“Loneliness is like a hunger, a signal we’re lacking something for survival.” – US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD
“We are hardwired to connect with others. It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it, there is suffering.”—Brené Brown, PhD
Group Events to Promote Connection, Community, and Belonging
Off-Site Social Activities-Download
| Event/Activity | Description | Cost | Link | Details/Instructions |
| Cat Café | Visit the cozy coffee bar and lounge space, where they partner with the Humane Society of North Central Florida to host adoptable cats. | $10 per person for 30 minutes;
$15 for 60 minutes |
Feeline Good Cat Café | Go to: https://feelinegoodcatcafe.com/how-it-works to book your group’s visit. Any number are welcome in the café, but only 6 people are allowed in the cat room at a time. |
| Chair Massages from Florida School of Massage | Licensed professionals or supervised student volunteers bring all necessary materials to your location, providing relaxing and therapeutic massages for your group. Clients typically receive 10-20 minutes of massage. | $85/hr +$35 admin fee per licensed therapist
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Florida School of Massage | 1. Professional Massage Service: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) travels to your event to offer chair massage services.
2. Student Massage Service: Licensed Massage Therapist supervises up to four student volunteers providing chair massages. Student participation is based on volunteer interest, so event coverage is not guaranteed. 3. Complete and submit the Event Participation Form to FSM for review. FSM will contact you within 3-5 business days to confirm details and availability. |
| Chair Massages from UF RecSports | The RecSports Massage Therapy program provides therapeutic chair massage services for large or small groups. | $130/therapist for 1st hour, $55/therapist for additional hours | Massage Therapy | RecSports (ufl.edu) | 4. Complete the request form at: Custom Services Request Form | RecSports (ufl.edu) |
| Cooking Class | Hands-On Cooking Classes: Participants create a full meal with recipes to take home. Includes instruction, supplies, equipment, appetizers, and light beverages.
Chef Demonstration Classes: Chef prepares multiple courses, with instruction and discussion throughout. Enjoy a three-course meal with beverages while learning new cooking techniques. |
12+ guests: $65.00 per person
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Fat Tuscan Team Building Cooking Classes | 1. Reservations: Email fattuscancafe@gmail.com to check available dates on the calendar and request a formal quote with a deposit invoice for your reservation.
2. Ensure that your group size and preferred class type are clearly communicated during the booking process. |
| Escapology Escape Room | Up to 8 players (per room) will be challenged to escape their room by working together to find clues, solve puzzles, and unlock locks that will free them from the game room. | $35 per person (with UF faculty discount) | Escapology Gainesville | 1. Check Availability and Reserve Your Spot:
Each escape room has specific time slots available throughout the day. Review the available times and select the one that best fits your schedule. 2. Group Events: To inquire about group events, visit this section on the website and submit your inquiry to receive more information and confirm the details of your event. |
| First Magnitude Trivia Nights | Team trivia starts at 7pm every Tuesday.
· Chance to win prizes. · Trivia categories are history, geography, sports, arts and literature, etc.
Enjoy food from one of the on-site food trucks, or bring your own food and soft drinks. Check the brewery’s website to see which food truck will be available. |
FREE | First Magnitude Brewing | 1. Make a Reservation (Optional): If you’re bringing a large group or celebrating a special occasion, you can reserve space at the brewery. This includes table reservations for small gatherings or larger spaces for bigger groups and events. To reserve your spot, fill out the reservation form available on the brewery’s website.
2. No-Reservation Option: Gather your colleagues to form a trivia team. There’s no limit on team size or age of participants. Arrive early to grab a good spot. |
| Flip Factory | Flip Factory Zone is a massive indoor entertainment center in Gainesville, FL, featuring trampolines, laser tag, a ninja course, an arcade, bumper cars, rock climbing, and more. Great for all ages, birthday parties, and group events. | $20.00 – $30.00 per person depending on the package.
$3.50 for socks
For group rates contact management@flipfactoryzone.com |
Flip Factory | 1. Reserve Tickets – Book online at flipfactoryzone.com or call 352-727-4730 for group rates (20+ people).
2. Sign Waiver – All participants must complete an e-waiver online before arrival. 3. Grip Socks – Required for trampolines & certain areas. Purchase on-site ($3.50) or trade in socks from another park for free. 4. Group Events – Contact management@flipfactoryzone.com for parties, events, and discounts. 5. What to Wear – Closed-toe shoes are required for some attractions. |
| Hatchetbury | Axe-throwing bar that serves food and drinks. | $26.95 per person w/ advanced booking
Private Groups (up to 16) for $350 Wed/Thu/Sun, $450 Fri/Sat |
The Hatchetbury | 1. Make Your Reservation: Select your preferred date and time from the online calendar.
2. VIP Room Booking: Click on the provided link to reserve the space. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. 3. Larger Groups: For groups larger than 16 people (up to 199), please inquire via email or call (352) 717-AXES to discuss accommodations and pricing. |
| Just Escaped | This is an escape room experience in Gainesville, FL, offering immersive puzzle-solving adventures for groups. They have different themed rooms with varying difficulty levels, where players must work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and escape before time runs out. It’s a great option for team-building, friends, or family outings. | $22.50 + per person depending on how many people you have, how much time you want, and if you want to include food and drinks. | Just Escaped | 1. Online Booking: Select between different event types that are available. Then choose which room you wat to escape from. After selecting a room, pick your preferred date and time.
2. Participant Details: Provide the number of participants and any additional required details. 3. Complete Payment and Enjoy: Follow the prompts to finalize your booking and make sure to coordinate with the staff if you are bringing snacks or drinks. |
| M2 Battlesports Laser Tag at Newberry Sports Complex | Outdoor laser tag using the most advanced laser technology and military-grade equipment to offer players a chance to experience video games in real life. | Private Session:
$430.00 for the first 20 players
Open Session: $21.50 per player |
M2 Battlesports | 1. Online Booking: Select your preferred session type and date from the available options. Booking in advance is highly recommended to secure your spot, especially for larger groups or special events.
2. Pavilion Use: Private sessions and party packages include the use of the pavilion for a set time after the game, allowing for post-game relaxation or celebrations. 3. Custom Packages: For larger groups (up to 199 players) or special requests, contact M2 Battlesports directly to arrange a customized experience. 4. Contact Information: For any questions or to further customize your event, please visit the M2 Battlesports website or contact them directly. |
| Pickleball “Dink & Drink” at Alachua County Sports Center | Open indoor pickleball courts on select Friday evenings from 6-9pm.
· 2-for-1 draft beers, $5 cocktails, and free popcorn. |
$10 per person | Alachua County Sports | 1. Check Dink & Drink calendar on website
2. Reach out to Mary Rossow, the Pickleball Coordinator, with questions: Mary@RADDSports.com |
| Pinspiration | Enjoy a crafting session with all supplies, tutorials, and refreshments provided! | $30+ per person (depending on project) | Pinspiration | 1. Attendees can click this link and choose which project they would like to do.
2. Make a reservation by clicking Book Now, choosing Gainesville, Florida and then clicking ‘Projects.’ Select from dozens of craft options, including art, decor, gifts, and accessories, with each person choosing their own unique project. |
| Pinspiration Splatter Room | Splatter paint on canvases in a mess-free environment while enjoying snacks and drinks. | $22 per person | Splatter Room | 1. Make a reservation by clicking Book Now, choosing Gainesville, Florida and then selecting ‘Splatter Room.’
2. Suit up in provided protective gear, including goggles, shower caps, booties, and coveralls. After your session, take home your masterpiece! |
| Stage 7 Karaoke | Stage 7 Karaoke offers private-room karaoke for 16-30 people per group. | Sun-Thu: $90/hr for the entire room
Fri-Sat: $120/hr for the entire room |
Stage 7 Gainesville | 1. Reservations: Fill out the online request form to initiate the booking process. Note that submitting this form does not guarantee a room. You will receive a confirmation email if your reservation is approved.
2. For smaller groups (<16 people): Sun-Thu: $6 per person per hour, Fri-Sat: $8 per person per hour. |
| Theatre (film) | The Hippodrome first-run foreign and avant-garde films, and showcases local art. | $10-12 per person | The Hippodrome Theatre | 1. Check the website for current shows and to reserve tickets for public showings.
2. Contact gabby@thehipp.org to book a private viewing part
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