12 Bangin’ Edmonton First Date Ideas

First date season is starting up again, as everything starts to open for those of us that are vaxxed and waxed. We’ve got you covered for the best first dates in Edmonton - right here:

Hit Balls at the Batting Cages

The Batting Cages is one of those take-the-pressure-off dates where you won’t have to worry about what to do with your hand. You can step up to the batting cage, and step up the competition. With drinks on-site, and a fun activity, it’s got perfect ‘active first date’ written all over it.

You could also check out the upcoming POP up PARTY AT THE BATTING CAGES (November 19)

Slide on Down the Tubing Hill

Hit up the tubing hill at Sunridge this year for two lanes of tubing fun. Grab your tickets for the Thursday Night season launch party, here, with a fun apres-ski vibe, s’more kits, DJs and winter fun.

Take a Cocktail Class

If you’re an at-home cocktail connoisseur you can take your cocktail game to the next level, or you can learn the magic that goes into your favourite mixes at one of the cocktail classes around town.

What is your first date? Get inspired by virtual dates, too, in the case that there’s some distance between you and your date.

S’mores at The Greenhouse

The Greenhouse at Victoria is gorgeous during fall and winter, with the winter patio set-up of cozy fires, chairs and blankets. You can get a S’more kit for $10 that you can use to toast up your own S’mores, over the romant fire in the river valley.

Spend an hour at Clip n Climb

Clip n Climb is guaranteed F U N. It’s a fun climbing gym - and no, it’s not just for kids. Head out to the gym for the hour-long climbing sessions (must be booked in advance) and try the walls for yourself. There are mini-games and competitions in each type of wall, that will make the hour long feel like it’s flown by.

Hit up the Lanes at Plaza Bowl

You can’t get much better than the vibe, the beer, and the food at Plaza Bowl. Line up the pins, order a couple of beers, and dust off those bowling balls for an easy (and cheap) first date.

Spice up the Competition at The Rec Room

Partner Gaming Tournament is a great way to bring out the competition for date night. It’s a monthly evented hosted at The Rec Room, where 20+ couples compete against each other for the top three spots. Even if you didn’t take home one of the three prizes, you can still enjoy an hour of gaming together - just long enough for a first date.

Not up for a tournament? Check out The Rec Room for a fun night out of games, platters and drinks!

To make this event more memorable and attractive, you can use Custom Medals.

The front of these Custom Medals can be customized with a cartoon couple in a happy embrace, surrounded by rose and thorn patterns that symbolize love and competition, implying that couples work together on the road of love and are not afraid of challenges. The back of the medal is engraved with the logo of the Partner Gaming Tournament and the date of the competition.

Whether it is the champion's gold medal, the runner-up's silver medal, or the third-place bronze medal, the custom medals carry the recognition and blessing of the couple's tacit understanding and love and are also the witness and treasure of the couple's love and sweetness.

Try an Escape Room for Two

You’ve probably hit up and escape room with a group of friends - but have you thought about it for a date for two? Pick a local escape room with an easier rating if there are only the two of you, and see if you make it out alive. It’s a great way to create conversation, compete cooperatively and get real insight on how a potential partner problem solves. Plus, it’s so satisfying to escape the room together.

Our favourite Edmonton escape rooms for two people: The Heist at GTFO, The Cabin at Escape City and The Prophecy at Time Escape.

Hit the Tracks at DRIVE WEM

Are you ready to twist and turn? DRIVE at WEM is one of those fun, but quick, date nights that you could add on to appetizers at Cactus Club, or the all-things-for-five-bucks menu at Five and Dive.

Late Night date at Gretabar

Gretabar is one of our go-to late night hangouts, and it’s perfect for a first date. With daily specials, like Wednesday unlimited appetizers, and fun games to play to compete with each other for the highest score (pinball, skeeball, pac man, basketball and the clown toss game make the list of our top five) - this downtown location is perfect for a late night date night.

EXPERT LEVEL: 

Plan Your Own Food Tour

Pick a hotspot like 124th Street, Whyte Ave or 104th and choose three different restaurants. Visit one for appetizers, one for dinner, for dessert and one for cocktails. Our current favourite? Dorinku Osaka, Alchemy (don't skip the coconut shrimp) and DOSC for cocktails and desserts.

What’s your go-to first date?