Dinner and a movie...
What are you, boring?
We didn't think so! Obviously, there's nothing wrong with taking someone you just met out to eat and see a film, but this isn't high school, so you really need to start shaking things up. Break free of the paradigm, y'all! Playing the field is competitive, so why not get creative with it?
To help you up your dating game, we're going to give you some out-of-left-field suggestions that are sure to give your first date a memorable edge. If you came here in search of romantic Italian restaurants and bowling alleys, look elsewhere. Scroll down and see our picks for Unique Date Spots in Austin, brought to you by Yelp.
From day dates to the best late-night desserts, Yelp helps you discover the best local gems here in Austin. So go forth, bold reviewer. Yelp Onward!
photo credit: Milonga Room
Go mystical with Tipsy Tarot at the Milonga Room
1201 E 6th St
Yes, speakeasies are an easy go-to for a more "special" date night, but the atmospheric lounge under The Buenos Aires Cafe serves a whole other level of romance. Enter into the Milonga Room and find yourself sequestered from the rest of the action on the Eastside and transported to a timeless bar that belongs in a film noir from the 40s. Then, settle in and get ready to get mystical with whimsical cocktails as your past present, and future are laid out before you with Tipsy Tarot. If the universe favors you, y'all will make it your couples story, and if not, the cocktails are fantastic.
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Photo via Dreamland Facebook
2770 W Hwy 290 Dripping Springs, TX
Now, this is what dreams are made of! If you're looking for an oasis of outdoor sports, music, stunning visual arts, diverse food, and many more, Dreamland is the place to be. Located on 64 acres in the Texas Hill Country, the new one-of-a-kind entertainment and recreation center offers mini-golf, pickleball, disc golf, and a variety of beverages and meals - a perfect mixture of adult fun in a kid environment. Does this sound like a dream to you?
"Mini golf. Pickle ball. Splash pad. Disc golf. And drinks! What's not to love?" - Yelper Jordan M
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Laugh with them at some Comedy
Various Locations
The best date is spent peeing your pants together - whether that's metaphorically or literally, you decide. Regardless, Austin has a bunch of places to see comedy, even during COVID. Check out our roundup of where to take your date and make sure they laugh at the same things!
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photo credit: Lake Travis Scuba
16203 Dodd St
Folks, scuba diving doesn't have to be an activity relegated to your future couples vacation to Cancun - you can skip the years building up your relationship status and take the plunge with a new romance in Lake Travis. For a full decade now, Lake Travis Scuba has been taking people on safe, affordable, and fun underwater tours of our native reservoir. Check out their website and book an appointment for yourself and your date. Unless they're an accomplished diver already, it's probably safe to say they will not have been on a scuba date before. Congratulations on your newly acquired originality points.
"This operation is a professional class act! The ability to go diving all over Lake Travis, safely and quickly, is a great opportunity that is only provided by Lake Travis Scuba." - Yelper Rusty H
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photo credit: Joe N. via yelp
979 Springdale Rd
At Ghost Pepper Glass's East Austin studio, participants can create their very own blown-glass keepsakes under the guidance of an expert in the trade. Give your date something to bring home that will always remind them how original and creative that one date was. It's kind of like those group painting classes, except way cooler.
"Best. Date. Everrrrr. If you are thinking about the 2 hour private class, stop thinking and BOOK IT! We seriously had the best time ever AND got to make 3 pieces each." - Elite Yelper, Alysha M
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Check out what's happening at The Vortex
2135 Manor Rd
The Vortex isn't your average local performing arts venue. From puppet operas to performance art pieces, every act that takes the stage at The Vortex is sure to be an unforgettably original oddity you and your date can bond over. The theatre also shares a lot with Butterfly Bar and Patrizi's, so you can enjoy the weirdness with a side of house-made pasta and a couple of delightful cocktails.
"The space has evolved and become an absolute wonder. Patrizi's is the tastiest. The drinks are yummy. There's always a show in the theatre or outside. It's a great, crafty bar for creatives and the curious alike." - Yelper Emily V
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Photo Credit: Haunted ATX
Scare the pants off of your date at Haunted ATX
501 North IH 35
Not literally... maybe. Haunted ATX takes ghosts tours to a whole new level. Witness all of the spooky, haunted sites from the inside of a hearse. It's the only mobile haunted hearse tour in Austin. In this tour, you'll visit places all over Austin like the Tavern, Clay Pit, the Littlefield house and of course, the legendarily haunted Driskill Hotel. Who knows, a little bit of adrenaline might be just what this new romance needs to get kickin'.
"I took a first date on the Haunted ATX tour and we had a blast! What an awesome tour... Learning spooky facts about Austin was great! I've lived in Austin for 10 years and didn't know 90% of the history... What a fun way to learn about Austin!" - Yelper Shaggy R
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Various Locations
For a truly magical and unique date night, catch one of Austin's best Drag Shows. Drag is the magical culmination of fashion, makeup, and queer identity. Breeding confidence and empowerment in the LGBTQ+ community, drag is reaching a new hype across the U.S., and Austin is no exception. A form of entertainment and art, Drag is bleeding into new spaces.
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Photo credit: awsfzoo.com
5640 N IH 35 Frontage Rd, New Braunfels, TX
This isn't your average zoo experience. At Animal World, you can cozy up to gators, pythons, baby fennec foxes, and more. Book an animal encounter in advance for an experience you and your date are sure to remember. Or, depending on the date, plan to arrive in time for the feeding of the carnivores (daily at noon). The New Braunfels location is a bit of a trek, but if your crush is an animal lover, it's totally worth the drive.
"This was such a fun date place... We were able to attend three of the events (You can look up their schedule ahead of time online); Little Safari, Tortoise Time, and White Lion feeding. The "White Lion feeding is a must see!" - Elite Yelper Anne C
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photo credit: Rohofoto
Throw Axes with them at Urban Axes
812 Airport Blvd
A little bit of friendly competition is essential to a first date, which is why we wholeheartedly recommend you check out Urban Axes. Settle once and for all which of you could've been a really badass warrior in another life while drinking beer because, yes, this business centered around throwing axes is BYOB. Don't worry, they make it safe.
"If you are looking for an awesome time, look no further! Urban Axes is awesome... This is a great spot for a date night with a little thrill." - Elite Yelper Catalina M
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photo credit: RohoFoto
4422 Lareina Dr.
The Cathedral of Junk is exactly what it sounds like: a cathedral made of junk. That doesn't make it any less impressive, though. Scraps of all conceivable origin have been painstakingly assembled into what is probably the most astounding collection of bric-a-brac ever. Nothing says "Austin couple out on a weird first date" quite like the Cathedral of Junk. If you're looking for another weird and uniquely Austin spot to wander together, check out The Sekrit Theater, too.
"This place is super great. Unique. Good for dates. Good for taking your friends to interesting places around town. One of the best places in Austin for sightseeing." - Yelper Matthew W
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photo credit: RohoFoto
208 Barton Springs Road
The words 'Riverboat Bat Watching Tour' sure sound like a mouthful, huh? Trust us, it's even more of an eyeful. If watching a multitudinous, undulating swarm of bats flying against the radiant backdrop of an Austin sunset from a boat doesn't qualify as a unique date, then really, what on earth does? Seriously, if you can't make this a good first outing together, it's probably not meant to be.
"My husband and I went on that bat tour with DJ and it was one of our favorite date nights ever. The view of the city was gorgeous at night, DJ was a fantastic tour guide, and the weather was perfect. Please go support this company and thank me later!" - Yelper Sarah H
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photo credit: Rohofoto
1207 Barton Springs Road
This is such a good date spot idea, you really should've thought of it first. Not only is Peter Pan Mini-Golf an iconic, cherished part of South Austin, and it's friggin' BYOB. Find out if your new date is competitive in the best way possible: an evening of beer-fueled low-stakes golf.
"A perfect date night activity! A little retro... Inexpensive + BYOB? Can't beat it." - Yelper Marie T
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