Having alternatives to dinner and drinks is helpful when you want to spice up a date, but it's possible that this may still end up being your go-to. You'll have a hard time deciding on just one place to take your date since Melbourne offers so many options.
While it's hard to plan for every conceivable outcome of a date, you may improve your chances by surprising your date with something they'll like. Here is a list of the best date ideas we've come up with, broken down by time of day, cost, and other criteria. Date ideas in Melbourne that cover a wide range of interests are provided below.
Even whether you're locking down dates with your significant other or going on dates as fast as your finger can swipe right, the dating environment may become tiresome after a time. Stopping by the local drinking hole on the way home is handy, but it won't do anything to pump you up.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of fascinating dating possibilities in our city. Try some of the ones we uncovered the next time you have free rein over the event's logistics. If you choose one of them, you will have a good time on a date no matter how it turns out.
Melbourne Couples Date Ideas
Dating in Melbourne may be stressful due to the abundance of exciting activities available. To save you the hassle of finding them yourself, we have collected a list of the best and most unique date things to do in and around the city.
Drink While Playing Darts At The Ballers Clubhouse
How about a game of darts in the dark with a drink in your hand? You can do it now! Ballers Clubhouse is a bar and entertainment complex in the Central Business District that has 75 beer taps in addition to dart booths, upgraded ping pong tables, and shuffleboard courts.
The adults-only playground may be frequented by committed couples looking to exercise their competitive sides, but the high-energy, self-proclaimed super venue' also serves as a discussion buffer for first dates; sometime between your first surprisingly competitive darts session and you're seventieth birthday, you'll feel the date butterflies and feared uncomfortable pauses drift away, or at least be drowned out by the loud sounds around you.
Takeaway Spread As You Relax Along The Yarra
It's not necessary to put on your best attire for a night out on the town just because you have a date. A picnic along the Yarra River while feasting on Uber Eats is a wonderful experience that everyone should have at least once in their lives.
If you're nervous about going on a first or second date, you may calm your nerves by listening to some soothing music on Spotify in the background. This will prevent any uncomfortable silences from spoiling the mood and will also help keep the discussion flowing.
Hot Tip: If you're feeling fancy, go across to Swanston for a treat like a crepe or ice cream after supper.
FAQs About Melbourne
The first dates are for getting to know each other. Do something that will make you both a bit vulnerable, like skydiving. You'll be more likely to rely on and open up to each other.
Victoria's Most Romantic Places
- Explore Hatley Park and Castle.
- Discover beautiful flower gardens.
- Rent a double kayak.
- Ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
- See Victoria from the air.
- Unwind with a spa treatment.
- Enjoy a scenic hike up Mount Tolmie Park.
- Go on a wine tour in the Saanich Peninsula.
Renowned as the cosmopolitan city, Melbourne CBD offers plenty for singles in social clubs, cafes, restaurants, bars and university life. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 52 per cent of the residents are aged 20-35, and 38 per cent are singles living alone.
Fun Dating Ideas
- Plan and carry out a scavenger hunt for a treasure hunt for your partner.
- Go tubing, kayaking, or canoeing together.
- Go fruit picking together.
- Enjoy a candlelight dinner together at your home or apartment.
- Go for a bike ride together.
- Go bowling together.
- Attend a local festival together.
Home Date Ideas for Couples
- Play Board Games/Card Games. Courtesy of Unsplash.
- Have a Dress-Up Night.
- Work Together on a Puzzle Challenge.
- Have a Spa Night.
- Plan the Ultimate Vacation.
- Wine and Movie Night in Bed.
- Teach Each Other Something New or Learn a New Skill.
- Have Your Wine Tasting.
At The Brunswick Wine And Vinyl Bar Waxflower, Feel Really Trendy.
A Brunswick combination wine bar and record shop is one of those things that screams "hipster" in every way possible.
Waxflower, a minimalist and modest north side vinyl bar, is the ideal setting for a romantic, low-key date night for a number of reasons.
With a rotating roster of local DJs and a theatrical surround sound system (converting the venue into a self-proclaimed "listening space"), this Brunswick vinyl bar is certain to take pleasure in its over-the-top acoustics, which may or may not be enough to convince you and your significant other to make the trip to Brunswick immediately.
Visit NGV For Your Cultural Fix
Even though it has become somewhat of a cliché in recent years (ignore those who think it's been done to death), every Melburnian should include a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria on their list of must-do date activities.
The NGV is a popular destination for those who like the city's various pubs as well as those who appreciate culture and unusual experiences. You may have a fun, cultural, and inexpensive evening at a free staple exhibition.
Throw A Dinner Party For Two With Another Couple
We want to go on a double date, but we want it to seem natural and spontaneous, not forced and predetermined. Get together with another couple and have a dinner party.
It's up to you whether you want to have the other spouse bring a dish to a potluck (we prefer this choice since it's less labour as well as additional food; a typical win-win scenario) or if you want to cook the dinner yourself (hoping the food gods are on your side).
Dim the lights, light some candles, and insert the candlesticks inside empty wine bottles for an easy décor hack that will get rave reviews and be loved by your date every time. Add some soft jazz music in the background, and you've got yourself a date night.
Take Part In A Mystery Picnic Or A Big Food Scavenger Hunt.
As a very subtle food pun, let's just remark that this picnic is unparalleled in its excellence.
Like a giant food scavenger hunt, AmazingCo's Mystery Picnic Date tasks you and your date with deciphering a series of clues and solving a series of riddles in order to discover the location of a hidden picnic place. The responses to these questions may be found at gourmet food stores in your area, which will provide you with the ingredients for your picnic.
You and your friend will be led (once again by solving a clue) to a lovely picnic spot where you may enjoy your sweets in privacy at the end of the day.
Do You Have An Adventurous Spirit? Visit A Rock Climbing Facility In The Cbd
Who's up for a daring first date? Visit the helpful staff at Hardrock Climbing in the Central Business District (CBD) and try your hand at scaling the massive 16-meter-tall climbing wall (first-timers get a brief introduction session to ensure their safety).
Take a tram (or walk) to Lygon Street, where you may relax with a glass of wine and some appetisers at the quaint Heartattack and Vine wine bar.
Stay At Home For A Date Night
They want an easy date that doesn't need going somewhere special (since staying home might be just as fun as going out).
With AmazingCo's At Home Date Night, you and your significant other may enjoy a night of romance without getting out of pyjamas.
Your digital date night guide will lead you and your date through with a variety of challenges, activities, and games throughout the evening, making it ideal for a night spent together in front of the fire without resorting to Netflix.
At Alley Tunes, Sip Coffee Among A Collection Of Used Records.
You'd be hard pushed to find a nicer (or cosier) café for a coffee date than Alley Tunes.
Located just a few minutes' walk from Glenferrie Station, this popular — and by this point, institutional — coffee shop/record store combination is a popular hangout for both locals and Swinburne University students during the lunch hour.
The store's cosy decor (which is evocative of a record shop from a 1980s movie) makes it an ideal place for a low-key, intimate coffee date.
Spend some time in the vinyl-lined shop after putting yourself at home in the outside sitting area (great for people watching).
Flex Your Creative Skills At A Paint And Drink Night
The premise of a paint and sip date night is simple and pretty self-explanatory; you and your date will spend the evening painting while sipping wine (or another beverage of choice) and allowing your creative juices (and, perhaps, conversation) flow.
There has been a proliferation of "paint and sip" studios and bars in our fine city in recent years, but we find it more convenient to do it on our own. Put up an easel in the backyard or a local park (just remember to bring your paints and other equipment), pour yourself a glass of wine, and start to work.
No one can predict what will serve as inspiration on any given day, but we do know that you should try your hand at painting each other and then show off your magnificent results.
Have A Cook-Off In The Masterchef Style.
A home-cooked dinner on a date is a nice gesture, but a cook-off between the two of you would be far more exciting.
The rules of a cook-off are as straightforward as they sound: you and your spouse choose a dish, set a timer for as long it takes to prepare that dish, and then spend the night cooking it. Enhance the mood for a passionate evening by setting the table with candles, opening a bottle of wine, and playing soft music while you dine.
Consider Visiting A Jazz Club To Do Your Ears A Favour.
Something about a jazz club shouts "dating" whether it's the dim lighting, the intimate setting (usually a basement), the sophisticated music (jazz), or the plush couches. The atmosphere is great, even if jazz isn't really your thing.
Want to go to a jazz club in Melbourne but don't know where to start? Paris Cat Jazz Club in Fitzroy is well-liked by locals, while Vamos! attracts jazz aficionados interested in a Latin flavour (also in Fitzroy).
Melbourne's Romantic Restaurants
Whether you're looking to win or dine with your special someone, Melbourne is ripe with romantic possibilities. The sophisticated environment, soothing ambience, and breathtaking views will make visitors feel at ease well before the first meal is delivered.
Take your special someone to one of these outstanding Melbourne restaurants for couples if you want to wow them on your next date.
Bistrot d'Orsay
Even if just for the evening, you must visit the city that defines love. This little restaurant at the Paris End of Collins St is a favourite with Melbourne couples because of its romantic ambience and its delicious, authentic Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine.
Relax with a French champagne and a shared charcuterie platter under the trompe l'oeil ceiling before indulging in French Bistro staples like bouillabaisse and coq au vin. Please reserve space for dessert; the vanilla crème brûlée is delicious and best shared.
Foglia Di Fico
The Italians are the masters of romance. It's hard not to be captivated by Italy, what with its honey, little trattorias serving up fresh pasta, and, last but not least, an array of wines suitable for each and every occasion.
Foglia Di Fico is bringing a taste of Italy's sweet life to the heart of Melbourne. Foglia's fresh hand-made pasta is where the heart and soul are, second only to the incredibly attractive ambience that is ideal for a little romance. Indulge in some mouthwatering gnocchi topped with braised duck, sautéed wild mushrooms, and white truffle oil. It's so good We can hardly stand it.
Navi
In the hip Yarraville district, you may find what is perhaps Melbourne's most original and romantic restaurant. Bookings for the restaurant's popular degustation dinner, which is served to just 25 diners every evening, frequently fill up months in advance, attesting to the achievement of chef and owner Julian Hills.
It's the perfect hidden venue for intimate celebration meals with friends or a significant other, thanks to the varied music and one-of-a-kind drinks like wattle seed espresso martinis and toasted rice kombucha.
Marion
Marion has everything a couple might want on a date night: scrumptious cuisine, an impressive wine selection, and a cosy setting. There's no denying that this north side mainstay is primarily a wine bar (and a fantastic one at that), but that doesn't mean the cuisine is secondary.
We invite you to join us for an aperitif before dinner, or to stay for our simple but unexpectedly refined meals that highlight the best of the season's products. Raise the level of passion to new heights with a meal of chocolate, oysters, and red wine.
Lûmé
Lûmé, located in South Melbourne, calls itself a "foraging restaurant" since it features dishes made using endemic, indigenous, and plentiful Victoria plant and animal species.
The whole effect is akin to that of eating at Noma, with its use of unusual ingredients, innovative presentation, and focus on sensory stimulation via high levels of expertise.
There is a wide selection of degustations to choose from, including short, full, vegan, and the Journey (a $390 meal that promises a "total investigation") of the many bioregions that make up our state.
Cutler & Co
This Fitzroy fine dining spot is well-known for its innovative fusion of Japanese and European food. Whenever it's date night, or really any night of the week, couples line up outside this popular eatery.
Not only does it have an amazing culinary variety, but its seductively trendy, industrial-style atmosphere as well. In a word, it's mind-blowing. When it comes to making a good impression, Cutler & Co. never fails to deliver.
Lui Bar
Is it possible that this is a restaurant? No. Is your love overflowing? Sure, what the heck. If you're looking for the perfect place to spend an intimate evening, go no farther than Lui Bar, perched high above the Rialto on level 55. Even though the view is breathtaking, you shouldn't leave without sampling some of the city's finest drinks. If you're a fan of espresso martinis, you may want to think twice before ordering a Vodka Pour Over.
We guarantee that all of your needs will be met. In that case, why not visit Vue De Monde, its brother establishment and a more appropriate choice? As we're sure you're aware, Vue De Monde is widely regarded as one of Melbourne's most romantic restaurants. Upstairs, the ambience is more relaxed, perfect for a quiet supper for two.
Bar Liberty
A trendy wine bar with delectable nibbles; a cosy eatery known for its extensive wine list. You may satisfy every craving at Bar Liberty.
Wines from both the Old and New Worlds, as well as a variety of fermented drinks and "sticky icky" drops, will keep you and your partner amused for hours.
Flower Drum
If you're looking for a romantic restaurant, go no farther than the Flower Drum. This elegant Chinese eatery serves you authentic Cantonese food, with a selection of good wines and friendly service. Banana fritters are light and airy, making them the ideal dessert for a midweek date.
INES
INES, which boasts a cutting-edge decor but hides an antique spirit, is alive with the easy banter of infatuated couples and close friends. Ol' Blue Eyes and the gang will get you in the mood at this upscale European wine bar serving all your Italian favourites like truffle mash and French wines from their extensive wine vault.
Take a look at the neon sign that reads "sometimes you win, sometimes you booze," yet we think you can count on having a good time on a date at INES no matter what.
Grossi Florentino
You know you're in for a memorable evening when the wait staff brings out a ceremonial Champagne cart to toast the beginning of your meal. Moreover, they spare no expense in making their guests feel at home in the lavish surroundings of Grossi Florentino.
The walls and ceiling are decorated elaborately with old paintings and crystal chandeliers. Clearly, an Italian love story is in the works here. Even if the prices are a little more than usual, we promise you won't regret it. A meal here is unlike any other you've had before.
Conclusion
When you're looking to spice up a date, it's nice to have options beyond dinner and drinks. We've compiled a list of the greatest date ideas, sorted by price, time of day, and other factors. If you go with any of them, you'll have fun no matter what happens. In Brunswick, there is a wine bar and record store called Waxflower. The National Gallery of Victoria is a must-see for every resident of Melbourne.
Visit Swanston for an elegant dessert like an ice cream cone or crepe. Using candlesticks on a date is a simple trick that will always be appreciated and praised by both you and your date. With Amazing Co's Mystery Picnic Date, you and your date have to piece together clues and solve a series of puzzles to find a secret picnic spot. Coffee in hand, peruse the used record selection at Alley Tunes. Melbourne has plenty of opportunities for romance, whether you're there to gamble or eat.
You might have a "paint and sip" night or compete in a cooking contest. The jazz club's low lighting and cosy atmosphere scream "date." The romantic atmosphere of Bistrot d'Orsay makes it a popular choice for couples in Melbourne. The spirit of Foglia Di Fico may be found in its freshly prepared pasta. The food at Marion is delicious, and the wine list is rather extensive.
One of the city's most famous romantic restaurants is Vue De Monde. The upscale restaurant in Fitzroy is well-known for its creative combination of Japanese and Western flavours. INES seems modern on the outside but has a classic vibe within. Visit Bar Liberty to get in the mood with Ol' Blue Eyes and the crew. Grossi Florentino's servers will wheel out a Champagne cart as a symbolic welcome to the dinner.
Content Summary
- Alternatives to dinner and drinks are helpful when you want to spice up a date, but this may still be your go-to.
- You'll have difficulty deciding just one place to take your date since Melbourne offers many options.
- While it's hard to plan for every conceivable outcome of a date, you may improve your chances by surprising your date with something they'll like.
- Here is a list of the best date ideas we've come up with, broken down by the time of day, cost, and other criteria.
- Date ideas in Melbourne that cover a wide range of interests are provided below.
- Fortunately, there is no shortage of fascinating dating possibilities in our city.
- Dating in Melbourne may be stressful due to the abundance of exciting activities available.
- To save you the hassle of finding them yourself, we have collected a list of the best and most unique date things to do in and around the city.
- It's unnecessary to wear your best attire for a night out on the town just because you have a date.
- Visit NGV For Your Cultural Fix Even though it has become somewhat of a cliché in recent years (ignore those who think it's been done to death), every Melburnian should include a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria on their list of must-do date activities.
- Get together with another couple and have a dinner party.
- Take Part in A Mystery Picnic or A Big Food Scavenger Hunt.
- Like a giant food scavenger hunt, Amazing Co's Mystery Picnic Date tasks you and your date with deciphering clues and solving a series of riddles to discover the location of a hidden picnic place.
- Visit A Rock-Climbing Facility in the Kodwo's up for a daring first date?
- Stay At Home for A Date Night They want an easy date that doesn't need to go somewhere special (since staying home might be just as fun as going out). With Amazing Co's at Home Date Night, you and your significant other may enjoy a night of romance without getting out of your pyjamas.
- You'd be hard pushed to find a nicer (or cosier) café for a coffee date than Alley Tunes.
- A home-cooked dinner on a date is a nice gesture, but a cook-off between the two of you would be far more exciting.
- Take your special someone to one of these outstanding Melbourne restaurants for couples if you want to wow them on your next date.
- Bistrot d'OrsayEven if just for the evening, you must visit the city that defines love.
- This little restaurant at the Paris End of Collins St is a favourite with Melbourne couples because of its romantic ambience and delicious, authentic Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine.
- Foglia Di Fico brings a taste of Italy's sweet life to the heart of Melbourne.
- Navin the hip Yarraville district, you may find what is perhaps Melbourne's most original and romantic restaurant.
- On a date night, Marion has everything a couple might want: delicious cuisine, an impressive wine selection, and a cosy setting.
- There's no denying that this north-side mainstay is primarily a wine bar (and a fantastic one), but that doesn't mean the cuisine is secondary.
- Cutler & CoThis Fitzroy fine dining spot is well-known for its innovative fusion of Japanese and European food.
- When it comes to making a good impression, Cutler & Co. never fails to deliver.
- Lui Bar Is it possible that this is a restaurant?
- If you're looking for the perfect place to spend an intimate evening, go no farther than Lui Bar, perched high above the Rialto on level 55.
- In that case, why not visit Vue De Monde, its brother establishment and a more appropriate choice?
- As we're sure you're aware, Vue De Monde is widely regarded as one of Melbourne's most romantic restaurants.
- Bar LibertyA trendy wine bar with delectable nibbles; a cosy eatery known for its extensive wine list.
- You may satisfy every craving at Bar Liberty.
- Flower Drum If you're looking for a romantic restaurant, go no further than the Flower Drum.
- This elegant Chinese eatery serves you authentic Cantonese food, with a selection of good wines and friendly service.
- Ol' Blue Eyes and the gang will get you in the mood at this upscale European wine bar serving all your Italian favourites like truffle mash and French wines from their extensive wine vault.
- Grossi Florentino, You know you're in for a memorable evening when the wait staff brings out a ceremonial Champagne cart to toast the beginning of your meal.
- Moreover, they spare no expense in making their guests feel at home in the lavish surroundings of Grossi Florentino.
