The Ten Best Date Nights in Brisbane

It’s date night. You’re probably planning to head to that little Italian joint you always go to, or if you’re too tired it’ll be Thai food again from down the road. Ah, routine. It’s a great thing sometimes: It makes us more efficient at our jobs and means we brush our teeth every day. But does routine ever spell romance?

The answer is no. Love is meant to be exciting and fun, give you butterflies and make you do silly things you wouldn’t do otherwise. And while relationships are a marathon, it pays to tread the path less travelled once in a while. Go a different route, pass a different tree, climb a hill and be more spontaneous. It doesn’t mean never visit your favourite Italian again, but life is about adventure. Do something different for date night.

Drinks at Watt Bar and free comedy at the Powerhouse

The Brisbane Powerhouse is one of those places that no matter how many times you go back you can be struck in awe by the venue itself. If you (like everyone else) should be spending more time both in and around this urban beauty then head along for their Sundae Session at Watt Restaurant + Bar. DJs spin tunes from 3pm, so there is plenty of time to sit back and watch the sunset – drink in one hand, lady/man in the other – before catching Brisbane’s funniest up-and-coming talent alongside some notable names from 6.30pm.

Dinner at Gerard’s and arthouse flick at Palace

Every watched a film in another language? It’s some of the most exotic fun you have in this country. Foreign cinema gives you a good glimpse of a world you may not be a part of. Remember that time in Paris when the shop attendant came off as rude to you? Yeah, turns out the French are hilarious on the big screen. Stop by Gerard’s Bistro for a Middle Eastern-influenced feed beforehand and you’ve got yourself a round-the-world trip.

On your bike – city loop via South Bank

We were originally going to suggest a lazy Sunday cycle, stopping by Popolo for lunch and Riverbar for a drink, but as summer has hit early perhaps you’d best be hitting the road early too. For those who enjoy to sleep in, this is your wake up call and breakfast is down the road. Start at the Cliffs Cafe with a coffee at 7am – you’ll need it. Follow this map that does a short 8km loop across the Story Bridge, along the river in the CBD before heading over to South Bank. For breakfast try Merriweather Cafe’s green juice teamed with a bagel. Or try Hoo Ha Bar, open from 7am they serve up fine fair, ace coffee and salted caramel milkshakes. If you stay long enough they may even serve you a beer.

Picnic at Mt Coot-tha lookout

Views. They’re great to look at, but don’t do much otherwise – good thing you have your date with you. Mt Coot-tha is a great place for a picnic, and a picnic is a simple way to put in effort. And effort shows you care, and caring is romantic, and picnics are delicious. Need I say more? Probably. Grab a basket/green bag/cardboard box and throw in a bread board, knife, cheese, crackers, olives, prosciutto, two glasses and bubbly. Worst case, pick up a hamper from Picnic Cafe. Don’t forget a rug.

Latin dancing at Cloudland

Sometimes it takes another person’s encouragement to get yourself out of your comfort zone, and who better to make a fool of yourself with than your significant other. That’s right, let’s go dancing – and no, we don’t mean the two-step shuffle – time to find those Latin roots. There are plenty of options around, this blog post details where to dance seven nights of the week, but our recommendation lies with Thursday nights at Cloudland. If you’ve got two left feet at least you can purchase liquid confidence.

Takeout, beers and boardgames at The Scratch

If it’s time to switch away from your screens and go back to some old fashioned fun take your date, get takeout of your choice and take it along to The Scratch in Milton for a night of boardgames. This place is like hanging out in your lounge, expect the boys have better taste and knowledge in beer than you will ever have and it’s not your lounge room – an essential factor for ‘date night’. Go forth, let your true competitive side shine. On a side note, they serve cider spiders. Yes, you heard right – alcohol plus ice-cream. As you were...

Visit farmers’ markets and cook up a storm at home

Every weekend Jan Power is somewhere, and it’s worth following this lady and her travelling troupe of farmers’ markets for fresh local produce, good vibes and a breakfast treat. Take along a green bag and have a recipe or two in mind, or alternatively see what’s in season and plan as you go – the possibilities are endless. If you need further inspiration, find a recipe by local food bloggers such as Claire K Creations or Everyday Cook. A little further afield, Sydney’s Cook Republic is a favourite. Once your meal is ready, finishing hi-fiving in celebration, crack open some wine and light a candle.

Watch the city light up from Kangaroo Point, walk to dinner South Bank

If you haven’t taken yourself to the top of Kangaroo Point then get moving. I’d argue the view here is the best in Brisbane, and far more convenient than Mt Coot-tha. With a view looking directly across the river to the city, and further in the distance South Bank, standing at the top in the park is the perfect spot to watch the sun set and see the city light up before a) settling down for a picnic (we’ve already covered this – view + picnic = romance) or b) taking the 20 minute stroll into South Bank for dinner at number of establishments and a walk by the river.

Grab a milkshake before a night at the pictures

Couples have the chance to get intimate sharing a milkshake at new kid on the block, South Side Diner. With good ol’ fashioned service, here is the place to spin a tune on the (yet to arrive) jukebox and use some good ol’ fashioned charm on your date. Leave your feminist hat at the door, gents – it’s your shout today. With milkshake flavours such as Reese’s peanut butter, coconut, salted caramel and root beer float there’ll be something to tempt everyone’s sweet tooth, and remember two straws are better than one. Keeping with the era, head to the South Bank pictures to catch a flick at near 1950s prices. Okay, not quite that cheap, but you still you get change for a tenner – a miracle these days.

Greek food, gig and a cosy chai bowl

Attending a gig is often a very pre-planned event, especially if it’s at The Hi-Fi. Surely such a significant date deserves a worthy plan of attack to match? Being West End Greek is the go-to cuisine. Book a table at Little Greek Taverna for a cheap pre-gig feed to ensure you have the energy to mosh it out later. Post-gig you’ll surely need refueling or refreshing and, if you’re not too sweaty, Three Monkeys Cafe is the perfect late-night wind-down to get cosy with some chai.