BEST LOCAL DATE IDEAS
Whether it’s a first date, blind date, anniversary date, or investing-in-your-marriage date, spending time with someone significant (or potentially significant) should be fun and interesting! We’ve come up with 10 south-east Brisbane date ideas that will help you connect and know each other on a deeper level.
Dine ‘Em
Let’s state the obvious: food is the unofficial sixth love language. We revolve around it. Women know the way to a man’s heart is through his belly. Men know a woman appreciates being cooked for. So it’s no surprise that eating out makes for the perfect date. Enter Factory51 with its festoon lit laneway and handmade Italian cuisine. Start with some truffle and honey butter focaccia, before sharing mouthfuls of slow braised beef cannelloni and a prosciutto de parma pizza. Order a craft beer or boutique wine, and don’t forget to taste the vanilla bean panna cotta for dessert. Make a reservation and let the accidental brushing of hands ensue.
Image: Factory51
Classic Combo
You can’t go wrong with a classic dinner and movie combo. Shout your date to a flick at Cineplex Balmoral or Hawthorne for as little as $7/ticket. Dish out $14/ticket at Hawthorne Deluxe Cineplex and you’ll get all the perks of Gold Class plus score major brownie points. The newish Dendy Coorparoo boasts ten state-of-the-art screens as well as two Premium Lounge cinemas. As for what to see? Our picks are Wonder Woman 1984 (DC fans rejoice); Aussie action thriller High Ground; and the anticipated 25th instalment in the James Bond series No Time to Die. You’ll have plenty to talk about afterwards!
Walk Side by Side
We’re fans of stripping back the OTT dates and getting back to timeless activities. You know, the ones that’ll be part of normal life once you’re married, with a house, and three kids. Apart from the health benefits of walking, it’s a grand ol’ opportunity for conversation. Slip your hand into theirs and head for a wander or bushwalk through Minnippi Parkland Circuit, Mowbray Park, or Seven Hills Bushland Reserve. Want to make it a extra special? Go for a sunset stroll along the river at Bulimba. Starting at Waterline Crescent, take the riverwalk to the ferry terminal, continue past beautiful homes on Quay Street, and finish up near the Brisbane Sailing Squadron.
Image: Crew on Unsplash
Release Those Endorphins
Keen on a little competition? Want to get the endorphins flowing? Sport-based dates are a fantastic way to get to know someone. Burn off that nervous energy by kicking a football together at Hawthorne Park or Whites Hill Reserve. Let your date improve your swing at Bulimba Golf Club or Pacific Golf Club. Have a hit at Morningside Tennis Centre or race through the Minnippi Parkrun. Shoot some hoops at a neighbourhood court or cool off at Colmslie Aquatic Centre. For those who prefer a little less sweat, try your hand at Barefoot Bowls (Carina, Belmont, Norman Park, Camp Hill) or get along to The Gabba to cheer on your (and hopefully their!) favourite team.
Impress Man’s [Other] Best Friend
We all know the importance of making a good impression on the best friend. For dog-lovers this usually means their furry companion. Luckily, there are a heap of dog parks dotted around the south-east side of Brisbane. Colmslie Recreation Reserve features ample space to run, agility equipment, and a sandy beach when it’s time to cool off. Meadowlands Road Dog Park is set within Minnippi Parklands with plenty of paved pathways and two off-leash areas. Bulimba Riverside Dog Park has also recently undergone a makeover with more seating and shade to enjoy those river breezes. So, grab your canines and a ball, and hope you all get on!
Image: Treddy Chen on Unsplash
Have a Mountain-Top Moment
There’s something about higher ground that brings clarity and perspective on life. Located just 10km south of the CBD is one such place – Mt Gravatt Outlook. With views out to the Moreton Bay islands, D’Aguilar Ranges, and Glasshouse Mountains, it’s a scenic spot away from the everyday hustle and bustle. Make your way to the summit via one of three walking trails or car, and secure yourselves a grassy patch. Sit in comfortable silence, whisper sweet nothings, or discuss values you both share. You’ll know you’re onto a good thing when your date fills you with as much awe and wonder as those sweet views.
Bond Over Books
Calling all book bugs. We haven’t forgotten you. With your smarts, you understand just how much you can discover about a person by what they read. Whether you bond over ancient Greek literature or know the release date of the latest Nicholas Sparks novel, going on a bookstore date is insightful. Meander through Riverbend Books (Bulimba), Books@Stones (Stones Corner), Clarence Corner Bookshop or Koorong (Woolloongabba). Lose track of time amongst the shelves of a local BCC library, or join the ever-growing Street Library movement. Discuss your latest author discoveries and – if it’s going well – gift each other your favourite read.
Image: Josh Felise on Unsplash
It’s On Like Donkey Kong
Playdates are not just for kids! From Daytona to Mario Kart, King of the Hammer to Dance Dance Revolution, bring back all the nostalgia with a date at the arcade. 1UP Arcade is a hidden gem in Morningside boasting 160+ arcade games, 30+ pinballs, and retro consoles. You can load up your Powercard at Timezone Garden City which has joined forces alongside Zone Bowling and Laser Tag. Or, if the idea of being trapped in a themed room with your love interest gets your pulse racing, why not try Puzzled Room Escape in Holland Park West. You can at least pretend to try escape.
Get Pampered
For those a little more established in their relationship, a date to unwind, relax, and get a bit of pampering can be exactly what the doctor ordered. Chat with the team at Stephanie’s Urban Spa (Bulimba) who can adapt any treatment to a couples treatment; or choose from one of four indulgent couples packages at Petrichor Day Spa (Hawthorne). Beyond Rest (Coorparoo) eases muscular aches and mental tension with flotation tank therapy at its best. Alternatively, escape to a tropical oasis at Cenote Casa Bathhouse (Woolloongabba) and take a dip in the magnesium pool during your Bathhouse Session.
Image: Cenote Casa Bathhouse
Shopaholics Unite
If someone wants to go shopping together, it either means they value your opinion or they want to help you out. Sieze the opportunity to bond! The Market Folk hold creative stalls once a month at Coorparoo Square, and Westfield Carindale is nearby for those wanting to shop up a storm. If pesticide free almonds and dark chocolate freeze dried strawberries get your tastebuds excited then browse the organic lineup at Naked Foods. For antiques and thrift stores, head towards Stones Corner and Woolloongabba. Create a custom chocolate box at 31° Custom Chocolates, or deck out your pad with a piece from Sunday Society.
Looking for more fun date ideas? Here’s 51 of the best things to do in Brisbane.
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