D.C. has reputation for being a kind of boring dating town, probably because of all the dull Date Labs where people have a polite conversation over small plates then go to bed at 10 p.m. But with the city’s abundance of free spots, bars and outdoor spaces, there are plenty of inventive dates to be had in Washington. Here are the 13 best dates in D.C. that aren’t dinner and movie.
Photo by Greta Arnold.
PHILLIPS AFTER 5: Phillips After 5 is a great date destination because it’s about three dates in one — an art museum, live entertainment, and booze and snacks. The event only happens on the first Thursday of each month, so the date will be all the more special. New exhibits are frequently added to the collection and cover lots of art styles. Music, discussions, and food vary month to month; August’s, for example, will feature local food truck specialties, a jazz violinist, and area distillers talking about cocktails. Promising evenings can continue after the 8:30 close in nearby Dupont Circle. Definitely make reservations in advance online ($12 per person) and bring cash for drink tickets. —Nicole Dubowitz
Phillips After 5 take place on the first Thursday of every month at 1600 21st St NW.
FIRST FRIDAY: I’ve always hated museum dates, mostly because I think it’s an inefficient way of both seeing a museum and getting to know your date. First Friday, on the other hand, is just the right blend of art, culture, and a dash of free wine. On the first Friday of every month, a host of Dupont Circle’s galleries stay open late, plying gallery crawlers with the promise of interesting art, wine, and snacks. You don’t have to be an art history buff to take in the scene—in fact, it’s much more fun to take turns making faux-erudite comments, such as “I really enjoy the artist’s use of negative space,” and “Did you know that white is the absence of color”? (Remember, the wine definitely makes you sound smarter.) Whatever route you choose, I recommend ending up at the Hillyer (9 Hillyer Court NW), which usually has some pretty edgy, conversation-worthy pieces. — Alicia Mazzara
First Friday takes place between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month, mostly around 21st and R Streets NW.
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY TOURS: A few friends have made dates out of a tour the Founding Church of Scientology on 16th Street NW, followed by a visit to a nearby bar or restaurant to rehash it. Assuming you both don’t get indoctrinated (or just one of you, because that would be awkward) it could be a fun time to learn about something completely different, and maybe figure out why Tom Cruise, Beck and others are so into it. In 1955, L. Ron Hubbard founded Scientology in D.C. a few blocks from the building, which is on the corner of 16th and K. Keep in mind, they may try to convince you to join, that your body is full of the spirits of people that an intergalactic dictator named Xenu flew to Earth, dropped into volcanoes and killed with hydrogen bombs 75 million years ago, and so on. Fun stops afterwards could include Townhouse on R Street, Kramerbooks & Afterwords on Connecticut Avenue, or the new Thomas Foolery on P Street, for more silliness. — Andrew Wiseman
The Church of Scientology is located at 1424 16th Street NW.
Photo by Photo by Brian/flipperman75.
H STREET CORRIDOR: Plan a full evening of date activities, from dinner to a show to drinks afterward, on H Street NE without having to wander more than a few blocks. Begin the night by sharing a massive serving of Schweinshaxn (pork shank), washed down with half or full liters of German beer, at Biergarten Haus. The back patio is open year-round, a lovely beer garden in the summer and a cozy fireplace-warmed space in the winter months. Then, make your way to a show. Atlas Performing Arts Center is just down the street and offers a variety of date-worthy events: dance, theater, storytelling. Or, for something edgier, catch live music (or an Air Sex Competition) at the Rock and Roll Hotel. If you’re still enjoying each other’s company by this time in the evening, grab a slice at Dangerously Delicious Pies, open ’til midnight Monday through Thursday and 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Then, toast your excellent evening with drinks and dancing at Sticky Rice.—Elisabeth Grant
Biergarten Haus is located at 1355 H Street NE; the Atlas Performing Arts Center is located at 1333 H Street NE; the Rock and Roll Hotel is located at 1353 H Street NE; Dangerously Delicious Pies is located at 1339 H Street NE; Sticky Rice is located at 1224 H Street NE.
SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANKS: For reasons still slightly beyond my comprehension, my boyfriend has been lobbying for us to take a his and her trip to a spa offering floatation therapy. Visitors spend an hour in a sensory deprivation tank, a dark pod filled with salty, body-temperature water and a complete absence of sound. Proponents claim it promotes a state of total and utter relaxation unrivaled by even the best massage, as well as a state of mental clarity akin to meditation. I personally am afraid of going totally mental from listening to the sound of my own heart beat while trapped inside a tiny, watery capsule. And that would be unromantic. But if floating your cares away sounds like great a way to bring you and your partner together, a dunk in a sensory deprivation tank might be the wacko date idea for you.—Alicia Mazzara
You can deprive your senses at Hope Floats in Bethesda (6405 Redwing Road) or Om Float Spa in Manassas.
Photo by Nikoo Yahyazadeh.
NATIONAL ARBORETUM: Is there anything more romantic than enjoying nature’s beauty with a special someone? From the impressive bonsai gardens to the secluded wooded areas, the National Arboretum is one of the city’s perfect date spots. Fly a kite, picnic near the grove of state trees, then take a walk and impress your date with your knowledge of dogwoods. (Advanced research can be done here.) —Sarah Anne Hughes
The National Arboretum can be entered from 3501 New York Avenue NE or 24th Street and R Streets NE, off Bladensburg Road.
SMITHSONIAN DRINKING: Three elements that make a great date include (but are not limited to): Cheap, interesting, and exciting. Now, by being cheap I don’t mean to say be unwilling to spend money on your date—that’s a recipe for disaster—but rather, think outside the fold to show you know how to have a good time without spending loads of money. As someone who is usually broke, I’ve gotten pretty good at this, and the fact that we live in a city where most museums are free also helps a great deal. A day date to the Hirshhorn, National Gallery of Art, Natural History Museum, or any of the Smithsonian’s 19 museums is a perfect way to take in some fine art and culture as well as have the proper environment to get to know someone. If you’re feeling adventurous, sneak in a Gatorade bottle or two spiked with vodka to show you’re not afraid to make things a little exciting. Also, drinking makes every date better.—Matt Cohen
A full list of Smithsonian museums can be seen here.
FORT RENO: Coming from someone who has spent the better part of the past seven years inside of venues, concerts are generally a bad first date idea (or second or third date idea, for that matter). The music is intentionally loud (as it’s kind of the point of the event) and talking to your date is either impossible or possible but rude in the event of soft-spoken singer songwriters. Plus, if you two don’t like the same type of music, it could be problematic. Fort Reno, on the other hand, is a fantastic idea. Yes, there’s a limited amount of times during the year when this option is available, but the entire atmosphere is relaxed and sitting back with someone on a picnic blanket and conversing is just as acceptable as going up front and rocking out with the band. Plus, it doubles as a picnic. —Valerie Paschall
Fort Reno is located at 3800 Donaldson Place NW.
Photo by Adam Fagen.
BILLY GOAT TRAIL AT GREAT FALLS PARK: Back in my college days, after having a couple or three “normal” dates, I’d always take the lady hiking on the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls. If she complained how hard it was, she’d lose points. I’ve since matured and realized what a ridiculous standard that is. But hiking the trail when it’s nice out is still a great way to get to know someone, especially if you’re willing to wake up early enough to avoid the crowds.—Sriram Gopal
Great Falls Park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Va.
KAYAKING THE ANACOSTIA RIVER: On first dates, it never hurts to have an activity planned. Take advantage of these beautiful summer days and spend a day kayaking on the Anacostia River. The recently opened Ballpark Boathouse offers double kayaks for $20 per hour or $80 for the whole day. After spending time on the river, bike down to the Maine Avenue Fish Market for delicious fresh seafood. —Sarah Anne Hughes
Ballpark Boathouse is located next to Nationals Park on First Street SE.
HOYA FOR THE NIGHT: If you’re past the getting-to-know-you stage, perhaps you and your date will want to pretend to be someone else for the night. Why not a Georgetown student? The Tombs offers late-night Study Snack happy hour every night. Go for the cheap Clyde’s food and drinks, stay to observe the sacred mating dances of the preppy undergrads or pretend you’re still in college yourself. When you get bored, go for a stroll around campus or down the Exorcist steps and over to the Key Bridge, where you can spot amazing spider webs and their makers in the moonlight as you look out toward the Kennedy Center and the rest of the city.—Josh Novikoff
Georgetown University is located at 3700 O Street NW.
Photo by MudflapDC.
NATIONAL ZOO: Yeah, you could wait and see if Rusty the red panda escapes again to have an intimate moment with wildlife, or you could bring a date here for a unique experience. The exhibits provide built in activity and conversation, and there are definitely a few “Awww” moments to be had. The bonus is that if the date goes south, you’ve still spent the day checking out a bunch of wild animals in one of the best zoological parks in the world. What a shame. Plus, like several of the options on this list, it’s free. —Valerie Paschall
The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW.
FARMER FOR A DAY: Doesn’t “stop bitching, start farming” sound like a fun thing to tell a date? That line is the header from the legendary 2005 City Paper profile of the Zednik Farm group, a t-shirt and bumper sticker-selling cult that welcomed volunteers. While Zendik is now gone (the farm went on the market earlier this year), several community plots have sprouted up around the city and have volunteer opportunities for neighbors looking to summon their inner farmhand for a few hours. Common Good City Farm welcomes volunteers during open farm hours, as does the Farm at Walker Jones. —Josh Novikoff
Common Good City Farm is located on V Street NW between 2nd and 4th Streets NW; the Farm at Walker Jones is located at 111 K Street NW.
DRINKING ON THE COUCH: Because sometimes that’s just the best thing to do. Trust me, the exhausted editor in your life will appreciate it. —Benjamin R. Freed
The couch is in your living room, or someone else’s living room.
