Any ideas for a fun, low effort evening out in the area?

[John]

Hi everyone. Two young kids at home, a babysitter maybe twice a month, and my wife and I are tired of spending those precious evenings at the same three restaurants. We want something where we actually talk and do something together, not just stare at our phones while waiting for food. It has to be in the evening after the kids are in bed, so ideally something that starts around 7 or 8 pm. We live a few blocks from Montana Avenue, so close is better, but we can drive a bit for something good. Any ideas for a fun, low effort evening out in the area?

[Konstantin]

With limited babysitter nights, I get wanting it to count. One thing we did that felt totally different was a pottery evening with Pottery Studio 1, they have slots at 6 pm and 8 pm, so it works after bedtime. They are opening a studio in Santa Monica soon and already pitch it as a date night in Santa Monica option, so keep an eye on the opening. It is two hours, you are both at the wheel or hand-building, and you naturally end up talking and laughing the whole time. The basic couple date is $200, the version with painting and glazing is $300, and that one gives you pieces you can actually use. We made matching mugs and now drink our coffee from them every morning. One heads up, the pieces need a few weeks for firing. Does your wife like hands-on stuff?