Whether you're on a first date, second date, or 100th date, this list is for you.
First we'll cover some fun date ideas to make your day extra unique. Then we will list some go-to places like restaurants, bars and coffee shops that you can go enjoy for the first part of your date.
Let's dive in!
DENTON DATE IDEAS
Denton Square
- Picnic and play a board game on the square lawn. It's also BYOB / open container, so bring a bottle of wine or beer — support local and get your booze from Steve's Wine Bar, Denton County Brewing Co, or Midway Mart!
- Enjoy a concert or live music at Harvest House, Dan’s Silver Leaf, Andy's Bar, or Thursday “Twilight Tunes” on the square (seasonal).
- Watch a play at the Theatre Denton or Black Box Performing Arts Center.
- Get artsy at the BYOB Painting with a Twist. Find a couple's painting class!
- Learn about the great town of Denton at the Denton Courthouse Museum.
- Browse the Antique Mall and buy something random for each other.
- Test your skills at Ironwood Axe Throwing or Horse's Axe.
- Channel your inner 80's gamer at Game Changers or Freeplay Arcade.
- Free boulder at Summit Rock Climbing with a day pass.
- Browse the local vendor booths at Denton Community Market.
- Groove to tunes at Vinyl Lounge on BYOVinyl nights.
- Play board games or bar games (darts, pool, corn hole, etc.) at Paschals, Oak Street Drafthouse, Denton County Brewing Co, Loophole, Shuck Me, d20 Tavern, Dusty's, etc.
Active
- Disc golf: North Lakes Park
- Fishing: North Lakes Park
- Driving Range: North Lakes Park
- Tennis: Goldfield Tennis Center, South Lakes Tennis Courts, West Tennis Courts
- Lake Ray Roberts (Pilot Point): Bike Riding, Hammocking, Picnic, Beach, Fishing, Kayaking
- Bike Riding: Greenbelt (entrance at Lake Ray Roberts dam, or Aubrey), Denton Branch Rail Trail, North Lakes Park, Isle du Bois Lake Ray Roberts State Park (Pilot Point)
- Parks: North Lakes Park, South Lakes Park/Eureka
- Dog Parks: Wiggly Field, North Lakes Dog Park
- Trails: North Lakes Park, Lake Ray Roberts, Denton Branch Rail Trail (Denton Square to Lake Dallas), Evers Park, South Lakes Park
- Bowling: University Lanes, Brunswick/Bowlero, Andy B's
- Arcade: Game Changers, Freeplay
- Roller Skating: Lone Star Rink
- Trampoline Park: Altitude
- Swimming: Denton Natatorium & Water Works Park
- Geocaching
- Pickleball: Nette Shultz Park, South Lakes Park, Denia Rec Center (indoor), North Lakes Rec Center (indoor), Denton Senior Center (indoor)
- Indoor Rock Climbing: Summit
- Digital Scavenger Hunt
- 5k: Denton Running Club - Free Wednesday 5ks and Summer Runs
- Horse Country Tours
- Work out together! Buy a fitness DVD from Recycled Bookstore, go to a yoga class at Inspire Yoga or a cycling class at Denton Spin Co, go jogging on a free 5k every Wednesday with the Denton Running Club, go for a walk at a local park like North Lakes Park, etc.
- Play a sport together! Play tennis at Goldfield Tennis Club, play basketball or sand volleyball at North Lakes Park, play disco golf at North Lakes Park, throw a frisbee or football at the park, or find some sporting equipment to use from Secondhand Sports.
- Go camping, biking, fishing or swimming at Lake Ray Roberts - Isle du Bois or Johnson Branch.
- Learn a dance on Youtube or go to a class with Salsa with Jo.
Misc.
- Drive around and visit garage sales or estate sales (weekend).
- Attend an annual festival or event like Arts & Jazz Festival, North Texas Fair & Rodeo, Holiday Lighting Festival, etc.
- Attend a local high school or college sporting event.
- Try on costumes for fun at Rose Costumes.
- Visit the Texas Tulip Farm. (seasonal, Pilot Point)
- Visit the Lavender Farm. (seasonal, Gainesville)
- Visit the Strawberry Farm. (seasonal, Pilot Point)
- Eat pizza "with" bears at the Bear Den & Pizza. (Pilot Point)
- Volunteer at Our Daily Bread or another nonprofit organization on the weekend.
- Take a tour of UNT or TWU campus.
- Take a shot at winning some cash at Denton Bingo.
- Test your knowledge at Trivia at a local bar.
- Take pictures at the Chairy Orchard or at various Denton art mural locations.
- Picnic at a local park, lake, the Denton Square or your backyard.
- Watch movie marathon, or hit up the matinee movies at Movie Tavern or Alamo Drafthouse.
- Buy peaches or take pictures next to the rose garden (seasonal) at Gemini Peach and Rose Farm.
- Get a couples massage at Denton Massage on the Square or Essentials Day Spa.
- Buy a board or card game from More Fun Comics & Games or Recycled Bookstore to play at home. Or take it to a local coffee shop or d20 Tavern to play!
- Cool off with some ice-cream from Beth Maries or shaved ice from Gnome Cones.
- Do random acts of kindness for strangers or the homeless.
- Buy local merch and tie-dye it at home.
- Go shopping at a local thrift store like Twice as Nice Resale to buy an outfit or fun item for each other.
- Find free live music to attend, such as Twilight Tunes.
- Explore places you’ve never been to in Denton.
- Carve pumpkins, fruit, veggies, wood, or even a bar of soap from Salted Sanctuary Soap. Make it a contest and post it on social to get votes!
- DIY "BYOB Painting Class" - Get paint supplies from Thistle Creative Reuse and paint a canvas at home by looking at a picture online. Enjoy a bottle of wine while you paint.
- Go to Di Abruzzo Italian Market to get ingredients for an Italian themed dinner to make at home.
- Pick out a bottle of wine from Steve's Wine Bar or Applejacks Liquor, and buy a puzzle from More Fun Comics & Games to do together at home.
- Go to Recycled Bookstore or Patchouli Joe's Books to buy two of the same book to read, and do a "couples book club" to discuss each chapter.
- Book a show or concert at the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
- Have a cocktail tasting event or make boozy popsicles at home using liquors from Applejacks Liquor.
DENTON BARS & COFFEE SHOPS
Coffee/Tea
- Coffee and dessert: West Oak
- Coffee and food: West Oak, Zera Coffee, Jupiter House
- Coffee and alcohol: West Oak, Golden Boy Coffee
- Tea: Zera Coffee, West Oak, Jupiter House
Adult Beverages
- Beer: Harvest House, East Side, Oak Street Drafthouse, Denton County Brewing Company
- Beer flight: Oak Street, Bearded Monk, Barley and Board, Denton County Brewing Company
- Cocktails: Paschall’s, 940’s K&C, Barley and Board, Miss Angelines, Hannah's
- Wine: Steve’s Wine Bar, Fortunata Winery (Aubrey), Blue Ostrich (including 2 other wineries in St. Jo!)
- Margaritas: Milpa, Wild Cactus Cantina, Villa Grande
- Arcade: Game Changers, Oak Street Drafthouse, Freeplay Arcade
Patio (+ food or beverage):
- Harvest House
- Oak Street Drafthouse
- East Side Social
- Zera's
- Hannah's
- LSA
- Torchy's
- Roosters
- Boca 31
- Denton County Brewing Co
- Miss Angelines
- Dan's Silverleaf
- Steve's Wine Bar
- Howling Mutt Brewery
- Horny Toad Cafe
- 940's (limited outdoor seating)
- Barley & Board (limited outdoor seating)
- Chestnut Tree Cafe (limited outdoor seating)
- West Oak Coffee Shop (limited outdoor seating)
- Jupiter House (limited outdoor seating)
- Bearded Monk (limited outdoor seating)
DENTON DESSERTS & TREATS
Dessert / Apps
- Ice cream/gelato: Beth Marie’s, Two Men from Verona
- Sno cone: Gnome Cones
- Frozen yogurt: Yogurt Story
- Belgian waffles: Andy's basement
- Pastries and baked goods: Ravelin Bakery, West Oak, Jupiter House
- Candy: Atomic Candy
- Appetizers/small plates: Barley and Board, 940's
- Artisan cheese/charcuterie: Ten:One, Barley and Board, Cheese & Salsa
DENTON RESTAURANTS
Special Occasion
- $$$: Queenies, Hannah's, Keiichi, Osteria il Muro
- $$: Barley and Board, 940's, Greenhouse
BYOB Restaurants:
- Picone
- Yummy's
- Green Zatar
- Bagheri's
- Thai Ocha
For a full list of local Denton restaurants and bars, check out this Local Denton Restaurants Guide.