13 Amazing Philly Date Ideas That Don’t Involve Drinking
The best local venues for a sober get-together.
Ice skating at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is one of many sober dates to take in Philly. / Photograph by Matt Stanley.
When it comes to planning a date night, you might be scrambling to think of something fun and different that breaks the typical “Let’s just grab some drinks!” routine. I mean, who said you need alcohol to have a good time with your SO? (News flash: you don’t!)
That’s why we’ve got you covered with these alcohol-free activities that’ll bring you two even closer and, as a bonus, are actually healthy for you! Whether you’re already linked up or you’re looking for somewhere to take your latest Hinge fling, these sober date ideas will get you moving, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company — without the liquid confidence.
Dates to Get Active
Ice skate at Winterfest. Nothing will get your heart pumping and your date belly-laughing like falling over each other on the ice at Blue Cross RiverRink. Admission costs $4, and skate rentals are an additional $10. If skating isn’t your thing, relax in one of the cozy warming cabins or sip decadent hot chocolate from the Franklin Fountain by fire pit.
Explore and flow at the Art Museum. Take your date to browse the collections and do some yoga, taught by Dhyana Yoga instructors, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday night. Free tickets are available on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. at any of the museum’s information desks. (Admission that night is “pay what you wish” — score!) Spots for the class are first come, first served, so make sure to get there early to snag your spots.
Work out as a couple. The possibilities are endless! Grab your partner and join any of the group runs in the city, like Philadelphia Runner, which meets weeknights and on the weekend, or Chasing Trail, which meets every Sunday. You two are early birds? Get fit for free with November Project at 6:25 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Take ballroom or salsa dance class at Society Hill Dance Academy, or climb your way to the top at The Cliffs at Callowhill.
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Get a little competitive. Want to bring some friendly competition into your date? We suggest attempting strikes at North Bowl (games and shoes cost only $2 on Wednesday nights!) or perfecting your swing at Top Golf, whose weekend brunch we’ve heard is delish.
“Eat Your Heart Out” Dates
Warm up with some ramen. Is there really any better way to stay warm than with a big bowl of noodles? We think not. You’ve got so many options (!) including Terakawa in Chinatown and UCity, Neighborhood Ramen in Queen Village, and Hajimaru Ramen in Fishtown.
Try a (healthy) cooking class. Learn how to make sushi, vegan cuisine, or Southern favorites from a rotating roster of the city’s finest chefs at COOK. Around a 16-seat kitchen island, you’ll watch the best of the best make delectable meals, which you get to eat as they prepare! Plus, the chef will demo tips and tricks so that you can try out your skills in your own home. Classes fill up quickly, so plan ahead for this one.
Indulge in the other kinds of brew. Skip the brewery and grab coffee or kombucha instead. Shakespeare & Co. in Rittenhouse and Bower Cafe in Washington Square West are great cafe options (bonus: Bower double as a charcuterie shop!), or hit up Inspired Brews in Old City for a booch flight.
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Eat your way down the Avenue. East Passyunk Avenue Restaurant Week returns on February 24th and lasts through March 6th. Take a stroll down the famous stretch and check out participating restaurants, like Bing Bing Dim Sum, Le Virtu, and Noord at a discounted price. Three-course meals cost $15, $25, or $35 per person, depending on the eatery.
Dates to Appreciate the Arts
Have a laugh. Good Good Comedy Theatre hosts a variety of comedy shows, ranging from $5 to $20, nearly every night. Plus, once the show lets out, you’ll have your choice of late-night eats in Chinatown. Keep up with the theater’s extensive calendar of events here.
Go to a film festival. Skip the blockbusters and check out the Women’s Film Festival from March 20th through 29th or qFLIX, the city’s only LGBTQ film festival, from March 22nd through 29th.
Sing along to your favorite musicals. Hello, Dolly!, Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Waitress are all coming to Center City theaters this season. Buy tickets for the show of your choice and hit the town for a night of singing and dancing.
Relaxing Dates
Snuggle with adoptable cats. Looking to take your relationship to the next level by adopting your first fur baby? Head to Kawaii Kitty Cafe to cuddle to your heart’s content. All of the cats at the cafe are adoptable through PAWS — just ask for an application. Make reservations for an hour in the cat lounge here.
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Detoxify in a sauna. Okay, getting sweaty in a sauna might not sound like a typical date, but aren’t you supposed to be trying out something new? Sign up for either a 30- or 45-minute two-person infrared sauna session at The Wellness Refinery and get ready to feel totally rejuvenated. After, sip on organic smoothies, lattes, and herbal teas.
Additional reporting by Laura Brzyski.
