The Final Single Mingle!

By Gina Valencia

Before the Big Day, you gotta have that Big Night. I’m talking about the bachelor/bachelorette party! Forget the days of seedy strip joints and wasted nights. Get creative with a uniquely Long Beach experience and enjoy a night (or day) celebrating life’s new chapter. 

1. Sail Away

Pack a (cheese filled!) beautifully curated charcuterie board from Charcuterie by Chrissy or Fior Di Latte, hop aboard a Duffy boat from London Boat Rentals or Anchors Away, charge the speaker, and enjoy the perks of being at a beach city. Or step into a Gondola Getaway gondola over at Horny Corner for a more intimate glide through the Naples Canals. If you’re looking for the party, be the party! Splurge on a luxury party boat with Boat & Bottle and live out your champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Want something less Enya-ambiance and more Deadliest Catch-adventure? Head to the open sea with fishing tackle and a cooler full of drinks aboard a fishing boat by Breakwall Fishing Charters. Ahoy matey!

Charcuterie by Chrissy |@charcuteriebychrissy | (562) 527-6659

Fior Di Latte | 4150 McGowen St, 90808 | (562) 230-1496 | Fiordilatte.shop | @fiordilatte.cheeseshop

London Boat Rental | 186 N Marina Dr, 90803 | (562) 583-2957 | Londonboatrentals.com | @londonboatrentals

Anchors Away | 6272 E. PCH, 90803 | (949) 438-3607 | Anchorsawayboatrental.com | @anchorsawayboatrental

Gondola Getaway | 5437 E Ocean Blvd, 90803 | (562) 433-9595 | Gondolagetawayinc.com | @gondolagetaway

Boat & Bottle | (562) 625-4040 | Boatandbottle.com

Breakwall Fishing Charters | 200 Aquarium Way, 90802 | (714) 404-9563 | Breakwallfishing.com | breakwallfishinginc

2. Vegas Vibes

Dress to the nines, rent a ride from Relentless Limos, pick up the friends, and head to downtown Long Beach for dinner at Padre restaurant for some citrus-marinated carne asada, then head upstairs to Mezcalero for dancing and cocktails. Or dine on tapas at Café Sevilla and enjoy live flamenco music and dancing. Looking for something a little more... Vegas-y? Head over to Harvelle’s for one of their burlesque shows, or to The Gaslamp on PCH where you can dance the night away to live music.

Whether you and your crew want to arrive in a stretched Hummer limo, shuttle bus, or a classy party bus complete with disco lights (and maybe a party pole...), Relentless Limo in Long Beach has a fleet of luxury vehicles to drive you around in style, and they provide complimentary non-alcoholic drinks.

Relentless Limo | Relentlesslimo.com | (888) 560-8242 | @relentlesslimodtcom

Padre Restaurant | 525 E. Broadway, 90802 | (562) 612-4951 | Padrelongbeach.com | @padrelbc

Mezcalero (above Padre) | (562) 612-4951 | Mezcalerolbc.com | @mezcalerolbc

Café Sevilla | 140 Pine Ave, 90802 | (562) 495-1111 | Cafesevilla.com | @sevillalb

Harvelle’s | 201 E. Broadway, 90802 | (310) 426-8205 | Longbeach.harvelles.com | @harvelleslb

The Gaslamp | 6251 E. PCH, 90803 | (562) 596-4718 | gaslamplongbeach.com | @gaslamplb

3. Beachfront Bar Crawl/Party Bus

Don’t miss the bus! Guaranteed a good time while someone else is behind the wheel, the Big Red Bus is the perfect way to drive into life’s new chapter. Celebrate with friends on a double decker bus driving along the coast from Long Beach to Orange County, and wave to the people on sidewalks who always think, “Ahhhh, I wish I was on there too.”  The price includes either the open-air double-decker, the closed-top double-decker, or their classic trolley, as well as an event host who will help plan the perfect celebration. They offer packages with suggested bars and restaurants, or you can build your own, so whether you’re driving “uptown, downtown, everybody’s getting down.”

Big Red Bus | (562) 852-9888 | Bigredbus.com | @bigredbuslb

4. Relax & Unwind

It is usually at the precipice of a big life change, like marriage, that makes one pause to reflect on the moment, in the moment. These are the times to recognize the importance of taking care of oneself so that we can be the best we can be to our partners and loved ones. A get-together at one of the city’s spas will prepare you to make that luminous entrance you’re obsessing over. Meet up at Human Aeon, a “wellness sanctuary” offering steam and infrared saunas, guided breathwork, and meditation, as well as jacuzzi/cold plunge contrast therapy that will assure a memorable time. Or head to Bliss on Broadway for massages or mani/pedis in their private courtyard garden while sharing stories with your best friends.

Human Aeon | 121 Belmont Ave, 90803 | (562) 476-9989 | Humanaeon.org | @humanaeon

Bliss On Broadway | 4032 E. Broadway, 90803 | (562) 439-4333 | Blissonbroadway.com | @blissonbroadway

5. So Sophisticated

There’s something about marriage that makes you realize you’re a grown-up. And a true grown-up would have a party, not at any ‘joint,’ but in a lounge. Meet up at Angel’s Share Whiskey Lounge to try a signature Old Fashioned like their Good Intentions, because we always want to start the night that way. Stay for the Whiskey Ribeye topped with a whiskey glaze, and for dessert, try their whiskey affogato.

For a confident boss move, stroll on down to Don Lupe Cigar Lounge and “have a taste of the good life.” Sit back in one of the cushioned seats and puff on a premium cigar from their “large, first-class collection.” It’s a place to relax, catch a game on one of their large screen TVs and get ready for the big day. Besides, any person given the title ‘Don’ in any culture, knows his stuff.

Angel’s Share Whiskey Lounge | 5110 2nd St, 90803 | (562) 588-9092 | Angelssharelb.com

Don Lupe Cigar Lounge | 5305 E. 2nd St, Suite 101, 90803 | (562) 438-5069 | Cigarslongbeach.com