Tired of going to a bar or restaurant for every date? Whether you’re just getting to know each other or have been married for years, these twists on traditional date nights will make everyone happy.
8 Creative Nashville Date Ideas
Hand Pour a Candle
Pick a vessel, find a fragrance, place your wick and pour the wax at The Candle Bar. This hand pouring candle experience happens on the hour every hour, so make a reservation or call ahead to see if any seats are open. Bring a bottle of wine or champagne to enhance the experience. Your candle will dry within a couple hours, which you can pick up or have shipped. It’s only $25-$35 per person depending on the vessel you choose.
The Candle Bar’s official website.
See Art for Free
At the elegant 21c Museum Hotel downtown, you’re welcome to get tipsy and artsy at the same time. Start by grabbing a creative cocktail at the hotel bar, Gray & Dudley, and take it with you as you stroll through the adjacent museum’s modern (and occasionally interactive) exhibits. Spanning more than 10,000 square feet, this one-of-a-kind art collection is free to view and open to the public 24 hours a day.
21c Museum Hotel’s official website.
Create a Couple Masterpieces
If you prefer do-it-yourself art, make your next date night a BYOB painting class—zero experience or talent required. Nashville is not lacking for options of this popular two-for-one activity, with franchises Sip ’N’ Strokes and Painting with a Twist (which has two locations here) as well as the locally owned Dabble Studio.
Sips ‘N’ Strokes’ official website.
Dabble Studio’s official website.
Painting with a Twist’s official website.
Upgrade Your Movie Experience
The new recliners at the Green Hills theater are nice and all, but Marvel sequels don’t exactly scream “date night.” The intimate Belcourt Theatre offers a truly unique movie experience with its long-running Weekend Classics (think The Last of the Mohicans), themed residencies (like a curation of Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis films) and kooky midnight screenings (now playing: Creepshow).
Go Absinthe Tasting
The Germantown sweet spot known as Tempered Cafe & Chocolate has a secret identity: On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, it transforms into an absinthe bar called The Green Hour. (You’ll know the time is right when the green light in the front window flicks on.) Learn how to do a traditional absinthe ritual called la louche, which involves dissolving a sugar cube with iced water before imbibing.
Tempered Cafe & Chocolate’s official website.
Dance the Night Away
So you think you can’t dance? Change that attitude via Swing Dance Nashville, which offers an 8 p.m. drop-in demonstration before its Friday night free-for-all. If you’re feeling fairly confident in your Lindy hop, show off those moves at The 5 Spot’s popular Monday night dance party—swing dancing starts at 8 p.m. and segues into the Motown Monday sweat fest at 10. For a different pace, the Nashville Country Dancers host a contra dance with live music every Friday at 8 p.m.; get there a half hour early for a beginner lesson.
Swing Dance Nashville’s official website.
The 5 Spot’s official website.
Nashville Country Dancers’ official website.
Reach Great Heights
A couple’s ultimate test of trust, patience and communication: climbing to the top of a giant rock wall together. No matter how long you’ve been together, you’ll likely survive a trip to Climb Nashville because it’s more fun than frightening. Day passes start at $15, depending on the type of equipment you need, and both gym locations are open until 10 p.m. in case you’re feeling ambitious after digesting dinner.
Climb Nashville’s official website.
Nerd Out
Every few months, the Adventure Science Center hosts a special ticketed event especially for the 21-and-up crowd. The themes range drastically—from crime solving to Harry Potter—but expect a blend of science, pop culture, costumes and adult beverages.
Adventure Science Center’s official website.
Have other creative date ideas in Nashville? Let us know in the comments!
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