The Best Date Ideas in Toronto

In a big city like Toronto, it can seem difficult to find something to do. There are too many options and it's hard to know where to go. Dating is hard enough without adding the pressure of trying to pick the perfect date spot. Luckily Toronto has dozens of cocktail bars, fun activities, and cool new restaurants, giving you tons of choices for a unique date spot. Every single one of the city's neighbourhoods is lively and has its own hidden gems that embody the multicultural and vibrant spirit of Toronto. If you're looking for a cool cocktail bar or a fun date night activity to go try, read on below for a list of the best Toronto date ideas.

The History of Date Ideas in Toronto

Toronto is a city that is constantly moving. It's not just the fast pace of the city's residents but also the vibrant and new neighbourhoods that are being developed and discovered. These neighbourhoods have their own cultures and personalities and are great walking spots when the weather is good or if you feel like braving the cold. The neighbourhoods have lots of things to do but there's also dozens of Toronto date ideas and Toronto date spots to try out. To pick the perfect date spots in Toronto it involves discovering Toronto's many neighbourhoods and learning about the city.

The Annex is one of Toronto's most popular neighbourhoods and with good reason. It's well-known for its lively art scene and has a great selection of organic and fresh restaurants, quirky concept bars like popular beer lounge, Brewhaha, and cozy coffee shops. Whether you're looking for the best brunch date spots or just a change of scenery from your typical bar night, the Annex has got something for everyone. It's a great spot to discover and there are lots of food options. If you're looking for a vegan or organic restaurant, the Annex has many to choose from including Fresh and Live Organic Food Bar.

The Village, also known as Church Wellesley Village, is Toronto's well-known gay neighborhood. Over the years, the Village has become a trendy spot for the young and free citizens of Toronto who are looking for a place that is outside the norm. It's also home to lots of great hangout spots for casual date ideas like Glory Day Bookshop which has recently renovated their space to include a full bar and coffee shop. It's a great spot to sit down with a drink and just people watch. The Village also has great outdoor patios that are open in the summer with a diverse list of cocktails, craft beers, and domestic and imported wines. For a fun date night, try out the neighborhood gay bars and clubs. There's great music and it's the perfect spot for LGBT+ couples especially. The Village is a great place to catch one of Toronto's drag shows at the popular gay bars Woody's + Sailor, Crews + Tango, and newly reopened Fly Nightclub 2.0.

A great idea for dates is seeing some of Toronto's neighbourhoods. You will love walking around, popping into boutiques, grabbing dinner at a restaurant you've never tried before, or seeing a different side of the city. But if you want something more classic, Toronto's downtown area has different landmarks and places that you can check out. Ripley's Aquarium is one the city's great date ideas. The aquarium is open until 11 pm most nights so it's perfect if you want to go after work to beat the crowds and avoid the screaming children. You'll definitely get some great photos, especially of the jellyfish wall. Or, if you want something more exciting, you can cheer on the Toronto Blue Jays at The Rogers Centre. There are lots of restaurants nearby so you can go for dinner beforehand or just grab a hot dog at the game. There's also the CN Tower if you haven't done it before and you can get a fancy dinner at the revolving restaurant at the top or just have a drink in their lounge.

If you're bored of the typical dinner date, there are tons of unique date ideas in Toronto for you to take advantage of. If you're looking for a twist on the classic dinner and a movie, there are both indoor and outdoor spaces in Toronto that show general release, classic, and independent movies. There are also plenty of art galleries and museums with special events and exhibitions. The Royal Ontario Museum and The Bata Shoe Museum are great Toronto date spots if you love history and learning something new. There's always new exhibits coming in and it's easy to get to by transit. Toronto's also got some great simulators and game bars and lounges available for date nights like RaceSim1, a racecar simulator, or Snakes and Lattes, a board game café where you can play classic board games like Candyland or niche games like Cards of Humanity or Gloom.

Best Time to Go Out

Toronto's bars and restaurants have weekly specials, which usually happen on Thursday nights especially after 7 pm. Quite a few places in Toronto offer discounts and specials during the weekdays which makes it a great choice for date night. Ripley's Aquarium offers a discount for tickets purchased after 7 pm on weekdays. Also, movie theatres in Toronto offer half-price tickets on Tuesdays. Toronto date ideas on weekdays means that there are less crowds. Of course, the classic nights are Fridays and Saturdays but there's also more chance of overcrowding, long lines, and even extra cover charges.

Date Ideas Toronto: Directory

Toronto is one of the best cities for unique date ideas for all kinds of couples. They've got lots of cool, unique bars and restaurants to get a great meal and drink. If you're looking for some entertainment with your meal, they've got great event spaces and activities like archery, axe throwing, virtual reality and simulators, and even movie screenings. If you're looking to spice up your date night or try something new, check out this guide from InstantHookups for Toronto date ideas below.

Tilt

Cool Kids at Carlton

House of VR

Cold Tea

Stryke Target Range

Awai

Pursuit OCR

Buddies in Bad Times

Boutique Bar

Ballroom Bowl

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Tilt

Type:: Bar and arcade
Space:: Spacious area, bar, classic and new video games
Crowd:: Young and nerdy adults
Website:: tilttoronto.com
Address:: 296 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 2M7
Any Notes:: Coat check, 2-player games, skee ball, table hockey, foosball
Brief Description:: Show off your fun side at Tilt, a popular barcade next to Tranzar Club in the Annex by playing some classic arcade games and sampling some of Toronto's best craft beers. The large space has got arcade classics like Asteroid, and comfy couches at the back where you and your date can compete against each other while playing Super Smash Bros. or any of their other games. If video games aren't your thing, they've also got other activities like foosball, skee ball, and table hockey for you try out. Tilt is one of the best date ideas for young, nerdy couples or just people who are looking for a little entertainment with their lagers.

Cool Kids at Carlton

Type:: Movie theatre
Space:: Smaller theatres, vintage
Crowd:: Film buffs, young and mature adults
Website:: imaginecinemas.com
Address:: 20 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2H5
Any Notes:: Beer on tap, comfy seats, prize giveaways at some screenings
Brief Description:: Cool Kids at the Carlton shows classic movies like The Goonies and The Karate Kid. Unlike typical movie theatres, they have beers on tap for you to enjoy making this an adult-only night. It's a twist on the classic movie date and includes special events and giveaways before the movie showings. They update their Facebook page with all their upcoming movies and events and where to buy tickets. Their movie showings vary from week to week and they have regular showings as well as themed nights happening all the time.

House of VR

Type:: Virtual reality lounge
Space:: LED lighting, large space, individual pods with leather seating
Crowd:: Young, trendy, nerdy
Website:: houseofvr.com
Address:: 639 Queen St W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2B7
Any Notes:: Art installations, 13 virtual reality suites available, green room option
Brief Description:: Toronto's first virtual reality lounge has landed on trendy Queen Street West and is one of the best date ideas for couples looking to see the world from a new way. They let you rent by the hour and you can even play with a group in their VR or Mixed Reality Green screen units. Take your date to far off places and even other worlds with the help of their virtual reality simulator. They also have 360 degree film and sports viewings and even interactive art installations.

Cold Tea

Type:: Hidden bar
Space:: Casual and elegant space including outdoor patio in the Summer
Crowd:: Fun, hip, young and mature adults
Website:: facebook.com/pages/Cold-Tea/
Address:: 60 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K2
Any Notes:: DJ events, themed menus, and outdoor seating
Brief Description:: Hidden bars and speakeasies are gaining popularity in major cities all over the world and Cold Tea is Kensington Market's best kept secret. Guests enter the cocktail bar through a secret doorway and the aesthetic is warm and welcoming with industrial touches and communal tables inviting conversation and social interaction. The bar's bartenders create personalized cocktails based on your liquor preferences. The upmarket vibe and casual mood makes this the perfect neighborhood hangout.

Stryke Target Range

Type:: Target range
Space:: Large, open with separate lanes
Crowd:: Young and active
Website:: stryke.ca
Address:: 738 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2C3
Any Notes:: Axe throwing, knife throwing, archery, air guns, full bar
Brief Description:: Stryke is one of the best date ideas in Toronto for couples looking for something a little more physical. To get started, choose a weapon of your choice and even your own personal target including Donald Trump, and other infamous people. Once you've made your choice then it's time to start throwing alongside your date, turning it into a friendly competition or just cheering each other on. There's also a fully operational bar to have a drink while you wait your turn.

Awai

Type:: Restaurant
Space:: Open, trendy
Crowd:: Vegan, health-conscious, foodies
Website:: awai.ca
Address:: 2277 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6S 1P1
Any Notes:: No gratuity, plant based menu
Brief Description:: The newest restaurant brainchild of chef Nathan Isberg is entirely plant based. Chef Nathan became famous with his pay-what-you-can restaurant model where he encouraged customers to pay what they felt was fair for their meal. It was an innovative idea that put the focus on the quality of the meal rather than the price and Awai follows this model with a no-gratuity policy. In a twist, the menu is also entirely plant based which appeals to the organic, health-conscious crowd in the Bloor West Village. If you can't decide what to order, they have a tasting menu available that is perfect to share.

Pursuit OCR

Type:: Fitness centre
Space:: Large space with different sections and obstacle course
Crowd:: Young, fit and active
Website:: pursuitocr.com
Address:: 444 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6K 2A3
Any Notes:: Change rooms, fitness based playground, cryotherapy
Brief Description:: The new wave of date ideas is the fitness date. It's great for people who are active and want to spend the day getting fit and Pursuit OCR merges fitness life with fun activities. It's described as an adult playground with obstacles, climbing bars and walls, and even a ball pit. Just make sure to wear comfy clothes and shoes so that you can get the full benefits of the large space. It's also a great spot to take a fun Instagram to commemorate the experience.

Buddies in Bad Times

Type:: Theatre
Space:: Nightclub, full bar
Crowd:: LGBT+, young adults
Website:: buddiesinbadtimes.com
Address:: 12 Alexander St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4
Any Notes:: Inclusive and fun environment, accesibility
Brief Description:: Buddies in Bad Times is a not-for-profit theatre company that performs contemporary queer plays in a very safe and accepting environment. The shows are powerful and well worth a watch but what makes this one of the best Toronto date spots is that on Saturday nights, it turns into a nightclub with electronic, pop, and disco music and fun remixes. It's a great place to go if you want to dance and have fun with no judgement.

Boutique Bar

Type:: Cocktail bar and patio
Space:: Chic, modern venue
Crowd:: LGBT+, young and mature adults
Website:: boutiquebar.ca
Address:: 506 Church Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 2C8
Any Notes:: happy hour, outdoor patio, chic cocktails
Brief Description:: Boutique Bar is located in the Church-Wellesley Village, Toronto's gay neighborhood and is very welcoming and inclusive. It's a great spot to unwind or get to know someone better while experiencing one of Toronto's rich, vibrant neighbourhoods. The modern venue is the perfect spot to listen to some music by in house DJs catering to techno and new wave music. Enjoy their diverse variety of cocktails and their plates to share. If the weather is good, make sure to take advantage of their outdoor patio while listening to some fun and energetic music. It's a great spot for any date.

Ballroom Bowl

Type:: Sports bar and arcade
Space:: Comfy seating, 2 floors
Crowd:: Fun, young adults
Website:: theballroom.ca
Address:: 145 John Street, Toronto, ON M5V 2E4
Any Notes:: Pool tables, bowling alley, full bar
Brief Description:: Ballroom is probably one of the oldest sports bars and arcade in Toronto and it's definitely a step-above the smaller barcades with an indoor bowling alley. Located in the heart of the Entertainment District, The Ballroom is 10,000 square feet of games, live music, DJs, and food. Its bowling alley is a great activity for any date but there's a 6 week waiting list for reservations. It's also more expensive on the weekends after 5pm and walk-ins are first come first serve. It's a classic bowling date for the modern world.

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Any of Toronto's bars or restaurants will make great date spots but it is more fun when you combine them with something else.There are tons of great Toronto Date Ideas to really impress your date but it can be hard to pick the right place especially in a city like Toronto. Luckily InstantHookups has done the work for you as well as for some other Canadian cities.

More Date Ideas and Date Spots Information

To see the other Canadian city guides CLICK HERE. Or, to go straight to the Montreal guide, go HERE.

If you're looking for more fun Toronto Date Ideas, you can find them by clicking HERE.

US Date Spots

The United States of America quite probably has the largest selection of date spots of any country worldwide. No matter which city you live in (or are visiting) throughout the country, there are seemingly unlimited options for US date spots and date ideas. That should come as no surprise though! With over 109 million single people out there looking for love (or lust, we don13t judge), there is a lot of money to be made in the US date spots industry.

Notable US date spots include: The Carousel Bar & Lounge in New Orleans, Louisiana; Tiki-Ti in Los Angeles, California; The Frolic Room in Hollywood, California; Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York; Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida; Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri; The Uptown Theatre in Washington, D.C.; Grauman's Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois; and so many more!

Click here to check out our full guide on US date ideas and date spots. Scroll down to see our directory of US date spots by city or to continue on to the next country:

Arizona Atlanta Austin Baltimore Boston Chicago Cincinnati Dallas Houston Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Louisville Miami Minneapolis New Jersey New York City Philadelphia Portland Sacramento San Diego San Francisco Seattle Utah Washington

UK Date Spots

As of 2014, 51% of the UK population is single so you can rest easy knowing there is no lack of UK date spots! You will find that UK date spots are heavy on the pubs and taverns compared to the US date spots, but that does not mean there isn't still a ton of great alternative date spots to check out!

Notable UK date spots include: The Lion Inn in Winchcombe, England; The Grenadier in London, England; The Sligachan Hotel on the Isle of Skye, Scotland; The Ship & Castle in Aberystwyth, Wales; Peadar O' Donnell's in Derry, Northern Ireland; Wembley Stadium in London, England; The O2 in London, England; Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England; and so many more!

Click here to check out our full guide on UK date ideas and date spots. Scroll down to see our directory of UK date spots by city or to continue on to the next country:

Belfast Bristol Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool London Manchester Nottingham Sheffield

Canada Date Spots

Canada is a land of many kind of date spots, including a ton of natural wonders and landmarks. They also have over 14 million single people looking for date ideas and date partners, so if this is your home and native land, you are in luck!

Notable Canada date spots include: NWT Brewing Company in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; Big in Japan in Montreal, Quebec; The Shameful Tiki Room in Toronto, Ontario; Snakes and Lattes in Toronto, Ontario; Kinsmen Pitch and Putt in Edmonton, Alberta; White Butte Trails in Regina; Algonquin Park in Algonquin, Ontario; and so many more!

Click here to check out our full guide on Canada date ideas and date spots. Scroll down to see our directory of Canada date spots by city:

Calgary Edmonton Halifax Montreal Ottawa Toronto Vancouver Winnipeg

The Best Date Ideas in Toronto