Top 10 Date Night Ideas In Columbus, Ohio

date night ideas in columbus ohio
Alina
Alina 
Published
| 5 min read

Columbus, Ohio’s capital, enjoys a very central location in the United States. It’s within driving distance of major cities like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Of course, this makes it an easy vacation spot for a majority of city dwellers who need a change of scenery. However, Colombus’ easy-to-reach location isn’t why many people love to visit, although it’s a motivating factor. This city is best known for its love for sports, its fast food, and, of course, its deep-running history. You would also be spoiled for choice if you chose Colombus as a romantic getaway destination. Thinking about treating your loved one? Read this article to gain some date night ideas in Columbus, Ohio.

1. Catch an outdoor performance at Schiller Park

Columbus, OH - Schiller Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This outdoor theatre is definitely a unique and romantic date night idea. You will be able to watch plays, that include Shakespeare performances, in this park. The performances are shown on Thursdays to Sundays from 8 pm. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the humor and fun with your partner. Moreover, it is a free date-night idea! Bring along some food and snacks to make it even better! Do reserve your seats on the website linked.

Schiller Park

Address: 1069 Jaeger St, Columbus, OH 43206-2678

Website: Schiller Park

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2. Visit the Moonlight Market

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Paw Paw Creek Honey & Berry Farm, Luxe Function, Lesourd Silver & Metal Works, Lather Rinse Repeat and Vitari boutique will be at the April 11th Moonlight Market! Will you be there?

Posted by Moonlight Market on Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Along Gay Street, Moonlight Market is a street festival that offers shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one! It happens every second Saturday from April through October, 6 to 11 pm. A night stroll with musicians playing and singing in this festival is a lovely date idea! It is also a friendly atmosphere and great location, with many vendors selling a variety of unique items, depending on what you like. This place lights up at night and feels alive, and many say it is getting even better every year.

Moonlight Market

Address: Gay Street Columbus, OH 43215 Downtown

Website: Moonlight Market

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3. Enjoy a show at Drexel Theatre

Drexel Theater
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ian Poellet used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you love old-school romance, Drexel Theatre is for you! This retro-style yet luxurious theatre has an excellent atmosphere and it showcases a variety of film selections and creative events, while still being at a reasonable price. It is an old theatre that has been remodeled and upgraded in all ways possible while retaining its popularity. Frankly speaking, it’s a gem in Columbus that will ensure that you have a glamorous date-night experience.

Drexel Theatre

Address: 2254 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209, United States

Website: Drexel Theatre

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4. Enjoy drinks and live performances at Big Room Bar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Rad lineup tonight! Noble Vices just went on. $10... Get out ya' house and see a dope rock show! #TuneInDrinkUp #RockLocal #DrinkLocal #Bar

Posted by Big Room Bar on Wednesday, 15 August 2018

Enjoy Open Mic Nights alongside a great selection of beer. Live bands in this bar really do put you in a good mood, and the atmosphere is relaxing too. This location is the best for some drinks and for brunch or appetizers. Thanks to Big Room Bar’s association with a local radio station, there are constantly performances by both local and national artistes. Make a point to find out who’s playing here to pick the perfect night for your date. If you or your partner love rock bands, you will love it here even more!

Big Room Bar

Address: 1036 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43206, United States

Website: Big Room Bar

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 2am (closed from Sun - Tue)

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5. Watch a movie at Studio 35

Studio 35 (Exterior)
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ubi Desperare Nescio used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Watching movies is always a great date idea. Studio 35 is a cinema that not only shows a great variety of movies but also serves mouth-watering pizza and beer. The service is excellent and their popcorn with M&Ms is a unique and delicious snack. After the movie, you and your partner can walk around and relax as the area has an amazing vibe. This is one of the more affordable date options too.

Studio 35

Address: 3055 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43202, United States

Website: Studio 35

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6. View the start at The Arne Slettebak Planetarium

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Arne Slettebak Planetarium is a digital dome theatre that is located on the OSU campus in Columbus, Ohio. It is a very creative and unique date idea, with many tours and shows available such as roof nights, that offers telescope views, and other exquisite events. The whole idea of this is to learn about the sky and universe. We would definitely suggest this as a lovely surprise date! The tickets are free, but you do have to reserve them. After which, they will send you an email confirmation together with directions and other details. Not only will this be a unique and fun experience, but it will also offer knowledge.

The Arne Slettebak Planetarium

Address: Smith Lab Rm 5033, 174 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States

Website: The Arne Slettebak Planetarium

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7. Go ice skating at Chiller Ice Rinks

Ice skating
Source: unsplash

Every Friday from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Friday Night Melt Down blows the roofs with live DJs and discos while teens ice-skate! Friday Night Melt Down is by OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks. Chiller Ice Rinks facilities are very clean and well kept, and their staff is friendly and enthusiastic. Enjoy two and a half hours of open skate time for just USD 10 per person, including skate rental. Ice-skating is and will always be a fantastic date idea! If your partner can’t ice-skate, don’t worry as it will make it even more fun teaching them. And of course, it is a great workout too!

Chiller Ice Rinks

Address: 3600 Chiller Ln, Columbus, OH 43219, United States

Website: Chiller Ice Rinks

Opening hours: 6.30am - 10pm (daily)

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8. Watch a comedy show at Shadowbox Live

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by ShadowboxLive on Friday, 5 July 2019

Shadowbox Live is all about creativity, joy, and laughter. Every single one of the performers is talented and will put you and your date in a great mood. There is a variety of shows, musicals, and humorous comedy performances and plays to choose from. Before the show starts, the performers even serve you your meals and beverages! This place will definitely make you want to come back for more. And maybe, this will become a dating tradition for you and your partner! To sum it all up, it’s live music, dancing, humor, and amazing food. Check out Shadowbox Live website for the tickets, upcoming shows, and menu.

Shadowbox Live

Address: 503 S Front St #260, Columbus, OH 43215, United

Website: Shadowbox Live

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9. Attend the monthly Gallery Hop event

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Short North Gallery Hop consists of gallery exhibitions, street performances, unique events, and great dining. It is a great atmosphere to just enjoy and have fun, with people in a great mood. It is held on the first Saturday of every month from 4 pm to 9 pm. Walking around, you will find many different price ranges, so even though there are many expensive dining options there, you will still come across affordable options. Don’t miss out on this as it will be such a fun date! Do note that parking, however, is challenging to find on the weekends.

Short North Gallery Hop

Address: 120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43215-2357

Website: Short North Gallery Hop

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10. Catch a movie at South Drive-in Theater

We are now closed for the 2020 season. Thank you to all of our customers for your support this season. We look forward...

Posted by South Drive-In on Wednesday, December 16, 2020

A private movie experience might be one of the best date-night ideas. And because of the pandemic, maintaining a safe distance from other people is now a necessity. Consider heading to South Drive-in Theater if you want to catch a flick movie in the privacy of your own car. Snacks are also sold on-site; of course, you’ll need a bite as you snuggle up to a movie. Check out which film is screening to better plan your date night.

South Drive-in Theater

Address: 3050 S High St, Columbus, OH 43207, United States

Website: South Drive-in Theater

Price: 9.50 USD (Fri & Sat); 7.50 USD (Sun - Thu)

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A memorable date

Put on your lovely outfits and head out to have an amazing time. It’s great to pick a date idea that you reckon your partner will like, but nevertheless, all these options are fun and interesting. Don’t forget to book your tickets online or check if the specific location is working on your chosen day. Also, don’t forget about this article as you can refer back to it for ideas on your next date.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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I am half Russian and half Ukrainian. I was raised in Singapore since 2006 and am currently studying my degree in Professional Communications. I love everything in the media industry from writing...Read more

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