10 DC Date Ideas That Break the Mold

Ready to plan your next unforgettable date in DC? Impress them with something a little different than the usual tried-and-tested fare. So whether it’s a thrilling first date or date night with your partner, here are our 10 best date night ideas in DC to make memories that last. 

1. Unleash your playful side at Swingers Crazy Golf

Tee off for romance at Swingers Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. Our newest Swingers mini golf venue is a lively and unique destination for your next date night in DC! To enhance your experience, our caddies will serve delightful cocktails right on the course, adding an extra touch of luxury.

After your round, treat yourselves to Swingers’ gourmet street food from some of DC’s most exciting restaurateurs, including tuTaco, KneadZa Pizza and Lil’ Succotash. Don’t miss the crowd-pleasing DC Half Smoke from Succotash: grilled sausage wrapped in bacon and topped with tangy kimchi slaw and spicy mayo. 

Enjoy cocktails in one of Swingers’ many luxurious cocktail bars. Try the refreshing Eternal Summer – a frozen blend of Vodka, Coco Lopez, orange blossom water, pineapple juice and citrus that’s guaranteed to beat the DC heat – or delicious cuisine from tuTACO Mexican, Kneadza Pizza, Succotash Southern-Asian Fusion and more.

No matter how you choose to enjoy your time at Swingers Dupont Circle, whether it’s playing, indulging in delectable food, or savoring craft cocktails, you’re guaranteed to have a great time and an unforgettable date.

2. Enjoy creatively upscale cuisine at Pineapple & Pearls

Or how about a culinary adventure with all the bells and whistles? Pineapple and Pearls, a DC hotspot with two Michelin stars, shakes up the fine dining formula with its brilliant menu. Expect a comfortable, playful atmosphere where everyone is welcome, and enjoy four courses from an inventive prix fixe menu. We’re talking savory French toast, saffron crepes with caviar, and deconstructed s’mores, to name just a few options. This experience may be on the luxurious side of things, but dinner at Pineapple and Pearls will undoubtedly make for a date to remember.

3. Take a sunset cruise on the Potomac River

Set sail aboard the love boat *foghorn noise*. Capitol River Cruises offers sight-seeing tours just as the sun begins to set. That’s right – it’s about to get very romantic! This 45-minute-long cruise will take you past landmarks such as the Kennedy Center, the Memorial Bridge, the Washington Monument, the US Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial. Your onboard guide will narrate the experience as you sit next to your date, enjoying the sights (and hopefully putting an arm around their shoulder!). So take in the beautiful sunset colors and relax as you drift along the river on this adorable DC date.

4. Immerse yourselves in a great show at Arena Stage

A truly immersive experience always makes for a fantastic date, especially if you want to shake off those pre-date nerves! Going straight into the experience allows you to avoid awkward small talk, and it’ll give you something to focus on and discuss after it’s over. A trip to the theater is an excellent experience in this vein, and we highly recommend checking out the Arena Stage in DC. Established in the 1950s, the theater has an incredibly diverse and inclusive history and puts on a wide range of shows. Keep an eye on the latest productions to find something to suit you and your date!

5. Visit the storied Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens

Speaking of experience-based outings, why not consider a classy museum date in DC? The sprawling Hillwood Estate, purchased by the enigmatic Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1955, is now open to the public. Take in Russian imperial art, eighteenth-century French decorative art and 25 gorgeous acres of gardens and woodlands. Choose between self-guided and guided tours to lose yourselves in this historical paradise. Don’t forget to stop off at the Merriweather Café for a light meal and a glass of something bubbly to round off your perfect date!

6. Try something new with jazz night at 600t

If music is the food of love, you’ve come to the right place. Renowned premium cocktail bar 600 T puts on live jazz music every Thursday. So grab a scrumptious cocktail and let the A-Train Trio band set the mood for true romance! If you’re feeling brave, why not ask your date to dance? It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet – in fact, we’d find it rather charming!

7. Sample stellar cocktails at Round Robin Bar

Speaking of DC nightlife, Round Robin Bar is another DC date night classic. Also known as the “Oval Office of Bars,” this historic venue was originally established way back in 1847. Located in the Willard InterContinental hotel, Round Robin Bar is simply brimming with political history. Enjoy their signature Mint Julep as you two imagine the comings and goings of past movers and shakers of DC. (If only these walls could talk!)

8. Dance through the night at Le Mont Royal

Looking for a super-fun date in DC? Make it at Le Mont Royal. You can feel the electric nightlife vibe in this bar-bistro as soon as you step in. Think disco balls, green banquettes and exquisite mood lighting! Every Friday and Saturday French-Canadian DJs take to the decks and play the best classic and modern disco beats. If you need a little liquid courage beforehand, there’s an extensive wine and cocktail list to choose from. Fuel up on poutine – add some caviar if you’re extra fancy – and get ready to wow your date with your dance moves. Fred and Ginger have nothing on you two.

9. Stroll through the breathtaking US Botanic Gardens

There’s nothing quite like a romantic walk in a beautiful location. Wander through the US Botanic Gardens and enjoy some quality time together as you take in the wide variety of flora! If you know your roses from your ranunculus, this is the perfect opportunity to flex your botanical know-how and impress your date. Ideal for a sunny afternoon, the US Botanic Gardens hold not only the gardens themselves, but also a lush indoor conservatory and the ornate Bartholdi Fountain and the gated outdoor gardens. Use your smartphone for an audio tour to learn even more about these stunning gardens.

10. Have a cultured afternoon at the Renwick Gallery

Finally, if you and your date adore art, you can’t go wrong with this DC date spot. The Renwick Gallery is famed for its craft and decorative art collections from the 19th-20th centuries, as well as a number of contemporary pieces. You’ll be blown away by the installation in the entrance hall: various lengths of stainless steel with blinking LED lights, programmed to flash to a binary code algorithm. There are also tons of temporary and permanent exhibitions to explore. And best thing of all, admission is free! Save those nickels and put them towards a couple of indulgent coffees for you and your date.