Living life in the fast lane

Above: Having a ball at Tenpin Bowling Derby

Remember the last time you went bowling? You probably had a blast, right? Everybody loves bowling! And that’s just what our Derby members decided when they were coming up with ideas for a fun night out that everybody would enjoy.

We rolled up at Tenpin Bowling (you can check their venue out here) for a few games and a couple of drinks. Be advised though; drink responsibly, kids, because alcohol can seriously impede your ability to bowl!

After one too many gutter-balls, we decided to take things a bit more seriously and have a friendly competition – guys against the girls, as standard. Needless to say it was of a disgrace to the sport. But everybody had a laugh and a really great time all the same. Definitely something we want to do again and would certainly suggest to all our MixingOut members who fancy a great night out without having to hit the bars and clubs. Fun, relaxed, and a great activity for mingling with new and old friends.

Comedy Night, The Bless

Above: No, no that kind of Bless!

Monday nights are Standup Comedy Night at the Blessington Carriage and even though it’s become a regular event for some our MixingOut members, we wanted to mention it here because of its growing popularity amongst newer members also. And needless to say, our last event at The Bless this month was another big success.

]]> https://www.mixingout.com/blog/things-to-do-this-autumn-when-youre-not-out-meeting-friends/ Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:35:43 +0000 http://mixingout.com/blog/?p=350 Sure, we all love going out and meeting friends but everybody needs a little “downtime” now and again; if only to recharge our batteries for that next big get-together. Not to mention the obvious fact that it’s starting to get very, very cold outside! Sometimes it feels good just to shut those blinds, pull on your grubbiest loungewear and settle-in for a lazy day on your lonesome… When you’re not too busy partying it up, that is.

Here’s our pick of cool things to keep you occupied this autumn when you’re busy not being busy:

True Detective Box Set, DVD/BluRay/iTunes

If this American drama passed you by when it originally aired earlier this year, then you can make up for it now by gorging on the entire eight-episode series in one calorific sitting. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson star as two detectives following a string of disappearances and ritual killings in the deep-fried south.

Fargo Box Set, DVD/BluRay/iTunes

Inspired by the Coen Brother’s movie of the same name (if you haven’t already seen it then stick it on your viewing list this instant) this stand-alone series is equally brilliant.

If you like your humour “black” – as in a black hole consuming everything good and pure kind of way – then you’ll love this comedy/drama about crime and corruption in the quirky mid-western city of Fargo, North Dakota.

The Evil Within, PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE

Shinji Mikami, creator of the original Resident Evil games and progenitor to the Survival Horror genre, helms this terrifying exploration into the unknown. You take control of Homicide cop Sebastian Castellanos and investigate a series of eerie goings on at a secluded mental hospital.

Fans of the genre will feel right at home here; atmospheric, slow-burning, and heavily puzzle-driven amongst the bursts of breakneck action. A very engaging single-player campaign for winding away those boring nights in.

You might be a bit too old for trick or treating but that shouldn’t stop you from going out and meeting friends this Halloween. October 31st is right around the corner and as part of our special Halloween Survival Guide, we’ve put together this list of things to do for all you guys who really want to get into the spirit of things.

Hospitality Halloween

What is it: A monster line-up of some of the best live music acts and DJ’s, at one of the city’s biggest venues.

Where is it: The O2 Academy, Crookridge Street, Leeds.

When is it: Friday October 31st from 10pm to 6am.

What to expect: Acts include the likes of drum & bass duo Camo & Krooked, Mia Dora and DJ Pete Graham. So you can expect to be up long after the dead have returned to their graves and a little worse for ware than any remaining zombies stumbling through the streets. If you want to secure entrance then book your tickets here.

The Sin Lounge, Halloween Special

What is it: A night of raving, dancing and scarily good music from House Nation. They’ll also be serving up some special Halloween-themed drinks, so you know you’re going to be in for a really good time!

Where is it: The Sun Lounge, Derby City Centre.

When is it: Saturday November 1st from 7pm to 3am.

What to expect: Banging tunes, great atmosphere and plenty of party revellers. An all-round epic night out for anybody who fancies a good time!

Halloween Story Walks

What is it: A lantern-lit stroll through Allestree with folklore storyteller, Sophie Snell. You’ll stop by some of the area’s creepiest, most haunted locations and hear all about their bloody history.

Where is it: Groups meet at Allestree Hall and progress through the gardens and grounds.

When is it: There’s two variations of this event. One taking place from 5pm and again at 6:30pm for families. And a later walk for adults at 8pm. All walks take place on Thursday October 30th.

What to expect: If you’ve never been on a ghost walk, they can be as entertaining as they are informative. Perfect if you and your friends are interested in folklore and scary goings on. Should make for interesting talk over a few drinks later that night!

Dancers Halloween Jam

What is it: A fancy dress party for everyone of all ages, so even you responsible parents out there can go out and have some fun while the kids are kept entertained. There’ll be karaoke, games, prizes for best costumes and even a photo room for spooky selfies.

Where is it: A little bit out of Derby, this one. The QMX Academy, Nottingham City Centre.

When is it: Friday October 31st from 7pm to 11pm. Bookings must be made before October 28th, so get on it here.

What to expect: Fun, friendly and easygoing. If you’re coming from Derby, with or without the kids in-tow, you’ll need to arrange transport. So don’t expect to be up all hours at this event.

Remember when you were little? You’d make plans to meet up with your friends after school and then as soon as you got home you’d hear “you’re not going out tonight” from your mum and dad. Maybe they had other plans, maybe you did something wrong, or maybe they just wanted to keep a close eye on you.

Well, now every night is like that. Family, work, kids, rent, bills… going out can be tricky for us responsible grown-ups. We can’t be as spontaneous as we used to be. Luckily, MixingOut is here to makes things a little bit easier.

2. Your awesome toy collection isn’t going to impress anyone

Okay, that’s not entirely true. There might be a few guys and (possibly) girls out there who are really interested in your Mint Condition Death Star – but generally speaking these are subjects to avoid bringing up in a grown-up conversation. Instead prepare to discuss mortgage rates and the best place to buy a decent coffee table.

3. Crashing at someone’s house isn’t cool anymore

When you were a student living in a grubby flat, crashing on random people’s sofas was as much a part of the norm as waking up in the middle of the afternoon. Try that now with somebody you’ve only just met, and they’re likely to give some spare change for a cup of tea and walk the other way.

4. You’ve got to make the most of the free time you have

If you really want a fulfilling social life now that you’re an adult, there can be no room for forgoing opportunities to go out and meet friends. When you were younger, you had all the free time in the world. Now life is a whole lot busier, you need to find those moments to enjoy yourself and make them count.

Art in The Dark

What it is: The streets and buildings of Leeds will come alive this October with more than 50 Free art events and street performances – including the Civic Hall being transformed into a theatre illumination and an explosive firework display.

When is it: Friday October 3rd from 5pm

What to expect: A combination of funfair frolics and art show extravagance. As well as light-shows, optical illusions and live music they’ll also be an interesting take on the playground game “Heads, body, Tails” recreated for the digital age. Definitely something for those of you who fancy something artsy and little bit different.

Goth Reunion Night

What it is: 30 years on from the Goth movement (which swept through Leeds like a black fire back in the day) the Squash Club in Dewsbury will be putting on a grand reunion night to celebrate the underground culture.

When is it: Saturday October 4th from 8pm

What to expect: The Squash Club was one of the movement’s biggest haunts, so expect flocks of men wearing more makeup than the women and some outrageous clothing. But that doesn’t mean dressing the part is necessary. Anybody who likes the music from the era – or simply fancies a taste of it – will find plenty to enjoy here. In short, it’ll be like going back to the 80’s.

Chortle Kombat, Deathmatch Comedy

What it is: 10 standup comedians (or should that be Komedians?) will be battling it out for your laughter and applause – on top of a cash prize – at The New Roscoe.

When is it: Wednesday 1st October from 8pm

What to expect: Jokes. Drinks. Laughter. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect night out?

Al fresco 

With summer just around the corner, you won’t always feel like sitting inside a steamy cafe and bustling restaurant. Gather yourselves outdoors and meet up for something a little cooler and more refreshing.

There’s always plenty of vendors serving lots of different kinds of foods on the go at this time of year. So why not break the monotony of a busy day at work with some outdoor lunch fun!

Take a look around

A feast for the eyes is still a feast, and for those of you who like a discussion during your lunchtime, you’ll have plenty to talk about with all the interesting works on show.

Museums in busy town centres are often surrounded with quaint little cafes, pubs, and eateries – so there’s always a place to sit down afterwards and grab a bite to eat. It’s the perfect way to fill a lazy afternoon when you feel like trying something different but not too vigorous.

Don’t fancy a museum? Not a problem, just substitute it for something that all of you are interested in – a look around the city and your favourite shop maybe. Just be sure to find time to sit down and enjoy yourselves.

Try something new

Don’t like sushi? How would you know unless you’ve already tried it? Japanese? Mexican? Tapas? Busy shopping centres and food courts are nowadays packed with all sorts of interesting places to sit in and try something new.

And it’s not just the kinds of foreign foods you’re already familiar with from your Friday night takeaways, there’s lots of lunchtime menu variety on offer. So why not take a break from the sarnies and jacket potatoes and try something different.

EVENT ALERT: Ladies That Like to Lunch

On Saturday 10th May MixingOut organiser Andie will be hosting a get together at All Bar One in Leeds, for light lunch, girl talk and cocktails. So if you fancy popping along, sign up here.

]]> https://www.mixingout.com/blog/meet-friends-on-your-lunch/feed/ 0 https://www.mixingout.com/blog/meet-friends-for-a-good-movie/ https://www.mixingout.com/blog/meet-friends-for-a-good-movie/#respond Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:30:21 +0000 http://mixingout.com/blog/?p=86 Everybody loves going to see a good movie now and then, it’s a brilliant excuse to get out and meet friends, whatever time of the day. Whether you’re filling a few spare hours in the middle of a quiet afternoon, or setting yourselves up for a fun night out, going to watch a movie gives you plenty to enjoy and talk about later over a few drinks or a quick bite to eat.

Luckily, 2014 is chocked full of some spectacular-looking movies to go and see together. It doesn’t matter if you and your friends are film buffs, or just looking for some last minute entertainment, here’s just a few of our favourites we think you’ll enjoy. 

Godzilla 

Forget everything you knew about the 1998 abomination, because this time around they got Legendary Pictures to oversee proceedings, the same company that raised the bar in franchise reboots with the latest Superman and Batman movies.

The film retells the origin of Godzilla in contemporary times as a “terrifying force of nature” and promises to be one the year’s most spectacular big-budget blockbusters; the perfect mix of compelling storytelling, impressive special effects, and thrilling set pieces. Check out the exciting new trailer here.

22 Jump Street 

The sequel to the hilarious 21 Jump Street sees Channing Tatum and Jonah hill reprise their roles as  a couple of underachieving cops, this time going back to college to crack a crime ring within a fraternity.

The plot might sound a little thin on the ground, but the first movie was filled with plenty of laugh out load moments, with some great scenes and very funny performances throughout – so hopefully we can expect more of the same second time around. The guys even took the time during production to film this hilarious parody of That famous Jean Claude Van Damn commercial.

Interstellar 

Christopher Nolan’s first release since his successful The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar is a standalone science fiction film in a similar vein to the much applauded Inception.

Details surrounding the main plot are rather hush hush. All that’s been confirmed is that it’s about the discovery of a wormhole, and a team of scientists’ voyage through it, based upon the work of theoretical physicist Kip Thorne and rewritten by Christopher and longterm collaborator Jonathan Nolan.

So why are we so excited, even when we know very little about the whole thing? Well, Christopher Nolan has got to be one of the most innovative filmmakers working today, every one of of his films is so much more than a modern classic, they’re an event. And a new Christopher Nolan movie coming out in 2014 is surely an event worth going to.

RoboCop 

Another well beloved franchise gets a brand new makeover for 2014, RoboCop is a more than just of remake of the 1987 original, it’s going to be a whole new vision that already looks to be one of the year’s most exciting blockbusters – especially if you’re a fan of good of old fashioned 80’s action movies. Be sure to catch the latest trailer here.

Also keep an eye out for… 

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For 

The long-awaited sequel to 2005’s Sin City finally gets a release date (fingers crossed for August 22^nd) after countless delays and set backs. It’s based on the second graphic novel in Frank Miller’s Sin City series and sees director Robert Rodriguez return alongside old characters, and some new ones too. Expect action, stylised violence, and a story darker than the tones of black on the screen.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

Seth McFarlane follows up the hilarious Ted with this Western-inspired comedy about a cowardly farmer who seeks the help of a gunslinger’s wife to win back his love. Like Ted and Family Guy before it, expect controversial gags, quotable dialogue and outrageous humour.

The Monuments Men 

George Clooney leads an unlikely group of Second World War soldiers to steal back a collection of art masterpieces from enemy thieves and return them to their owners, in this mash-up of Saving Private Ryan and Ocean’s 11.

Dumb and Dumber 2 

If only to see Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels reprise their roles from the original classic, this film has surely got to be worth checking out with friends for a good laugh.

So with that in mind, we’ve trawled through some of the best ways of preventing a hangover, alongside some of the myths, and taken some alternative suggestions from members of the MixingOut Community. That way you can make the most of a great night out, meet friends, and not have to worry about paying for it the following morning.

Before you start drinking…

The Myth – Drinking milk: Remember this one? Milk coats the lining of your stomach and that helps minimise the amount of alcohol you absorb – which depending on how much is ingested, causes the noticeable after effects we commonly associate with being ‘hungover’.

At least, that’s the theory. There’s no real evidence to suggest drinking milk before you go out actually does anything to prevent a hangover, but a lot of people still do it anyway. It’s a remedy as old as the hills. But if you really want our opinion, we like our milk in tea and coffee, and over our cornflakes… and not as something we’d drink before a big night out.

Top Rated – Eat something: Everybody knows you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, but still forget to eat something before heading out. A lot of people (the guys in particular) recommend fatty foods because the fat sticks to the stomach lining longer and absorbs more alcohol. But in actual fact, the main idea is to put volume in your stomach, as this will dilute the effects of alcohol. So listen to what your mum used to say, and be sure to eat something before you go out!

And Alternatively – Take multivitamins: Drinking depletes the nutrients in your body, and taking multivitamins beforehand can help minimise the loss, which reduces that groggy, nauseous feeling you would typically get the next morning. And that sounds brilliant to us!

When you start drinking…

The Myth – The tactical vom: Somepeople seem to think that forcing themselves to be sick while they’re out can help reduce the effects of the alcohol they’ve already ingested. When in actual fact, all this does is dehydrate the body even further and makes a hangover worse the next morning – not to mention leaving a mess down the front of perfectly nice clean top. D’oh!

Top Rated – Drink water constantly: Yeah, yeah, we know it sounds counter intuitive to ‘having a good time’, but matching every drink of alcohol with a drink of water will keep you from getting drunk too fast, and (this is where you’ll thank us) from feeling the effects the next day. So order one bottle of water with every drink if you want to keep things even.

And Alternatively – Don’t mix your drinks: Let’s face it, most drinks don’t mix too well and your body is going to have a tougher time trying to handle them all together. So make a decision to drink just beer, or wine, or spirits and stick with it for the rest of the night.

And when the drinking is done…

Give your body time to recover: There’s only one sure fire way of recovering from a hard night out, and that’s plenty of rest. Give your body one or two days recover before you head out again, and drink plenty of water and eat plenty of food in the meantime. Even party animals need to take a break now and then.

]]> https://www.mixingout.com/blog/partying-hard-meet-friends-have-fun/feed/ 0 https://www.mixingout.com/blog/meet-friends-afternoon-tea/ https://www.mixingout.com/blog/meet-friends-afternoon-tea/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2013 09:03:53 +0000 http://mixingout.com/blog/?p=22 Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than getting together to meet friends over a lovely cuppa and a big slice of cake – or for the connoisseurs amongst you, afternoon tea and scones.

Yup, more and more people are meeting up and flocking to their local tea rooms, and not just because it’s getting too glum and dreary to sit outside these days – tea rooms and ‘coffee crawls’ are fast becoming a hot social scene among folk who feel like getting together in a chilled, relaxed setting so they can just hang out and have some fun.

It’s official. Beer gardens are out, afternoon tea is in (if you’ll pardon the pun).

That’s right, afternoon tea is the new rock ‘n’ roll. And in case you’re still in any doubt, we’ve lined up a few of our favourite establishments that we think would make an excellent place to get together with a friends for a fun, chilled time out. Or at the very least, change the way you think about tea…

The Cheerful Chilli

Where: East Chevin Road, Leeds, LS21 3DD

With a name like The Cheerful Chilli, you wouldn’t expect anything less than some place fun, current and very, very lively – and that’s exactly what you get here.

On top of their wide selection of teas and hot drinks, they also serve up some tasty treats, light lunches, as well as an extensive menu of rustic home-cooked dishes and puddings. Intimate and friendly, it’s a great place to meet up if you feel like trying something a bit different (and by different, we mean pubs and bars). It’s still got the same kind of hustle and bustle you would find in a trendy bar, with the same kind of atmosphere, but with a pleasant change of pace for those of you who don’t fancy having a drink.

Dulcie Butterfly

Where: Woodland Drive, Leeds, LS26 8DW

For those of you wanting to experience a good old fashioned tea room with a modern vibe, you’d be hard pressed to find any place better than Dulcie Butterfly.

Set in stylish, shabby chic surroundings with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to meet friends, grab a quality cuppa and share some of their scrummy homemade cakes and finger foods. They have an extensive range of luxury teas, from the traditional Yorkshire brew to French Violet, coffees, lattes and cappuccinos, all served in classy vintage china – so you can feel all proper and sophisticated while you dunk your biscuits!

Shaky Jakes

Where: North Lane, Leeds, LS6 3HG

Okay, so admittedly this place isn’t an actual ‘tea room’ as such. But they do serve a variety of hot drinks, including teas, coffees and hot chocolates (which are all perfect for this time of year).

However, what Shaky Jakes is best known is their crazy take on the afternoon tea, which is why we had to stick it on the list. If you fancy scones with clotted cream, or cakes of any sort, they’ll gladly blitz them in a blender and whip up a batch of rich, tasty milkshakes to share with your friends. We told you afternoon tea isn’t what it used be!

If this sounds like your cup of tea, be sure to check the MixingOut community for the latest afternoon tea events and other fun get together in your area.

You’re probably sitting there thinking that Halloween probably isn’t for you, that it’s  something to celebrate only when you’re 12, but you’d be wrong. Dead wrong.

There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do on the spookiest night of the year, whatever your idea of a great time might be. That’s why more and more people are getting together to meet friends every October, embracing the Halloween spirit, and having a devilishly good time while they’re at it.

So don’t get stuck indoors handing out the treats all night. Take a look at some our MixingOut ideas on making this Halloween a night to remember and try them for yourself.

Find out what your local clubs and bars are putting together

Halloween is perhaps the one night of the year you can stagger home like the walking dead and not look out of place – so if you and your friends are up for a really hectic night out, we’d definitely recommend it. There’s always an event going on that draws a lively crowd to the local cub scene, usually with plenty of  drink offers and other fun stuff to take part in. Here’s a few that have caught out attention:

Where: The Victoria Inn, Derby

What’s going on: Halloween Zombiefication

What to expect: The Victoria Inn is famed for their live music and lively crowds, so this October 31^st they’re hosting a big night of spectacular DJ sets, ranging from French House to Garage. Entry is Free and everyone who dresses up receives a Free ‘blood’ shot at the door. They’ll also be massive bottle of Moet Champagne for the best Halloween costume, horror movies being screened at the bar area and other really fun spooky goings on.

Where: Havana Bar, Wakefield

What’s going on: Monster Mash Up

What to expect: Monday 28^th October is going to be a night packed with ghoulish entertainment, live Dj sets and queue jump for everyone in fancy dress. There’s also going to be some amazing drink offers, including a Jagerbombs for £1 and Vodka mixes for £1.50. There are lots of people already expected to be in attendance, and if you confirm now on their Facebook page you and your friends could be in with a chance of winning a bottle of bubbly.

Where: O2 Academy, Leeds

What’s going on: The Voodoo Halloween Showcase

What to expect: Unprecedented Halloween entertainment, expect huge crowds, great music and a lively atmosphere. It’s going to be a very popular event to meet friends, have a drink with your mates and party till the sun comes up.

Fancy trying something a little different?

For those of you who’d rather leave the clubbing until the weekend and your werewolf costume in the closet, there’s still plenty of activities where you can get together, meet people and take part in the Halloween fun. Here are just a few on offer:

Where: Stockeld Park, Leeds

What’s going on: The Magic of Fright Night

What to expect: A mile long ghost walk through the haunted forest at Stockeld Park, full of spooky goings on, interesting facts and tons of other scary surprises along the way. If you and you and your friends are up for something very out there this Halloween, then it’s definitely worth checking out. Be prepared to be scared!

Where: Espresso Bar, Leeds

What’s going on: Halloween Film Night

What to expect: Immerse yourself in a spooky screening of Tim Burton’s Edward Scissor hands at the Espresso Bar, which will transformed into a scary, but stylish haunt for the evening. They’ll also be a trick-or-treat welcome drink for everyone who attends and tasty three course dinner included in the ticket price.

Where: Beaver Works, Leeds

What’s going on: Halloween in Space

What to expect: As well as the standard Halloween party rooms, Beaver Works are also hosting an all-night LaserQuest event for those of you who feel like getting together and taking part in a friendly-come-competitive game  of laser tag. Expect fun and mayhem in equal proportions, and plenty of banter too.

Has this inspired you to head out this Halloween and tear things like a monster? Be sure to check with the MixingOut community for more great ideas to try this Halloween and let us know know what you’re doing.