I have a friend who takes all of his dates towards the same wine bar that's around the corner from his house. While I don't fault him –your wine bar is great and there's definitely something to be said about consistency — if you aren't careful, your date night regime can easily get stale. Whether your modus operandi is Netflix & Chill or drinks in the same local bar, Fall is the best time for you to mix things up — even just a little bit.
Here are a few ridiculously easy tweaks you can make that will take your usual date night ideas from “meh” to awesome.
- Swap Netflix for some live theatre.
No, I'm not suggesting you remortgage your condo so that you can splurge on Hamilton tickets (unless, you realize, you want to), but if you and your date would be the kind who love to catch a great movie or cuddle track of a series, why not switch some misconception and catch a nearby theatre production or improv show? Even when it's terrible, it gives you something hilarious to talk about over drinks following the show.
- Swap your usual bar date for a tasting.
If you always meet your dates at a bar, try switching up and enable these to join you in a beer, wine or cider tasting instead. Based on where you reside, Fall is the perfect time for you to get out and visit a local brewery, cidery, winery or distillery. Many of these places offer tastings for any nominal fee that's much less than your usual trendy craft beer and cocktail spot. Plus, the vibe is generally great at these places.
- Ditch the multiplex and catch a show at a comedy club.
If your plan was to invite your date to determine the latest Kevin Hart movie, why don't you visit a comedy club and catch some laughs personally instead? Studies have shown that humans find laughter to be sexy. A comedy club provides the opportunity to laugh together over your preferred alcohol based drinks. Plus, you will have the opportunity to chat and get to know each other in between acts — something likely can't do at your local multiplex without having to be disrespectful to your fellow movie watchers.
- Instead, visit a drive-in movie.
If talking during movies is your thing, a trip to a retro drive-in may be exactly what you are looking for. There's something romantic and nostalgic about catching a flick at an old-school drive-in (plus, you receive a little more privacy to chat and cuddle up than in a regular movie theatre, that is never a bad thing). No drive-in? Lots of towns and cities will offer outdoor movies. Bring a blanket, some snacks and a bottle of wine, and relish the cozy vibe.
- Sub a homemade meal for a cooking class.
There's a location within my city that provides cooking courses of instruction for couples and it's honestly a good thing ever. Instead of splurging on a dinner out, you get a fun hands-on experience and also you leave with some new cooking skills that you could parlay into future dates! That sounds like a win/win in my experience.