If your usual date night of takeout and snoozing during Succession needs a little pick-me-up, you’re not alone, friend. We’ve rounded up some unique date ideas that will help keep those sparks flying, boost that blissful bond and pull you out of your Snuggie-covered comfort zone. From swan boat rides to Star Wars cos-play, check out these 14 ideas that will spice up your non-parenting time ASAP.
Echo Park Lake Swan Boats
Did you know that one of LA’s greatest gems can be experienced at night? The beloved Echo Park Lake Swan Boats offer evening rides with stunning views of the LA skyline. So grab a blanket, bring a picnic and hop into your illuminated swan for a romantic adventure pedaling around the lake. Advanced online reservations are required, and no walk-ups are accepted. Drinks are welcome on board, but alcohol is prohibited.
Hours: Night rides are daily from sunset-10 p.m. with the last boat leaving one hour before closing.
Cost: $11 per adult
Echo Park Lake
751 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: wheelfunrentals.com/ca/los-angeles/echo-park
Topgolf
LA’s first Topgolf opened this past April in El Segundo and will make your next date night a hole-in-one. With a 3-level driving range featuring 102 all-weather hitting bays and a 10-hole lighted golf course, even beginners will be comfortable taking a swing. Topgolf combines a traditional golf driving range with the same technology live TV broadcasts use to track the pros’ drives. The venue also features a restaurant and sports bar with great music, fantastic menu items, and top-shelf cocktails that are above par. Online reservations for a bay may be made up to 7 days in advance for a fee online, but walk-ups are also welcome.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m. - 12 a.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Cost: Reservation fees for bays range from $5 - $25. The bay rental itself ranges anywhere from $55 per hour-$75 per hour depending on time of day.
Topgolf El Segundo
400 S. Pacific Coast Highway
El Segundo
Online: topgolf.com/us/el-segundo/
LA AX
Normally if your date night involved an ax, you’d hightail the other way. But LA’s premier ax throwing social club, LA AX, aims to change all that. Located in North Hollywood, LA AX features 38 indoor/outdoor ax throwing lanes and tons of fun. Expert coaches teach guests how to skillfully throw their axes and stay with you throughout the experience to ensure your safety. The venue is BYOF, so feel free to bring snacks, except beverages since beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on site. Closed-toe shows are required so that you make it home with all 10 piggies intact.
Hours: Mon.-Wed., 12:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Thurs.-Fri. 12:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Cost: $40 per person for one hour on a private half arena. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome for $25 per person, but you will have to throw in a shared space with other groups and may have to wait for a lane.
LA AX
7308 Coldwater Canyon Ave.
North Hollywood
Online: la-ax.com
Two Bit Circus
Two Bit Circus is a “tech-infused Big Top” that offers interactive entertainment ranging from virtual reality experiences and story rooms (a step above escape rooms) to an arcade and midway. Delicious carnival style treats are available to buy during your visit and of course there’s a fantastic bar to wet your whistle. Two-person packages are now available, but most games at the venue are designed for groups of four, making this an ideal place for a double date.
Hours: Thurs. 6 p.m.-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 4 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sun. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m; closed Mon.-Wed.
Cost: Duo Packages are $100 for up to two attendees, and Quad Packages are $200 for up to four attendees. Each package includes “bits” (Two Bit Circus’s form of currency) that can be used toward attractions, arcade games, food, beverages and more.
Two Bit Circus
634 Mateo St.
Los Angeles
Online: twobitcircus.com
Scum & Villainy Cantina
Wanna recreate a little Princess Leia and Han Solo bow-chicka-wow-wow? Scum and Villainy Cantina is the perfect place. What started as a pop-up bar became so popular with sci-fi fans that the owners decided to make it a permanent fixture. Decked out in in galactic fantasticness beyond your wildest dreams, costumed bartenders serve up some of the best libations in the star system. Cocktails like Wretched Blue Milk, The Mind Trick and Swindler’s Delight will make you believe you’ve transported to Tatooine instead of Hollywood. Guests are encouraged to dress up too, so break out those buns, baby.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Scum & Villainy Cantina
6377 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood
Online: scumandvillainycantina.com
Majorwavez Lab
In love with a fellow sneakerhead? Majorwavez Lab hosts private custom sneaker workshops where you and your date can learn how to deck out a pair of sneakers using various painting and sewing techniques. Guests must bring a pair of sneakers to customize–Air Force 1s and Vans are the easiest to work with. Select sneakers are available for purchase on site as well. Classes must be reserved online and last 3-5 hours.
Cost: $150 for a class (supplies included). Price is per seat, so a guest pass for your date costs an additional $80.
Majorwavez Lab
Two Locations in Northridge & Los Angeles
Online: majorwavezlab.com
Cirque School
Having recently undergone a makeover of their interior space, Cirque School is looking better than ever and is ready for all the unpredictable twists and turns of your relationship. Classes help build physical and mental wellness through comprehensive circus arts programs in a supportive and non-competitive environment that welcomes all experience levels. Evening classes like Trapeze and Fabric, Stretching, Handstands, Contortion and Aerial Yoga offer something for every adventurous couple.
Cost: Single classes run from $30-$40, but packages are also available.
Cirque School
5640 ½ Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood
Online: cirqueschoolla.com
Flutter
Flutter is a one-of-a-kind interactive art experience designed to make you forget about the world and rediscover the art of play (and who couldn’t use a bit of that right now, amirite?). Incredible contemporary artists have transformed 14 rooms into spaces that will inspire you and your date to play, create, imagine, explore and connect. The entire experience takes about 90 minutes and a portion of all proceeds go to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and their youth mental and wellness programs.
Hours: Tues.- Fri., 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat.- Sun. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; closed Mon.
Cost: Admission starts at $39 and goes up from there.
Flutter
217 S. La Brea
Los Angeles
Online: flutterexperience.com
The Gourmandise School
Is there anything more romantic that preparing a meal together? The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica offers a wide variety of one-off cooking classes that will appeal to many different tastes. In addition to their regular classes, the school offers some designated “Date Night” classes as well. These are priced per couple and are BYOB, so bring that bottle of Chateau De Fancy Pants you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Classes last two-to-three hours, and themes range anywhere from dumplings and sushi to Thai food and cooking from Bestia.
Hours: Refer to the school’s schedule for specific class times based on your interest.
Cost: Cost varies per class, but Date Night classes generally run around $250 per couple which includes the cost of supplies and the meal.
The Gourmandise School
395 Santa Monica Pl., #323
Santa Monica
Online: thegourmandiseschool.com
Rage Ground
Have a little stress to work out between you and your loved one? After all, the last couple years have meant a lot of together time. Rage Ground invites couples to unleash those pent-up feelings in a fun environment where you get to well…smash stuff. Wearing protective gear, guests are provided with pipes, bats, and mallets so they can crush a bunch of random items to their heart’s content. From ceramics and glass to furniture and electronics, everything’s fair game. The venue also features an optional paint splatter room and another room where you can go hog wild smashing up a car. We feel better already just thinking about it.
Hours: Thurs.-Sun.; noon-10 p.m.
Cost: Various packages are available, but the Date Night Combo is $264 for 25 minutes in the Rage Room and includes 10 minutes of car smashing.
Rage Ground
120 E. 11th St.
Los Angeles
Online: rageground.com
Sunset Ranch Hollywood
Giddy up and grab your partner for a horseback ride to remember. Sunset Ranch Hollywood offers 2-hour evening tours through Griffith Park to the peak of Mt. Hollywood with a mind-blowing 360-degree view of the LA Basin, San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, as well as unforgettable ocean and mountain views. You’ll even get a great look at the Hollywood sign, so make sure to bring your camera. Beginning riders are welcome and encouraged as the horses walk at a relaxed pace in line.
Hours: Sun.- Fri. at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. by reservation only.
Cost: $145 per person for the group tours or $245 per person for a private tour.
Sunset Ranch Hollywood
3400 N. Beachwood Rd.
Los Angeles
Online: sunsetranchhollywood.com
Highland Park Bowl
LA’s oldest bowling alley is a masterwork in restoration and instantly takes your bowling date from ordinary to extraordinary. Highland Park Bowl originated during the middle of prohibition in 1927 and over the years, has been lovingly refurbished while preserving its original dazzling charm. The venue features a fabulous menu of delectable bites and a carefully curated cocktail menu, plus beer and wine.
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 5 p.m. - 2 a.m., Sat. and Sun. 2 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Cost: Hourly rates vary depending on the day of the week, but generally range from $45-$70. Shoe rentals run $5 per pair.
Highland Park Bowl
5621 N. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles
Online: highlandparkbowl.com
Moonlight Rolleway
Featured in countless movies, TV shows and music videos, Moonlight Rollerway is known as the most filmed roller rink in the world. With an old school vibe, groovy tunes, a snack bar, and a nostalgic ambiance that’s charmed generation after generation for 70 plus years, we can’t think of a better spot for a date night. Regular evening skate sessions are offered with the occasional music theme night thrown in for good measure, so be sure to check out their calendar for the best time to go.
Hours: Vary; Open daily.
Cost: Tickets range from $18-$25 depending on the night plus $6 for skate rental.
Moonlight Rollerway
5110 San Fernando Rd.
Glendale
Online: moonlightrollerway.com
Benny Boy Brewing
Having just opened in April, Benny Boy Brewing, is quickly poised to become one of the hottest date night spots this summer. LA’s first combined brewery and cidery features a stunning 55-foot indoor bar made of reclaimed wood with direct taps for serving beverages. Outdoors, a beautiful beer and cider garden feature multiple fire pits, plenty of comfortable seating for snuggling and a fab selection of pop-up food vendors throughout the week. But the drinks are the real star here—Benny Boy uses Old World brewing methods to produce clean, dry ciders and European beers done with unique California style. It’s the quintessential summer atmosphere to hang with your schmoopy and maybe even make some new friends along the way.
Hours: Vary; Closed Mon.
Benny Boy Brewing
1821 Daly St.
Los Angeles
Online: bennyboybrewing.com
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