Sober Date Ideas in Washington DC

If you’re seeking sober date ideas, Washington DC offers plenty of options. The city boasts a wide range of bars and restaurants, as well as numerous entertainment venues, museums, and parks. If you want to stay sharp and enjoy a date that doesn’t revolve around alcohol, we have the perfect places for you!

For some, dating and alcohol don’t mix, and it can be difficult to organize a date that doesn’t center around drinking. If you’re wanting to lay off the booze but want an enjoyable date in DC, there’s plenty of places to choose from! Whether you’re looking for an activity-focused date, an educational experience, or just something fun to do together to help get to know each other, take a look at our list below – there’ll be something in there perfect for you.

Visit Swingers

Credit: Swingers, Dupont Circle 

Swingers is a date spot to remember – with fun rounds of mini golf, plus delicious street food, there’s plenty of opportunity to chat, get to know each other, and (most importantly) challenge each other to a round of mini golf! Swingers Dupont Circle is also the perfect spot for a photo opp to remember your date by. Decked out in 1920s British countryside accessories, our greens make a beautiful backdrop to your date – or take it out to the summer courtyard (weather depending!) for a charming garden party atmosphere.

Swingers has something for all- including those who don’t drink! Whether it’s the Seedlip Spice or the Seedlip Garden, their non-alcoholic beverage selection is the  sober drink equivalent of a hole in one!

Museums

Going to a museum is already a good idea for a date – if you have a shared interest with your partner, you can bond over learning more about it. The Smithsonian Museums have something for everyone – history, science, culture, and are all easily accessible for free.

Most museums around DC host after hours events – perfect if you’re looking for something alcohol-free in the later hours. For example, the National Gallery of Art is running numerous Jazz in the Garden events through the summer, featuring musicians such as the US Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note, 8 Ohms Band, and Josanne Francis. Situated in the sculpture garden, you’ll be surrounded by art and music – a lovely romantic atmosphere for a date.

Bars with great non-alcoholic cocktails

Credit: Washington DC 

If you’re looking for all the fun of a bar without the booze buzz, The Columbia Room, Binge Bar on H Street is DC’s first alcohol free bar and is well worth a visit. With eight delicious signature mocktails, flights of “mimosas”, and a plethora of vegan bites on the menu, you won’t feel like you’re missing out. Plus, there won’t be the temptation to drink, as everyone else at the bar will be enjoying the alcohol free beverages.

See a comedy show

Credit: Kevin Snow on Unsplash

Few things solidify a relationship more than laughing together. That’s why attending a comedy show has to be a staple in your top date ideas. 

DC is a hotspot for comedy, with lots of locations to choose from.

DC Improv – a comedy club crossed with a restaurant, you can belly laugh on a full stomach!

Kennedy Center – hosting up to 2,000 events a year, there’s certainly plenty to see at this venue!

Underground Comedy DC – an independent comedy club, whose shows have been featured on Comedy Central and in the Washington Post.

DC Comedy Loft – at less than a five minute walk from Dupont Circle Metro and with a selection of delicious bar food, this location is a great date spot.

See a movie at the AFI at Silver 

Credit: Kilyan Sockalingum on Unsplash

Keep it classic with a movie night. The AFI Silver has all the latest listings, as well as special showings of classic movies to celebrate various genres and calendar events. Perfect for checking out that new movie everyone’s talking about, or enjoying back-to-back showings of your favorite franchises. 

There’s a reason why going to the movie theater is a popular date – cozy up with your loved one and enjoy all the fun of the movies – grab some popcorn and drinks, enjoy where the movie takes you, and perhaps extend your date by grabbing some food afterwards to discuss your favorite scenes.

All Fired Up Pottery/Sober Paint and Sip

All Fired Up DC is a pottery studio based on Connecticut Avenue, which hosts a number of events that would make a great date. Test your knowledge at one of their trivia nights, or book into one of their paint and sip events – it’s requested that you bring your own drinks for these, so you can choose exactly what you want to drink (maybe brew your own delicious mocktails at home to impress your date and make the other attendees jealous!) Plus, you’ll get expert advice on how to paint the chosen scene and you can take your paintings home as a souvenir of the date.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington hosts various art making workshops, to suit whichever medium you and your date would like to specialize in. We’d recommend keeping your eyes out for the portrait class – you can focus on your date and try to capture everything beautiful you see in them (and hope they’re not too offended if you’re not a particularly accomplished portrait artist!

Some locations host specific sober events, so you can concentrate on your creativity without being distracted by booze. Kalina Art Studio hosted a sober paint and sip last year, so it’s worth keeping an eye out on local businesses near you.

Paddleboard on the Potomac

Credit: Potomac River 

With the great resource of the Potomac River on your doorstep, it’s a great location for a date! Stay active and enjoy the scenery while you paddle your way down the river.

If you or your date are new to paddleboarding, it’s wise to get some lessons to avoid disaster! Experts can guide you on staying standing on the board, risks around water levels, and making sure you have the correct equipment.

Bonding over a new skill, or just enjoying a relaxing activity that gets you active and outdoors is a great way to get to know each other.

Take a latte art class

Credit: Di Bella Coffee on Unsplash

Center your date around a different kind of drinking – coffee! Coffee enthusiasts will know how easy it is to talk at length about preferred brewing methods, optimized temperatures, and the best way to froth the milk. If you’re going on a date with a coffee lover, a latte art class is a great way to bond over your favorite drink. 

Not only is it the perfect occasion to judge your partner’s coffee making skills, but also enables you to hone in on your own skills. Whatever happens, you’ll learn how to make the perfect latte – whether it’s for yourself or your partner if they are impressed by your skills!

URL: https://swingers.club/us/sober-date-ideas-dc