Chappell Roan may say “Never waste a Friday night on a first date”, but we’re here to say otherwise! Planning a date night out on the town shouldn’t be stressful, after all, you have a good first impression to make. There are plenty of things to do and sights to see in Columbus, so get inspired with our list of date night ideas in Columbus, Ohio perfect to win your Tinder date over.
Barcades
Make your first date a scene straight out of a movie montage by starting the night at a barcade – a bar and arcade duo. Enjoy a fun, lighthearted evening with electric energy and themed drinks. Our Columbus favorites are 16 Bit Bar + Arcade in Downtown Columbus, a short walking distance from our South 4th Street location, and Old North Arcade in the Old North area.
Rooftop bars
Why go to a normal, boring bar when you can see the stars and the city below? Columbus is a rapidly growing city, so it’s no shock the area has turned its roofs into elevated venues. Here are some of our top rooftop bars:
- Seventh Son Brewing Co: A laid-back setting with craft beers and visiting food trucks.
- Budd Dairy Food Hall: You know them for their food, but have you explored their rooftop? Enjoy specialty cocktails and a food court of delicious, gourmet meals.
Can’t Miss Dinner Spots
Going to dinner on a first date may be overdone, but Columbus has a bustling restaurant scene, with many hidden gems. If you’re blanking on dinner spots, check out Kitchen Social in Polaris, SideBar, a tapas restaurant right around the corner from our Downtown location, or Tony’s Italian Ristorante and get their cannoli for dessert (thank us later).
Happy Hour Finds
Forno Kitchen + Bar is an elevated eatery known for its wood-fired pizzas and delicious drinks. Their infamous happy hour makes this the perfect weeknight date spot. For an underground experience, see if you can find their speakeasy, but you didn’t hear about it from us.
Free Date Night in Columbus, Ohio
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make your first date stand out. Take advantage of the free events in Columbus, or visit a park and stop to smell the roses. We love the Columbus Park of Roses and Topiary Park for a relaxing walk, providing the perfect ambiance to get to know someone. Better yet, plan a picnic for a romantic, inexpensive date night.
Window Shopping
Going shopping and browsing the aisles of a unique or eclectic store can help the conversation flow. Point out things you love, stumble across fun conversation starters, and maybe find something to buy and take home. Window shopping may cost nothing technically, but our willpower says otherwise. A Columbus classic for bookworms is The Book Loft of German Village. Spend hours browsing the books for sale, talking about your favorite authors.
Unforgettable Thrills
Axe throwing is the perfect date night idea if you want to get your adrenaline pumping. At Dueling Axes, experience axe throwing like you’ve never before with blacklight axe throwing during our Cosmic Axes events. We’re talking specialty cocktails, fun music, UV-reactive throwing axes, and even knife throwing! Unlock a whole new cosmic world of fun all weekend long.
If you’re looking for fresh Columbus dates, consider planning a date at multiple locations. Our Downtown Columbus location participates in DORA, meaning you can take your favorite drink special to go. Take advantage of our happy hour deals or try one of our summer cocktails as you explore the vibrant Downtown area.
If the city isn’t your cup of tea, consider stopping by a BrewDog event at The DogTap in Canal Winchester. While this location is a hotel, they also have a bar with live performances, trivia, and special events. Dueling Axes mobile axe-throwing trailer will be hosting events on select dates throughout August and September.
Columbus has so much to offer, and your date night should be no exception! Begin your evening with the exciting experience of axe throwing at Dueling Axes. It’s the perfect start to a night of exploring the city’s best spots. Click here to book your session and get ready to kick off your Columbus date night in style!
