Finding a solid spot for date night DC (or anywhere, to be honest) can be a little tricky. Do you want a location that’s quiet and great for conversation? Or do would you rather have a place with an activity that can distract in case the conversation doesn’t flow well? Either way, check out these Washington DC tips and mistakes to avoid in DC before venturing out so that you can cover your bases.
Luckily for you, there are tons of great options for planning date night DC. You can spend time with that special someone at amazing restaurants, bars, music venues, sports arenas, and a few a little more out-of-the-box spots. Which of these fantastic options will you choose?
The Ultimate Guide to Planning Date Night DC!
Food & Drink are the easiest to plan a date night DC
Grabbing food and drinks is one of the easiest date nights in Washington DC you can plan. With a bevy of options to choose from, you can’t go wrong.
Experience Ghibellina, A Fantastic Restaurant
Ghibellina has an atmosphere that’s perfect for date night DC. Situated near Logan Circle, this rustic-style Italian restaurant nicely balances the line between romantic and lively. Plus, the food is delicious! You’ll be able to pick from the simple cacio e pepe to the complex vitello (veal) alla Milanese. And don’t forget the popular array of fantastic pizzas!
Delight In The Flavors Of Japan At Haikan
If you want to try something a little different from the classic Italian date night in DC, consider Haikan. This trendy ramen bar has an inviting atmosphere and tasty food – what more could you want? Order a bowl of shoyu ramen or spicy shoyu ramen (depending on your palette) and slurp away!
If the date happens to be going well, you can just walk over to the Landmark Theater next door for part two!
Grab A Bite To Eat At Union Market
Union Market is a gourmet food hall, so if you and your date don’t really have the same taste in food, there are 40 different vendors to choose from! The sandwiches from Buffalo & Bergen, the oysters from Rappahannock Oyster Bar, and the tacos from TaKorean have all consistently proven to be crowd favorites.
And if none of those spark your interest, there are also vendors serving up Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese, Creole, American, and many other cuisines.
Feel Transported To France At Un Je Ne Sais Quoi
Paris, France is known as the most romantic city in the world, and you can get a little slice of Parisian atmosphere at Un Je Ne Sais Quoi. This little bakery on Dupont Circle serves up scrumptious French pastries whipped up by bakers straight from France! So grab a table for two, devour a cream puff or a croissant, and enjoy some good conversation.
Savor A Cupcake Or Two At Baked & Wired
Trying to agree on where to get the best cupcake in DC may be one of the most controversial topics in the city – even more than politics, despite the fact that DC is the political center of the United States. That said, it’s usually a friendly debate, so why not stir it up just a little bit with a trip to Baked & Wired (or to your preferred DC cupcakerie)? Then you and your date can debate which DC cupcake is truly the best.
Sip A Drink At Barmini
There are tons of places to grab a solid drink in DC, but Barmini is a fantastic bar for a date. The bartenders at Barmini are always experimenting with new cocktails, so at times it can feel like a cool science lab rather than an avant-garde bar. Between the smoking glasses and the drinks that change color, you and your date definitely won’t run out of things to talk about.
Pair Your Drink With Some Games At The Board Room DC
When you’re on a date, sometimes you’re a little nervous. Sometimes the conversation doesn’t flow that easily, and you need an activity to give you something to talk about. The Board Room DC does just that.
Peruse The Board Room DC’s selection of beers, wines, and cocktails while enjoying their range of board games. They have everything from Hungry Hungry Hippos to Taboo to Trivial Pursuit.
Whatever board game you have in mind, they probably have it. Who knows? Maybe you and your date will hit it off while watching your Jenga tower topple!
Live Music
Jam Out At The 9:30 Club
The 9:30 Club may be the trendiest venue in all of D.C. Artists like Bob Dylan, Smashing Pumpkins, Bastille, and Adele have all played there. And, because the venue has just 500 seats, every member of the audience gets to be super close to these musical icons.
Basically, going here to see one of your favorite artists perform would be one of the coolest date night DC options!
Sway To Smooth Jazz At Blues Alley
As the home of famous jazz musician Duke Ellington, DC is filled with wonderful jazz artists, and Blues Alley is one of the best places to go to find them. Open for over 50 years, Blues Alley has hosted some of the best jazz artists in the industry, including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Eva Cassidy. All you have to do is just buy a drink and listen to the music together.
Sports for a thrilling date in DC
Attempt Miniature Bowling At The Eleanor
Miniature golf is a classic date night activity – but what about miniature bowling? The Eleanor, which is part mini bowling alley, part bar and grill, is a date night DC hotspot. So sip on a drink while you and your date knock over the tiniest of bowling pins.
If miniature bowling at The Eleanor is definitely somewhere you want to go for date night in DC, be sure to make reservations in advance! There are a limited number of miniature bowling lanes available.
Watch A Sports Game
If you’d rather watch sports than partake in them yourself (even in miniature version), consider attending a sports game. DC is home to over half a dozen different sports teams, so no matter what sport you’re into, there will probably be a game for you! Will you choose to watch the Washington Nationals run around the bases during your date night in DC?
Or perhaps you’ll opt to see the Washington Wizards shoot a few three-pointers instead.
Movies & Shows for a fancier date night dc
Enjoy A Show At The Kennedy Theater
For a more sophisticated date night in DC, consider seeing a show at the Kennedy Theater. Opened in 1971 in memory of President John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Theater has held hundreds of breathtaking performances and welcomed thousands of guests.
This location has served as the performance venue for artists from every genre from theater to popular music to dance to even comedy!
If there’s a show that you and your date would like to see at the Kennedy Theater, be sure to snatch up a pair of tickets quickly, as there are only 324 seats in the entire venue!
Get A Good Laugh At DC Improv
Everyone could use a little more humor in their lives, and a date night at DC Improv is perfect for that! While some improv shows can be a little cringe-worthy at times, DC Improv is the home of comedic greats. It’s where comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and Robin Williams all got their starts! So sit back, relax, and have a good laugh.
Watch An International Movie As Part Of FilmFest DC
Movies are part of a classic date night. But instead of taking your date to see any old movie, consider seeing a movie that is part of FilmFest DC. Every April, FilmFest DC showcases nearly 100 films from dozens of countries. You’ll have your pick of movies from practically any genre – from thrillers to romcoms.
Outdoors: for the active date night DC
One of the best ways to experience the city is by things to do in DC at night.
Talk A Walk Along The Georgetown Waterfront Park
One of the most romantic date nights in DC could be a simple stroll in the Georgetown Waterfront Park. With the only distractions being DC’s beautiful nature, this date idea is perfect if you’re looking for some quality time and good conversation.
This idea could also be added onto a dinner date or bar date, if things happen to be going well. There are tons of restaurants and bars in the Georgetown Waterfront Park area.
Ride On The Capital Wheel
For many couples, they wish that they could be in their own little bubble separate from the world for a little while. A ride on The Capital Wheel allows you to do just that. As you take your loop around, catch stunning views of the Potomac River, Georgetown, and Washington Monument, while getting to know each other a little bit better.
Evening Tours are exciting for date night in DC
Dive Into The Spooky Side On A Haunted History Ghost Tour
Sometimes you’re looking for a date idea that’s a little bit out of the box. How about a haunted history ghost tour? Discover all the spooky, paranormal spots in the U.S. capital city and learn how they came to be.
Visit The Monuments
The monuments, including Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, are some of the most iconic structures in Washington DC. When they’re lit up at night and free of people, a tour of these monuments could make for a pretty amazing date. Monuments by Moonlight – a romantic tour!
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