Okay, let’s be real, dating gets tougher as you grow older. With increasing responsibilities, ain’t nobody got time for brunch and movie dates. We have got to hustle, pay rent, and make our parents proud. So whether you are working in a big corporate company, or you have decided to become an entrepreneur, work-life balance is hard to achieve and sometimes non-existent.
It is sad, but we still try, eh? It gets even tougher if the person you are seeing is also busy hustling and when you are both done with work, the sun has set and restaurants are already doing their last calls – so where can you go and what do you do? Well, I have made a list of adorable date ideas for you right here! So read on if you are struggling to plan your next date night.
Late night date ideas
1. Netflix And Chill
Ah yes, the most obvious choice! Nothing beats cuddling up on the sofa with a glass of wine or a tub of Ben & Jerry’s while binge-watching the newest Netflix series. It is always nice to start and watch an entire series with your partner, then you get to discuss the show with them and obsess over the characters together. With the huge selection of TV shows to pick from and all the food delivery options available, you can easily create the perfect night in. Or on the other hand, you could go with the alternate meaning of “Netflix and Chill” – if you know what I mean!
2. Give Each Other Massages
Who does not love massages? No one, that is! Dedicate one night of just pleasuring each other sounds like a great idea for date night, right? You do not have to be a professional masseuse, it is the idea of showing love and care through spending the time to find out what your partner enjoys and what they do not. And if the massages turn out to be good, you can make it into a tradition and do it regularly.
3. Grocery Shopping + Homemade Dinner
I don’t know about you, but I
love grocery shopping. So why not make a date out of it? We have all watched
MasterChef and thought to ourselves, “yeah, I can cook that”, and proceeded to make a huge mess in the kitchen. But I think cooking together is just adorable. One of you can prep while the other cooks. It is okay if you overcook the chicken because it is about spending time together and having fun. You know what they say, a couple that cooks together, stays together! And hey, if the food’s not edible, Mcdonald’s is just a click away.
4. Play Truth Or Dare
One of my favorite drinking games is truth or dare. It is a great ice breaker and the perfect game to get to know someone. The best part is, you can make up your own rules. Try not to stay at home for this one because it is much more fun when you are out and you can dare the guy to propose to a random girl at a bar or perform a Celine Dion song on the street. I have always wanted to dare someone to walk into a random person’s house and say “honey, I’m home”. Anyway, the sky is your limit here. This could also be a good opportunity to ask about anything without making it awkward.
5. Strip Poker
If you guys are feeling a little more adventurous, try strip poker or strip anything, really. I personally love playing poker so changing the stakes sound really exciting. And of course, this would be even more fun if you had just started dating.
6. Dance With Your Partner
Whether it is at a bar or in the comfort of your own living room, find the opportunity to dance with your partner. It is such an intimate and romantic thing to do – holding each other close while listening to your favorite love song and embracing your love for each other through a simple slow dance. Music can really set the mood. Couples nowadays just do not dance and let loose enough. Next time you see a street performer, grab your partner and just groove in the middle of the street!
7. Roam Around Night Markets
If you guys are explorers, this one is for you. You never know what you can find at a market, especially those that pop up every few months with different vendors. You might find an interesting home décor piece or discover a new food trend. My favorite part about markets is supporting local businesses. It really warms your heart to see how genuine these sellers are and you might even make some friends along the way.
8. Visit A Local Carnival
Okay, I know this sounds like another movie cliché, and no doubt, it is. But it is also a classic date idea. I mean what’s not to love about going on roller coasters and playing carnival games to win giant stuffed animals? Not to forget all the candy and snacks too. I can just imagine myself turning into a kid again, running around and laughing. You can have a good time goofing around at a carnival with your date.
9. Go On A Late Night Tour
When I say late night tour, I do not mean those dodgy ones, but there are actually a lot worth checking out. Depending on which city you are at, many agencies offer night tours that can be very fun and even cultural. If you are up for a scare, you could take your partner to a haunted house tour or you could pretend to be a tourist in your own city – you might even learn new things about the place you grew up in.
10. Enjoy A Karaoke Night
Karaoke is a great way to loosen up and to unleash your inner pop-star. There are plenty of karaoke bars that open till late or you can even do it at home. Some of you might have your very own karaoke set but for the rest of us, an app will probably do the trick. Get your partner to do a duet with you or challenge them to a rap battle – it is going to be an interesting night.
11. Go On A Drinking Date
If singing is not your thing, how about a chill night at that cocktail bar you have been meaning to check out? You can do what everyone else does where you go for a few drinks and then have mushy emotional talks. Or, you can try something different like sign up for a bartending course, wine tasting, beer brewing or whiskey appreciation.
The point is to do something out of the box every now and then.
12. Go On A Pub Crawl
There are new pubs opening almost every other week, so why not plan a night out going bar hopping? Put on a nice dress or suit and go around trying out intriguing cocktails you would not normally order. You do not stop until one of you passes out! Getting drunk with your significant other can be so much fun because you can be yourself with them – get drunk, pour your heart out, who cares! As long as you do not become addicted, alcohol can be an easy way to let your guard down and have a good time.
13. Go To A Bowling Alley Or A Pool Hall
We have all probably gone bowling with our families on a Sunday afternoon before but have you gone bowling tipsy at 2 in the morning? Yes, it is as fun as it sounds. It is nice because a lot of bowling alleys and pool halls are open until late. It is the perfect place to head to after a bar crawl when it is the least crowded and you can have a great time with your partner.
14. Skating
Ice skating, roller skating or even just regular skating is a great activity to get some cardio in and also spend time with your partner. If you are afraid of skating, who better to teach you than your other half? There will be embarrassing times where you might fall on your bum, but it is all right, just laugh it off and try again. Dates get boring if all you do is go on dinner and movie dates – they become repetitive and you definitely do not want that. So next time, try an activity that both of you have never done before.
15. Surround Yourself With Animals
Some zoos and aquariums open until late to entertain busy working adults like us. The zoo brings back a lot of childhood memories for me. If you haven’t gone to the zoo as an adult, you really should – it is a completely different experience. Some places even offer special late night tours or activities which are perfect for all you animal lovers.
16. Go For A Romantic Night Walk
When the moonlight is shining down with a little breeze in the air, it is the perfect time for a stroll. This is best if you do not live in the middle of a crowded city where you can still hear the hustle and bustle. It will definitely be more romantic if there is a park or a quiet street to walk along. You can talk about your day or go deeper and discuss your aspirations in life but do make sure to stay safe.
17. Go Camping
Escape from the big city life and immerse yourself in nature. Camping in the wild sets you free from the modern day burdens of work and pressure from society. It is a time where you can reconnect with yourself and spend quality time with your partner with no phones, no social media, and no distractions from the outside world. Despite the mosquitoes, you would still be able to have a good time going back to basics and living in a tent. Hey, those skills you learned while being in the Scouts as a kid might finally come in handy!
18. Listening To The Sound Of Waves
For those of you who live near a beach, this is the perfect date for one of those spontaneous nights where you just feel like doing something a little extra. Take a drive to your nearest beach and maybe pack a picnic. Just imagine sinking your feet on the sandy shore while gazing at the stars. Let all your stress just melt away with the sound of waves crashing in the background.
19. Night Swimming
Yes, another movie cliché. I am not asking you to go skinny dipping or crash your neighbor’s pool, but just try taking a dip at night. There is something about submerging yourself in water that is really calming and it will be better if you are doing it with your significant other.
20. Watch The Sunrise
If you are already at the beach, you might as well stay for the sunrise. It is so underrated compared to the sunset, but it is just as beautiful and majestic. Bring a blanket and cozy up with your partner, then slowly watch as the starry skies disappear while the sun comes up. If there aren’t any beaches near you, I am sure there will be sunrise spots in your city or you can even watch it from your balcony. Oh, what I love even more is the late night conversations leading up to the sunrise which is definitely worth staying up for.
21. Challenge Each Other
This is something you can do anywhere and anytime. It is important to support each other as a couple but also to challenge each other from time to time. You want to grow together so it can be an intellectual challenge where you talk about your world views or it can be a physical challenge where you try to get fit together. Or, it can be something fun like solving the Rubik’s cube or a game of chess.
Whatever it is that you ended up trying for date night, I hope you have fun with each other because that is the whole point of it all. It does not really matter what you do, as long as you do it together. Spending the time to plan dates is also something that you could enjoy with your partner. Making a long-term relationship successful is really up to both parties to keep the spark going. So don’t stop making the effort!
