Pre-retirement: Any suggestions on night time activity?

[JerseyGirl.Blue]

Hello All,
My husband and & along with our crazy dog just moved here from NJ in March. When we came down about 5 years ago, our intention was to check out The Villages and to make our friends happy since they want to retire here. Well, we fell in love with just about everything, however, we are far from actual retirement and consider this time a trial run/pre-retirement!
Most of the activities are during the day with most entertainment in the evening. Can anyone point us in the right direction for evening & early night time activities other than movies, shows, music? :shrug:
Any input is appreciated.

[golfing eagles]

Let me be the first to welcome you and your first post---I think you'll find you made a great decision. I get to retire in 5 weeks, sell my house in NY , and move in later this year.
As far as "nightlife" goes, things in TV tend to quiet down by about 9, much unlike the NYC area. When you exclude music, shows, and movies, I have to ask what you do at night in NJ?. I have never been to Katie Belle's, but a lot of villagers love it. If you like eating a bit later, a lot of the crowds at restaurants have cleared out by 7:30-8. I'm about as young as I can be to qualify to live in TV, but even now most of my evening activity outside of the three mentioned would be some dinner parties and card games, I'm past the time of staying out to 3 AM at clubs. There will be better replies from residents who have lived here for years forthcoming, I'm sure.
BTW, love the Mets logo--I essentially grew up with them, saw my first game when the played at the polo grounds, followed the 1969 season with great enthusiasm, and Mr. Mets even appeared at my nephew's wedding reception.
Good luck with the new chapter in your lives.

[JerseyGirl.Blue]

Well, I guess at night in NJ was about the same. Looking for those card game groups, or late day tennis, pickleball, maybe ping pong? Since we are also just at the age to be young enough to qualify living here and are working during the day. I'm sure in time we will settle right in and find just the right things to do.
My husband starting watching the Mets in their early years and he chose them cause they were the underdog and he loved Mr Met! We traded in a flat bed truck for a "Smart" car which is perfect for getting around and have added all the "Mets decals"!
Happy retirement!

[obxgal]

If you like to bowl there are 2 alleys in Spanish springs. Here's the website.

Home | The Villages Bowling (http://thevillagesbowling.com/)

Most the rec centers have pool tables, and pickleball courts. We've played ping pong at Colony rec center.

[stroglass]

Welcome to the villages/we moved here about a year ago from NJ and we are also die hard Mets fans.
We have some clubs that meet the evening and the classic rock club has dance once month @ Laurel manor. many clubs have parties in the evening hrs but thing end around 10pm .Once you have made friend there are all kinds of house parties get togeathers for games cards ect

[l2ridehd]

Many rec centers have pool tables, bridge games, neighborhood poker games, there is a trivia group that meets evenings, classes, wine making, beer making, cooking lessons, progressive dinners, and I am sure many other things. Get the rec center news, college of LLL catalog, organize something you enjoy and I am sure you can stay more busy than you want.

[bookseller61]

Let's Go Mets

[Bogie Shooter]

Let me be the first to welcome you and your first post---I think you'll find you made a great decision. I get to retire in 5 weeks, sell my house in NY , and move in later this year.
As far as "nightlife" goes, things in TV tend to quiet down by about 9, much unlike the NYC area. When you exclude music, shows, and movies, I have to ask what you do at night in NJ?. I have never been to Katie Belle's, but a lot of villagers love it. If you like eating a bit later, a lot of the crowds at restaurants have cleared out by 7:30-8. I'm about as young as I can be to qualify to live in TV, but even now most of my evening activity outside of the three mentioned would be some dinner parties and card games, I'm past the time of staying out to 3 AM at clubs. There will be better replies from residents who have lived here for years forthcoming, I'm sure.
BTW, love the Mets logo--I essentially grew up with them, saw my first game when the played at the polo grounds, followed the 1969 season with great enthusiasm, and Mr. Mets even appeared at my nephew's wedding reception.
Good luck with the new chapter in your lives.

Katie Belle's is closed for remodeling.

[rosygail]

Start ballroom dancing. There are opportunities almost every evening and most are free.

[John_W]

Have you looked at The Villages Community Calendar, at the link just enter the date and scroll down, it contains a lot of activities. https://www.thevillages.com/calendar/

Since you're into sports, MVP Health Club at Brownwood is open until 8pm Mon - Thur, and Fri - Sun until about 6pm. Brownwood Paddock Square | MVP Sports Clubs (http://www.mvpsportsclubs.com/florida-the-villages-mvp-athletic-club-brownwood)

[JerseyGirl.Blue]

Thank you all for your comments & suggestions.. Sounds like there are many things to choose from in the evenings, I will take a look at the calendar.. Wine making sounds interesting, and I always wanted to try Ballroom dancing, but my husband does not!
Night all, tomorrow is another day!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Their are a lot of billiard leagues. Some of them, like the one at La Hacienda on Wednesday nights at 6:00 is open. You just show up, pay a dollar and you get set up with a partner. There are some good players and a lot of mediocre players and several beginners. It's more of a social engagement than a real competition. You'll meet a lot of nice people and get introduced to a fun game if you don't already play.
They often go to Denny's for pancakes after pool.

[steamdogman]

"Any suggestions for night time activity?" That could be a loaded question!

[Go-Bucks!]

I essentially grew up with them, saw my first game when the played at the polo grounds, followed the 1969 season with great enthusiasm, and Mr. Mets even appeared at my nephew's wedding reception.

My uncle's grandfather is the one who owned and developed the Polo Grounds! The family has quite an interesting history. He told me that he played polo while growing up and loved to play on his grandpa's fields.