What To Do After a Dinner Date: 30 Top Ideas To Try

Sometimes your dinner date goes so well you want to keep the night going. If the wine has been flowing and the conversation is enthralling, you probably don’t want things to end. You know what? They don’t have to. There is no dating rule that states you can’t keep the evening going. The question you are left with is what to do after a dinner date? 

Do you stay at the restaurant and have a few more drinks? Go see a late-night movie? Maybe a walk through the streets? The options are endless, but if you are having trouble deciding, we have got you covered. We have come up with 30 of the best ideas to try with your date to keep the night going. 

1. Visit the Pub

You can’t go wrong with this idea. You have probably both had a few drinks during dinner, so what’s the harm of having a few more? Head to your favorite waterhole and keep the party going. Maybe you’ll end up somewhere with a DJ or band and hit the dance floor and get your groove on. Or find a nice beer garden and enjoy the weather while the conversation continues. 

2. Attend a Trivia Night

Test your knowledge at a trivia night with your date. This is a super fun after-dinner date idea that can bring out your competitive edge by seeing who knows the most. You can go as a duo or enlist some friends to meet you at the pub hosting the trivia night so you have more chance of winning. 

3. Go Stargazing

This is a real romantic gesture that is sure to get your date on side. Head to the closest park and take a seat on a bench or lay a rug on the ground and gaze up into the stars and talk about the universe and the meaning of life. Ok, that might be a bit heavy. Just use the time to chat and enjoy each other’s company and keep an eye out for shooting stars. 

4. Attend an Open Mic

Open mic nights are a great way to be entertained without spending a fortune. Grab your drinks and get ready to enjoy a live performance of some sort. it could be a singer-songwriting playing some covers, a comedian testing out their material or even a spoken word night. Whatever is happening, open mic nights are seriously good fun. Maybe you or your date will even take the stage and sing a song or tell some jokes? 

5. Take a Walk

Get some fresh air and go for a walk. Take a stroll through the streets or the nearest park (as long as it is well lit) and walk off your dinner. This is a good opportunity to converse away from the noise of the restaurant and really connect with your date. It also doesn’t cost a dime so that’s great news for those of you a little low on cash. 

6. Sing Karaoke

It doesn’t get any better than holding a mic in one hand, a beer in the other, and singing your favorite songs in front of a group of complete strangers. You and your date can go up solo or perform a duet for the crowd, just be sure to choose a song that everyone knows to start with. It is a lot easier when people know the song and can sing along. Even if you are horrible, nobody will care. 

7. Play Pool

This is a fun activity that can bring out the competitive beast in you both. Most pubs have a pool table, or you can visit an actual pool hall where you will have dozens of tables to choose from. Whether your game is snooker, billiards, or pool, you are sure to have a good time, as long as you remember not to pot the black ball. 

8. Watch the Sunset

If dinner isn’t too late you should do what you can to find a spot to watch the sunset. Take a stroll on the beach or a seat in the public gardens and sit silently and watch the sun slowly go down. This one is great for romantics and might lead to her holding your hand or even giving you a sneaky smooch. 

9. Play Mini Golf

Another really fun after-dinner date idea is mini golf. Grab a couple of drinks and navigate the course and see who is the better putter. While it might not be as thrilling as hitting the greens, it is still an enjoyable activity that can help you hone your putting game. 

10. Paint and Wine

A popular activity for couples, paint and wine classes allow you to keep on drinking while discovering your inner Picasso. The premise is simple; drink wine while painting your partner. You are sure to have plenty of laughs and get a portrait of your date to take home with you. Whether you want to hang it in your lounge is another story. 

11. Watch a Live Music Show

Be it a local pub band or your favorite international act, live music is a great way to keep the night rolling on. Nothing beats being surrounded by a group of strangers singing along to your favorite songs. Maybe even have a little dance with your date if it takes your fancy?

12. Take a Dance Class

Speaking of dancing, another top idea is to take a dance class with your date. If you have two left feet, take a beginners class, but if you fancy yourself a bit of a mover, take your date to a salsa or tango class and show her your sensual side. 

13. Go See a Movie

Catch the latest blockbuster at the cinema after your dinner. This is an especially solid idea if you both spent the entire dinner chatting. You can give your voices a rest and watch the film before grabbing a nightcap after and discussing all your thoughts about the flick.

14. Visit a Video Game Arcade

Head to an arcade and play some video games. There are sure to be some classics (like Mortal Kombat or House of the Dead) you and your date to enjoy, or try your luck at the skill games and win some tokens. Daytona is always a winner too if you want to find out who the better driver is without the risk of crashing in real life. 

15. Go Bowling

There is no better date activity than bowling. It doesn’t matter if you stink or are a pro, it is the easiest sport to pick up and enjoy. If your date is worried she won’t be able to hit the pins, ask for the bumpers to be activated so the balls won’t go in the gutter. Everyone wins. 

16. Visit a Dessert Bar

If you still have room left after dinner, go and get yourself some dessert. You can book a table at an actual dessert restaurant and indulge in some incredibly tasty treats, or just grab an ice cream from the nearest ice creamery. If she has a sweet tooth she will love this idea.

17. Go Roller Skating

Strap on some roller skates and do a few laps of the neighborhood. If you don’t own your own pair of skates, see if there is a roller skate arena nearby. Here you can pull off your moves and try and impress your date. 

18. Head To the Beach

Take a romantic stroll on the beach and gaze at the moon. If it is warm, go for a quick dip in the ocean before the sunsets and it gets too dark. You can even just grab an ice cream or a couple of beers and sit in the sand and contemplate life. The main thing is you are enjoying each other’s company. 

19. Go To the Batting Cages

Find out who has the better swing. This is especially fun if you both enjoy baseball. It is a great active date that involves a little bit of healthy competition. 

20. Visit a Late-Night Market

If you live in a big city you are probably used to things kicking on all night, so there is a chance you have a late-night market. Head along and experience the sights and sounds. You might even pick up the ingredients needed for a hearty breakfast for two if the date is going that well.

21. Take a Ghost Tour

Discover more about your city and the grisly side of things by taking a ghost tour. This one is sure to excite fans of the paranormal and might even get your date holding your hand due to the scary nature of the tour. That is certainly not a bad thing. 

22. Catch a Late-Night Show

Find a show you are both keen on and book tickets for after your dinner. Most cities will have at least one popular production going, so here is your chance to impress your date with your cultured side by attending a dramatic play or musical. 

23. Late Night Swim

While we don’t advise doing this at the beach or river, if you have access to a pool this is a fantastic way to end the night. If it is a private pool, get a little naughty and go skinny dipping. You never know where the night might end. 

24. Visit a Photo Booth

Create some memories that will never end by visiting a photo booth. Take some snaps together–some serious and some funny–to commemorate your date. You will then have a photo for your wallet to remind you of your lady every time you open it. 

25. Volunteer for a Cause

Now that you have enjoyed your meal there is no better time to give back than by volunteering to feed the homeless. There are many organizations that run food banks where you can hand out meals to those struggling on the street. It will make you realize how lucky you are and appreciate the fact that you can enjoy an expensive meal out on the town. There are also plenty of other charity operations you can dedicate your evening to helping if you want to try something different. 

26. Go Indoor Rock Climbing

This is an activity where you can work off dinner while still having fun with your partner. Most indoor climbing facilities have walls for all abilities, so whether you are an amateur or a climbing pro, there will be a wall for you. 

27. Hit the Club

Turn the evening into a blowout and hit the club with your lady. Keep the drinks flowing as you get down and dirty on the dance floor. Impress her with your dance moves and you might find she doesn’t want you to go home alone. 

28. Attend a Sporting Event

Go and watch your favorite sports team get the win with your date. It doesn’t matter what the sport is, just as long as you dress in your team’s colors and can get rowdy with the home fans. Even if your date isn’t big on sports, she will enjoy the atmosphere and the fact you want her to come with you. 

29. Hit the Casino

Now this one might not be possible unless you live in a state with a casino or are willing to drive a few hours to reach one. If you do have the option, show your carefree side by dropping some money on the blackjack tables or hitting up the slot machines. You might even hit it big and be able to stay the night in the luxury penthouse suite. 

30. Go for Coffee

Treat your date to a sobering coffee before you both decide to go your own way for the night. Or if you are a little braver, asked her if she wants to go back to your place for a coffee. You never know, the night might turn out to be a lot later than originally planned.