Dial Up the Romance with These Unique Date Ideas in Atlanta

From sexy dance classes to romantic ferris wheel rides, these date ideas bring the heat.

12 Cocktail Bar
Photo courtesy of 12 Cocktail Bar
Photo courtesy of 12 Cocktail Bar

Love is in the air. And lucky for all of us in Atlanta, there are plenty of cool date night spots where you can watch that romance blossom. Beyond the classic dinner and drinks options, you can take advantage of outdoor activities like ferris wheel rides with stunning city views or show off your artistic side with painting classes and dance lessons. From competitive options like mimi golf and darts to romantic cocktail bars, these are the best date ideas in Atlanta.

9 Mile Station
Photo courtesy of 9 Mile Station

Food and Drink Date Ideas in Atlanta

Old Fourth Ward
This dimly lit cocktail lounge located just off the BeltLine is perfect for a sexy date night. The intimate space can easily set the mood for you and your plus one, and it also features one of the best cocktail selections in Atlanta. In addition to the carefully curated mixes of pop, hip hop, R&B, and soul music, it also hosts live performances from time to time, making the experience just a little bit more special

Old Fourth Ward
There’s no outdoor date that’s more romantic than a sunset dinner overlooking the city at 9 Mile Station. The breathtaking open-air date offers a beautiful rooftop view of Buckhead, Downtown, and Midtown, and the food—we’re talking options like Scottish Salmon, Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio, Sesame-Crusted Tuna, and more—is just as impressive as the view. Physically elevate your next dinner date by bringing your SO to an on-point meal on top of Ponce City Market, then go enjoy all of the fun rides and games that Skyline Park has to offer.

Old Fourth Ward
12 Cocktail in Ponce City Market is more than just a speakeasy-themed bar, it’s also home to one of the best cocktail classes that the city has to offer. Headed by the establishment’s beverage director, guests will have an intimate class setting to receive hands-on experience creating four handcrafted cocktails—the perfect skills to have in your back pocket for future dates where you don’t leave the couch.

High Museum of Art
High Frequency Friday | Photo courtesy of High Museum of Art

Arts and Culture Date Ideas in Atlanta

Moreland Avenue
The dinner-and-a-movie formula is pretty hard to screw up, but don’t take our word for it. Skip the chains and opt for a movie going experience that will transport you and your date back in time: the legendary Starlight Drive-In. For what’s arguably the best date-night deal in Atlanta, you can bring your own food and drink and watch a double feature from the sanctuary of your car all for only a few dollars.

Old Fourth Ward
Illuminarium is one of Atlanta’s most visually stunning attractions and is a unique date idea for those who want to do something different. You and your date will be fully immersed in another world, from the popular African safari-themed world of WILD to an out-of-this-world trip to the cosmos in Space.

Various locations
Show your crush how creative you can be by hosting a private at-home paint-n-sip, courtesy of The Paint Factory. The company brings painting parties right to you, complete with live step-by-step instructions, sketched canvases, easels, paint, brushes, and aprons—all you need to do is BYOB and get ready for an artsy night of romance.

Buckhead
Buckhead’s Miami Circle has long been a hub for arts and culture in the city, so it’s only right that the 404’s most reputable dance institution is located in the same place. The Atlanta Ballroom Academy contains three rooms and over 13,000 square feet for you to learn a truly beautiful art. For more than 40 years, this establishment has offered the best quality ballroom and Latin dance instruction in the Southeast, so whether you are a beginner, novice, or seasoned veteran, the ABA is the perfect place to hone those dancing skills with your partner.

Druid Hills
Fernbank’s monthly event series “Fernbank After Dark” is an adult-only event that happens the second Friday of every month, featuring unique after-hours experiences. Explore the museum with a cocktail in hand while listening to live music and leaning into your nerdy side with your date. With upcoming events like Love on the Brain and Elemental, Fernbank's recurring after-hours event is a surefire way to impress the natural history and science lover in your life.

Midtown
You can’t go wrong with a date at the High Museum of Art. To make your date a little easier on the pockets, visit on the second Sunday of the month when tickets are on the house. You’ll be able to show your date exhibitions like Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina and the Shaheen Collection of French Works—all without opening up your wallet. The establishment also hosts High Frequency Friday, a happy hour and house party, once a month. It has become one of the most attended events of the spring and regularly sells out weeks in advance—so get your tickets as early as possible and get ready for one of the coolest free dates in the city.

Outdoor Date Ideas in Atlanta

Downtown
Although you probably drive by it all of the time, a solid year-round date idea is the enormous SkyView Ferris wheel Downtown. For just $14.75, SkyView riders can enjoy a nice private ride on one of Atlanta’s tallest attractions, and since it stays open pretty late—till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays—the massive in-town Ferris wheel can be the perfect way for you and your date to end the night.

Various locations
If your date was born and raised in Atlanta, you can still show them a different side of the city by taking them on a scenic helicopter ride over the city skyline. Prestige Helicopters offers several aerial tours to choose from, including a 10-minute nighttime tour of the King & Queen buildings in Buckhead, a 30-minute tour throughout Downtown and Buckhead, and the 70-minute Ultimate Tour of the Chattahoochee River, Lake Lanier, Buckhead, Downtown, Decatur, and Stone Mountain. Whether you’re aiming to make an unforgettable impression for your first date or looking for a romantic anniversary celebration, a helicopter ride makes for a great experience for both of you.

Midtown
For a serene date that puts you face to face with some of the most beautiful plantlife in the city, head over to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. In the coming months, visit for Cocktails in the Garden, a weekly event that features live music and crafted cocktails, all while having the opportunity to explore the exhibition Orchid Daze: Reflections in Bloom, while plenty of the ABG’s fan-favorite features return, guests can expect new twists, including the romantic Valentines in the Garden on February 14, and Atlanta Bonsai Society’s spring show in March.

Flight Club USA
Photo courtesy of Flight Club USA

Sports Date Ideas in Atlanta

West Midtown
This high-tech darts destination and restaurant is the newest date spot to open in the city, so it’s the perfect way to show your date that you’re in the know. Flight Club is a fun twist on the traditional game of darts where you can face off with up to 12 people for some fun competition.

West Midtown
Playing mini-golf has always been fun, and with Puttshack’s engaging new technology, the entire experience has been elevated for adults. Without having to manually keep track of the score, you and your date will be able to focus a lot more on getting to know each other.

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Okla Jones is an Atlanta-based journalist who writes about food, fine arts, and entertainment. His work also appears in ESSENCE, Creative Loafing Atlanta, and Consequence of Sound. Follow him on Instagram at @coolhandoak.