It's been a while since you and your spouse have had a night out alone. Your family has been busy this month with school, April vacation activities, and other family fun time. It's high time to take an evening where you can relax and have an adult conversation at a grown-up restaurant.

It starts with a plan. Call your babysitter, head to town for some pre-date night items such as a manicure/pedicure, new makeup, and maybe a special date night article of clothing. While you are out buy a bottle of wine and have a glass while you prepare for your evening. You and your spouse want to dress up and shed your “parent uniforms."  You can be as dressy or as casual as you want just as long as it makes you confident and ready for a date.

Then you wave goodbye to the children and the babysitter, put your cell phone on vibrate, and head out for a nice dinner and some live music.

If you have a weeknight free, try Fat Cactus. They have country music live on Wednesday evenings and serve Mexican and American Cuisine.  

Harrington’s offers traditional Irish Music most Wednesday nights and other live music options on Fridays and Saturdays.

Friday evenings at Grumpy Doyle’s in Reading offers a variety of live music to go with its delicious Irish and American Fare.

Sushi Island boasts live jazz on both Friday and Saturday evenings.

If you want a more active date night then put on your dancing shoes and head to Cambridge. Ryle’s Jazz Club offers dinner and jazz and on Saturdays. When the clock strikes 9:45pm head upstairs and take a salsa/ swing lesson, then dance the night away at their Latin dance party. Not used to being out so late now that you are parents? No problem, Sunday evenings Ryle’s offers dinner then salsa lessons at 6 p.m. with a salsa dance party from 7-10 p.m.

No matter where you go and what type of date you choose leave your parent hat at home. This is your time to feel good, so cut loose and relax.