You’ve gotta impress on a first date. You can’t just roll out of bed and go to whatever local pizza place or bar you’d normally hit up with friends. Do something different and special. Here’s some fun ideas to really impress that special someone on a first date and give you a chance to talk and get to know each other while doing something fun.
The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick
2155 Broadview Rd.., Cleveland
The witch museum, which is the first and only museum in the United States dedicated to witchcraft, is meant as a family-friendly tourist attraction mostly focusing on the modern Wicca movement in America and Britain. The collection was started as part of a museum in New York City in the 1960s and was brought to Ohio in 2015.
Photo via Scene ArchivesTry a Seasonal Ale or a Brewery Tour
We all know by know Cleveland is home to the craft beer and plenty of local breweries have cooked up holiday drafts by the barrelful for beer-loving partners to sample. For starters, there’s Great Lakes’ classic Christmas Ale, as well as Fat Head’s Holly Jolly and the Butcher and the Brewer’s Spice Spice Baby. Don’t forget Market Garden’s Festivus, Platform’s Winter Wit, Brick and Barrel’s Autum Ale and Masthead’s Sleigh All Day. On draft these babies will set a beer fan back about $4.
Photo via @Cooker.Man/InstagramKaraoke at Tina’s
5400 Herman Ave., Cleveland
There’s no better date than embarrassing yourself with some karaoke. And Tina’s Nite Club in the Detroit Shoreway is a quintessential Cleveland dive bar with the most fun karaoke in town. Karaoke is for paying customers only, but the drinks are more than reasonable.
Photo via @XOXOGarbageGirl/InstagramGo Indoor Go-Karting and Axe-Throwing at Boss Pro-Karting and Axe Throwing
18301 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland
What better way to have some fun then throwing axes and speeding around a track on a golf kart? That’s what you can accomplish at Boss Pro-Karting, just a few minutes away from the airport.
Photo via Boss-Karting/FacebookSociety Lounge
2063 East Fourth St., Cleveland
Everything about this space, from the lit up drinks, to the classy, modern design, is just really cool. Located in the basement of an East Fourth Street building, this place is definitely worth checking out for the decor and the craft drinks.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGo See Local Theater at Convergence Continuum
2438 Scranton Rd., Cleveland
Convergence Continuum, or Con-Con, is a small, local theater in Tremont that oftentimes shows plays by wonderful Northeast Ohio playwrights and actors. For $20, you’ll be up close for some really good theater. In February, don’t miss the NEOMFA festival, a two-weekend event featuring emerging playwrights from the Northeast Ohio Masters of Fine Arts program.
Photo via Convergence-Continuum/FacebookTobogganing in Strongsville
16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville
It’s fun, it’s active, and you get to cuddle up with your partner while you sled down the hill. No snow is required, so the toboggans will stay sliding through the first weekend in March.
Photo via @clevemetroparks/InstagramSushi at Ginko
2247 Professor Ave., Cleveland
Ginko in Tremont has been voted the best sushi restaurant in Cleveland by Yelp, fellow chefs and even Scene. While its high-priced rolls may keep frugal couples from ever entering the building. However, Monday through Friday, Ginko rocks a killer happy hour until 6:30 p.m.. where diners can score $5 rolls and cocktails.
Photo via @GinkoTremont/InstagramWatch a Classic Film at the Cinematheque
11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
The Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque is known for plenty. It shows dozens of foreign language, classic films and art films a season. Tickets are $10 each, or $7 for those 25 and under.
Photo via @CleFilmFest/InstagramGame Night at Punch Bowl Social Club
1086 West 11th St., Cleveland
Punch Bowl Social has it all when it comes to adult fun. From old school arcade games, to shuffleboard to discount bowling on Saturdays, the newly opened bar is a playground for grown-ups and an ideal date spot for those looking to escape the cold and relive childhood.
Photo via @PunchBowlSocial/InstagramForest City Shuffleboard
4506 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
A bar/restaurant devoted solely to shuffleboard? Sounds awesome. That’s what you can find in Ohio City at Forest City Shuffleboard. Bring your friends, warm up your arms, and sling those discs.
Photo via @ForestCityShuffle/InstagramPicnic at Squire’s Castle
2844 River Rd., Willoughby
Look, it may be cold as hell. But Squire’s Castle is beautiful any time of the year. So bundle up, suck it up and pack some hot chocolate (with some whiskey to splash in.)
Photo via Scene ArchivesDuckpin Bowling at Hi and Dry
2221 Professor Ave., Cleveland
Yeah, regular bowling is fun, but why not try something new. Duckpin Bowling gives you three turns per frame, on shorter lanes, with smaller balls. So if you’re not so good at the real thing, this place is perfect to not embarrass yourself.
Photo via Hi and Dry/FacebookPutt Putt and Candy Browsing at Sweeties
6700 Brookpark Dr., Cleveland
A candy store with every possible candy you can think of and mini-golf with 36 holes is the perfect summer date night to make you feel like a kid again. Lucky for us, Sweeties has both of these things so what are you waiting for?
Photo via @Roula207/InstagramIce Skate at Wade Oval
Starting this month, one of the most cliched date pastimes returns to Cleveland. Ice skating outdoors, under the twinkle of fairy lights and snow drifts. Wade Oval at University Circle offers free skating for all with $3 skate rentals, and it stays open through March. (Photo courtesy of Scene archives)Superelectric Pinball Parlor
6500 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Superelectric is a pinball parlor where fun-loving folks can while away the days playing vintage arcade games like pinball and anything else from the strange, cool world of vintage gaming. In addition to pinball and other games, there’s a full service bar plus a kitchen. Credit: Scene ArchivesBargain Mondays at the Cedar Lee Theatre
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Cedar Lee Theatre, the historic Cleveland Heights movie theatre known for it’s cozy theaters and showing independent and foreign films Bargain Mondays where all movies are just five dollars. There are also a bunch of great food options nearby like Mojo, Marotta’s and Zoma if you want to expand your budget a bit.
Photo via @Liz.RVT/InstagramDinner at Marble Room
623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Since Marble Room opened in the old National City Bank building, it’s been hard to find a more beautiful restaurant in town than the swanky Marble Room. The name says it all – the beautiful marble columns and intricately designed molding is absolutely stunning. And the steak and seafood are up there for the best in town. Get the ribeye and thank us later.
Photo via Scene ArchivesTake a Hike
Hiking is a great way to get to spend time with someone. And with a ton of amazing trails around, there’s really no excuse to not hit up the trails.
Photo via Scene ArchivesPlay A Board Game At Tabletop Cafe
1810 W. 25th St., Cleveland
If you want to go out but don’t want to just sit at a bar, Tabletop Cafe in Ohio City is the perfect spot. With hundreds of games to choose from, an extremely knowledgeable staff that will give you suggestions on what to play, alcohol and food, it’s one of our favorite spots in town.
Photo via @TableTopCleve/InstagramTake A Hike Walking Tour
Every week mid-May through mid-September you can explore downtown through Take A Hike! A program of the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, Take A Hike offers five free guided walking tours of downtown neighborhoods complete with actors portraying historic Clevelanders. Warehouse District neighborhood tours take place Saturday mornings. For more information, visit
Photo via Scene ArchivesBar Trivia
Every night across the greater Cleveland area, some bar/restaurant will be hosting trivia. Find out which bar is close to you, call another couple to meet you to make a team of four, quiz your significant other on the way there, and you’re set. But don’t expect to win unless you’re really good at trivia – people take these games really serious.
Photo via @BestTriviaEver/Instagram
