One of the Most Fun Things to Do in Arlington, VA
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As someone who enjoys exploring, both locally and farther away, I love being able to share my finds with others. But sometimes it’s hard to think of a new and exciting place to take visiting family or friends for happy hour. Which is why I’m so excited about discovering some of the most fun things to do in Arlington, VA are at Punch Bowl Social!
Thank you! I would like to thank Punch Bowl Social for their partnership and hosting my first visit. All opinions are 100% from my own experiences.
Punch Bowl Social has numerous locations around the country, but I admit I did not get the full appeal until I visited recently. But now I am obsessed! It is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Arlington, VA for pretty much any occasion you can think of. Sunday brunch, happy hour, girls’ night out, a birthday celebration, and even a holiday party all would work at Punch Bowl Social.
Punch Bowl Social
Punch Bowl Social is located in the popular Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, right next to Ballston Quarter. There is limited street parking available, and the Ballston metro stop is very close. There are 3 floors to enjoy, including 4 bars and 2 patios.
Each floor has a different vibe, depending on whether you want to sit back and relax or get your game on. There is also a diner (reservations of up to 8 people) if you are only interested in grabbing a bite to eat before exploring what else Ballston has to offer. I’ll definitely be checking this part out at brunch soon.
Activities
The main reason that Punch Bowl Social is one of the most fun things to do in Arlington, VA has to be all the different activities. I can’t possibly mention them all in this post and keep your attention, so I’ll just highlight my personal favorites.
- Bowling and mini bowling
- Punch Bowl Social has 4 bowling lanes, plus 2 mini bowling lanes on the 2nd floor and 2 more on the 3rd. These are probably the most popular attraction here, so reservations are recommended in advance.
- Bocce Ball
- The Bocce Ball court is located in my favorite part of Punch Bowl Social, a patio with lounge chairs, great views of Ballston, and picturesque outdoor lighting. In great weather, you can find me here!
- Arcade
- The arcade definitely brought back some childhood memories, especially the pinball machine. There were 6 games in the designated Arcade area, plus many other games spread throughout the 3 floors.
There are also 4 dart boards, 3 skeeball lanes, 2 karaoke rooms, giant Jenga, giant Scrabble, giant Connect4, cornhole, foosball, and a photo booth.
Menu
Food
You know the food is always a top priority for me, so I’m glad to say it was delicious here. Although the Let’s Taco ‘Bout It bar is the most popular package, I was able to try the Superfood Sensation event package during my visit, and here were my favorites:
- Parmesan, herb-crusted chicken
- Roasted root vegetables
- Cupcake bites
Drinks
The cocktails, of course, include some signature punches, including my personal favorite, I’m on a Whiskey Diet. And, if you visit during Happy Hour (Mon-Thurs. 4-6 pm), the featured punch and other drinks are only $5. Punch Bowl Social also has the typical crowd pleasing beer, wine, and classic cocktails.
Large Group Capacity
When I visited, there were numerous large groups that had reserved certain areas of the venue. Which made me think how perfect Punch Bowl Social would be for a corporate party, bridal shower, or even just a big birthday bash.
In addition to the bowling and bocce I already mentioned, here are some of the space options. There are many other options I couldn’t fit into this post, and you can also combine the spaces in different ways to accommodate different group sizes, including full level buyouts.
Level 1
The Social Lounge *Up to 20 Guests Reception*
There are 3 cocktail tables with 3 seats each, several lounge couches, and small side tables.
Level 2
Camp Lounge *Up to 35 Guests Reception*
This space offers a private karaoke room, giant scrabble, ping-pong table, and a pair of mini bowling lanes. This space offers mix and mingle style drink rails and lounge furniture.
Holiday Lodge *Up to 40 Guests Reception*
This space offers a cozy fireplace with lounge seating and small side tables. The Holiday Lodge boasts floor to ceiling windows overlooking Wilson BLVD. This space has 1 TV.
Level 3
Two Mini Bowling Lanes *Up to 15 Guests Reception, 12 Bowlers*
This space offers two small lounge couches and several small side tables as well as 3 high-top cocktail tables.
Two Darts Lounges *Up to 10 Guests Reception*
These Dart Lounges offer lounge seating, and 2 dart boards each.
Diner Patio + Cornhole *Up to 50 Guests Reception*
Located on Level 3, this space offers several tables and one set on Cornhole.
If you’re interested in reserving space, reach out to Carlos Aguilera, Punch Bowl Social’s Event Sales Manager. He is so great and will help make your event wonderful!
I hope that I’ve convinced you that one of the most fun things to do in Arlington, VA is an outing to Punch Bowl Social. What activity would you try first? Let me know in the comments! And for other fun things to do in the DC area, check out some of my other DC posts.
16 Comments
Sandi
I love Arlington, VA is such a pretty state.
Marianne
What a great place! Looks like a lot of fun too. I have never heard of Punch Bowl Social Bars, but may have to keep my eyes open for them.