clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
The exterior of two-level Popstroke agains a pink evening sky.
Popstroke opened its first location outside of Florida in Katy.
Popstroke

18 Creative Date Night Spots in Houston

Whether impressing a first date or planning an outing with friends, Houston is brimming with interactive night-out options that involve a drink in hand

View as Map
Popstroke opened its first location outside of Florida in Katy.
| Popstroke

Dinner and a movie was once a solid date-night option, but in 2023, it’s time to think outside of the box.

Fortunately, Houston is a city filled with restaurants, bars, and sports facilities that have gotten creative with their offerings, allowing guests to dine and drink with a substantial side of interactive entertainment.

Here, bowling alleys and golfing ranges are outfitted with bars and restaurants. There are comic book and gaming cafes, karaoke bars, burlesque shows, and coffee shops that double as dispensaries — and there’s something for the daredevils, too.

So whether you’re planning an official date or just a fun outing with friends, these 18 Houston establishments are offering creative date night options that will have your invitees marking their calendars.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Ingenious Brewing Company

Copy Link

This Humble brewery is not only cool because it specializes in uniquely flavored beers, like its frothy “Tropical Mix” sour beer smoothie or its blueberry donut cream ale, but it also hosts events throughout the week that are bound to keep you buzzing. Partake in Trivia Nights, music bingo, “Yoga & Brews,” or a “Pound & Pour” session, a drumming-inspired workout session followed by beer.

Topgolf

Copy Link

Want to test your golf skills but in a more informal setting? Head to the family-friendly TopGolf in Spring or Katy, where you can quickly alternate between hitting balls as far as you can and downing cold drinks and delicious food in your own personal booth. Its full-service kitchen and bar offers up an assortment of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for all ages, and boasts some of the most toothsome lemon pepper wings. Looking for a souvenir? Parties of two or more can guzzle down a pineapple punch or “Turf Monster” cocktail, served in a golfbag-shaped take-home mug.

Puttery

Copy Link

With three-themed rooms boasting scenic backdrops, this new adults-only mini-golf venue offers a place for adults to kick back, putt-putt, and enjoy an impressive assortment of cocktails and food options. Play your way through themed rooms like the snowy Rocky Mountains, a moody library, or the cacti-filled desert before retiring to the lively dining area and snacking on lamb sliders or veggie potstickers.

The Puttery’s skiing-inspired lodge-themed room offers a backdrop of the snow Rocky Mountains.
The Puttery’s skiing-inspired lodge is sure to be a chalelnge.
The Puttery

MoonStruck Drive-In

Copy Link

Open Thursday through Saturday, this drive-in theater shows some of the newest releases, which you can watch in the comfort of your car for $33 per car. Though outside food is prohibited, movie-goers can purchase popcorn, candy, and soda from the on-site concession stand, and choose from the rotation of food trucks held on Saturday.

Cidercade Houston

Copy Link

Combine the nostalgia of playing in an arcade as a kid with your favorite bar, and you have Cidercade. The bar, which makes all its hard ciders, hard kombucha, and hard seltzers in-house, offers unlimited gameplay for $10 on more than 275 arcade games, including pinball machines, fighter and shooter games, and more classic video games like Marios Bros. and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While bar food isn’t an option, guests can bring their own or check out the food truck of the day if they work up an appetite. Hooked? Ask about their $15 monthly membership, which gives unlimited access to the bar.

Flight Club Houston

Copy Link

At this UK gaming bar, large groups can engage in a dangerously fun combo of sharable bites, stiff drinks, and some friendly competition in darts. Order a bucket of beer, a flatbread, or an intriguing appetizer like the kung pow cauliflower for the table, and then take aim. Guests can set up a digitized game board, which allows four different guided styles of play for multiple people and will keep track of the score.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar

Copy Link

Head to Pete’s and get ready to sing your heart out. Stop at the lively bar for one of its 13 flavored shots, a beer, or a cocktail, and then head toward the main stage where four talented musicians belt out hit songs while splitting their time between two baby grand pianos and a host of other instruments. By the end of the night, it’ll be hard not to sing along, especially if you make a special request.

Bumpy Pickle

Copy Link

Exercise and entertainment combine at this sports facility, which features multiple pickleball and sand volleyball matches, plus a full-service bar, and an anticipated restaurant. Bring your A-game and reserve a pickleball court for $30 an hour, or drop-in during open play for just $7. If volleyball is more your thing, reserve a sand court for $50.

AvantGarden

Copy Link

Housed in a mansion on Westheimer, Avantgarden is a hub of entertainment on almost every night of the week. Jam out to live jazz music on Mondays. Partake in open mic night on Tuesday, catch a sultry burlesque show on a Friday, or just grab a drink and chill out on its mystical patio. Don’t leave without grabbing a taco from Taqueria El Palomo, the on-site taco truck. It’s a Houston institution. (Saturdays are known to host private events, so be sure to check AvantGarden’s website.)

Gen Korean BBQ House

Copy Link

This Midtown Korean barbecue spot is a treat for any couple or group looking for an affordable, interactive dining experience. The menu features an array of meats and seafood, like spicy calamari, pork belly, beef bulgogi, and more — all of which you’ll grill at the center of your table. Come hungry. Gen offers all-you-can-eat specials for lunch ($20) and dinner ($30).

Looking for a different way to unwind? Head to Wild. This restaurant, coffee shop, and dispensary crafts cocktails, coastal cuisine, and caffeinated concoctions all with the option of infusing them with hemp-based CBD or THC. The on-site dispensary also sells a variety of treats, including raw hemp flowers, CBD chocolates, gummies, tinctures, and CBD for pets.

A cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with a large green leaf.
The Hanoi High Five at Wild.
Wild Concepts

Spotlight Karaoke

Copy Link

If a night of karaoke is your idea of fun, head to Spotlight, where you can sing like you’re in the shower, on stage with your favorite drink. Though the main stage requires a two-drink minimum to be placed in the song rotation, groups looking for more privacy can book a room. Each space comes with its own server; karaoke catalog, mics, and TV; and requires guests to spend a minimum of at least $300 in beverages.

Pinstripes

Copy Link

Strike out in the best way at this upscale bowling alley, which is outfitted with bars and a restaurant that serves up Italian-American fare. Find wood-fired pizzas, chicken parmesan, and spicy calamari, plus an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet for $30. Aside from knocking down pins, guests can also opt to play bocce ball or chill out by the fire pits on the upstairs patio. Score specials on booze during happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Coral Sword

Copy Link

There’s plenty to do at this eclectic East End games cafe. Aside from consistently good coffee, delicious baked goods, wine, and beer, Coral Sword also provides fun board games and a home for groups who live for Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gatherings. Check their website or social media pages for updates on their themed game nights.

Houston Axe Throwing - Bellaire

Copy Link

Blow off some steam and rev up your adrenaline with a session of axe (or knife) throwing. The objective of this sport is to successfully whirl a one-and-a-half-pound hunk of wood and metal across the room with the hopes of hitting a target. If that sounds intimidating, fear not — the staff gives a safety and strategy lesson before you begin. A one hour-long session runs $27 per person, and wine, beer, and cocktails can be purchased at the on-site bar at an additional charge. If you think you’ll work up an appetite, pack some snacks. This spot is BYOF (bring your own food). Now, let’s get to hacking.

Simone on Sunset

Copy Link

This moody West U. neighborhood bar is set apart from the hustle and bustle of Rice Village, and serves as a romantic place to spend an evening. A courtyard entry leads into a dimly lit space with lounge seating where you can sip wine, nosh on charcuterie, and kick back with a board game.

PopStroke

Copy Link

Popstroke, Tiger Woods’ new golf and entertainment complex, is now open in Katy, with two 18-hole mini-golf courses, an onsite restaurant, and a rooftop bar. Want to celebrate your hole in one? Use Popstroke’s mobile app to order wine, beer, or a cocktail and have it delivered to you right on the course.

Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Copy Link

With its various onsite restaurant and bars, there is plenty of reason to spend an evening at the Four Seasons, but couples looking for a unique date night idea can take advantage of the luxury hotel’s food and drink classes. A private “suviche” making lesson lets guests join a Toro Toro chef in mastering the art of making sushi and ceviche, and includes hand-rolled sushi, ceviche, and sake to enjoy. Alternatively, there is a 90-minute, expert-led mixology class that includes two cocktails, bar snacks, and a takeaway gift.

A bowl of ceviche surrounded by ingredients.
Learn how to make ceviche like an expert from a Toro Toro chef.
Four Seasons Houston

Ingenious Brewing Company

This Humble brewery is not only cool because it specializes in uniquely flavored beers, like its frothy “Tropical Mix” sour beer smoothie or its blueberry donut cream ale, but it also hosts events throughout the week that are bound to keep you buzzing. Partake in Trivia Nights, music bingo, “Yoga & Brews,” or a “Pound & Pour” session, a drumming-inspired workout session followed by beer.

Topgolf

Want to test your golf skills but in a more informal setting? Head to the family-friendly TopGolf in Spring or Katy, where you can quickly alternate between hitting balls as far as you can and downing cold drinks and delicious food in your own personal booth. Its full-service kitchen and bar offers up an assortment of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for all ages, and boasts some of the most toothsome lemon pepper wings. Looking for a souvenir? Parties of two or more can guzzle down a pineapple punch or “Turf Monster” cocktail, served in a golfbag-shaped take-home mug.

Puttery

With three-themed rooms boasting scenic backdrops, this new adults-only mini-golf venue offers a place for adults to kick back, putt-putt, and enjoy an impressive assortment of cocktails and food options. Play your way through themed rooms like the snowy Rocky Mountains, a moody library, or the cacti-filled desert before retiring to the lively dining area and snacking on lamb sliders or veggie potstickers.

The Puttery’s skiing-inspired lodge-themed room offers a backdrop of the snow Rocky Mountains.
The Puttery’s skiing-inspired lodge is sure to be a chalelnge.
The Puttery

MoonStruck Drive-In

Open Thursday through Saturday, this drive-in theater shows some of the newest releases, which you can watch in the comfort of your car for $33 per car. Though outside food is prohibited, movie-goers can purchase popcorn, candy, and soda from the on-site concession stand, and choose from the rotation of food trucks held on Saturday.

Cidercade Houston

Combine the nostalgia of playing in an arcade as a kid with your favorite bar, and you have Cidercade. The bar, which makes all its hard ciders, hard kombucha, and hard seltzers in-house, offers unlimited gameplay for $10 on more than 275 arcade games, including pinball machines, fighter and shooter games, and more classic video games like Marios Bros. and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While bar food isn’t an option, guests can bring their own or check out the food truck of the day if they work up an appetite. Hooked? Ask about their $15 monthly membership, which gives unlimited access to the bar.

Flight Club Houston

At this UK gaming bar, large groups can engage in a dangerously fun combo of sharable bites, stiff drinks, and some friendly competition in darts. Order a bucket of beer, a flatbread, or an intriguing appetizer like the kung pow cauliflower for the table, and then take aim. Guests can set up a digitized game board, which allows four different guided styles of play for multiple people and will keep track of the score.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar

Head to Pete’s and get ready to sing your heart out. Stop at the lively bar for one of its 13 flavored shots, a beer, or a cocktail, and then head toward the main stage where four talented musicians belt out hit songs while splitting their time between two baby grand pianos and a host of other instruments. By the end of the night, it’ll be hard not to sing along, especially if you make a special request.

Bumpy Pickle

Exercise and entertainment combine at this sports facility, which features multiple pickleball and sand volleyball matches, plus a full-service bar, and an anticipated restaurant. Bring your A-game and reserve a pickleball court for $30 an hour, or drop-in during open play for just $7. If volleyball is more your thing, reserve a sand court for $50.

AvantGarden

Housed in a mansion on Westheimer, Avantgarden is a hub of entertainment on almost every night of the week. Jam out to live jazz music on Mondays. Partake in open mic night on Tuesday, catch a sultry burlesque show on a Friday, or just grab a drink and chill out on its mystical patio. Don’t leave without grabbing a taco from Taqueria El Palomo, the on-site taco truck. It’s a Houston institution. (Saturdays are known to host private events, so be sure to check AvantGarden’s website.)

Gen Korean BBQ House

This Midtown Korean barbecue spot is a treat for any couple or group looking for an affordable, interactive dining experience. The menu features an array of meats and seafood, like spicy calamari, pork belly, beef bulgogi, and more — all of which you’ll grill at the center of your table. Come hungry. Gen offers all-you-can-eat specials for lunch ($20) and dinner ($30).

Wild

Looking for a different way to unwind? Head to Wild. This restaurant, coffee shop, and dispensary crafts cocktails, coastal cuisine, and caffeinated concoctions all with the option of infusing them with hemp-based CBD or THC. The on-site dispensary also sells a variety of treats, including raw hemp flowers, CBD chocolates, gummies, tinctures, and CBD for pets.

A cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with a large green leaf.
The Hanoi High Five at Wild.
Wild Concepts

Spotlight Karaoke

If a night of karaoke is your idea of fun, head to Spotlight, where you can sing like you’re in the shower, on stage with your favorite drink. Though the main stage requires a two-drink minimum to be placed in the song rotation, groups looking for more privacy can book a room. Each space comes with its own server; karaoke catalog, mics, and TV; and requires guests to spend a minimum of at least $300 in beverages.

Pinstripes

Strike out in the best way at this upscale bowling alley, which is outfitted with bars and a restaurant that serves up Italian-American fare. Find wood-fired pizzas, chicken parmesan, and spicy calamari, plus an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet for $30. Aside from knocking down pins, guests can also opt to play bocce ball or chill out by the fire pits on the upstairs patio. Score specials on booze during happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Coral Sword

There’s plenty to do at this eclectic East End games cafe. Aside from consistently good coffee, delicious baked goods, wine, and beer, Coral Sword also provides fun board games and a home for groups who live for Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gatherings. Check their website or social media pages for updates on their themed game nights.

Houston Axe Throwing - Bellaire

Blow off some steam and rev up your adrenaline with a session of axe (or knife) throwing. The objective of this sport is to successfully whirl a one-and-a-half-pound hunk of wood and metal across the room with the hopes of hitting a target. If that sounds intimidating, fear not — the staff gives a safety and strategy lesson before you begin. A one hour-long session runs $27 per person, and wine, beer, and cocktails can be purchased at the on-site bar at an additional charge. If you think you’ll work up an appetite, pack some snacks. This spot is BYOF (bring your own food). Now, let’s get to hacking.

Related Maps

Simone on Sunset

This moody West U. neighborhood bar is set apart from the hustle and bustle of Rice Village, and serves as a romantic place to spend an evening. A courtyard entry leads into a dimly lit space with lounge seating where you can sip wine, nosh on charcuterie, and kick back with a board game.

PopStroke

Popstroke, Tiger Woods’ new golf and entertainment complex, is now open in Katy, with two 18-hole mini-golf courses, an onsite restaurant, and a rooftop bar. Want to celebrate your hole in one? Use Popstroke’s mobile app to order wine, beer, or a cocktail and have it delivered to you right on the course.

Four Seasons Hotel Houston

With its various onsite restaurant and bars, there is plenty of reason to spend an evening at the Four Seasons, but couples looking for a unique date night idea can take advantage of the luxury hotel’s food and drink classes. A private “suviche” making lesson lets guests join a Toro Toro chef in mastering the art of making sushi and ceviche, and includes hand-rolled sushi, ceviche, and sake to enjoy. Alternatively, there is a 90-minute, expert-led mixology class that includes two cocktails, bar snacks, and a takeaway gift.

A bowl of ceviche surrounded by ingredients.
Learn how to make ceviche like an expert from a Toro Toro chef.
Four Seasons Houston

Related Maps