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Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to CHStoday.
OK, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time). Regardless, whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 22 local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.
For the ones who want a night out on the town
- Take in a show at the beautiful Gaillard Center (for the bougiest of dates, we recommend a show by the Charleston Symphony), followed by a nightcap at nearby Doar Bros. cocktail bar.
- Make the date itself a conversation starter by sipping wine while cuddling cats at Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar (who says you have to be single to be a crazy cat lady?) before heading across the street to Theatre 99 for some improv comedy laughs.
- Plan a date for the first Friday of the month and head downtown for the Charleston Art Walk, where you can stroll through open galleries at night and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
- Named one of the best new cooking classes in the world by “Food & Wine,” Zero George’s classes — wherein you’ll learn to make a three-course meal while sipping on wine — make for the perfect foodie date night.
- Take your date to a rooftop bar with views for days (like the highly-rated Vendue rooftop bar, pictured above) — aka, the perfect spot to take a photo for that Instagram official hard launch.
- Make reservations for a 30-minute, $10 tour at High Wire Distilling Co. Thursday-Saturday to learn more about the history of the company and get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process. Celebrate a successful date by staying for a cocktail after the tour.
- Head to The Peacock for drinks + appetizers at the speakeasy lounge or hit the rooftop deck at sunset for pretty views of the Charleston harbor.
If you love the great outdoors
- Make it an early evening and take a page out of Noah and Allie’s notebook by paddling on the water at Cypress Gardens with a self-guided swamp boat adventure.
- Head to Sullivan’s Island for a more relaxed beachfront setting, and grab a cone at Republic Ice Cream.
- Take a sunset cruise on the Charleston harbor for a beautiful view with your beautiful boo.
- Enjoy a movie under the stars. Head to James Island Town Hall on the first Friday monthly from April to December, 6-9 p.m., for a community market and free outdoor movies.
For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)
- Head to a local bar with plenty of games. We suggest Container Bar for outdoor seating and games like giant Jenga and cornhole (plus rotating food trucks), Recovery Room Tavern for indoor fun like pinball and pool, or Garage 75 for arcade games.
- Book a bay and start to play at Topgolf for an evening that both of you will enjoy — even if you’re not the next Scottie Scheffler.
- Pick out books for each other at Blue Bicycle, then walk to nearby Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer (open until 7 p.m.) to sip on a beverage while you start reading.
If you’re really hoping that it works out
- Pick up a new skill together and head to a dance class with Arthur Murray Dance Centers. Bonus: Your first class is free.
- Climb to the top of their “best date” list after you take them to an indoor climbing session at Coastal. We recommend taking them to Leon’s down the road afterward for oysters and a beer.
- Rent a bike in downtown Charleston to work up a sweat and ride through the city together (BildaBike also provides coupons to local restaurants and activities with your bike rental).
If you want an “old fashioned”-style date
- Split a milkshake at local chain Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Cafe or hit the soda fountain at Pitt Street Pharmacy for a classic rom-com moment.
- Share a pair of earbuds and turn on “Timeless (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” while strolling Charleston’s cobblestone streets hand-in-hand.
- Check out one of these six speakeasy-style Charleston bars for a blast from the past.
- Grab an actual Old Fashioned at Prohibition — on Thursday evenings, you can sip and listen to live music, typically with no cover charge.
If you wanna show off by knowing all the hottest events in town
- Shameless plug: Sign up for our daily newsletter, where we call out our top picks of things to do around town. Your date doesn’t have to know we’re behind it, you can take all the credit.
- Stay up-to-date on the coolest local events around Charleston with our events page, and take your date to something fun.
What did we miss? If you know a perfect date spot that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction.
