Dinner? Been there, done that. Movies? Old news. A romantic walk along the beach? Fake news.
It may seem like you’ve already maxed out on interesting date night ideas in Memphis, but we’re here to help you dig a little deeper. Whether it’s your first meet and greet, you’re just playing the field, or you’re hella boo’d up, take the road less traveled with one of these unique dates.
Pick up a new plant baby at a local nursery or plant shop
Anyone can keep a puppy alive, but a plant, that’s a different story (I would know. RIP to all the plants I’ve ever neglected). If responsibility and horticulture get your willies all silly, make your way to a local nursery or plant shop to grab a new bud. Not only do fresh air and fresh flora do the body good, but you can also use this as an opportunity to drop hints about your favorite flowers…for no reason at all, of course. Plus, did you know the largest dedicated nursery of bonsai trees in the country is in Olive Branch, MS?!
Find a local shop:
- Greenhaus (Downtown)
- Everbloom Designs (Broad Ave Arts District)
- Midtown Bramble & Bloom (Cooper Young)
- Digger O’Dell Nursery (Arlington)
- Brussel’s Bonsai Nursery (Olive Branch)
Dance the night away 💃
Put on your blue suede shoes and dance the night away. Don’t know how to bust a move? That’s ok! Cat at Cat’s Ballroom can teach you everything you need to know with you boo two-stepping by your side. Or stop by Rumba Room to learn and do a practice round before the real dancing begins.
Where to go:
Relax with a couples massage
You deserve some self-care. And so does you boo. Indulge in some of Memphis’ finest masseuse skills and book that couples massage. Here are a few massage therapists we like:
- Calming Influence (Midtown)
- Midtown Massage & Bodywork
- Living Health Day Spa (East Memphis)
- For more self-care ideas, check out Choose901’s Self-Care Guide.
Chill out at Buds and Brews
Indulge legally and take the night to a whole notha level at Buds and Brews, Memphis’ first cannabis restaurant, with delicious THC-infused sauces and drinks—plus flower to smoke if you’re down!
Don’t forget to hit up Ounce of Hope Aquaponics Cannabis Dispensary for all of your cannabis needs and take a “trip” with your boo.
Lace it up and hit the skating rink
No matter where you came from, you probably spent some time somewhere between elementary and middle school making laps around the skating rink, cruising for cuties or holding hands with your “honey”.
Might we suggest going back to those much simpler times and bringing bae along for the ride?
Hit up East End or Cordova Skating Rink and get down like the ATL-Roll Bouncin’ fool that you are.
Toss some clay
Coffee shop dates are an easy standard, but why not see if bae is up for getting down and dirty?
Roll up your sleeves and hit up Belltower Artisans or Summer Avenue Art & Clay where you can try your hand at mug making and wheel throwing.
Belltower’s core values are craft, caffeine, and community, but maybe with your help, they can add chemistry to that list of “c’s”.
If clay and coffee beans don’t mix well for you, keep it cute and clean at a local cafe!
Smash some sh!t at Craze Memphis
We all have pent-up emotions. Take them to Craze Memphis where there are all sorts of breakables waiting to be on the receiving end of whatever you’re feeling.
Sessions start at 10 minutes and go all the way up to one hour, so spend as much time as you need releasing those inner demons to make some room for that heart to grow a couple sizes.
Taste your way through Old Dominick Distillery
The bottling of Old Dominick spirits is just like any relationship. From grain to glass, it takes passion and dedication to see it all the way through, and what better way to get a taste of commitment than with a look into the 100-year-old story of Old Dominick Distillery?
It’s a 45-minute “sensory-journey” of traditions told and sips shared, so at the very least, you’ll leave full of knowledge and liquid courage.
Looking for more bars in Memphis? We’ve got you covered!
Test your Axe Throwing abilities
All of the best love stories begin with a little medieval, modern-day romance, right? Axe Throwing will have you showing off your skills while simultaneously showing that you’re not one to be trifled with. Go head to head and make a game out of it or do that rom-com thing where you get close and show the other how to aim perfectly.
Where to go:
- Craft Axe Throwing – Downtown
- Axe Throwing at Shelby Farms – Cordova
Catch a flick
Yes, technically I said, “been there, done that” to the whole movie night thing—but Memphis has too many theaters to take advantage of!
Watch from the comfort of your own car or experience the movie mayhem at Indie Memphis… Like I said, you’ve got options!
Click here to see the A Local’s Guide to Movie Nights in Memphis!
Get crafty
The girlies love a craft night. Take your bae to create something beautiful between the two of y’all.
- Pour your own candle and pick your signature scent to remind your boo or you at Penn Home & Design Co.
- Take a workshop at Five in One Social Club. There are so many creative ones to choose from!
- Check out more art classes y’all can take together in Choose901’s Ultimate Guide to Art Classes in Memphis.
Take your love to new heights at Go Ape Memphis
Is that love in the air, or is it just you making your way through a ropes course that’s 36 ft high? The Go Ape course at Shelby Farms Park is filled with tree-to-tree crossings, ziplines and heart-stopping Tarzan swings. You remember how that movie ended; He found his Jane, and maybe you will too!
Make it permanent at a local tattoo shop
I am in no way condoning that you proclaim your love, like, or mild toleration of someone on your skin. For those of you that have, we hope it lasts, because that tattoo sure will.
But think about how cool, or shocking, it would be to have a story of a date night tattoo session. Honestly, we stan.
Bite the bullet and get that piece you’ve been wanting.
Here are a few of our favorite shops:
Indulge yourselves with tasty cocktails at a boutique hotel bar
Tourists aren’t the only one who should get to experience the fancy hotels that Memphis has to offer. Each of our boutique hotels features its own unique vibe, and there’s nothing like getting all gussied up to bar hop with your boo.
Some of our favorites include:
- Arrive Hotel
- The Guest House at Graceland
- Central Station Hotel
- The Memphian
- Hyatt Centric Beale Street
Find more boutique hotels here.
Peruse a local farmers market
If your partner loves Memphis as much as you do, then they probably do their best to eat and drink local too!
Our local farmers markets are filled so many artisanal treats and handmade goods, and there’s nothing more attractive than a person who wants to support small businesses!
Find a Farmers Market near you:
- Cooper Young Farmers Market
- Memphis Farmers Market
- Agricenter Farmers Market
Go on your own cookie tasting tour
This may just stem from our personal affinity for cookies, but I’m sure you’ll agree that the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach (both physically and emotionally).
Cupcakes and pies get their own level of love, so why not switch things up a bit. You’ve got Sweet Lala’s, Makeda’s Cookies, Frost, Muddy’s Bake Shop, Ricki’s Cookie Corner, 17 Berkshire, Milk Dessert Bar, Primas Bakery, and honestly who knows what else.
Start at one and make your rounds.
