Hey neighbor!

Happy Tuesday! Whether you're looking for a spontaneous date night tonight or planning ahead for the weekend, I've got you covered.

Today's edition includes two date night spots you can book last-minute, a couple of events coming up this week, a local coffee roaster with two Gwinnett locations, a Gwinnett business spotlight, and a hidden resource from one of our cities.

Let's dive in.

📍 55 E Main Street, Buford (Historic Downtown) ⏰ Mon-Thu 11am-9pm | Fri 11am-10pm | Sat 10am-10pm | Sun 10am-9pm 📞 770-271-3000

Looking for a romantic dinner tonight? Aqua Terra Bistro has been a Gwinnett favorite for over 25 years — and has been voted Most Romantic Restaurant in Gwinnett since 2002.

This bohemian, award-winning spot in historic downtown Buford serves eclectic American cuisine with European fusion influences. Think seared scallops, char-grilled filet mignon, duck, lamb, and fresh seafood — all in a warm, art-filled atmosphere decorated by local artists.

The open kitchen adds energy, and the attentive staff makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. They also do weekend brunch (Sat & Sun starting at 10am) if you want to make it a daytime date.

Pro tip: They host wine dinners once a month and have private event spaces if you're planning something special.

👉 aquaterrabistro.com

📍 37 E Main Street, Buford (Historic Downtown) ⏰ Thu 5pm-12am | Fri-Sat 7pm-1am 📞 678-288-2030

Looking for somewhere lively tonight? 37 Main is Buford's original live music restaurant and rock 'n roll bar — and it's been a local favorite since 2008.

This isn't your average bar. It's a full-on experience: live music every week (tribute bands, dueling pianos on Thursdays, local acts), great food (Kansas City sirloin, bourbon glazed bacon shrimp, wings, burgers, creative small plates), and a basement dance club with DJs spinning 80s, 90s, and 2000s grooves.

The vibe? Think classic rock meets gastropub — lively enough for a night out with friends, intimate enough for a fun date. The food is legitimately good (even some Grammy-winning artists have dined here!), and they've got a solid selection of craft beer brewed right here in Georgia.

Pro tip: Thursday nights feature The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos — interactive, hilarious, and perfect for a group. Most shows are 21+, but all ages are welcome earlier in the evening.

Ticket prices for shows average around $20-25 — very affordable for a night of dinner and live entertainment.

👉 37main.com

🏒 Atlanta Gladiators Hockey — Gas South Arena, Duluth

Affordable, family-friendly pro hockey right here in Gwinnett. Tickets start around $20-25. Great energy, fun atmosphere, and a perfect way to spend the holiday weekend.

📍 Gas South Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth 👉 atlantagladiators.com

❤️ Make Valentine's Day Boxes & Love Letters — Plaza Las Americas, Lilburn

Get a head start on Valentine's Day! This free craft event at Plaza Las Americas lets you create Valentine's Day boxes and love letters. Perfect for kids or anyone who loves a creative project.

📍 733 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn 👉 Check Plaza Las Americas Facebook for registration details

Sometimes you need a good cup of coffee and a moment to slow down. Break Coffee Roasters was founded right here in Gwinnett with exactly that mission — to give people "an exceptional break in their day."

They roast their own beans on-site, and 10% of their coffee bean sales go back to the communities they source from. Whether you're grabbing a pour-over, an espresso, or one of their signature lattes (try the orange lavender!), you're supporting a local business with heart.

Both locations have great natural light, cozy vibes, and plenty of space to work or catch up with a friend.

👉 breakroasters.com

If you're a small business owner in Gwinnett who's been putting off getting a professional website — or you've tried the DIY route and it didn't turn out quite right — meet Recio Services.

This Georgia-based website design company specializes in affordable, professional websites for small businesses. What makes them different? They actually design your website for FREE before you pay a dime. That way, you know exactly what you're getting and can make sure you're 100% satisfied before committing.

What they offer: ✅ Professional, modern design ✅ Mobile-friendly sites ✅ Search engine optimization (SEO) ✅ Hosting, updates, and support included ✅ Go live in as little as one week

They understand that small business owners have limited time and budgets — so they've built their whole model around making quality web design accessible.

📞 678-670-4168 📧 [email protected] 👉 recioservices.com

If you live in Sugar Hill (or are a Sugar Hill Natural Gas customer), here's something you might not know: the E Center gym is FREE for you.

Located at 5009 West Broad Street in downtown Sugar Hill, the E Center includes:

✅ Basketball court (also striped for volleyball and pickleball) ✅ Indoor six-layer padded walking/running track ✅ Treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, row machines ✅ Free weights and multi-use strength gym ✅ Fitness classes (yoga, Zumba, karate, dance, and more)

Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-9pm | Sun 12pm-6pm

Cost:

To register, visit CityofSugarHill.com/recreation or stop by the E Center in person. Bring proof of residency (like a gas bill) to get your free access card.

📍 5009 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill 📞 770-831-7413 👉 cityofsugarhill.com/parks-recreation

Resources that have impacted my new year lately:

Text someone you haven't talked to in a while and tell them you're thinking about them.

It takes 30 seconds. It might make their whole day.

Have a great week, neighbor.

— Gus Your neighbor at Gwinnett Best

Know someone who lives in Gwinnett? Forward this email to them — they'll thank you.

*Disclaimer: This email contains affiliate links, and we may earn commissions if you click through and make a purchase and does not affect you in anyway.