Choose an activity that leaves room to talk
A friends' outing doesn't need a late finish. A daytime exhibition, a garden visit or a coastal meal can give the group something to share without building the whole plan around nightlife. Start with the kind of conversation you want to have.
If the group hasn't met in months, leave more time for the meal than for moving between venues.
Pick one common commitment
Ask everyone to agree to one place and one arrival window. An optional activity afterwards is easier than a chain of bookings that requires the full group to stay together.
For an art-focused option, check the current programme at Nubuke Foundation. For a beach meal, confirm the exact venue rather than naming only the beach.
Let the budget be ordinary conversation
Set a range before choosing a location and explain what each person will pay for. Shared transport, entry and food should be visible as separate costs. Nobody should discover a minimum spend after arriving.
Choose a finish time that makes the next day easy. A good catch-up can end before everyone is tired. Save the more ambitious idea for another meeting instead of turning this one into a test of endurance.