You've swiped right, the chat has been great and it's finally time to take the plunge. But date night doesn't have to mean a couple of drinks down your local boozer. Upgrade your schmoozing game by getting competitive in a ping pong match or trying something a little different with an all-dancing immersive experience. Ready to knock their socks off? Check out our guide on the best things to do for couples in Nottingham.
Calling all competitive couples - Arrowsmiths is the place to be for date night darts. With the interactive boards taking care of the scores, all you need to do is throw your tungsten tips and concentrate on your trash talk.
Win, lose or draw, there's all kinds of refreshments on offer from pints and classic cocktails to pizza and small plates. From just £4 per person per game, you can foot the bill and bag some brownie points without breaking the bank too.
@ OUT Nottingham on Friday 8th May 2026 and 2 other dates
One of the UK's quirkiest events is returning to Nottingham for 2026, promising three days of £1.50 wings, alongside great bourbon and beer. Each trader will be competing for your vote of best Buffalo, barbecue or wild wing, and there are even eating competitions and hot wing challenges to get involved in.
Throughout the weekend, DJs and live musicians will be taking to the stage, and you can even try your hand at axe throwing. Don your free trucker hat on arrival, and get ready to eat some serious chicken.
What to do in Nottingham at night, you ask? The Alchemist never disappoints. Keep things simple by booking a table at this King Street joint and spend your evening sipping on libations such as the She's Electric - a tasty tipple created from rum, mango and vanilla, finished off with theatrical 'thunder foam'.
Celebrate Sunday in style at The Alchemist Nottingham with a feast made for two to share. Enjoy tender BBQ baby back ribs, crunchy buttermilk fried chicken, and juicy pork belly bites alongside loaded truffle tater tots, creamy mac and cheese, smoky house BBQ beans, crisp slaw, tangy pickles, fries, and soft brioche buns perfect for building your own mouthwatering combos.
Want more things to do with bae? Try out our brand new search engine. You can choose between thousands of venues across the UK from cool bars to fancy restaurants. The best part? You'll earn reward points to spend on fun events and experiences.
☘️ Be At One X I’m Grand Mam: 2 for £7 'Mocha-tini' Shots ☘️
A swanky haunt for drinks for two, Be At One in Nottingham is about to become your next go-to for all Tinder meetups. Why you may ask? You'll get to cash in on amazing happy hours, so you and your date can sip on margaritas, martinis and Bailey's cocktails without breaking the bank.
A fun date night idea in the city centre, and great for double dates too, Axed Global is a great way to let off some steam. They've got several cutting-edge laes that can be booked for groups of all sizes, encouraging some friendly competition.
What's more, they've got beer pong and shuffleboard on offer too, and you can sip handmade cocktails or craft beer from the fully stocked bar.
@ Pizza Pilgrims Nottingham on Sunday 10th May 2026 and 3 other Sundays
Fancy a hands-on date? Then check out the Dough It Yourself pizza masterclass at Pizza Pilgrims, where you'll learn how to create your own delicious pizzas. The session kicks off with a selection of tasty Italian snacks, before their expert chefs guide you through the creation process.
You'll shape dough, choose your toppings and bake it in the dome oven, before enjoying the fruits of your labour. Each ticket also includes two drinks per person, as well as their signature Nutella Ring dessert to finish.
One of the city's coolest bars, The Hockley Arts Club is a well-trodden spot for fun date nights and banging cocktails. Split over several floors, with various themed rooms like a traditional Victorian style saloon bar and a botanical electric garden, this quirky venue is the perfect backdrop for getting cosy with your sweetheart.
Suit and tie not your vibe? Keep things casual by heading to Das Kino - the Lace Market bar flaunting edgy industrial-style interiors, neon lighting and full-size ping pong tables. The perfect spot for getting competitive with your beau, this boozer serves up delish sourdough pizzas and quirky film-inspired cocktails like the Green Lantern and Breakfast At Tiffany's.
When it comes to bars for couples, there's nowhere quite like The Walrus - the underground haunt that's decked out with red neon lights and comfy leather booths. Shimmy on down for a night of cocktails, tasty scran and old-school games with your date.
With beautiful hanging plants and fun arcade games, The Beeston Social is fab for fun things to do in Nottingham for adults at night. You and your sweetie can get stuck into signature cocktails while playing ski ball or chow down on delish street food-inspired dishes.
One of the most aesthetic things to do for couples in Nottingham, The Magic Garden is quite the stunner. Spread across three sections, the highly Instagrammable garden fronts floral arches, vintage furniture, cosy plush seating and scrumptious cocktails and tapas like the Corona-rita and tempura prawns.
Brewhouse & Kitchen is a casual restaurant that boasts a sprawling terrace with views over the River Trent. A packed-out spot when the sun decides to shine, this boozer boasts a huge variety of beer, along with tasty cocktails and mouthwatering pub classics, from fish and chips to baby back ribs.
For more chilled date nights, a solid option is The Blind Rabbit, a quirky New York-inspired watering hole with unusual interiors. Touting a menu of wings, burgers and loaded fries, it's the perfect boozer for settling in with your spouse for a few quirky cocktails and bar snacks aplenty.
Looking for quirky things to do in Nottingham? Head over to Riverside Family Golf Centre, a hilarious, interactive driving range experience where you and your better half can spend the whole afternoon swinging and frolicking around.
Mowgli has got your date night plans on lock, boasting pretty interiors, made even more atmospheric by the glowing fairy lights and top-notch Indian fare. Scoff down Goan fish curry, lamb chops or dahl and pair it with one of their signature cocktails.
Looking to impress your other half with date night? One of the most fun things to do in Nottingham city centre, Gusto is a suitable spot as it fronts delicious Italian cuisine and feasts at its chef's table. Enjoy king prawn bucatini, linguine and classic steaks while tipping back a glass of wine.
Giving praise to all things drinking and dining, this magnificent space is the stuff of date night dreams. Whether you're popping in for a tasty lunch, or spending the night getting better acquainted with the cocktail menu, the imposing architecture makes the place a special spot indeed.
Situated in Lace Market, Penny Lane is fab when it comes to first date ideas in Nottingham. Showcasing delicious drinks, scrumptious food and a slew of arcade games to have a crack at, the venue also has a vintage ice cream machine - so you can share a sweet cone with your other half.
Meet Space VR are really throwing the old 'dinner and a movie' date night out the window by swapping it for a thrilling evening of unprecedented virtual reality. Head on over to be immersed in escape rooms, arcades and zero latency experiences.
A Vietnamese kitchen-cum-cocktail bar, Coco Tang is the perfect venue if you're looking for a unique date idea in Nottingham. Step inside and find yourself transported to an exotic land, with indoor palm trees, an airy roof terrace and authentic tiles imported from Ho Chi Minh City.
