Looking for the best date night ideas in Brooklyn beyond the typical dinner or cocktails? In the age of online dating, going on dates these days can get pretty stale. I always remember the ones that are uber creative and out of the ordinary. Dating should be FUN and exciting, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
From golden-hour picnics by the water to secret jazz clubs and late-night bowling, you don’t have to cross the bridge to Manhattan to have an exceptional date. Here are some of the best date night ideas in Brooklyn that go beyond the usual dinner-and-drinks routine.
1. Set the Mood With Live Jazz
Manhattan gets all the attention when it comes to jazz, but I’m here to tell you the real magic is happening across the bridge.
Brooklyn’s scene is smaller, moodier, and way less performative, and that’s exactly why I love it. Jazz clubs are a perfect date night idea in Brooklyn, especially if you are looking for something fun, unique, and a little suave.
Jazz bars we love:
- Ornithology; Bushwick
- Bar Bayeux; Crown Heights
- LunÀtico: Bedstuy
2. Thrift Shop Scramble
I went on a date with a guy who planned this, and it was a blast. Visit a large thrift store, such as Buffalo Exchange or L Train Vintage, and select a couple of unusual outfits for each other to try on. The crazier the better!
3. Get Crafty at Happy Medium (Greenpoint)
We love an activity. And Brooklyn is full of them! Creating art is a perfect date night idea in Brooklyn that’s outside of the usual dinner and drinks.
Book a slot at HappyMedium and create pottery or experiment with watercolors. Ornithology Jazz Bar also holds craft events like figure drawing on their patio when the weather is nice.
4. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (Crown Heights)
While this isn’t exactly fit for a “Brooklyn date night” idea, it is romantic and unique if you can swing it during the day or early evening. The gardens usually close around 6 p.m., so it’s the perfect pre-dinner date to wander through the flowers.
Then head to nearby Prospect Heights or Park Slope for cocktails or dinner. Try Washington Commons for beers or Briscola Trattoria for delicious Italian food.
5. Wonderville & MaoMao (Bushwick
Add a little heat with a funky dinner at Mao Mao, a unique Thai restaurant serving it up only on paper plates and old Thai movies playing in the background.
Then, head over to Wonderville, a retro barcade, and see who buys the next round with a game of Pac-Man.
6. Sunset at the Park (Red Hook or Williamsburg)
Order takeout and watch the sunset over the city. Some perfect parks for this are Louis Valentin and Pier 44 in Red Hook or Domino Park in Williamsburg.
While Domino Park in Williamsburg is more central, it can get packed – especially at sunset.
I hold a soft spot for Red Hook; it’s one of my favorite parts of Brooklyn. They have some amazing food and bars like Red Hook Tavern and Jalopy Tavern (lots of taverns, as you can see). Plus, both parks in Red Hook have front row views of the Statue of Liberty.
7. Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg)
If there’s anything I love on a first date, it’s an activity. And bowling is the perfect thing to spark a fun conversation. Brooklyn Bowl makes a date feel fun without trying too hard. You can bowl a few frames, share some pizza and drinks, and enjoy the live music.
Costs vary, but it’s about $30-$35 per lane, per half hour.
8. Variety Show at Union Hall (Gowanus)
From concerts. comedy shows, and live podcast recording – Union Hall’s basement has all kinds of unqiue options for a date night in Brooklyn to remember.
Head across the street to Blueprint Cocktail bar to wind down after the show.
9. Shuffleboard at Royal Palms (Gowanus)
Two Brooklyn date night options in Gowanus? Yes! People love to hate Gowanus, but both Royal Palms and Public Records are a big win in my book.
Royal Palms is a massive bar filled with funky drinks, large shuffleboard courts, and even board games.
The shuffleboard courts are first-come, first-served, and can get pretty packed on weekends.
10. Ah, yes, dinner.
I wanted to give you a full list of fun date night ideas in Brooklyn before I threw around the ol’ dinner date option. But, let’s face it – there are some pretty fantastic dining experiences to be had in Brooklyn.
Here are some of my favorite dinner spots for a date night in Brooklyn:
- LaRina Pastificio
- Black Mountain Wine House
- Deux Chats
- Traif ($50 course tasting menu!)
This post was all about the best date night ideas in Brooklyn New York.
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