As someone who doesn’t really drink much these days unless it’s a fun daytime cocktail on a perfect sunny afternoon, heading out for a drink or dinner as a first date is not something I’m super excited about. Sure dinner is great I suppose and you don’t HAVE to drink, but I think there’s something to be said about a fun date activity instead of just spending money on food and drinks.
It got me thinking. What are some fun date night ideas that aren’t just making a reservation at a restaurant, or a first date that’s just grabbing a drink. This is typically my default especially for those first Bumble dates. So in an effort to get out of my own first drink date habit, here are a few fun ideas to make your date nights a little more exciting!
Date Ideas That Aren’t Dinner
A Cooking Class
I actually have a funny story about this one. I was dating a guy who wanted to surprise me with a date night on a Saturday night. I asked what to wear so I’m prepared, it was a Saturday night after all. I can’t recall exactly what he said but when I was wearing jeans and a tee he basically was like no not that, like your typical date outfit. Okay, I can work with that. I show up in a cute mini dres, low cut, high heels, ready to hit the town.
Do you know where our date was? At the Cooks Warehouse store in the mall. It was a cooking class. I looked like a hooker. Everyone was in jeans and a t-shirt because they were getting ready to get messy in the kitchen.
I digress. It was in fact a really fun date. We had a great meal, learned some new cooking skills, and I would highly suggest it as a way to spend an evening. You can even bring a bottle of wine typically to these if you do want to have a glass with your date!
And unfortunately, I did dump him that night…
Either way, cooking classes, or baking classes, can be really fun! I took a croissant making class once with a friend and it was such a fun activity and we went home with a dozen croissants to bake off on our own.
These are interactive dates that also take the pressure off when you’re in the beginning stages of dating. But are also really fun to reignite some fun between one another no matter how many years you’ve been together.
An Art Class
There are so many fun art classes you can take. And while a sip and stroke is fun, there are other options out there. From pottery classes to photography or painting, there are lots of options that are popping up around here.
Trivia Night
While this can still include dinner, many places, bars or restaurants do trivia nights. They are such a fun way to get to know someone too. These last a few hours and honestly keeps the conversation going instantly with all the trivia you have to discuss.
Topgolf
Topgolf is a fun driving range experience where you can also get food and drinks if you like. But it’s a physical activity that keeps you moving and trading off. No Topgolf near you? Just head to a driving range with a bucket of balls. This is really such a fun thing to do!
Or you can also play a Par 3 course for a quick golf game. Mini golf is always an option, but I think Par 3 courses are a bit more fun!
Arcade
I feel like arcade bars are popping up in every city. A room full of fun arcade games from the 80s and 90s. Play a few games and loser pays for the next date!
Take A Dance Class
A very sensual date you can take is a dance class. Whether it’s salsa, square dancing or the fox trot, this is a really fun way to show off your dance moves!
Comedy Show
My preferred date is to go to ao comedy show. You are guaranteed a good time even if your date sucks. Even just open mic nights can be really fun and entertaining.
Bowling
Why did we stop bowling? This was such a fun activity as kids and someone always had a birthday party at a bowling alley. It’s fun, competitive, but no one expects you to be any good at it either.
Go Cart Racing
Feel like a kid again driving around in go carts. And bonus points that you don’t have to speak to one another half the date. It’s a win in my book.
Visit A Farmer’s Market
Get your groceries done while supporting local farmers AND knocking out that first date. A win if you ask me. Farmer’s markets keep you moving, and talking, and you can totally get a bite to eat while strolling through.
There are really so many ideas to get out of the usual dinner and a movie, or let’s grab a drink. Which of these fun non-dinner date ideas will you be trying?
