Brunches, Lunches, and Matinees

I used to think my sixty-five-year-old cousins Harriet and Willy were the poster symbols for “early bird” specials. Whenever my husband and I visited, they’d suggest meeting for a 4 o’clock dinner—armed with a stack of coupons and always leaving with a plastic bag of leftovers for the next day, including mustard and ketchup packets from the table.

They knew every brunch buffet or Chinese buffet near them. And miraculously, always presented coupons at the checkout. We’d meet them for breakfast at the diner or lunch at the deli, where they found great pleasure in the menu options priced so they could “treat.”

As a young couple, we used to laugh about their habits, thinking they were “getting older, becoming quirky, coupon-clipping characters.”

When I’d run into the bagel shop for a dozen bagels for the office, I’d see the gang of five older gents sitting schmoozing over their coffee and bagel. They were at the same table every time I walked in. Over time, I’d realize one of them was not there anymore, but it didn’t stop the laughter and the “How about those Twins?” conversations. I just thought it was cute.

One winter in 1980, we visited Harriet and Willy in Florida. They wanted us to go to a movie in the afternoon. I admit that wasn’t appealing. I always thought of matinees for grey-haired adults. I remember this because when the movie paused for a bathroom intermission, I chuckled to myself—thinking this was truly “an old folks outing.”

Well… now I get it. What I once found amusing I now see as a preferred choice.

By the time evening rolls around, I’m ready to relax, do my puzzle, and enjoy a quiet night at home. Being single now, I’m finding evenings to myself are a gift I hesitate to share. Yet I love great meals with friends, brilliant entertainment, and changes of scenery, if I have energy to enjoy them. This is where the shift in social hours becomes important to consider to keep the things that make you happy.

It’s changing the script we have used for years. For example, instead of “Let’s go to a movie and dinner,” try “Let’s go to lunch and a matinee.” And there are many options to do that.

These days, what used to be called “early bird specials” are now called “Happy Hours,” offering a variety of beverages and perfectly sized small plates that are affordable. And the best part is that you can get home before dark.

I gave up 7:30 breakfast meetings long ago. No one wants to be with me at that time of day, nor can I get myself together by then. But a 10 o’clock coffee at a cute coffee shop, especially one with delectable pastries, will get me going. The trick is getting there before the laptops appear and finding a place where you and a friend or two can sit and catch up. Coffee shops are treasures even if you don’t drink coffee.

As a movie and theater lover, it was an adjustment to think of a matinee as a “special” event. But I’m over it. Many times I’d drift off in a dark theater during evening performances and wasn’t alone. I’d glance over and see my companions nodding off, too. As one friend cheerfully admitted, “I took a little shluffy.” Another asked, “When did that character arrive? I must have dozed off.” Unlike when we’re at home streaming movies, there’s no rewind button to fill in the gaps.

Matinees solve the problem. Why fight it? Nearly every fine theater offers them, and movie theaters certainly do.

It’s socializing smartly—and it’s a growing trend led by seniors. Think bright brunches with friends, leisurely lunches full of laughter, or even a weekday matinee where you have the best pick of seats—and you’re out in time for a cozy evening at home.

There are good reasons why older adults benefit from daytime gatherings. The National Institute on Aging points out that maintaining social connections is one of the top predictors of good health, but late-evening activities can disrupt sleep patterns that naturally shift earlier as we age. A study in the journal Sleep Health found that for older adults, late-night activities can raise the stress hormone cortisol just when we’re trying to relax. Add a glass of wine or two, and it’s a recipe for sleeplessness.

And digestion? The Mayo Clinic reminds us that as we age, digestion naturally slows. Eating late at night can worsen acid reflux, interfere with sleep, and disrupt metabolism. Studies in the British Journal of Nutrition show that eating earlier in the day improves metabolism and blood sugar control.

Since the pandemic, restaurants have leaned into daytime dining. That’s good news since they now offer lighter menus, lower prices, and calmer atmospheres—making it the perfect time to gather with friends without the hassle of evening crowds or the pressure to dress up.

But you don’t have to give up fine dining in the afternoon. Lunch is stepping into the spotlight as the “New dinner.” Some of the most sought-after restaurants are adjusting their hours and serving exquisite menus for those times you want to live it up.

I’ve become more creative since alcohol no longer agrees with me, and Happy Hours tempt me to have a glass of wine. It’s a Happy Afternoon Tea. While not the Ritz, it feels special. I found fancy yet affordable teacups and a decorative three-tiered serving tray. Then I made small finger sandwiches, bought little scones, and dolloped cream cheese on cucumber slices. It created a festive atmosphere as my friends laughed, talked, and headed home before dark.

That brings me to another reason older adults should consider socializing earlier in the day: safety. Daytime events reduce the challenges of driving at night and navigating large crowds and often provide better parking options. It’s one less worry when venturing out.

And let’s not ignore the economics. Lunch is often half the price of dinner at the same restaurant. Coffee or tea is cheaper still, and nobody minds if you linger. There’s been significant growth in brunching, too—why not combine two meals into one and stretch your dollars? In today’s economy, those savings matter.

Here’s the bottom line: we don’t have to stop socializing as long as we get smarter about it and make those choices that get us in our pajamas by nine.

In the end, it’s the little adjustments that help us live the best years of our lives.