If you’re looking for Atlanta date night ideas, whether it’s for a first date or to mix up your normal date night routine, there’s no shortage of fun and romantic things to do! These ideas are grouped based on the type of date you’re looking to plan:
- Dinner and Drinks Date Night Ideas in Atlanta
- Creative Atlanta Date Night Ideas
- Activity-based Atlanta Date Night Ideas
There are so many more amazing date options in Atlanta, but this list features the most fail-proof date ideas that are sure to help you impress, whether it’s your first date or just your weekly date night!
Dinner and Drinks Date Night Ideas in Atlanta
If you’re looking for the perfect Atlanta date night idea to wine and dine your date for the evening, these spots are a great choice.
Drinks at Le Colonial
While you can absolutely make reservations to eat at Le Colonial, their lounge is the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks and appetizers. Featuring intimate lighting and lush greenery, it’s a romantic environment to start your date night.
If you go from 5-7 pm, all of the drinks and appetizers are only $8, compared to their usual price of $18. I highly recommend their Lychee Martini and the Dumplings.
Dinner at The White Bull
If you’re more in the mood for Italian, The White Bull has some of the best pasta in Atlanta. Part of The Porchetta Group that also owns Grana and as of recent, Bastone, this Decatur restaurant has delicious food and drinks. Their vermouth flight is a great option if you’re looking to try something new!
Dinner at Lucian Books and Wine
Lucian is a relatively new addition to the Buckhead roster of restaurants and has a unique concept that you can’t find anywhere else in Atlanta. It’s a small space but features a beautiful interior with excellent attention to detail that makes it stand out.
Their dishes are small and always changing, but cooked impeccably. You can enjoy vermouth or a glass of wine while browsing their unique and rotating selection of books.
Dinner at Aria
One of Atlanta’s top restaurants for fine dining, Aria features a romantic ambiance and a regularly-changing menu that is guaranteed to impress. Additionally, they have an award-winning wine list and excellent service to ensure that you have a wonderful and elevated date night.
Dinner or drinks at The Garden Room
For dinner or pre-dinner drinks with a wow factor, try The Garden Room. You are unlikely to find a place more beautiful to have your Atlanta date night anywhere in the city. However, it is not the most intimate or romantic environment because of how popular and busy it can be. This makes it great for pre-dinner drinks or for a more lively date night.
Creative Atlanta Date Night Ideas
Make your date night a little more cultured or hands-on with one of these art-focused date night ideas!
Immersive Experience at Illuminarium
This experience uses 4K interactive projection, 360° audio, in-floor vibrations, and scent systems, to give you and your date a “cinematic immersion like never before.” Additionally, from Thursday to Sunday starting at 7 pm, they sell separate tickets for Illuminarium “After Dark,” which is 21+. The After Dark experience includes a DJ and a full bar, with small bites for sale.
Illuminarium currently has Space, Safari, and Georgia O’Keefe-themed exhibitions.
Jazz Night at The High Museum of Art
One Friday a month, The High Museum of Art hosts jazz musicians and opens its doors to all Atlanta jazz and art lovers. Tickets are $15 a piece and give you access to the entire museum, with that month’s jazz in the background. There are also drinks for sale – this is a great way to start your date before heading to dinner!
For more details, you can read my full guide and review of Jazz Night at The High.
A Cooking or Wine Class at Vino Venue
If you’re looking to get a little more hands-on with your date but can’t give up dinner – try a cooking class! Vino Venue has a bunch of options for both cooking and wine classes of all levels. From learning about Chardonnay to exploring specifically Greek wines, wine and cheese pairings, or even cooking the perfect steak, there are options for absolutely everyone.
While these classes run the gamut when it comes to pricing, if you’re a little more serious with your date (or just have the money to spend), this is a fun date idea that can bring you closer together.
A Splatter Session at Splatter Studio
Ready to get messy? A splatter session is a perfect way to spend an afternoon with someone new you’re dating (or your partner!). With locations in Sandy Springs and Virginia Highlands, Splatter Studio is a fun and convenient date option whether you’re ITP or OTP.
All materials are provided (including a paint poncho and shoe covers!) so you can splatter away and then take your 16×20 inch painting home to commemorate your amazing date!
Picnic in Piedmont Park
A classic, tried-and-true Atlanta date. Especially as the temperatures warm up, this is a perfect laid-back date. Grab your favorite picnic blanket, lots of snacks, a bottle of wine, and set yourself up on top of Oak Hill to watch the sunset. You can’t go wrong!
Activity-based Atlanta Date Night Ideas
For the lovers who can’t sit still, turn your next date into an action-packed activity.
Mini Golf at Puttshack
A little friendly competition and flirtin’ never hurt anybody! Puttshack offers an elevated mini-golf experience in their modern, neon-lit space filled. When you’re done playing mini-golf, there are tons of other arcade games for you to explore.
Drinks and Games on Ponce City Roof
For a less intense environment for arcade games and mini-golf, Ponce City Roof is the spot in the summer. With great views, drinks, and plenty of spots to sit when you’re not playing, going here for a date is fun and lets you go at your own pace. In the winter, you can go ice skating or rent an igloo!
A Comedy Show at Laughing Skull Lounge
If you’ve ever passed by the bizarre exterior of The Vortex or eaten inside, you should also try attending one of their comedy shows at the Laughing Skull Lounge. Unless you already know your date well, this may not be the best first date option – Stand Up is not everyone’s cup of tea. But, if you’re both comedy lovers, try this out for a break from your normal date night routine.
An Improv Comedy Show at Dad’s Garage
Whether you’re a theater buff or are entirely new to the concept of improv, the comedy shows at Dad’s Garage are a great way to get comfortable with your date. Located right near the Beltline, you can go for a stroll and grab drinks before your show!
Walk on the Beltline and get drinks
The Beltline is a great, casual date that can be done day or night and gives you lots of options for food and drink. While I don’t recommend going in the middle of the day in the height of Georgian summer unless you want to be excessively sweaty, a spring or fall day, or summer evening, is perfect. This is also an excellent group date option!
If you’re up for a walk, you can make your way from Ladybird to New Realm before hitting Ponce City Market and then stop at Buena Vida Tapas on your way back for dinner!
There’s no shortage of amazing spots for a first or hundredth date in Atlanta! Whether you want to go upscale, casual, or exciting, there’s an option that will suit everyone’s tastes.
