Where to Go on a Date in Denver This Spring
For everything from first impressions to anniversary celebrations, these dates are guaranteed to impress.
Whether or not love is in the air, spring has sprung in Denver and there’s fun to be had. The dinner-and-a-movie bit is a classic, sure, but that can get boring fast in a city that’s teeming with exciting ways to go on a date. Screen-print a custom shirt, feel the adrenaline rush of skydiving, or keep things low-key with a stroll through the Botanic Gardens. First date or 50th, here are 15 of the coolest date ideas in Denver.
Central Park
You may have heard the buzz last year when aviation-themed brewery FlyteCo (W 38th) made a new home in a former air traffic control tower in Central Park. But did you know it’s 20,000 square feet of fun? Like, a lot of fun. We’re talking brewery, restaurant, morning coffee bar, huge outdoor patio, six lanes of bowling, mini golf, and a full arcade. Over two levels, there are three full bars, meaning you don’t have to wait in a long line to refill your glass between bowls or putts or pinball wizardry.
Union Station
First of all, if you haven’t been to Deviation’s Dairy Block location yet, it’s absolutely time that you go. Second, make it a fun date night experience and sip on craft cocktails that you create using Deviation spirits. The distillery offers classes a few times a month for about $45, which includes the ingredients, barware, and guidance to make three cocktails, plus some snacks to munch on while you do.
Cheesman Park
This classic Denver date idea never gets boring. Spring is the perfect time to stroll around the gardens and witness tens of thousands of seeds begin to sprout and buds begin to bloom. The weather is still a bit unpredictable, but even if you get caught in a surprise hail storm, you can always huddle in the gift shop and buy something cute for yourself or your date.
Baker
Denver can’t seem to quit with perfect date activities. The latest? Ink and Drink, where you can screen-print your own custom shirt. These guys provide all the necessary materials, including refreshing cocktails, a sizable number of beers, and a few wines. They’ll coach you through the process if you’ve never done it before, and you’ll walk away with a slight buzz, good memories, and a keepsake. (Neither Ink and Drink nor Thrillist are liable if your date borrows your shirt and ghosts you without returning it.)
Ponder all kinds of art
Multiple locations
Denver’s plethora of museums, galleries, and public art make an already beautiful city even more pleasing to the eye. From visiting the Denver Art Museum or Space Gallery to strolling around RiNo on a beautiful day, there’s enough art in the Mile High to last you a million dates.
Lone Tree
Some couples start off with a tame movie-and-dinner situation. Others want to go from zero to 100 in 60 seconds. If an adrenaline rush is what you and your date are looking for, head over to iFly. In a totally teched-out, state-of-the-art wind tunnel, you can feel as if you’ve jumped from 14,000 feet without the threat of imminent death. Expert flyers are there to guide you. The best part is that you don’t need any kind of experience to show up, go up, and have a great time.
Berkeley
Warning: This date idea could have you heading home with a new companion—and we’re not talking about your date. But if you both love furry familiars and need a neutral spot to focus on something other than small talk, petting cats and kittens is the ideal move. The cafe offers a few basic drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) but you’ll have to look elsewhere on Tennyson for food. Walk-ins are welcome, but Denver Cat Company strongly recommends making a reservation beforehand.
Root for Denver’s finest
Various locations
Once you’ve found good parking, bring your date over to Coors Field for America’s favorite pastime. The Rockies might not be the best in the league, but games are always a certified good time. The stadium is gorgeous (especially at sunset), the food and drinks you can share are delicious. Plus it’s still early in the season, meaning the ol’ arm-around-the-shoulder trick to keep your date warm is still well within the realm of reasonability.
Five Points
Have a penchant for Denver’s favorite herb and the need to express a little creativity? Grab your favorite person and your cannabis vessel of choice and head to Five Points for a relaxing night of painting. All materials are provided for you and—while cannabis intake is allowed and encouraged—it’s not a requirement if you’re just looking to paint and chill.
Test your limits with indoor rock climbing
Multiple locations
Rock climbing gym Übergrippen offers 90-minute reservation slots, which is a fine step when you’re ready to work up a sweat together but not yet ready for an outing that could theoretically require calling in a rescue team. Bonus: Your jokes about the relationship hitting a wall are going to kill.
Level up your golf game
Centennial
Take your competitive side over to TopGolf and show off your swing or—alternatively—enjoy some belly laughs at just how bad you are at golf. Win or lose, TopGolf serves good food and drink, and this place is almost always open: Not even a little rain or snow can dampen the mood here. Just be smart and book a bay in advance; your date will appreciate getting to know someone who knows how to plan.
Do-It-Yourself (with a little help)
Various locations
Adding a little creativity to the mix keeps things fun, and you’ll have something to take home (if not your date). Let your inner Bob Ross shine while you paint and sip at Canvas and Cocktails, where your first drink is free with the purchase of a class (though we recommend sharing a bottle). The Upstairs Circus in DTC has the widest range of projects to choose from (home decor, jewelry and everything in between) along with a full bar. And for something a little greener check out Wild Flowers Home, Gifts, and Garden for build-your-own-terrarium classes to spruce up your space.
Attend a show at the Mission Ballroom
RiNo
Now is as good a time as any to score some tickets to a show at Mission Ballroom. If you and your date have a little extra time, there’s also a staggering number of restaurants and breweries—including fan favorite Mister Oso and the now-open Left Hand Brewing outpost just steps from the venue—that can help you get properly positioned to cut a rug.
Get your game on
Various locations
Denver’s got its fair share of places that combine a little bit of boozin’ with a little bit of healthy competition, which always makes for a jolly night on the town. Bowl, show off your pinball skills, and play games like pool, cornhole, and ping pong at Greenwood Village’s Pindustry. Denver classic 1UP boasts three locations and a huge variety of games to pick from. Then there’s the South Broadway Players Pub and its unique offerings like candy-soaked shots and gaming classics like air hockey jammed into every square foot. Gamer kids in love? Great. Check out a game cafe like Localhost and battle for bragging rights.
Enjoy some drinks at a local distillery
Various locations
Denver is a distiller’s city. It continues to welcome an impressive number of new spots, many of them producing award-winning spirits. Arvada’s Talnua Distillery produces a range of whiskeys from a single-pot still, opting to follow Gaelic-style distilling traditions. With whiskeys that may taste more Irish than Ireland’s own, it can be a fun place to hark back to the hooch’s origin. For real spirit nerds, Golden Moon Distillery is a strong choice, with owner Stephen Gould handing out more than a little knowledge about his own spirits and the rich culture that surrounds them. Deviation Distilling found a new home in Dairy Block, though its signature gin and whiskey remains just as carefully crafted as always. And as the weather warms up, be sure to check out the superb spirits, cocktails, and patio space of Ironton Distillery and Crafthouse.