Date night ideas for every couple

Got a hot new fling? Hoping to spice things up with your longtime partner? We’re here to help plan your next date in Boston.

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Make a date to sail away on a harbor cruise.

Photo by BOStoday

Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to BOStoday.

Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time). Regardless, whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 25+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.

Seating at the Status Lounge is first come, first served.

Photo by BOStoday

For the ones who want a night out on the town

If the way to their heart is through their stomach

  • Make reservations at a North End restaurant and grab drinks at the Modern underground bar.
  • Speaking of the North End — Make your own cannoli tour with a stop at Mike’s, Modern, and Bova’s. Check out how our dessert hot takes compare to yours.
  • Try a Korean corn dog and mochi donuts from Kimchipapi Kitchen in Allston.
  • Sign up for a cooking class at Cambridge Center for Adult Education .
  • Shake things up with a cocktail class and learn how to make classic sips from the team at The Boston Shaker .
  • Feast on lobster rolls both ways (Connecticut-style served hot and buttery and a Maine-style chilled with mayo) and other delicious seafood from the Barking Crab on the waterfront.
  • Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with a visit to Wusong Road .
  • Create your own adventure and see how many delicious bites you can find though the Chinatown neighborhood . Think: Dumplings from Dumpling Cafe or pho from Pho Pasteur.

These swans have been gliding along the Public Garden lagoon since 1877.

If you love the great outdoors

Tech-infused mini-golf is a perfect indoor activity.

Photo provided

For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)

  • Order a gourmet grilled cheese from Roxy’s and walk through the cooler door to the speakeasy-style arcade bar .
  • Head to South Boston and let your competitive side show for a round of pickleball or two at PKL .
  • Visit Seaport for a round of high-tech mini-golf at Puttshack . Pro tip: Get there early to have a drink and some snacks before your game.

If you’re really hoping that it works out

Express yourself with a paint class at the Brookline art studio.

Photo by BOStoday

If you want an “old fashioned”-style date

If you wanna show off by knowing all the hottest events in town

  • Shameless plug: Sign up for our daily newsletter, where we call out our top picks of things to do around town. Your date doesn’t have to know we’re behind it, you can take all the credit.
  • Stay up to date on the coolest local events around Boston with our events page (and check out this guide for our tips on navigating the page).

What did we miss? If you know a perfect date spot that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction using this survey .

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Jess is based in Boston, MA and when she isn’t creating content, you’ll find her at one of the local breweries, walking her dogs on the Esplanade, or attending a concert. After graduating from the University of Florida, she moved to Columbia, SC where she worked at various nonprofit organizations + was a City Editor for COLAtoday before relocating to launch BOStoday in 2021.
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