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

Tired of the classic movie and dinner date night combo? Us too. That's why we're always on the hunt for new things to do, scouring the city for more inventive Sydney activities — ones that are guaranteed to extend your dating repertoire beyond beers at the pub.

Whether you're taking someone on a second date or doing the 100th with your significant other, we've got some stellar Sydney date ideas for this week, no matter your budget. Just think of us as your cultural wingman.

FREE

Cave Beach, Jervis Bay, by Dee Kramer

EXPLORE SOME OF THE MAJESTIC CAVES LOCATED NEAR SYDNEY

On the hunt for a weekend adventure? Why don't you hit up one of the magnificent caves that you can find just a short drive from Sydney? Whether you're keen for massive sandstone walls, secluded picnic areas, stunning stalactites or even glow worms, there's an expansive natural cavern with your name on it.

Head to the Royal National Park and you'll discover Palona Cave and its nearby waterfall, or block out a day for a trip to the Blue Mountains to experience the deep expanse of Wind Cave. We've compiled a list of the ten best caves near Sydney for you to bookmark for the next time you're eager for an outdoorsy date idea.

CATCH CLASSIC FEMALE-FRONTED FLICKS AT THIS FREE LANEWAY CINEMA

Sydney isn't short on openair cinemas, that's for sure, but there are a few that do it differently. The Rocks Laneway Cinema, for one, is absolutely free, and it's pulled together a lineup of classics celebrating women in cinema for its March lineup. Across Wednesday nights ending on March 29 it's showcasing talented ladies through the 'Girls Rule' lineup.

When it comes to the films flickering across the screen in Atherden Street, it's an impressive retro program, with Clueless and Thelma and Louise making appearances. If you're the kind of cinemagoer that needs snacks and sips, too, the venues around laneway will have plenty to eat and drink on offer. That means making a date with spots such as Libano Mexicano, Caminetto Restaurant, P'Nut Street Noodles and The Mercantile Hotel. Obviously, you'll need your wallet for whatever tempts your tastebuds.

UNDER $50

SNACK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE RAMADAN NIGHT MARKET IN LAKEMBA

One of the most popular events in Sydney for both the Islamic community and the city at large, Ramadan Nights is making its return to Haldon Street in Lakemba. Running for 31 nights between Tuesday, March 21–Thursday, April 20, the food and cultural festival will bring together more than 75 local businesses for a nightly feast between dusk and 3am each day, celebrating the most sacred month on the Islamic calendar.

Visitors can expect food stalls serving up traditional dishes from Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and many more international communities. Walk through and you'll find everything from shawarma and kaak to Syrian ice cream, knafeh and Lebanese coffee.

ENJOY A DOSE OF LIVE JAZZ AT THIS LUXURIOUS CBD BAR

A midweek date night in the city can be a real treat — and if there's anything that can elevate the occasion, it's a touch of live jazz. Luckily, the CBD's multi-level mega-venue Shell House is providing just that with its free City Jazz program at Menzies Bar & Bistro every Tuesday. The live music kicks off from the Menzies Jazz Trio at 7pm each week and runs until late.

If you find yourself at the bar for a quick drink with a live music soundtrack, you can take your pick from Menzies' inventive cocktail menu, which features the limoncello-infused Sicilian Margarita or the Love Over Money — a combo of gin, pink peppercorn, ginger, rose, pomegranate, verjus and sparkling wine. And, there's also plenty of next-level eats on offer from share plates like tuna crudo and the Menzies lobster roll through to heftier dishes such as barbecued spatchcock or prawn linguine.

GO ALL OUT

NAB LAST-MINUTE TICKETS TO A TRIO OF HIP HOP LEGENDS

If you and your date are both massive fans of 90s and 00s rap, then there aren't many better date night ideas in Sydney this week than this bill of legends featuring Ice Cube, Cypress Hill and The Game. The trio are teaming up on the same lineup for an Aussie arena tour, including hitting Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, March 26 — and there are still a handful of tickets available.

This isn't just any old nostalgia-dripping tour, either. It'll also mark the 30th anniversary of two influential albums: Ice Cube's Lethal Injection and Cypress Hill's Black Sunday. And for Ice Cube, the tour marks his first visit to Australia since 2018, when he became the first-ever rap artist to headline at the Sydney Opera House.

Top image: Cassandra Hannagan.