Going from right swipes and flirty DMs to IRL communication can be stressful, especially when it comes to first dates. The pressure to be creative and authentic without blowing your whole paycheck is real.
How do you pull together fun, quirky, or meaningful experiences that give you and your date a chance to laugh and get to know each other while avoiding job interview vibes or awkward lulls? Think outside the box. Here are five suggestions that go beyond the coffee shop meetup.
Taste sake at Berkeley's Takara Sake.(Courtesy of @steph.couvrette)
Sip Sake
Bypass happy hour for something unique. Housed in an architecturally stunning space, Takara Sake’s tasting room in Berkeley is a chill, off-the-beaten-path date spot. Here, you’ll sample a range of sake styles, from sweet, creamy Nigori to crisp, bold Junmai. The staff is genuinely passionate and knowledgeable, guiding you through the courses with helpful context, not just sales pitches (of course, they’ll assist you in purchasing bottles of your favorites as needed). If you and your date are history buffs, visit the on-site sake museum. Learning how brewing methods have changed through the centuries will give you plenty of talking points and create a memorable experience. Reservations required; $20/person. // 708 Addison St. (Berkeley), takarasake.com
Explore The Stars
A first date spent stargazing will feel like the start of your own rom-com. Telescope viewings at the Chabot Space & Science Center give you front-row seats to the cosmos. What’s more romantic than looking up at Jupiter while getting to know each other? It’s an easy conversation starter. Sitting 1,500 feet above the Bay on 13 acres in Oakland’s Redwood Regional Park, the museum and science center boasts a planetarium with frequent shows; a theater with live presentations; the NASA Ames Visitor Center; various themed exhibits; and a gift shop. So, once you’re done admiring nebulae, there are a host of other fun, interactive things to do. Telescope viewings are free every Friday and Saturday night, weather permitting. General admission is $24 per person. // 10000 Skyline Blvd., (Oakland), chabotspace.org
Dance in the sky at Salesforce Park's free dance nights.(Courtesy of @181fremont; Photo by @marcus_aureliuz)
Dance In the Sky
Dance nights at San Francisco’s Salesforce Park, a 5.4-acre urban oasis perched 70 feet above the street, are the ultimate first date vibe check. With its lush gardens, a meandering walking trail, and an open-air amphitheater, the park provides a gorgeous atmosphere for swaying to the beat. Whether you choose Swing in the Sky or Bollywood Nights, arrive early for the mini lessons provided before the official dance begins. But don’t worry, this isn’t about perfectly choreographed steps. Simply be yourselves, laugh, and move your bodies—playful dates beat stuffy dinner dates every time. If you work up an appetite, grab a quick bite at nearby Vietnamese spot Dragoneats (455 Market or 555 Folsom, SoMa) for less than $10 each. Check the Salesforce Park events calendar for free dance days and times. // 100-132 Fremont St. (Transbay), tjpa.org
Storytelling In The Redwoods
POV: sipping cocktails under a canopy of redwood trees and café lights while listening to world-class storytellers. It’s a first-date flex. Redwood Nights: Storytelling Under the Stars at Deer Park Villa provides an intimate, classy experience. On stage, storytellers from NPR, PBS, and The Moth share honest moments from their own lives—some hilarious, others introspective—that will give you and your date ample conversation topics at the end of the evening. Arrive 30 to 40 minutes before the show to enjoy a complimentary charcuterie board. You can also splurge on freshly opened raw or grilled oysters and a full bar. After the show, the talent stays for meet-and-greet. Tickets are $35 to $45 per person. // Deer Park Villa (Fairfax), eventbrite.com
Plant hope at Alemany Farm in San Francisco.(Courtesy of @alemany_farm)
Plant Hope
Planting seedlings and harvesting produce isn’t a typical first date, but that’s exactly what makes this idea cool. Alemany Farms, a thriving 3.5-acre urban organic farm, operates almost entirely on donations and volunteer labor. Imagine you and a date working side by side as you help provide low-income families with food stability: you’ll do something good for the community, learn about sustainable farming, and share a genuine connection. Don’t worry about prior experience—the friendly staff provides guidance on tasks like weeding, composting, and mulching. At the end of your date, you’ll be rewarded with a bag of fresh, organic produce to take home. Volunteer days are Mondays and Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm; registration required. // 700 Alemany Blvd. (Bernal Heights), alemanyfarm.org
