Whether you’ve just met someone brand new or you’re planning a date night with your partner, Edmonton is an amazing city to have a night out. But sometimes, you want to find some unique date night spots and take your date night to another level. Alberta’s Capital City is known as the Festival City for its huge selection of summer festivals, and you’ll find this same diversity throughout the city when it comes to choosing interesting locations for the perfect night out with that special someone.
Note: while we try to ensure that all the information in this article is accurate at the time of posting, opening times and availability can change unexpectedly. While making plans for your date night, be sure to check ahead with your chosen venue.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are one of the fastest-growing entertainment options in Edmonton, with more than sixty different rooms now offering game-play in and around the city for a modest fee.
Part theatre and part action-adventure game, escape rooms start by “locking” the players in a room. In order to exit (or “escape”), you’ll need to solve a series of puzzles. Perfect for a unique date night spot, you and your partner will have to work together to win the game, an excellent way to get to know each other. Or double-date it with another couple – sometimes more heads thinking about the puzzle can yield better results!
Check out TripAdvisor’s top rankings for a list of some of the most popular escape room games in Edmonton.
View this post on Instagram
Paint Nite
If you’re in a creative mood, there are a number of venues in and around Edmonton which offer paint nites, where you and a date can have a few drinks and learn from a qualified art instructor.
Not only are paint nites a great chance to bond while learning a new skill, but you’ll also have a piece of art to take home with you as a keepsake of the evening.
View this post on Instagram
Art Gallery
If creating your own art isn’t your thing, leave it to the professionals and take a look at the beautiful exhibits at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
The AGA is open late on certain days, and the last Thursday of every month is free! Exhibits will vary, but you can check out their Online Exhibition Guide to find out what’s showing in advance.
View this post on Instagram
Cooking Classes
One of the best ways to get to know a potential date is through a shared love and passion for food. A great idea for a unique date night is to take a cooking class at Sorrentino’s, one of Edmonton’s most beloved restaurant chains.
A wide variety of classes are on offer, including Spanish cuisine (tapas), Vietnamese food, Thai cuisine, making your own chocolate, and Italian classic foods. Most classes include wine tasting, and even if the date doesn’t pan out, at least you’re guaranteed to get a good meal!
View this post on Instagram
A Hidden Speakeasy
If you’re looking for a more traditional kind of date but still want to add an interesting twist, why not seek out the hidden Alchemy Bar downtown? Once you discover it, you’ll find a dazzling speakeasy which serves an array of cocktails (including custom-made ones) as well as a selection of bar snacks.
We won’t spoil the location for you here, but you can easily find it online if you need some hints!
A Night of Stargazing
If you don’t mind the drive, a great romantic date idea is to head out to Elk Island for some stargazing. At certain times of the year, this nearby national park opens its gates to the public in the evenings, so you can cuddle up around a campfire, take in some unspoiled views, and maybe even catch the northern lights!
Times and ticket prices vary, and you’ll need a valid national park pass to enter, so make sure you plan this one ahead of time.
View this post on Instagram
Axe Throwing
It may sound like something that only lumberjacks would really enjoy, but Axe Monkeys Edmonton is a great place for a unique and fun date.
Located on 156th Street, this axe-throwing centre is a great way to blow off steam and enjoy some healthy competition. While throwing an axe accurately is difficult, it’s always fun to hurl a lethal weapon!
View this post on Instagram
Board Games
If axe throwing and escape rooms are a little too much, why not consider a more old-fashioned way to play games? The Table Top Cafe, with two locations in Edmonton, has tons of board games ranging from classics like chess and Scrabble to other fun games such as Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity.
By exercising a little creativity, it’s easy to find a unique and special place to invite someone for a date. Whether you end up hitting it off or not, all the above options will, at least, guarantee that you get out of the house and try something fun and unusual.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out the 9 of the Best Edmonton Restaurants for Date Night for some ideas for good food with your date!
Originally published November 2, 2017: updated Sep 27, 2022
Author: Casey C.
I enjoy long walks on the beach...just kidding. Diehard Oilers Fan (#SorryNotSorry). Old Man Millennial.