20 Fun Philly Date Ideas That Don’t Involve Drinking
All the best ways to have a romantic rendezvous — without the booze.
These 20 sober date ideas will help you connect, be active, and have fun. / Photograph courtesy of Delaware River Waterfront Corporation / Blue Cross RiverRink.
When it comes to planning a date night, the typical “Let’s just grab some drinks!” routine is so last year. I mean, who said you need alcohol to have a good time with your S.O.? News flash: you don’t!
That’s why we’ve got you covered with these alcohol-free activities that’ll get you moving, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company — without the liquid confidence. And just in case you do still want to grab drinks, but are trying to be more intentional with intake, Philly’s restaurant and bar scene is evolving to be more inclusive and inventive with their zero-proof offerings. That’s right: no more basic tonic and lime.
Dates to Get Active
Ice skate at Winterfest. Nothing will get your heart pumping and your date belly-laughing like ice skating at Blue Cross RiverRink. Admission costs $5, and skate rentals are an additional $12. After, relax in the lodge or sip decadent hot chocolate by one of their fire pits.
Work out as a couple. The possibilities are endless! Grab your partner and join a no-cost outdoor movement group like Chasing Trail, which meets every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at Valley Green Inn in the Wissahickon; Hike + Heal, which hosts pop-up hikes with the intention to build community; or Philly Girls Who Walk for leisurely strolls throughout the city. Other options include early morning workouts with November Project on Wednesdays and Fridays, ballroom or salsa dance classes at Society Hill Dance Academy or Estilo Dance Studio, climbing your way to the top at any of the many indoor rock-climbing gyms in the area, or partner acrobatics with Acro &.
Get a little competitive. Want to bring some friendly competition into your date? We suggest attempting strikes at North Bowl, South Bowl, or Brooklyn Bowl, or trying your best to avoid taking a mulligan at Five Iron Golf’s indoor golf simulator or Libertee Grounds‘ Philly-inspired green. There’s also Callowhill Archery — the city’s only indoor archery range — where you can book the “Love and War” date-night package. It includes intro-to-archery lessons and games to inspire a little friendly competition.
“Eat Your Heart Out” Dates
Try a cooking class. Learn how to make an array of cuisines at Hudson Table in Northern Liberties or at Old City Kitchen. At both, the hands-on cooking classes will allow you to learn some new skills (bread baking! Donut making! Perfecting fried chicken!) to use in your own kitchen long after the session ends. Love pasta? Book a pasta-making class with Janine Bruno, the brains behind Homemade By Bruno. Your belly — and real or imaginary Italian grandmother — will thank you.
Indulge in the other kind of brew. Skip the brewery and grab coffee or tea instead. Càphê Roasters in Kensington is one of our favorites, as is Chinatown’s Prince Tea House for afternoon tea. (You should also check out all these other fabulous coffee shops and afternoon tea spots in the area!)
Zero-Proof Cocktail Dates
Zero-proof living is having ~a moment~ and we hope it lasts forever. Find your new favorite, hangover-free bevvie at The Volstead by Unity in Manayunk. Philly’s first zero-proof bar serves 100-percent vegan fare and nonalcoholic drinks, and the entire menu is delish. It also operates as a bottle shop, so you can pick up brands like Seedlip, NKD LDY, and Abstinence Spirits. Speaking of N/A bottle shops, don’t sleep on Gem Life + Bar over the bridge in Pitman, Free Spirit in Bucks County, and Wallace Dry Goods in Ardmore.
Want to learn how to make your own zero-proof libation for a DIY-focused date? Old City’s Cocktail Culture Co. hosts weekly zero-ABV cocktail workshops that’ll teach you how to make drinks with nonalcoholic spirits and liquor alternatives.
Dates to Appreciate the Arts
Explore the Art Museum. Take your date to browse the collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum offers “pay what you wish” admission every Friday night from 5 to 8:45 p.m. and every first Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Create your own. In Philly, there are so many ways to design your own piece of art. From candle pouring and glass blowing (we love East Falls Glassworks!) to embroidery classes with Sippin’ & Stitchin’ (the sippin’ can be on alcoholic or zero-proof drinks), you’re bound to tap into your creative side, especially with your S.O. Find more crafting inspo here.
Sing along to your favorite musicals. Hadestown, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Mamma Mia! are all coming to Center City theaters this year. Buy tickets for the show of your choice and hit the town for a night of singing and dancing.
Wellness Dates
Feel rejuvenated in a sauna. Okay, getting sweaty in a sauna might not sound like a typical date, but aren’t you supposed to be trying something new? The Wellness Refinery in Old City and Formation Sauna + Wellness in Northern Liberties both offer sessions for two in super serene settings. Plus, Formation hosts sound-bath meditation every month, which is a great alternative to your typical couch-potato night in.
Get out the knots with a massage. Truly, there is nothing more soothing than a dang good massage. Because there are so many bodywork havens in and around Philly, we suggest checking out our guide and choosing the place that works best for you and your boo!
Tap into your inner energy. One of our favorite self-care activities is aura photography. Inner Light Aura will capture you and your sweetie’s radiating energies — separate or together! — and then explain what your psychedelic selfies mean in relation to your personalities.
