Eliza Weeks, Author at The Austinot

Date Ideas Austin – 20 romantic things to do during day and night!

February 4, 2023 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

Huge List of Unforgettable Austin Date Spots

Date Ideas Austin

Recently I found myself wrapped up in one of those fleeting moments of self-empowerment, tickled by a craving for adventure. Interested in re-entering the dating pool, but also daunted by how exhausting the process can be, I decided the only way to start dating was to cannonball in. So I created a challenge for myself: I would go on 25 dates during my 25th year.

This was invigorating, but when you tell yourself you’re going to go on a date, you have to have some destinations in your arsenal. The problem is that I’m a chronic searcher. I don’t have one favorite place to eat, drink or be merry in Austin.

Add a date to the mix and the decision becomes more complicated. Friends can be forgiving of the loud crowd or a dinner that was too experimental, but dates are often people you don’t know well. With these concerns in mind, I decided the best thing would be to compile a list of fail-safe date destinations in Austin. Because when sexual tension and awkward expectations are in the air, you want everything else to be simple.

If you find yourself searching for ‘fun date ideas Austin’ or ‘date ideas near me’ or ‘places to go on a date near me’ I have you covered! Check out my curated list of the Best Date Night or Day Ideas in Austin!

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Also, remember to check out our articles on Romantic Restaurants in Austin, Best Italian Restaurants in Austin, and Best Austin Restaurants with a View!

Deal Alert – Romantic Tour in Austin

Experience the romantic ambiance of Austin on a tour that is tailored for couples. Take a stroll through picturesque neighborhoods and discover hidden gems that only locals know about. Enjoy a romantic sunset at a secluded spot with a beautiful view. Indulge in delicious food and drinks at some of the city’s most intimate and charming restaurants. Create lasting memories with your significant other as you explore the city’s culture, history, and natural beauty together.

Get more information and book your Romantic tour for couples in Austin TODAY!!!

Date Ideas Austin – Date Night at Not Your Average Dive Bar

A first date over drinks is a time-honored tradition. There’s no big commitment. If after one drink you decide you aren’t right for each other, you simply take a last sip, payout, and say your amicable goodbyes. If you are connecting, you can hit up the inevitable restaurant close by. Either way, with these cocktail lounge ideas, you’ll have a good place to start a date and perhaps find a new favorite bar!

Whisler’s

Image Credit: Whisler’s FB Page

Craft cocktails and a hidden mezcal bar.
Where: 1816 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702

drink.well

Constantly changing exotic cocktail menu and tapas-style snacks
Where: 207 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751

Midnight Cowboy

Reservation-only speakeasy cocktail lounge
Where: 313 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Lala’s Little Nugget

Image Credit: Lala’s FB Page

Christmas all year round, the only Christmas Bar in ATX!
Where: 2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757

House Wine

Extensive wine selection, charcuterie, and s’mores
Where: 408 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704

Juliet Italian Kitchen

Excellent happy hour, lovely wine and cocktail list, and great outdoor patio
Where: 10000 Research Blvd Building C, Austin, TX 78759

Deal Alert – Private Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab

Try out Austin’s craft brewery scene without thinking about transportation on this private microbrewery tour by pedicab. Enjoy Austin’s famously warm weather as your guide pedals you to three of Austin’s award-winning breweries. Choose to pay for beers as you go or opt for the all-inclusive option for a tour without any additional expenses.

Get all the information and book your Private Austin Brewery Pedicab Tour TODAY!!!

Date Ideas Austin – Something is brewing at these coffee date spots

When you grab a coffee in Austin, it isn’t just about the drink, but it’s about the whole experience. Our local cafes often offer more than just something to sip on.

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

Image Credit: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters FB Page

Going to Mozart’s is like having a lake party without the cost of a yacht. Grab a coffee and enjoy the views of Lake Austin. If it’s Christmas time, take in the famous light show. It will definitely add a spark to your romantic evening. Where: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Mañana Coffee & Juice

The newest addition to the South Congress Hotel compound is Mañana. The simple but elegant menu, including delectable pastries, makes for a great place to grab a bite and sip when you are testing the water on a first date.

Don’t forget there are half-price pastries daily from 5-7 p.m!
Where: 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Easy Tiger

Image Credit: Easy Tiger FB page

This Sixth Street bakery and beer garden is easily one of the top first-date spots in the city, so it certainly warrants a mention. Easy Tiger can serve as the background for a date at any time of day. Meet for coffee and pastries in the morning, pretzels and ping pong in the afternoon, or a beer to start off a night on the town. After your treatment, you can hit up some of the other bars around or just go for a walk down Sixth Street.
Where: 6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd Suite 1100, Austin, TX 78752

Deal Alert – Texas Hill Country and LBJ Tour – 2 adults for just $109!

Experience Texas Hill Country while exploring the life of U.S. President and Texas native son Lyndon Johnson. After a convenient hotel pickup, visit Johnson’s “Texas White House,” his reconstructed boyhood home (now a national park), and the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. Learn about the cowboys and German immigrants who shaped the region, stop by historic Fredericksburg and visit the legendary country music town of Luckenbach.

Get more details and book your Texas Hill Country and LBJ tour from Austin TODAY!!!

Date Ideas Austin – Best dinner options to cook up some romance

Patrizi’s

Image Credit: Patrizi’s FB page

I’m a sucker for any place that has outdoor seating, twinkling lights, and food trucks. Throw in incredible handmade pasta, live theatre, trivia nights, and classy cocktails, and you’ve got the perfect date destination. This Manor Road complex makes it easy to customize your date. If you don’t know the person well, stick with drinks under the moonlight. Want to impress them, but not dent your wallet too badly? Throw in dinner from Patrizi’s. Ready to explore the avant-garde?
Where: 2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

Lenoir’s Back Garden Patio

Behind the Lenoir dining room (which serves a delicious menu nightly) sits a fenced-off back patio that screams date night. A giant oak tree strewn with paper lanterns stretches its arms over wood and stone picnic tables. Stay for a glass or wine or share appetizers, like a thick slice of bread covered in heirloom tomato bruschetta with feta and basil. It feels like a little-known secret tucked away right off First Street.
Where: 1807 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

Deal Alert – Food Tour of Downtown Austin – 2 adults for just $87

Stroll through the streets of downtown Austin on a guided urban gastronomy experience. Explore the city’s central and historic area and sample numerous foods—from BBQ brisket to Austin-style breakfast tacos. Along the way, you’ll discover some of the city’s popular sights and attractions. This tour is ideal for foodies and hungry visitors. The tour departs from a convenient location in the middle of Austin.

What’s Included

Austin-style breakfast taco
Central Texas pit-style BBQ brisket
Authentic Italian cannoli with a twist
Chicken and potato tamales with black bean dip
Gourmet doughnut
Our delicious Secret Dish

Get more information and book your Food Tour of Downtown Austin TODAY!!!

Date Ideas Austin – Entertainment Date Ideas: No Need for Small Talk

Paramount Theatre

Image Credit: Paramount Theatre FB Page

If you need a break from Alamo Drafthouse, then head to Paramount Theatre to take in a classic movie on the big screen. The summer movie series boasts classics like “Casa Blanca” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Who doesn’t want to do a little time travel on a date?
Where: 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Radio Coffee & Beer

Radio Coffee & Beer took three of Austin’s favorite things and combined them: good coffee, craft beer and live music. This South Austin treasure has a little something for everyone. Each night of the week features a new music genre or activity, including Bluegrass Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, Movie Wednesdays, and Folksy Sundays. Take your pick. Where: 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Deal Alert – Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour for 2 at $29.99!

This two-in-one option includes a ghost tour and pub crawl
Learn all about the city’s spookiest ghost stories from your guide
Visit a number of the city’s hippest bars and drinking dens
Have the chance to order drinks as you go (own expense)

Get more information and book your Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour TODAY!!!

Date Ideas Austin – Let your hands do the talking at these art & craft spots

Cafe Monet

Image Credit: Cafe Monet Art Studio FB Page

Paintings are nice, but sometimes you want your art to be a little more utilitarian. At Cafe Monet, you and your date can each decorate something that will last. If the date goes well, you can trade creations. If it doesn’t last, at least you got a cool mug out of the deal!
Where: 4477 S Lamar Blvd #560, Austin, TX 78745

CRAFT

The recently-relocated giant crafting studio, CRAFT, makes for a great date destination. Keep your hands busy and channel your inner goofy finger-painting kid as you create something to commemorate the evening. You can dive into the craft world on your own or sign up for a workshop, which offers a more structured crafting experience. Best of all, you’re crafting, not painting the Mona Lisa, so no pressure to create an incredible piece of art.
Where: 4477 S Lamar Blvd #560, Austin, TX 78745

Deal Alert – Hill Country BBQ and Wine Shuttle

Leave busy Austin for a half-day barbecue and wine tour in the Texas Hill Country. Your driver takes you to the outskirts of Austin to visit three different venues. Driver/Guide and Air Conditioned Vehicle are included. Food and wine tasting costs are NOT included.

Get more information and book your Hill Country BBQ and Wine Shuttle TODAY!!!

Unique Date Ideas Austin – Off the Beaten Path

Hamilton Pool Preserve

Austin Date Spots - Hamilton Pool Park & Nature Preserve

Image Credit: Kelsey Benson for Hamilton Pool Preserve FB Page

Sometimes a drink or dinner won’t cut it. For those going on a third or fourth date, Hamilton Pool is an incredible escape close to the city. Go for a swim or hike and marvel at each other and a cavernous water hole that looks like it dropped straight out of a fantasy novel. Don’t forget that advance reservations are now required to cut down on crowds.
Where: Travis County, TX, USA

Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell’s Westlake lookout is another tried and true romantic spot for couples on a date. Pack a picnic to reward yourselves for climbing all those stairs.
Where: Austin, TX 78731

Pub Crawling in Austin

Austin Date Spots - Pubcrawler of Austin

Image Credit: PubCrawler of Austin FB Page

Have you seen the bars on wheels creeping along the streets of downtown, propelled by peddlers sporting Koozied drinks and toothy grins? These peddle pubs are absurd, but sort of incredible. I think all dates should involve a level of goofy, carefree fun. We spend so much time sitting in bars sipping cocktails and putting our best foot forward that we forget to just be ourselves. When you’re peddling a massive bar with strangers and blasting music, you can’t help but laugh at yourself. The sort of laughter that can be pretty attractive and break the ice.
Where: 1607 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

Motown Mondays at The Highball

Sometimes all you want to do is dance, but Dirty Sixth may not be where you want to take a date. Doo-wop your way over to The Highball and dance your heart out to the ballads of Motown, performed by The Night Owls and other local bands. If your feet get tired but you don’t want to say goodnight yet, catch a movie at Alamo Drafthouse next door or pop over to Lick’s for a refreshing ice cream cone.
Where: 1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Browsing at BookPeople

Want to engage your inner nerd and get to know your counterpart’s more intellectual side? Take your date to dinner at 24 Diner or get ice cream at Amy’s, then head over to BookPeople and peruse the aisles of the largest independent bookstore in Texas.

You can learn a lot about a person based on their favorite genres and authors. And if the date goes well, maybe you can get lost in the stacks.
Where: 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Stay up to date on the events, activities, and entertainment in the Austin area through our weekly updates to Things to do in Austin this Week, Things to do in Austin this Weekend, and Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend!

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Travel on your mind? Check out Date Ideas Houston and Date Ideas San Antonio

Whole30 Friendly Restaurants in Austin That Encourage the Journey

February 6, 2017 by Eliza Weeks 1 Comment

Paleo Friendly Orange Chicken at Picnik Austin

Paleo orange chicken at Picnik Austin (Credit: Sarah Doliver)

I’ll admit, when my doctor first suggested I adopt a paleo lifestyle, I was nervous. Sure, I could adapt my cooking habits. Hand me a zucchini–I’ll make noodles. Toss in a butternut squash–you’ve got rice.

But what about my profound love for restaurant exploration? Would I be able to navigate the menus of up-and-coming eateries, or would my favorite hobby turn into a daunting task? Turns out, I had nothing to worry about.

During my first Whole30 journey, I remembered Picnik. The wholesome walk-up-turned-brick-and-mortar is known for its paleo offerings. They also have an entire menu of hand-selected dishes that are Whole30-compliant. And they aren’t all salad! [Read more…]

Guide to Austin’s Zilker Park for Every Season of the Year

January 19, 2017 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

Zilker Park (Credit: Jared Tennant Photography)

There is never a day that Zilker Park lays dormant. If there isn’t a festival forming a patchwork over the grassy expanses, then the acres are still alive with visitors exploring its many attractions and arteries. Zilker Park isn’t a place you can fully experience in a day or even a week. It takes a full year to take in all of its faces, and a history lesson to understand how the park came to be the cornerstone of everything we Austinites hold near and dear. [Read more…]

8 Resolution-Friendly Restaurants in Austin for a Busy 2017

January 5, 2017 by Eliza Weeks 1 Comment

Each year from November to January we embark on an annual journey of indulgence. We revel in the company of friends and family. We bask in waves of nostalgia as songs, traditions and memories from years past wash over us. We willingly loosen our belts a notch, making room for a parade of seasonal delicacies.

But come January, we’re jarred from this holiday haze. As if a switch has flipped in our brains, we begin a desperate search for a reset button. In truth, there’s no magic bullet to instantly shedding the weight or cravings from two months of holiday cheer. Nor is there time to search for one as we confront that mound of unanswered work emails.

That’s why we live in Austin, a foodie city that understands that healthy needs to be good as well as easy. I’ve put together some of my favorite resolution-friendly restaurants for healthy but satisfying meals on the go. [Read more…]

Guide to Party Planning in Austin for Every Interest and Occasion

December 22, 2016 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

Nothing excites me more than the prospect of hosting a party. From creating menus to dreaming up goodie bags, I can’t get enough. Half of this enthusiasm comes from living in a city that makes party planning so easy. Last year as a maid of honor, I convinced an entire bridal party to come to Austin because of all the bachelorette party potential!

Though I find the role of hostess exhilarating, I realize I might be in the minority. So let me be your hostess with the mostest, and introduce you to a few local Austin companies that can make any party a success. From birthday bashes for tiny tykes to bachelorettes for blushing brides-to-be, I’ve got ideas for everyone. [Read more…]

Develop a Green Thumb With the Help of These Austin Plant Experts

December 15, 2016 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

No green thumb? No problem! Even a novice can find inspiration at Barton Springs Nursery

How is it that some people naturally have a green thumb? Are they born plant experts or did they learn how to make living things thrive over time?

I’ve survived a roller coaster of success and failure with plants of my own. More often than not, I can’t figure out what I did wrong or right. Am I destined for a life of silk flowers and plastic fronds?

That question has crossed my mind a time or two. But after picking the brains of two Austin plant experts at Barton Springs Nursery and Frond Plant Shop, I’ve decided a green thumb isn’t hereditary; it’s contagious. [Read more…]

Full Fridge Blends Tech, Gourmet Cooking for Meal Delivery in Austin

November 23, 2016 by Eliza Weeks 1 Comment

Full Fridge offers meal delivery in Austin (Credit: Full Fridge)

Editor’s Note: Full Fridge is no longer in business.

What happens when you combine two tech experts, two Austrian restauranteurs and a cardboard box? The answer may surprise you. It isn’t the punch line to a cringeworthy dad joke. It’s Full Fridge, Austin’s newest tech-savvy meal delivery service. [Read more…]

Mouth-Watering Guide to Austin’s Take-Home Thanksgiving Options

November 10, 2016 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

What do pilgrims and your in-laws have in common? An appreciation for all the Thanksgiving delicacies Austin has to offer! Whether you’re a die-hard DIYer or someone who doesn’t want to lift a finger unless it’s to nab the last dinner roll, we’ve got the ultimate take-home Thanksgiving meal guide for you! [Read more…]

20 Ways to Do Halloween Week Right in Austin

October 26, 2016 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

Credit: Ryan Conine

Much like New Year’s Eve, Halloween is a holiday that requires special planning. Deciding on a costume is the first step (and if you’re still struggling in the disguise department, Austin’s local stores have you covered). But a costume is nothing if you don’t have a place to debut it.

Here’s a list of events, activities and food specials that’ll help you rock your way through Halloween week and beyond! [Read more…]

Cafe con Letras Invites Latino Artists to Take the Stage in Austin

October 12, 2016 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

Cafe con Letras original performances celebrate Latin American musical traditions (Credit: Ulises Garcia)

If you’ve ever been to a concert in Austin, you know it’s never just about the music. The audience participating, the libations and the ambiance form a full experience. We all crave entertainment that stimulates our many senses.

But what happens when you strip away the “entertainment” factor and leave an audience with nothing but the the artist and the music? Does the experience fall flat? Perhaps unexpectedly, guests at Cafe con Letras in Austin find their senses set on fire by the connections they see, hear and feel between the artist and the music. [Read more…]