Winter nightlife on Long Island
Therese McNulty, 45, of Lake Grove, left and Jessica Freedman, 47, of Wantagh, show the finished pizzas at The Cook’s Studio in Patchogue on Nov. 9. Credit: Rick Kopstein
This cold-weather season, there’s no reason to hibernate inside. The good times are still rolling for a chill date night or a cool friend’s outing. Here are five options with opportunities to learn tasty or creative crafts, step back in time, or win big bucks playing your grands’ favorite lotto game.
Make your own pizza
The Cook’s Studio: 10 Wall St., Huntington; 3 Village Green Way, Patchogue; 805 Broadway,
Amityville
Stephanie Sinkoff, 30, left and wife, Kassie Sinkoff, 29 both of Medford, prepare a salad at a cooking class at The Cook’s Studio in Patchogue on Nov. 9. Credit: Rick Kopstein
In a convivial two-hour session, chef and CEO Victor McNulty shares his 40 years of experience making everyone’s favorite cheesy comfort food. "I’m Irish and Italian and from the Bronx, so I know pizza," says McNulty, 56. As you sip wine or beer, one of 12 staff chefs demonstrate the essentials: making dough, pulling fresh mozzarella and preparing the sauce. Put your skills to work in the next hour and a half, saucing up three 14-inch Neapolitan style pies of your own, generally a traditional Margherita, white or pepperoni, McNulty says. The pizza de resistance is tasted on the premises, but McNulty adds, "You make enough to take home." The locations also offer other cooking classes at night including Gnocchi making, surf and turf and sushi rolling.
Cost $100 per person
More info 631-896-1315, thecooksstudio.com
Sip cocktails at a speakeasy
Charlotte’s Speakeasy: 294 Main St., Farmingdale
Jasmine Belizaire, of Amityville, mixing up cocktails at Charlotte's Speakeasy in Farmingdale; Shernell McClean, 45, of Roosevelt, and Janelle Mars, 45, of Rosedale, enjoy dinner. Credit: Howard Simmons
Pub crawlers and history buffs should get a kick out of this restored, historic 1920s speakeasy hidden beneath Charlotte’s frozen yogurt and ice cream store.
"Some people want to drink where people were hiding from the cops 100 years ago, other people come for the jazz and blues music in a nice intimate setting, and others for the craft cocktails," says Nick DeVito, of Rockville Centre, who co-owns the speakeasy with his brother, John DeVito, of Syosset.
The bartenders craft 12 cocktails including the most popular, a Bootleggers Old-Fashioned, Nick DeVito adds. To drink in history, he’ll show you the original tin ceiling remnants and the escape route clients used during Roaring Twenties raids. And, yes, to get in the door you’ll need the latest password available online.
More info 516-586-8530, charlottesspeakeasy.com
Play high-tech Bingo
110 Bingo Hall, 535 Broadhollow Rd., Melville
Up to 140 players typically show up for this high-stakes Bingo night benefiting the Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, a no-kill facility in Huntington, says event coordinator Robert John Kamp, of Laurel.
Players can join on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, doors open at 5 p.m., game starts at 7 p.m. for $3 and Bingo cards are $1 each.
"Everything is computerized," Kamp says. "You say which card you want, and load it on an iPad," and a video screen displays the numbers, Kamp says.
Prizes total $5,000 on weekend nights, and special jackpots have recently paid out up to $11,000, Kamp says.
More info 631-368-8770, littleshelter.org/play-bingo
Hit golf balls at Birdies
17 N. Ocean Ave., Patchogue
Alexa Andersen, of Center Moriches, plays simulated golf at Birdies in Patchogue. Patrons can also grab food and drinks. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Want to tee off with a few friends while you sip a butter beer or a cocktail named after golf great Arnold Palmer? Six indoor golf simulators and a sports bar serving craft cocktails and finger food (Caribbean wings, duck empanadas and more) are all part of the layout. Weekly entertainment includes a trivia game on Tuesdays beginning at 7 p.m., live music Fridays starting at 8 p.m. and a DJ dance party Saturdays starting at 10 p.m.
More info 631-654-4653, birdiesli.com
Throw a pottery party
Earth Arts Pottery Studio: 162 W. Park Ave., Long Beach
Artists at work at Earth Arts in Long Beach. Credit: Randee Daddona
Studio owner Susan Clancy, of Long Beach, says she conceived this two-hour drop-in group session in pottery making as an "experiential activity for adults" that’s also "a great date or ladies' night out."
Get your hands dirty learning to mold clay into a bowl or cup on a pottery wheel — up to two items per student on Wheel Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Choose a glaze and a month later pick up the fired and finished addition to your kitchen crockery.
Cost $80 for ages 16 and up
More info 516-432-9000, earthartslb.com