Best Date Ideas in Vancouver

Vancouver has a lot going for it and not just the warm winters. Vancouver is one of the most ethically diverse cities in Canada and is well-known for its high quality of life. Of course, the dating scene reflects this diversity especially in its buzzing restaurant scene which is an excellent spot for a date. The city has always been an entertainment hub, acting as a backdrop for dozens of television shows and movies and the mild weather makes it a great area for outdoor dates. If you're looking for something interesting to do in the city, Vancouver has dozens of date ideas for you to try.

The History of Date Ideas in Vancouver

Vancouver is well-known with their food. It seems like everyone's Instagram is flooded with photos of delicious dishes and tasty treats and it can seem hard to find a restaurant that hasn't already been photographed to death. Of course, restaurants are one of the classic Vancouver date ideas and whenever a new restaurant opens, young people are waiting to get the first taste. The struggle is to find a restaurant that your date hasn't been to yet which is hard in such a small city. Going out to eat is one of Vancouver's top date spots but it's certainly not the only one. At the same time, Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities and going out once a week can seem like breaking the bank so it's a good idea to find deals and specials.

Another Vancouver date idea is visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery, which houses a notable collection of Canadian artist, Emily Carr's paintings. If classic works aren't your thing, the Contemporary Art Gallery features pop-ups and temporary exhibits from up-and-coming Vancouver artists. An art gallery is one of Vancouver's best date ideas because it's indoor and with the rainy weather and cooler summers, indoor dates are a very popular choice for people living in the city. Vancouver is a city that is bursting with creativity and art gallery shows that spirit while also paying homage to the history of Canada and Vancouver as a seaport town.

Some of the best Vancouver date ideas is just walking around the Granville Entertainment District which has a vibrant, nightlife scene with tons of excellent restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Most of the bars and nightclubs have a 3 am closing time making it easy to get an after-dinner cocktail or a drink after work. For nighttime dates and great cocktails, the Entertainment District is the place to be. They also have a big selection of after-hour clubs which are open until late morning on the weekends. On busy nights, the street is closed to traffic which makes it a fun night out. If you're looking for Vancouver's nightlife, the Entertainment District is the place to be.

For a better look at Vancouver's heritage, check out Gastown at the northeast end of downtown Vancouver. Gastown was historically Vancouver's first downtown core and it's a great mix of historical buildings and landmarks, like the Gastown Steam Clock and it's also the hub of modern technology and tech start-ups and new media. Vancouver's Gastown is a trendy neighborhood with fashion and furniture boutiques, interior design showrooms, restaurants, nightclubs, and new upscale housing. It's also home to the artistic spirit of Vancouver with independent art galleries, music and art studios, and Vancouver's film and theatre schools. There's even the chance to see some great live street performances. Gastown hosts some of Vancouver's best events like the International Jazz Festival, a popular date spot in Vancouver. It's a great spot for exploring and walking hand in hand, making it one of the top Vancouver date ideas.

For all-inclusive Vancouver date spots and LGBT+ spaces, Davie Village is the place to be. Davie Village is largely defined as being between Burrard and Jerris Streets and marked by rainbow flags and bright pink trash cans and is the home of gay subculture both historically and today. If you're looking to experience Vancouver's LGBT+ culture check out Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium, a gay and lesbian bookstore and community hub with local art by queer artists and writers. The neighborhood also celebrates LGBT+ people with the Davie Street Pride Parade which runs in conjunction with Vancouver's Gay Pride. For more festivals, Davie Day is the community's street festival that celebrates local businesses and it's lots of fun for LGBT+ couples.

Vancouver's harbor and coastline make it an excellent spot for festivals. The most famous festivals are the Vancouver Night Markets, one of Vancouver's most popular date ideas. The Night Markets are three different events that take place at different times during the summer season and have different themes. The International Night Market is a great place with free parking as an added bonus. Richmond Night Market has Skytrain access and nightly performances plus admission is free. Finally, the Shipyards Night Market is famous for being a foodie paradise with fresh food from Vancouver's restaurateurs, local products, art and live performances, and the latest food creations. There's something new every year which makes it a great choice for Vancouver date ideas.

Best Time to Go Out

The specials and discounts make early weekdays a better option for saving a little money without sacrificing fun date ideas. Take advantage of the weekday specials and discounts at Vancouver's cocktail bars, museums, and galleries and experience some of Vancouver's best nightlife. The ideal time is Monday-Wednesday after 5 pm to beat the crowds and enjoy your date without feeling rushed. If you're looking to check out a Vancouver club, go out on Friday or Saturday night but they also have happy hour specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays to break up the week.

Date Ideas Vancouver: Directory

Vancouver has lots of new things to do to make your date night a night to remember. We've compiled a list of Vancouver's classic date ideas as well as some new places to try. Don't feel confined by the weather, Vancouver has tons of indoor activities that make excellent options for your date. If the weather is good, Vancouver is the perfect city to explore and is considered the greenest city in Canada with lots of parks and with outdoor fitness classes and physical activities like hiking, canoeing, and swimming. They're also great places to walk around and see some of the local wildlife. For more specific places and top Vancouver date ideas, check out the list below.

Hello Goodbye

The Selfie Room

Score on Davie

Off Grid Waffles

Vancouver Water Adventures

The Hive Bouldering Gym

The Dirty Apron Cooking School and Delicatessen

Eye of the Wind

Science World at Telus World of Science

Celebrities Night Club

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Hello Goodbye

Type:: Speakeasy
Space:: Underground bar in basement
Crowd:: Hip, young adults
Website:: hellogoodbyebar.com
Address:: 1120 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2S2
Any Notes:: Seasonal cocktails, light snacks, happy hour
Brief Description:: Hello Goodbye has joined the ranks of Canada's hidden bars and speakeasies. The hidden bar concept is simple. It's a bar that has no visible entrance or lobby and often uses passwords or secret entrances to get inside. The bar is underground and has a doorman to show you the way in or you can just follow the music from the featured DJ or live music performances. Enjoy the bar's handcrafted drinks and cocktails or sample the seasonal menu and try some of the light snacks available. Just make sure to reserve a table if you want to get the optimal spot for your date.

The Selfie Room

Type:: Photography studio
Space:: Studio, various backdrops
Crowd:: Trendy, young adults
Website:: facebook.com/theselfieroomcanada
Address:: #160 8351 Alexandra Road, Richmond, BC V6X 1C3
Any Notes:: Funny portraits, lots of props, remote controlled
Brief Description:: The Selfie Room is a professional photography studio that is available to the public for hourly rentals. It's the place for the Instagram-obsessed and makes a cute date and souvenir. You and your date can choose from the studio's many costumes and props, creating funny scenes and photographs that you can get printed or emailed to you so that you never forget what an awesome time you had together. You can dress up as popular video game characters or just add a cute pair of ears. It's a great indoor activity to take your date on and is a change of pace from typical Vancouver date spots.

Score on Davie

Type:: Sports bar
Space:: Great food, lots of tvs
Crowd:: LGBT+, young and mature adults, sports fans
Website:: scoreondavie.com
Address:: 1262 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1N3
Any Notes:: Brunch, good to watch sporting events
Brief Description:: Located in Vancouver's West End, this sports bar is perfect for LGBT+ couples who are looking for a fun, inclusive, and welcoming space to get a beer or watch the game. They've got a good selection of drafts including craft beers with taps changing every day. They also offer a Caesar madness special with four different food and drink options, perfect to share. Whether you're looking for a great pint, or just want to enjoy watching the game in a casual space, Score on Davie has got you covered.

Off Grid Waffles

Type:: Restaurant, diner
Space:: Cozy, minimal
Crowd:: Hip, young adults
Website:: facebook.com/offthegridwaffles
Address:: 2665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5H4
Any Notes:: Street parking, 10 min from Skytrain Station
Brief Description:: Off Grid Waffles is the choice for late night cravings and to satisfy your inner sweet tooth. You can share a waffle bowl or just get your own. You and your date can get into a sugar coma by trying the homemade waffles and thick and creamy milkshakes while having a conversation or playing a game of Jenga. The waffles are fresh and loaded with tons of sweet treats for an extra sugar rush.

Vancouver Water Adventures

Type:: Boat and water rentals and tours
Space:: Outdoors, waterfront
Crowd:: Active, young and mature adults
Website:: vancouverwateradventures.com
Address:: 1812 Boatlift Lane, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y2
Any Notes:: Jet skis, paddle boats, kayaks, tours available
Brief Description:: Vancouver Water Adventures is one of the most popular Vancouver date ideas because it gets you out on the water. Vancouver Water Adventures offers dozens of water activities including, jet skiing and kayaking. It's a great way to stay fit but also have fun. They also offer boating tours if that's more your speed. It's a great way to see the city. It's also a great way to enjoy the sunshine and get close to Vancouver's landmarks and beaches.

The Hive Bouldering Gym

Type:: Rock climbing gym
Space:: Indoor, 10,000 square foot warehouse
Crowd:: Active, young adults
Website:: hiveclimbing.com
Address:: 520 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6A 2P3
Any Notes:: Different climbing terrain, parking, Dj and live music nights
Brief Description:: Indoor rock climbing is a great alternative for climbers when the weather's bad and it also makes a great Vancouver date spot. Part community hangout, the Hive has a huge space for rock climbing with different terrains and wall features for all kinds of skill levels. They also have social events with film nights, climbing competitions, live music, and community arts festivals. It's a good idea to check their website to see what they've got coming up but rock climbing is a fun date on its own without the added perks.

The Dirty Apron Cooking School and Delicatessen

Type:: Cooking school, deli
Space:: Deli space, cooking demo area
Crowd:: Fun, young and mature adults
Website:: dirtyapron.com
Address:: 540 Beatty Street, Crosstown Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
Any Notes:: YouTube channel, cookbook, any skill level
Brief Description:: What's more romantic than cooking a homemade meal? If you don't have the skills, the Dirty Apron has couples cooking classes available that are one of the best date ideas offered in Vancouver. It's a great way to try different foods and learn new skills with ingredient-focused cooking. Every class has hands-on instruction for an entrée, appetizer, and desert. They also have cocktail-crafting and bartending classes available so that you can mix up a dirty martini and toast to a successful date.

Eye of the Wind

Type:: Observation tower
Space:: Class pod, wind turbine
Crowd:: Adventurous, young and mature adults
Website:: grousemountain.com/eye-of-the-wind
Address:: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9
Any Notes:: Glass-enclosed view pod, drop-ins available
Brief Description:: The Eye of the Wind has some of the most breathtaking views in Vancouver. Located on Grouse Mountain, this date spot involves climbing up a wind turbine tower. Thrill-seekers will find this one of the most excellent date ideas with 360 degree views of the landscape. It's outside the city but it's worth the drive for that gorgeous scenery and is an alternative to hiking dates through Vancouver's national parks. They also have zip-lining available in the park if you want something more adventurous.

Science World at Telus World of Science

Type:: Science centre and museum
Space:: Exhibition space, gallery
Crowd:: Nerdy, young and mature adults,
Website:: scienceworld.ca
Address:: 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7
Any Notes:: Omnimax theatre, adults-only nights, new gallery opening
Brief Description:: Discover the world of science at Telus World of Science, a center for the latest technological innovations with classes and workshops that teach you about the fascinating world of science. Their adult-only After Dark nights make a great date option with exclusive after-hours entertainment like live music and adult themed exhibits and demonstrations. Make sure to check their website to find out when the next adults-only night is and get your tickets because they sell out fast.

Celebrities Night Club

Type:: Nightclub
Space:: Large space, bar, private booths
Crowd:: Young adults, LGBT+
Website:: celebritiesnightclub.com
Address:: 1022 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3
Any Notes:: Mixed crowd, pop and electronic music
Brief Description:: Originally a gay nightclub and the highlight of LGBT+ nightlife in Vancouver, Celebrities now has more of a mixed crowd but it's still as great spot for Vancouver date ideas for the LGBT+ community. The atmosphere is really friendly and they have a great mix of local and international DJs and live performances throughout the week. They are a fully inclusive space and have Bowie Thursdays on the 1st Thursday of every month if you want an exclusive gay nightclub experience.

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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!

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Belfast Bristol Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool London Manchester Nottingham Sheffield

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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!

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Best Date Ideas in Vancouver

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