3 new ideas for your next friend date: spa time, wine blending + cooking classes

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Looking for a friend date that’s a little more exciting than your usual dinner plans?

Located near Lane Parke and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook and adjoining Habitat Feed & Social is the kind of place where you can do a little bit of everything in one stop. From cooking up something new to sipping your own custom wine blend, here’s how to turn a day in Mountain Brook into a full-on bonding experience.

1. For the friend who loves to learn: Take a cooking class

If your ideal friend date involves learning something new (and maybe eating something delicious afterward) start in the Habitat Cooking School located at Habitat Feed & Social.

The hands-on cooking classes are designed to be more than just following a recipe. You and your bestie can explore different cuisines and cultures, learn new techniques and work alongside expert instructors in a state-of-the-art kitchen.

It’s the kind of outing that gives you plenty to talk about while you’re chopping, mixing and cooking—and, ideally, gaining a few new skills to bring back to your own kitchen.

Each class price includes dinner and the service charge with drinks available for purchase. Here are a few classes available now for registration:

• Master the Grill: $169 / person | Learn how to handle different proteins + how to reach their ideal temperature.
• Perfect Pasta: $169/person | You’ll make your own dough, then roll, shape + stuff with delicious ingredients.
• Tour of Germany: $149/person | See how the sausage is made, literally, and enjoy a variety of German cuisine.

2. For the friend who loves a good glass of wine: Blend your own + have it with dinner

For a friend date that feels a little more special, book the Wine Blending experience. It’s an epic upgrade from “Want to grab a drink?” to “Want to make our own wine and then go to dinner?”

In partnership with Raymond Vineyards, the experience takes guests behind the scenes of wine blending, from learning about grape varietals and different regions to tasting and experimenting with blends of your own. Experienced sommeliers guide the process, so you don’t need to be an expert to get involved.

It goes beyond wine tasting—you get to create your own custom blend, complete with a personalized label and bottle to take home.

Then, keep the evening going with dinner at Habitat Feed & Social—the menu draws on regional culinary traditions and fresh in-season ingredients, making it an easy next stop after an afternoon of tasting and blending. Crack the bottle open and find something delicious to pair it with!

• Browse Wine Blending classes: $149 / person | You can even design your own label and send it to the team ahead of time.

3. For the friend who needs a reset: spa time + a little art inspo

For the friends who need a break from their busy schedules, make it a wellness day at Poseidon Spa.

Located just off the lobby of the Grand Bohemian Hotel, the spa offers personalized experiences designed around relaxation and wellness, with options including massages, facials and body treatments. While you’re there, take advantage of a dedicated relaxation room, quiet treatment rooms and locker room facilities with showers.

So grab your friend, DND your phones for a little while and make an afternoon out of doing, well, nothing!

• Browse massages, facials + more treatments

BONUS: After your treatments, take your time getting back into the real world with a stop at the Art Gallery located right across from the spa. The art-filled space is filled with original works and jewelry to browse, featuring local and up-and-coming artists and new pieces added regularly.

1 Birmingham spot, 3 ways to hang

Whether you’re looking to learn, sip or simply relax, Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook has an experience for your next friend date. With art, food, wine and wellness all part of the experience, you can turn a simple meetup into a full day.

• Location: 2655 Lane Parke Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
• Hours:
  • Habitat Feed & Social: Sunday – Thursday 11AM-9PM | Friday – Saturday 11AM-10PM
  • Rooftop Bar Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
• Parking:
  • Valet: Pull under the main entrance arch off Lane Parke Road for complimentary valet service.
  • Self-parking: Limited street parking is available along Lane Parke + nearby side streets—just be mindful of posted time limits.
• Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook | (205) 414-0505

Whether you’re looking for a new happy hour, ladies’ night activity or just trying something new, Habitat Feed & Social gives you plenty of options for any occasion.

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