Date Night In Chapel Hill & Durham 

Whether you are on a first date or looking for a new date spot, we've got you covered! Whether you want an active date night idea, a place to grab a drink, or somewhere to watch a show, this list has something for everyone. We’ve highlighted the best in Chapel Hill and Durham!

Parks

If you are looking to get some fresh air, take a bike ride, or even take the dogs on a walk, you should consider a date in the park! Some of our favorites in Durham are Duke Gardens which features over 55 acres of landscaped and wooded area- but ALAS! The Duke Gardens no longer allows dogs. It IS a great location for picnics and offers both sunny and some more private shady options. Don't miss Durham’s Central Park which features numerous garden areas, trails, and even a skate park! Here is a list of other cool spots in Durham to “Park”! 

If you find yourself in Chapel Hill, stop by the North Carolina Botanical Gardens, where you can wander through the beautiful settings, take a walk down the trails, or even play a giant game of yard chess. While in Chapel Hill stop by Coker Arboretum located on UNC’s campus. We have this handy image to help guide you through your walk through the five acre section on UNC’s Campus!

Grab a Drink ?!

Considering Cocktails? We’ve got the perfect places to stop for a great drink. Corpse Reviver Bar and Lounge is a great place to stop in for a cocktail if you are in Durham. With an impressive range of Martinis and Signature Cocktails, this lounge is a definite go to for date night. If Wine is more up your alley, stop by The West End Wine Bar or The Wine Feed in Durham. Each has  an impressive range of wines from various regions as well as great bites to eat & awesome ambience. Looking for some other spots? 

 If you are looking for the perfect cocktail in Chapel Hill, stop by The Crunkleton on Franklin Street. Serving up hand mixed cocktails from a selection over 500 + Spirits, this bar has a speakeasy era vibe which is certainly not one to miss.  Maybe a lingering conversation over a a beautiful bouquet of wine is more your style? Consider Glass Half Full and indulge in some of the tastiest dishes - Why not?!  Here is a selection of other establishments in Chapel Hill / Carrboro

Grab a Bite to Eat

Is a great meal more your style for date night?  Here are a few choices to check out. Popmieri, located in Durham, is a  perfect spot to grab a slice of pizza. With wood fired neapolitan pizzas, great apps, and homemade gelato this is guaranteed to become a quick favorite. If you are looking for a great steak restaurant, stop by Nana Steak located near Durham’s Performing Arts Center and the Durham Bulls Stadium. With favorites such as the seared scottish salmon and the hand cut steaks, the atmosphere is second only to the amazing meal you’ll have.

 Down the road in Chapel Hill there are SO many choices for both an upscale dining experience and a comfortable meal. The Lantern’s Chef Andrea Reusing’s  focus on Asian flare creates a  delicious experience with locally sourced ingredients. Some of our favorites include the Shaking beef and the Wok Seared Rice noodles. Carrboro’s Mercato Pizzeria and Tesoro are two more intimate places for upscale but comfortably priced meals with easy going style. The list of favorites is long- You wont go wrong with these but also consider Tandem, Kipos, Venable, The Dead Mule Club, and Vimala’s !

Things to Do

If adventure is more up your alley we’ve also got a list of great places to enjoy a show, play some arcade games, and unique other date ideas. If you want to bring out a competitive date night experience, head on over to Boxcar Arcade where you can compete in games such as skee ball, dance dance revolution, pinball and so many others.

Maybe ending the night with a BANG is what you had in mind? Stay late for the Friday night  fireworks at the end of any Summer  Durham Bulls Game - It really rivals the 4th of July! 

Here are some other ideas we think would be a fun date night:

Take in a musical or play at the  DPAC.

 Stop in for a session at  the Cat Tales Cafe in Chapel Hill, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while playing with adoptable cats at the same time! 

The Morehead Planetarium is a great option for   a date night under the stars.

 A bit of Chapel Hill Nostalgia ? Why not pop in to The Varsity on E. Franklin Street to enjoy a movie in this retro style theater and then window shop your way over to Epilogue Book Shop?

Whether your desire is for a drink that sparks conversation, a bite to eat that tantalizes the taste buds, or a scenic park to lay down a picnic blanket, the choices mentioned above guarantee that your date nights will be etched into your memories as truly unforgettable.