Girls’ Night Out in and Around Princeton

The desire for a girls’ night out (GNO) satisfies much more than eliminating boredom. A landmark UCLA study concluded what women around the world already knew. Regardless of age, marital status, or whether you’re a mother, women benefit from being around their girlfriends. It has even been established that women with several friendships could decrease their risk of death. Here are 9 reasons why women should have a girls’ night out.

1. The hormone oxytocin is released when women are with their friends, which has a healing effect on loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress.
2. Hugging further boosts oxytocin levels.
3. Holding a hug lifts one’s serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating a feeling of euphoria.
4. There is the emotional safety and trust within a group of women in person that emojis on Facebook cannot replace.
5. Memories are made together and can be shared on Instagram.
6. Girlfriends keep us young at heart.
7. Hearing a compliment (personal or professional achievement, skills or talent, appearance, etc.) boosts self-esteem.
8. A group of girlfriends is like a membership that gives a feeling of belonging. One of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
9. Girlfriends give the most support and encouragement.

Now that it’s been established that being in the presence of girlfriends is very powerful, and GNOs are beneficial, it’s time to plan a girls’ night out. The Greater Princeton Area has many events, activities, and places to go to for a GNO. Some forms of entertainment are active and tactile, while others are passive and cerebral. Below are places in and around town that offer a range of experiences for a fun girls’ night out!

• Agricola Eatery – Eat at one of the community-style tables and have a glass of wine, beer, a special cocktail, or something non-alcohol. Cheers!
• Amazing Escape Room – This is a bit different from the usual venues for a girls’ night out, but laughter is guaranteed.
• Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club – The greatest spot for a good laugh.
• Sur la Table – Cooking Classes are so much more fun than cooking daily meals. They even offer a “Girls’ Night Out: Tapas Party” cooking class amongst others.
• Crossing Vineyards and Winery –  This award-winning vineyard and winery offers a number of events and classes for a fun GNO. Summer Happy Hour at the Winery, Food and Wine Pairing, and Tarot Card Reading and Wine Tasting are some of the upcoming  opportunities to gather your girlfriends and celebrate life!
• Cozy Nails – Nail salons are a great place to get pampered and chat simultaneously. You will most likely have to go to a place like Cozy Nails, which can accommodate up to four at a time.
• Despaña – Tapas + paella + sangria = una gran noche!
• Mediterra – Arrive Monday-Thursday, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM and take advantage of their $2 tapas with some wine before dinner.
• The Melting Pot – Fondue is a great family style dinner and perfect for a GNO!
• McCarter Theatre Center – Go see a play, musical performance, or other source of entertainment together. If at the Matthews Theatre, you can walk over to Terra Teatro during intermission for a light bite to eat and a glass of wine.
• Mistral – Sharing is caring. Order several small plates to share, and enjoy a cocktail or housemade drinks.
• Palmer Square’s Girls’ Night Out – This is an annual event, so plan for the ultimate GNO. You get free food, coupons to stores and restaurants around at Palmer Square, tastings, entertainment, and more!
• Peacock Inn Bar – They have a Happy Hour, but if you miss that, order from the bar menu (like their famous ricotta gnocchi) with a cocktail, wine, or craft beer.
• Perlé Nightclub & Lounge – Dance the night away in New Brunswick. They offer bottle service and a drink menu. There’s even a food menu: Frites Bar, Small Plates, Sliders, and Personal Pizzas.
• Pinot Palette – This is the leading paint & sip studio. A few friends can simply sign up for a class in their main studio, or you can reserve the private Cezanne Room for 12 – 20 painters, take a break to eat, bring in your own music and have a blast. Either way, it’s BYOB.
• The Pottery Place – Get creative! Paint an unfinished piece of pottery and leave it behind so they can clear glaze it and fire it in their kiln.
• Princeton Adult School – Take classes together. There is a broad range of interests, and the commitment can be from taking 1 – 10+ classes.
• Princeton Public Library  – There are so many new and recurring programs and events to choose from. This includes book groups, workshops, movie viewings, performances, and the list goes on!
• Princeton Tour Company – Download their pub crawl guide and check out the great pubs and bars in town.
• Pure Barre – Another less typical spot for a GNO. This is how you can support each other in reaching personal goals, especially if they were a New Year’s Resolution.
• Shogun27 – An entire group can sit around the hibachi table to eat, drink, laugh, and be entertained.
• State Theatre – Catch a musical, concert, comedian, or dance performance, and add Happy Hour or dinner for more fun!
• Witherspoon Grill – Their Cocktail Hour menu is a great deal and a fun place to meet.
• YWCA Princeton In the Pink Fashion Show – An annual event that takes place in October. This is where women support other women emotionally and financially AND get entertained.