Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, trying to shake things up, or just looking for something fun to do with your significant other, date ideas can be difficult. It’s so easy to just “meet up for a drink”, or “go out to that place we like for dinner”, but sometimes it’s really good to get outside your comfort zone and try something new. Living in Melbourne we’re lucky, as the options are endless. These are the best date ideas in Melbourne.
Tina‘s Bingo Academy
Tokyo Tina, Windsor
Tina’s Bingo Academy is hosted at Tokyo Tina every Sunday lunch at either 12pm or 2:15pm. It includes a set menu of Japanese delights, bottomless Aperol spritzes, sparkling and tap beer, and some outrageous banter. What better way to break the ice than bottomless bevs and competition?
How to book: Via their website
Art With Matching Drinks at the GRAU PROJEKT
Clifton Hill
Conceptual drinks and art? Name a more Melbourne date, we’ll wait. The Grau Projekt is an exhibition space launched by Bar Americano’s Matt Bax. With its reopen on Feb 4, The Grau Projekt is back, this time delivering “A MESSAGE FOR THE NEW WORLD – LIFE AFTER COVID” by Melbourne artist Pimpisa Tinpalit. We know there are heaps of exhibition spaces in Melb, so why The Grau Projekt? Their POD is an ‘artist-curated drinking’ feature, providing drinks that underline the mood and philosophy of the exhibition. Tinpalit’s post-COVID world exhibition will incorporate couple tea meditations, assisting to balance our bodies and minds back to our new “reality”.
How to book: For the exhibition, it’s walk-ins only and book the artist-curated drinking sesh here
Cork & Canvas: Art Workshop With a Side of Wine
South Melbourne
Get tipsy at an art class. Need we say more? Cork and Canvas operate studios that are BYO drinks and nibbles, while they supply all the art materials, glassware, and good vibes. If you’re looking for a celebratory date, such as an anniversary or even just making it to the third date, we reckon you should explore their new offering: “Champainting”. Held at SEA LIFE Aquarium, they look after everything from champagne, to easels to turning you into an artist in front of your date.
How to book: Book “Champainting” here, book other sessions here.
Craft & Co Workshop
Collingwood
Craft & Co is a brewery, distillery, and winery that can also teach you how to make your own cheese, sausages, salami, and gin! Although having to stop their classes for a little while due to the pesky covid, they’ll be back up and running soon and are a perfect date idea for those who love to make. If you happen to be looking for a date idea between 10-14 of Feb, their Summer Gin Market is going to be more intimate this year. You’ll get the chance to sit down with each distiller, for a tasting and a chat. More info on that here. For all the upcoming info, keep your eye on their newsletter.
How to book: Browse and book upcoming workshops here.
Winemaking With Noisy Ritual
Brunswick East
This one’s for the wine lovers. Noisy Ritual offers a winemaker membership each year with the desire to demystify the winemaking process, bringing good people together over great wine, food, and music to learn about, taste, and create in an urban environment. At $425 it’s an expensive date idea, but it covers 3 winemaking workshops, 3 barrel tasting sessions, half a dozen bottles of your vintage, and a 25% discount on Noisy Ritual wine and merch for a year. Not to mention some amazing memories, new knowledge, and your very own wine to cellar.
How to book: Sign up for the winemaking membership here.
Underground Cinema Extravaganza
The Underground Cinema is a big mystery to anyone who hasn’t experienced one of their shows and for your sake, we’re going to keep it that way. All we’ll say; is it’s a 4+ hour immersive experience at a secret location that feels like walking onto a film set with actors, sets, and costumes. We’ll also let you in on a little secret: they’re coming back with a new show very soon. If you and your boo want to get caught up in the mystery and drama of theatre together, this will not disappoint.
How to book: Book the next show here.
Secret Foodies
It’s 2021 and we all need a little more spontaneity again. A little more spice. It’s all in the name with this one. Finally back post-COVID, Secret Foodies is a ticketed event that you purchase without knowing where you’re going until two hours before. The location is revealed via text to all guests, with events varying from long lunches to dinners, cocktail parties, and more with iconic sensory experiences being the common theme. Secret foodies also offer interactive classes, things like pasta making, a speakeasy cocktail-making class, and French cooking classes.
How to book: Book a class here, book a mystery dining experience here
Explore at the NGV
Arts Precinct, CBD
With constantly rotating exhibitions bringing modern and historic art to Melbourne’s CBD, the NGV is always a good idea. They have a beautiful garden space that always has pop-up bars and booze brands, along with live music, DJ, and performance events. Having recently reopened again for 2021, they’re kicking off a full calendar of fab February events, including In February NGV will have an amazing program of events including the major NGV Triennial exhibition, Triennial EXTRA late-night festival, and exhibitions including DESTINY, TIWI, and Ivan Durrant: Barrier Draw all of which are FREE to attend. Book now, babes!
How to book: Everything is available on their website
Eat a Burger on Easey’s Train in the Sky
Collingwood
You want to sit on a train in the sky and eat burgers? We got you. Easey’s is like an art installation with a view, complete with burgers, dim sims, sandwiches, and potato cakes all to the soundtrack of new and classic hip hop. The trains are the canvas to graffiti art which changes on the daily. From the trains, you can see the skyline of Melbourne’s inner north and drink a Melbourne Bitter. It really doesn’t get much more Melbourne.
How to book: Order online here, make a booking here
Rejuvenate and Rekindle at the Peninsula Hot Springs
Mornington Peninsula
The Peninsula Hot Springs is the perfect date place for those who are looking for relaxation and reconnecting. They’re located in the Mornington Peninsula, about an hour out of Melbourne. They operate as hot springs, a day spa, and a wellness centre. You can walk around the beautifully constructed paths to discover different types of pools, Turkish baths, saunas, and private areas. They have a pine forest full of hammocks, a beautiful dining area (with really yum coffee), they offer massages and treatments and accommodation. You really can’t go wrong with this one.
How to book: Browse options and book via their website
Sunset at Lui Bar
55th floor, Rialto Building
Lui Bar is the cocktail bar of Vue de Monde. Located on the 55th floor of the Rialto building, with a panorama view of the city. We’re pretty certain that a glass of champagne by the window at the perfect time (sunset), is your golden ticket—literally.
How to book: Book via OpenTable or contact them directly here
Salsa the Night (Cat) Away
Fitzroy
Ever wanted to teach your bae to salsa? Now’s your chance! Every Sunday, The Night Cat is taken over by Melbourne Salsa Foundation, with bachata and salsa classes. Starting at 7pm, you can choose your level and style and learn a routine with the amazing instructors. Once the classes are done it’s all butts to the dancefloor, with live South American music and no judgment.
How to book: Just show up with $20 in cash for the door cost, all info via Facebook
URBNSURF
Tullamarine
URBNSRF is bringing the waves, no matter the environment. Opening Melbourne’s very first surf park, URBNSRF is an amazing idea if you want to learn to surf, or if you want to practice your already finessed skills. Utilised by athletes, kids, and pretty much anyone who likes to step outside their comfort zone and be adventurous, URBNSRF is located in Tullamarine. It also has a beautiful seafood and pizza restaurant, Three Blue Ducks, making it the perfect place for a date for all the senses.
How to book: Book via website