Five Romantic Brisbane Date Ideas for This Week From Budget to Blowout

We're always on the hunt for new things to do, scouring the city for not-boring Brisbane activities — and that includes different ways to spend time with your special someone. Need an idea that's guaranteed to take your next date way beyond done-before beers at the pub? We have suggestions.

Whether you're taking someone on a second date or doing your 100th with your significant other, we've got some killer (and, yes, cute) options for dates to go on this week, no matter how much money you've got to spend.

Just think of us as your cultural wingman. You're welcome.

Free

JAM Project via Flickr

Take a Stroll to Scope Out the City's Street Art

If movies have taught us one thing about romance, it's the joy of the walking-and-talking date. Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy made the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight trilogy about it; Chris Rock tried his hand with Top Five, too; and 2023 British effort Rye Lane also enjoyed its wonders.

Brisbane boasts plenty of great places for a stroll; however, we're head over heels with the idea of moseying, nattering, and feasting our eyeballs on the thriving street art scene. You'll get to know your city and your walking partner better — and you'll always have something interesting to talk about.

This is also a budget-friendly option — as well as a plan that can adapt to your wallet, ranging from free (for just putting one foot in front of the other) to blowout (if you head out for dinner afterwards).

Under $20

Celebrate Valentine's with a Picnic

For three days, South Bank Parklands is celebrating love, both of the platonic and romantic kind. If you're in the mood for the latter, and you and your other half adore February 14, River Quay Green has you covered.

From Friday, February 14–Saturday, February 15, 2025, this inner-city stretch of the river will becoming a picnicking haven, complete with cushions and blankets — and entry is free, as is the live entertainment. You can keep things on a budget by showing up with your own basket packed with food, or you can bring your wallet to enjoy specials from nearby and pop-up eateries.

If you go for the latter, The Jetty is setting up a bar with themed cocktails, such as peach and yuzu spritzes and pineapple spicy margaritas; craft brews, including from Slipstream; and oysters, charcuterie boards, cherry pies and chocolate-covered strawberries to snack on. It's also one of two venues letting you order a feast, with its $110 picnic for two including a bottle of wine. River Quay Fish is doing hampers, either for $45 for two or $80 for four. If you're keen on either, you'll want to book them in advance.

On Friday–Saturday, when the festivities run from 6–9pm, personalised love lock engraving is also on offer. The fun also returns on Sunday, February 16 from 12–6pm, but to celebrate Galentine's Day.

Under $50

Hit Up a Festival That's Completely Dedicated to Romance

Love is in the air at South City Square in February, celebrating affairs of the heart at the perfect time for it. For two days across Friday, February 14–Saturday, February 15, 2025, the Woolloongabba precinct is hosting the return of the BLUSSH Romance Festival — a fest dedicated to amorous affairs on the page and screen.

Film-adoring couples, get ready to fall in love with romantic movies all over again. A mix of new and classic titles is on offer, with Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy falling into the first camp and When Harry Met Sally sitting in the second, all screening at the Angelika Film Centre. The latest Bridget Jones flick kicks off the fun, complete with cocktails, as attendees check in with the franchise's titular character (Renée Zellweger, Judy) as she navigates two new romantic interests (Prime Target's Leo Woodall and Venom: The Last Dance's Chiwetel Ejiofor).

Also on the lineup: more features, a range of shorts fitting the theme, poetry over lattes on the lawn, a chat about rom-coms making a comeback and authors getting talking.

Plus, you can hit up the pop-up markets on the Saturday, which are taking over the cinema foyer from 9am–3pm.

Under $100

Fall Head Over Heels for Moonlight Cinema's Last Brisbane Week for the Summer

How does Brisbane's Moonlight Cinema get into a romantic mood and mark its last week in the River City for this summer? With love-themed programming, of course. Until it closes on Sunday, February 16, 2025, the outdoor picture palace at Roma Street Parklands is all about amorous flicks — and you've got five choices.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is popular in Brissie right now — see BLUSSH Romance Festival above — but you and your significant other can also see Heath Ledger serenading Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You, plus fellow retro cinema favourites The Notebook and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, all under the stars. Then, then Florence Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Andrew Garfield (Under the Banner of Heaven)-starring We Live in Time closes out the season.

As always, the films and the setting are just two parts of the Moonlight experience. Also a drawcard: the Aperol spritz bar. Nosh-wise, the event is again letting you BYO movie snacks (but no alcohol) — and the unorganised can enjoy a plethora of bites to eat onsite while reclining on bean beds.

There's two VIP sections for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, too — and dogs are welcome.

One Big Blowout

Go for a Splash and Sip Los Cabos-Style at Brisbane's Inner-City Swim-Up Pool Bar

Let's call it 'splash in the city': at The Westin Brisbane, the onsite swim-up Nautilus Pool Bar lets guests take a dip and a sip right in the heart of the CBD. Each summer, it also gleans inspiration from different parts of the world, adding more holiday vibes to an already cruisy spot — and welcomes in everyone, whether you're staying the night or not, to its annual beach club.

Grab your togs, plus your date, then get ready to indulge your love for swims and cocktails, because this yearly River City summer highlight is back. The Mary Street hotel doesn't just feature 298 rooms and suites with views, its own eateries and bars, and a spa — it's also a go-to when the weather is warm, this time with a Los Cabos-influenced atmosphere.

Nautilus Beach Club: Los Cabos runs until Sunday, February 23, 2025 — and again, you don't need to be a guest at the Marriott-owned international brand's first Queensland location to go for a splash while enjoying a cocktail in the water. On offer: live DJs spinning tunes on the deck, poolside cabana service and a dedicated margarita menu. You'll be sipping classic, chilli, coconut and frozen 'ritas, plus Aperol margs also made with orange and tequila. Or, there's a strawberry mint punch spritz; a grapefruit, lime, agave, Campari and tequila tipple; and a range of Brouhaha craft beers.

Those beverages can be paired with Baja cod soft shell tacos — or buttermilk chicken, crispy prawn, charred pork and barbecue beef brisket varieties. If you're looking for something sans meat, the seasoned corn ribs come with smoked paprika and aioli, or you can dip homemade tortilla chips into guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream.

The 2024–25 iteration of Nautilus Beach Club runs from 11am–5pm Friday–Sunday weekly, with a number of options available for Mexican-influenced lounging by the pool. The $29 ticket covers access, a towel to use while you're there and your first spritz. If you and a date or mate are feeling like treating yo'selves, there's also a cabana experience for $199 for two, which gives you your own cabana to hang out in, that spritz upon arrival, a taco platter and a margarita jug.