY Floral Arrangement Making
Fleurish
11906 San Vicente Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA90049
(310) 575-8775
www.youfleurish.com

Inside this cheery chic Brentwood space is Fleurish, a unique, DIY flower bar by celebrity floral designer Amy Marella (The Hidden Garden). Round up your besties and stir up your creative juices to design your own flower arrangement using stunning seasonal blooms. Visitors get to pick from nine custom kits that include everything needed to create a floral arrangement. And thanks to the "iFluer" tablets, you'll be guided with step-by-step tutorials from start to finish. Fleurish makes for a great girls day out, especially for the recently engaged looking to hone in on their DIY skills. "FleurKits" start at $34.95, plus $5 for a 45-minute studio fee. Contact the bar for reservations or more information.

Laser Tag Games
Jungle Zone Club
826 N Glendale Ave
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 241-2900
www.lasertagzone.com

As George B. Shaw wisely said, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing," and we couldn't agree more. In fact, we think that this two story, 6,500 square foot laser tag arena will beckon the kid in you to come out for some cardio-pumping, competitive fun. Inside, you'll find a jungle labyrinth with fog-filled passageways and plenty of places to score a prime sniper position above. The equipment isn't what you remember from back in the day; these are top of the line laser systems complete with LED technology. Jungle Zone Club is the definitive place to live out your Halo or Call of Duty dreams with your entire big kid crew. Plus, if you work up an appetite in between games, they've even got a café stocked with snacks and drinks. A single laser tag game is $8.50 ($7.50 if you purchase 12 or more). Weekly specials are offered Tuesday through Thursday offering two games for $12 per person. On weekends, it's $25 for up to four hours of game play. Call for additional information and details.

SUP Boarding
Poseidon Paddle & Surf School
1654 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 694-8428
www.poseidonstandup.com

As a resident of the ever-pleasant climate of LA, it's practically mandatory to get more than just your toes in the water that lines our coast. Rally your bosom buddies out for some fun in the sun atop a SUP, led by expert instructors that are well established in our local waters. For beginners, Poseidon offers flat water lessons in the calm protected waters of Marina Del Rey. For intermediate paddlers, an ocean lesson is the best way to explore the hidden beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. You'll get breathtaking vantage points of the natural beauty that surrounds you. And, if you're lucky, you might even get a visit from the resident marine wildlife.

Lessons are 1.5 hours and include use of a board, paddle, wetsuit (if needed), and expert instruction. Safety is always a priority here, with an instructor to student ratio of 1:6 (flat water) and 1:4 (ocean). Poseidon is a trusted large group paddle lesson provider that boasts an impressive client roster that includes The New York Times and Nike. Visit the website to book or call for more details.

Flying Trapeze On The Pier
Trapeze School New York
370 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-5800
www.losangeles.trapezeschool.com

If your posse consists of the adventurous type, this will be right up your alley. TSNY Los Angeles offers open level flying trapeze workshops for groups of up to 10 people. You'll be able to take in the breathtaking horizon from 23 feet in the air, moments before you leap from the platform, flying high above the famous Santa Monica Pier. There's not much else that can compare to the exhilaration of a few hours of novice aerial artistry on the beach. Their incredibly capable staff works hard to foster a safe, encouraging, and fun place to step outside of your comfort zone and do things you never thought you could possibly accomplish in a few short airborne hours. Depending on the groups level and pace, it isn't uncommon to complete a catch by the end of your very first session. And don't worry, if you get hooked like a lot of people do, you can plan to come back regularly to build on what you've learned. You can even sign up for multi-session workshops as you move into advanced flyer territory. For class times, pricing and to book, check out the website.

Creativity Sparking Workshops
Poketo @ The Line Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 381-7411 Ext: 3076
www.poketo.com

Feeling artsy? How does a creative workshop with some of your hippest pals sound? Poketo, the design-driven destination that offers crush worthy and accessible artistic wares offers an ever-rotating roster of curated workshops. These limited series are lead by top designers, artists, and other creative geniuses. Get inspired by the wide variety of offerings, which have included topics like Kimchi making to lighting design and modern calligraphy to mobile chime making. There's never a shortage of something to add to your repertoire, punctuated by the trademark style that Poketo is coveted for. For the latest offerings, visit the workshop page online for descriptions, schedule, pricing, and registration.

What are your favorite places for a group outing in Los Angeles? Share in the comments below!

Joy Bitonio has the phrase "Joie de Vivre" tattooed on her shoulder, a reminder to enjoy life every single day. She has a voracious appetite for fun, adventure, food, good cocktails and works out like a madwoman to keep it all together. Check out what else she recommends around Los Angeles in the links below.

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