Fun Date Ideas in Sydney That Are Guaranteed to Impress

Whether it’s a first date, you’ve been dating for two decades or you're looking for a little Valentine's Day inspo, finding a romantic place or coming up with fun date ideas to impress both yourself and your other half can prove trickier than you might think. But if relationships have taught us anything, it’s to compromise, and sometimes that requires surprising your partner with a game of boozy mini-golf or a romantic pop-up picnic.

These cute date ideas in Sydney (and surrounds) are guaranteed to shake things up. Read on for all the fun date ideas in Sydney. 

Art Gallery Cinema

With a focus on showcasing some of the most boundary-pushing and innovative moving image art in Australia, Art Gallery Cinema is a no-brainer for cinephile couples. From rare 35mm prints to thrilling new voices, this bold and daring cinema is sure to deliver a truly unforgettable evening of thrills, surprises, and worldly cinematic experiences.

Free entry (bookings recommended)

Art Gallery Road, Sydney 

Whale watching 

For a cosy winter date, cuddle up in your winter woollies, pack a thermos of tea and head out for a whale spotting adventure. With whale spotting ops plentiful throughout May to November, you can use this date idea multiple times whilst making your way through our edit of the best whale watching spots here. 

Art After Hours

The Art Gallery of NSW is a great place for lovers to meander. If you're after a midweek date, you can swing by after work on a Wednesday with the gallery open till a nifty 10pm. You can also grab a drink at the pop-up bar. Easy! 

Art Gallery Road, The Domain 

Picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens

This incredibly romantic backdrop is free, free, free so make the most of it, pack a picnic and impress your date with your money-saving skills. Wander through the different gardens and set up with views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. 

Get a Coastal Picnic Delivered 

For a fuss-free sojourn on the south coast, head to any of these locations and The Imperial will pack a picnic and deliver it to you. How good is that?! We all know the best date ideas are the easy-peasy ones. The picnics are very reasonably priced with the options consisting of the graze away hamper, sweet treat hamper and seafood feast hamper. If you've had the delight of dining at The Imperial Clifton, you'll know their food is top-notch so you can't go wrong. Shoddy weather? Dining in is just as divine. 

Helensburgh to Thirroul 

I Maccheroni 

An Italian cooking class screams romantic, so next time you're heading out on a first date, book in with Maccheroni. You'll be able to vote between arancini, fresh pasta or gnocchi when you book your tickets (majority rules). The small group of six is nice and intimate and creates a relaxed vibe to your date. Your ticket price scores you your class, an I Maccheroni tote bag, limoncello and a recipe card. Guaranteed to impress!

Saturdays, 11am and 2pm 

3 Jersey Road, Woollahra 

Axe Throwing

There's no better way to impress your boo than by showing off your strength at Maniax’s “date night” event, which culminates in a mini-tournament where you compete against your partner and then other couples for ultimate axe-throwing glory. 

9-11 Jabez Street, Marrickville

Battle It Out At An Arcade

Think arcade-meets-bar at this date-friendly hangout. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq has everything from classic arcade games to virtual reality experiences to keep your date night fun and action-packed. With delicious bites and liquid courage on hand to keep you match-ready, let your bowling prowess and bumper car hustle flaw your date. It's a great icebreaker to get the convo flowing on your next first date. 

75 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria

Pottery Date

Bring out your inner Demi Moore (Ghost, anyone?) at Crock'd. Offering beginner classes that cover everything from throwing, trimming and glazing in three, two-hour sessions, you will be sculpting Ghost-style in no time! Once you have mastered that you can book either for a returning student session or join one of the weekly masterclasses, because as we all know- couples that hobby together, stay together.

Bondi & Neutral Bay 

Mini Golf

If you're looking for something to supplement the standard 'drinks' on your next first date, head to Holey Moley. This Happy Gilmore-approved mini golf course is sure to bring out the big kid in you and your date. 

Grab your clubs and make your way around the 18 pop-reference-themed holes. Drinking on the job may affect your aim, but at least you’ll have fun doing it, right? If golf isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other gimmicks to see you through the night, like retro arcade games and karaoke.

Locations across Sydney

Paint a Masterpiece

Prepare to harness your inner Picasso – Cork & Chroma combine painting and wine for the ultimate art night out. Budding artists will be given step-by-step instructions, so no matter what your level, we guarantee you’ll be walking away with a completed masterpiece by the end of the night. The best part is that you can BYO booze and drink it throughout the lesson. 

St Leonards & Surry Hills

Wine Tasting at Urban Winery

Date night and wine - name a more iconic duo. Next time you’re heading to your local for your standard second-cheapest bottle on the menu, consider a tasting at Urban Winery instead. With their self-guided wine flights, you and your partner can sample a variety of award-winning drops from the winery’s label, A.RETIEF’s. Sip and savour at your own pace and learn a thing or two along the way with detailed tasting notes provided for each wine. You’ll sample six in total, ranging from crisp whites to full-bodied reds.

Entertainment Quarter, Building 121, The, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park

Dinner & a Movie… with a Difference

Govinda’s has long been a favoured date spot for those in the know – and now you do too. This non-profit restaurant and theatre offers an all-in-one package that starts with a lavish feast of vegetarian Indian cuisine followed by a movie in their bohemian cinema, where you can take your shoes off and snuggle into comfy lie-down cushion beds as the lights go down.

112 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

Attend a Candlelight Concert 

Hold hands and get swept up in the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience, all under the glow of candlelight. For an unforgettable date idea in Sydney, you simply can't look past attending a candlelit concert from Fever Up. There are orchestral tributes to Fleetwood Mac and Elton John, as well as Taylor Swift and Beyonce, or swoon to the soaring sounds of Mozart's Requiem and Vivaldi's Four Seasons played out to a transfixing degree, in stunning and oft-historic venues around town.

Multiple locations, visit Fever Up website for more details

Get Hot And Sweaty

Heat things up in a different way with a Rimba Sweat infrared sauna sesh. Opt for the Zen suite which is made for two or go for Sydney's first-ever 'contrast therapy' experience in the Remedy Room which features a custom-made traditional Finnish sauna, two ice baths and pail shower all in the same room. 

Locations across Sydney 

City Staycation

Go all out for your next date night with a romantic Sydney staycation. The heritage-listed former Paramount Pictures building offers a fresh take on luxury digs, with 29 rooms ranging from ‘nook’, ‘everyday’, ‘sunny’, ‘loft and ‘mack daddy’, and naturally, the slick interiors fit in with the vibe of Surry Hills; hip and soulful. Right next door are Golden Age Cinema and Paramount Coffee Project, with a recreation club for active couples and a stylish rooftop bar on the premises. Another four reasons to lock in an unforgettable date night that continues into the next morning.

80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Enjoy Some Downtime with a Couple's Float 

If you're both in need of some serious relaxation, head to City Cave for a float sesh. You'll be able to effortlessly float in a warm pool filled with 400kg of Epsom salts as you enter a deep state of relaxation across an hour-long session. One float and you'll be addicted! 

Locations across Sydney 

Blend Your Own Gin

Impress your date by blending your own gin at Archie Rose. Known for their range of award-winning spirits, upgrade your G&T and book into their blending class where you explore the world of botanicals. The best part, you get to take home your creations. After the class make your way to the bar and compare your blend with the house.

The Cannery, 85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery

Now that you know ‘Netflix and Chill’ won’t cut it for your next date night, we have heaps more cute date ideas that will give your special someone an experience to remember. From romantic restaurants to creative classes and sexy bars, these fun date ideas in Sydney are guaranteed to impress.