10 Great Date Night Ideas In Houston, Texas

date night ideas in houston
Catherine
Catherine 
Updated
| 5 min read

Whether you’re in search of a charming first-date spot or in need of a foolproof way to increase the heat of your current dating situation, Houston is the town to help ignite a flame. A bustling metropolis, Houston provides a fine array of fun-inducing date activities. You can stay in one of the vacation rentals or hotels with an in-room kitchen in Houston. Acquire some added confidence to your dating game by taking advantage of all the amazing things this city has to offer. If someone has agreed to go out with you, make them deliriously happy by arranging a splendid time in this Gulf Coast city. To narrow down your choices, we’ve assembled this list of great date night ideas in Houston, Texas.

1. Admire top performances at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

kofi annan @ hobby center
Source: Photo by user Ed Schipul used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Residing in the heart of Downtown Houston, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is an ideal setting if you want to impress your date. This venue features a luminous, three-story Grand Lobby that showcases exquisite architectural highlights. From the gold-leaf-adorned ceiling and the roof supported by steel columns to the lovely second-floor terrace that overlooks grassy Tranquility Park, this structure is a visual gem. Enjoy first-rate and critically acclaimed theatrical performances in one of two state-of-the-art venues. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is the city’s premier spot for a sophisticated night on the town and also provides a fancy on-site eatery serving delicious American cuisine.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Address: 800 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

Website: Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

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2. Revel in lively music at Goodnight Charlie's

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


A breezy establishment with handsome, exposed wood beams, soft leathers, and polished steel accents, Goodnight Charlie’s is a cool way to spend date night with someone who loves a raucous good time. A vibrant venue, this is the destination for you if you’re a fan of bourbon: they stock their shelves with over 40 types of bourbons. Superb, handcrafted cocktails are also served. If you want tasty bites, Goodnight Charlie’s menu offers great twists on classic Tex-Mex fare. The highlight of a night out here is when the large communal dining hall is transformed into a dance floor where patrons can groove to live music from acclaimed bluegrass and country bands,

Goodnight Charlie's

Address: 2531 Kuester St, Houston, TX 77006

Website: Goodnight Charlie’s

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

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3. Find the ultimate place to chill at Axelrad Beer Garden


Axelrad Beer Garden is like visiting the ultimate backyard refuge. A superb spot to hang out and get acquainted with your date, this bar offers an expansive beer garden that oozes laidback splendor. Replete with comfy seating, cozy hammocks, and a wonderful selection of craft beer on hand, this is a great date-night destination in the city. A standout is a movie-night program that turns the evening’s festivities up a few notches. For eats, you can order a scrumptious pizza from Luigi’s next door and have it delivered! What more could you ask for?

Axelrad Beer Garden

Address: 1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004

Website: Axelrad Beer Garden

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 12pm - 1am; Thu - Sat: 12pm - 2am

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4. Marvel at James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace

Calling all Rice University students! Do you love the James Turrell Skyspace at Rice University? If so, become a...

Posted by James Turrell Skyspace at Rice University on Monday, 6 May 2019

Explore a distinct date-night experience at James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace. Situated on the manicured grounds of Rice University, this incredible structure is made of polished steel, cool stone, and sturdy concrete and is comprised of two levels that accommodate up to 120 persons. Impeccably engineered for the best acoustics, this site provides a phenomenal musical performance escape. Accompanying the music and adding to the experience is a wondrous LED light sequence that’s projected onto the ceiling just before sunrise and at sunset. Reservations are a must for sunset attendance but not for sunrise.

James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace

Address: 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, Rice University, Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion, Houston, TX 77005

Website: James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 5am - 10pm (closed on Tue)

Price: Free

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5. Prove you're the master games player at Joystix Games

The best holiday memories are made over games. Happy holidays, Houston!

Posted by Joystix Classic Games & Pinballs on Monday, 23 December 2019

Joystix Games is a spacious entertainment complex packed with fun retro arcade games and fast-action pinball machines. Couples who are fans of contemporary and old-school arcades will find sheer pleasure at this date-night locale. Play until your arms give out from punching buttons and working joysticks on an endless array of games. Refreshing drinks are available, and there’s a nifty photo booth so you can take pictures and have a nice memento of your time at Joystix Games.

Joystix Games

Address: 1820 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002

Website: Joystix Games

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 6pm; Sat: 11:30am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

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6. Dine on upscale French cuisine at Étoile Cuisine et Bar


Excite your date with a delightful dinner at Etoile Cuisine et Bar. You’ll feel like you stepped into a restaurant off the Champs-Élysées when you enter this charming and warm European-style cafe and bar. The setting is a stylish modern-farmhouse interior with a truly sophisticated ambiance, and the menu offers an irresistible seasonal selection of traditional French food like foie gras poêlé (pan-seared foie gras) and coquilles Saint-Jacques à la Provençale (scallops with garlic). At the end of your meal, try the pistachio panna cotta with almond crumble, red berries, and raspberry sauce for dessert.

Étoile Cuisine et Bar

Address: 1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Website: Étoile Cuisine et Bar

Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9pm; Mon: 11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:30pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 11am - 3pm; 5pm - 10:30pm

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7. Skate 'til you drop at Dairy Ashford Roller Rink

Posted by The Official Dairy Ashford Roller Rink on Monday, 15 October 2018

An energetic, family-owned establishment, Dairy Ashford Roller Rink is a top-notch roller and inline skating rink. Expansive and with just the right amount of pizzaz, this place is replete with flashy neon-saturated decor and is a great spot for birthday parties, casual recreation, and of course, for a little rendezvous with a significant other. Be aware that this skating facility features time slots for different ages, so check before you go so you’re not sidelined by a bunch of peewee skaters.

Dairy Ashford Roller Rink

Address: 1820 S Dairy Ashford Rd St, Houston, TX 77077

Website: Dairy Ashford Roller Rink

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8. Show off your axe-handling skills at Houston Axe Throwing

date night ideas in houston | show off your axe-handling skills at houston axe throwing
Source: instagram

Give your date an experience they will never forget at Houston Axe Throwing. This adventuresome sports facility is the first indoor axe-throwing range in the city. No need to worry if you’ve never thrown before because this place is equipped with trained experts who instruct visitors on safe handling and proper form. Any date will be unforgettable when you feel the rush of hitting your first bullseye.

Houston Axe Throwing

Address: 6734 Larkwood Drive, Suite B, Houston, TX 77074

Website: Houston Axe Throwing

Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 8:30pm; Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 2pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 11am - 10:30pm

Price: 25 - 35 USD

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9. Catch fast-break action at a Houston Rockets game

Courtney Lee free throw
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gary J. Denham used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Taking your date to a Houston Rockets game is a classic crowd-pleaser if your significant other is an avid sports fan. Playing at the sweeping Toyota Center in Houston’s vibrant downtown area, the Rockets are a stellar and exciting group of basketball players who are always certain to display a thrilling spectacle. Score tickets to a game and you’ll surely score big points with your date. Here’s a tip: if you don’t want your date to see you in meltdown mode, avoid the hassle of parking and take an Uber to the event.

Houston Rockets

Address: 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002

Website: Houston Rockets

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10. Get cozy in your car at Showboat Drive-In Theater


One of the last of its kind in the state, Showboat Drive-In Theater offers a nostalgic good time. Cuddle with your sweetie under the giant Texas night sky at this quaint, family-owned-and-operated establishment and enjoy an evening of exciting film action. This drive-in theater is just 40 minutes away from Downtown Houston and a great deal if you’re on a budget. It offers patrons two entertaining movies for the price of one. A well-stocked snack bar is on hand that features essential movie snacks like fresh buttery popcorn, cheesy nachos, juicy hamburgers, traditional candy, and refreshing drinks. Movie-goers are welcome to bring pillows, blankets, and even beanbags for maximum comfort.

Showboat Drive-In Theater

Address: 22422 Farm to Market 2920, Hockley, TX 77447

Website: Showboat Drive-In Theater

Price: 8 USD

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Date night bliss in Houston

From thrilling sports action and fine dining to beer-drinking retreats, Houston has everything to make date night the right night for fun and romance with a new acquaintance or a longtime partner. Choose from one of these awesome diversions and you’re sure to never spend another Saturday night home alone.

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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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Catherine has written professionally for over 10 years, and a sizable amount has been travel writing. Her desire to see the world was sparked at a very young age. Growing up, there were many family...Read more

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