Stop Doing Dinner Double Dates! Do These Instead
By Varun Pahwa • December 9, 2025
Tired of doing dinner and a movie for every double date?
My girlfriend and I were stuck in that rut too. Every time we hung out with my best friend and his girlfriend, we’d just grab food and call it a night.😂 Then we started trying new stuff, and it changed everything.
Turns out the best double dates are when you’re all actually doing something fun together, not just sitting at a table.
I made this list of 22 ideas we’ve tried or want to try soon. I also checked TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and YouTube to see what other couples love right now.
Pick one and have fun!
22 Must-Try Double Date Ideas That are Super Fun
Appetizer-Entree-Dessert Game
💰 Cost: $40-80 per person
⏰ Time: 3-4 hours
👥 Best for: Food lovers who enjoy spontaneity
📸 Social Media factor: Film the game and food reveals for TikTok
How to Do This Date:
- Play rock-paper-scissors to see who picks the appetizer restaurant.
- The winner chooses the location AND orders for everyone.
- Eat, then drive to the next restaurant.
- Play again for entree, then one final time for dessert.
- Example: Appetizers at Texas Roadhouse → Entrees at Olive Garden → Dessert at Cheesecake Factory
Bowling
💰 Cost: $15-30 per person
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Everyone
📸 Instagram factor: Rental shoes photo
Barcade
💰 Cost: $20-40 per person
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Nostalgic gamers and casual drinkers
📸 Instagram factor: Retro games and neon lights
Pro Tips:
- Go on weekday evenings to avoid crowds.
- Buy a shared token bucket instead of individual tokens.
- Play competitive games first, then team games to keep it friendly.
Go Karting
💰 Cost: $25-60 per person
⏰ Time: 1.5-2 hours
👥 Best for: Competitive, active couples
📸 Instagram factor: Podium victory photos
Pro Tips:
- Indoor tracks work year-round.
- Book 2-3 races, not just one (more fun)
- Teams: Add up couple times to see which pair wins.
Escape Rooms
💰 Cost: $25-40 per person
⏰ Time: 1.5-2 hours
👥 Best for: Problem-solvers who enjoy teamwork
📸 Instagram factor: Victory photo with your escape time
Pro Tips:
- Pick easy difficulty for first-timers.
- Skip horror themes unless everyone’s into it.
- Book ahead for weekends.
Glamping
💰 Cost: $50-200 per couple (campsite or setup costs)
⏰ Time: Overnight or full weekend
👥 Best for: Outdoorsy couples who want comfort with nature
📸 Instagram factor: Fairy lights, cozy tent setups, and campfire moments
How to Do This Date:
- Book a glamping site (pre-setup tents with beds) OR set up your own backyard glamping.
- Bring comfortable bedding – air mattresses, pillows, and blankets.
- Add ambiance – string lights, lanterns, bluetooth speaker.
- Plan easy meals – charcuterie boards, s’mores, pre-made food (no complicated cooking)
- Activities – cards, stargazing, campfire stories, board games.
Trivia Night
💰 Cost: $10-30 per person (venue minimum, food/drinks)
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Competitive know-it-alls and social couples
📸 Instagram factor: Team name board and victory pics
Pro Tips:
- Arrive 30 minutes early to claim a good table.
- Divide categories by expertise (one couple handles sports, the other handles pop culture)
- Order food during the early rounds to avoid missing questions.
- Wednesday nights are most popular. Try Tuesday or Thursday for smaller crowds.
Laser Tag
💰 Cost: $15-25 per person
⏰ Time: 1-2 hours
👥 Best for: Active couples who love friendly competition
📸 Instagram factor: Game stats and action shots
Jigsaw Puzzle Date Night
💰 Cost: $15-30 (puzzle + snacks)
⏰ Time: 3-5 hours (or split across multiple nights)
👥 Best for: Introverts and couples who enjoy calm, focused activities
📸 Instagram factor: Completed puzzle photo
How to Do this Date:
- Pick a 500-1000 piece puzzle (1000+ takes too long for one night)
- Set up at a large table with good lighting.
- Divide roles – some sort edges, others group by color.
- Add comfort – snacks, drinks, background music, or a podcast.
- Make it social – chat while puzzling, no pressure to finish.
Paint & Sip
💰 Cost: $35-55 per person (studio) or $15-25 (at-home)
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Creative couples and non-artists who want to try something new
📸 Instagram factor: Finished paintings side-by-side
Pro Tips:
- Studio version: Book early (weekends fill up), arrive 10 minutes early for seat selection.
- At-home version: Buy canvases at craft stores, follow YouTube tutorials, BYOB.
- Wear old clothes because paint splatters happen.
Board Game Café
💰 Cost: $10-25 per person (cover charge + food/drinks)
⏰ Time: 2-4 hours
👥 Best for: Social couples who enjoy low-key competitive fun
📸 Instagram factor: Game setup and funny reaction shots
Comedy Show
💰 Cost: $15-40 per person (plus 2-drink minimum at most venues)
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Everyone – laughter is universal
📸 Instagram factor: Venue photos before show (no photos during performance)
Nerf Gun War
💰 Cost: $20-50 total (gun rentals or purchase)
⏰ Time: 1-2 hours
👥 Best for: Playful, energetic couples who don’t take themselves seriously
📸 Instagram factor: Action shots and battle damage photos
How to Do this Date:
- Get the guns – Buy cheap Nerf blasters ($10-15 each) or borrow from friends.
- Pick your battlefield – Backyard, park, or indoor space with furniture for cover.
- Choose a game mode:
- Capture the Flag – Teams try to steal the opponent’s flag.
- Team Deathmatch – Last couple standing wins.
- Free-for-All – Every person for themselves.
- Set boundaries – No face shots, safe zones for reloading.
- Keep score – Best 2 out of 3 rounds.
Indoor Skydiving
💰 Cost: $60-90 per person (single flight)
⏰ Time: 1.5-2 hours (includes training and flight time)
👥 Best for: Adventurous couples who want adrenaline without extreme risk
📸 Instagram factor: Mid-flight photos and videos (usually included in package)
Pro Tips:
- Remove jewelry and secure hair.
- 4+ people often get discounts.
- Go for 2+ flights. First flight is disorienting, second is when you actually enjoy it.
Karaoke
💰 Cost: $15-40 per person (private room) or $10-20 (public karaoke bar)
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Extroverts and anyone willing to laugh at themselves
📸 Instagram factor: Mid-performance videos
Water Park
💰 Cost: $40-70 per person (tickets, parking, locker)
⏰ Time: 4-6 hours
👥 Best for: Active, summer-loving couples who enjoy high-energy fun
📸 Instagram factor: Slide action shots and lazy river floats
Axe Throwing
💰 Cost: $25-45 per person
⏰ Time: 1-2 hours
👥 Best for: Competitive couples who want something unique
📸 Instagram factor: Mid-throw action shots and bullseye victories
Road Trip
💰 Cost: $30-100+ per person (gas, food, activities)
⏰ Time: Full day or weekend
👥 Best for: Adventurous couples who enjoy spontaneity and exploring
📸 Instagram factor: Scenic stops and roadside attractions
Topgolf
💰 Cost: $30-60 per person (bay rental split + food/drinks)
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Social couples who want sports without being athletic
📸 Instagram factor: Bay setup and swing videos
Pro Tips:
- Book a bay in advance. Walk-ins wait 1-2 hours on weekends.
- Weekends and evenings cost more. Go on weekday afternoons for deals.
Pickleball
💰 Cost: $0-20 per person (court fees vary, paddle rentals $5-10)
⏰ Time: 1-2 hours
👥 Best for: Active couples who want easy-to-learn competition
📸 Instagram factor: Action shots and scoreboard victories
Cook-Off
💰 Cost: $20-40 per couple (ingredients)
⏰ Time: 2-3 hours
👥 Best for: Foodie couples who enjoy creativity and friendly competition
📸 Instagram factor: Plated dishes and judging moments
How to Do this Date:
- Pick a theme – Tacos, pizza, pasta, burgers, or desserts.
- Set the rules:
- Same ingredients for both couples OR
- Mystery basket challenge (each couple picks ingredients for the other) OR
- Budget limit ($20 per couple at the grocery store)
- Each couple works on their dish (30-45 min time limit)
- Make it look good.
- Rate on taste, presentation, creativity (or invite a neutral 5th person to judge)
Backyard BBQ
💰 Cost: $15-30 per person (food and drinks split between couples)
⏰ Time: 3-5 hours
👥 Best for: Everyone – relaxed, casual, no pressure
📸 Instagram factor: Grill shots and picnic table spreads
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| WRITTEN BY
Varun Pahwa
Hey there! I’m Varun, founder of Uprisehigh.com. I’m committed to helping people through relationship problems and general life issues so they never feel alone.
While not blogging, you’ll find me lifting weights, spending time in solitude, seeking life’s answers or enjoying time with close ones.
Join me on Uprisehigh and just like a close friend, you’ll find me by your side on every step of your life journey!
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