Try These Date Night Ideas That Aren’t Dinner in Denver

Picture your last few date nights. Chances are, they all looked pretty similar: pick a restaurant, order your usual drinks, chat over dinner, and head home. There's nothing wrong with that, but after a while, even your favorite spot can start to feel more like a routine than a real date.

If you've been searching for date night ideas that aren't dinner in Denver, you're not alone. More couples are looking for ways to spend time together that are a little more memorable, and sometimes that means escaping the usual dinner-and-drinks routine.

Fortunately, Denver has plenty of creative options for shaking up your date nights. Check out this guide for fun alternatives to the standard restaurant date, plus a step-by-step guide for planning an unforgettable night on the town. 

Why Dinner Doesn’t Always Cut It For Date Night

Dinner is the go-to date-night plan for many Denverites. We don’t have anything against dinner dates, but if every night out follows the same script, it’s too predictable to be fun. 

Even if you try a new restaurant, it forces you into the same routine of:

• Sitting across from each other for an hour or two
• Chatting only between bites and visits from your waiter
• Dealing with crowds and background noise
• Leaving with full bellies, but not feeling like you had a true experience

Instead of defaulting to dinner for every date night, share a new activity together. Whether you're trying something new or simply unwinding side by side, you’ll have more to connect over than “How was your day?”

And no, this doesn’t mean you have to skip dinner. Instead, change up your plans by starting the evening with something new or fun, and then bookend the activity with a great meal. 

Tips for Planning a Do-Something Date in Denver

Need a date night that’s not at a restaurant? Go with something novel that gets you out of your usual routine.

When you're planning a do-something date in Denver, look for an activity that's:

• Interactive: You're sharing an experience, not just a meal.
• Conversation-friendly: You can actually hear each other without shouting across a crowded dining room.
• A little different: Trying something new instantly makes the night more memorable.
• Relaxed: Don’t overbook the date. Rushing isn’t very romantic. Instead, book an experience that allows you to connect while unwinding. 
• Flexible: Look for date ideas that still work with dinner plans. You can always grab dinner or dessert afterward if you're hungry.

There are plenty of fun activities around Denver. You could wander through a museum, take a scenic walk, catch a comedy show, or challenge each other to mini golf. They're all solid options if you're looking for a break from the usual.

But if you want a date that’s relaxing and genuinely different, Oakwell Beer Spa is hard to beat. Instead of sitting across a table, you unwind side by side in your own private suite. You soak in a warm herbal beer-infused bath, spend time in the infrared sauna, rinse off under the rain shower, and kick back in zero-gravity massage chairs. Don’t forget to swing by the Oakwell taproom to sample craft beverages, light gourmet snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks to make the date even more special.

Plus, your date doesn’t have to end at Oakwell. Enjoy your 90-minute spa experience, then head out for dinner afterward if you want. There’s nothing quite like an afternoon at Oakwell, so you’ll have plenty to talk about with your partner during dinner.

A Beer Spa is the Best Date Night Idea That Isn’t Dinner

Come to Oakwell for a date you’ll remember. Instead of sitting across from each other making conversation over appetizers, you're sharing an experience.

A trip to the beer spa is a pleasant change from Friday-night dinner:

• You're side by side, not across a table: Making conversation in a busy restaurant isn’t exactly romantic. But at Oakwell, you sit next to your partner in a private suite, where you can relax together.
• It's completely private: Your suite is just for the two of you, so there's no noisy dining room competing for your attention. The Oakwell taproom and Relaxation Lounge are shared social spaces, but the suite is yours alone.
• There's more to do than just eat: Spend 90 minutes moving between a warm herbal beer or wine bath, an infrared sauna, and a refreshing rain shower. You can also add zero-gravity massage experiences before or after your soak.

If you’ve never been to a beer spa before, embrace the adventure with your partner by your side. A beer bath feels like a warm, bubbly soak with earthy, herbal aromas that encourage relaxation. 

Plus, you don't have to choose between a great experience and a great meal. Oakwell works perfectly before or after dinner, especially if you want to unwind after a busy date with lots of walking. Our spa packages in Denver make it a cinch to plan a romantic experience with all of the details taken care of for you.

How to Plan an Alternative to a Dinner Date in Denver 

Nothing’s more romantic than taking the initiative and planning a date for your partner. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, either. Some of our favorite date night spots in Denver also include:

1. Browsing RiNo art galleries: Spend the evening exploring colorful murals and local art galleries, then stop for dessert or drinks afterward.
2. Seeing a comedy show: Laughing together is one of the easiest ways to break out of your everyday routine, whether you're at a local comedy club or an improv performance.
3. Taking a pottery or art class: Making something together is an easy way to start a conversation. Compliment your partner’s pottery or admire their passable attempt at painting a landscape. Either way, you’ll leave with more than just leftovers. 
4. Playing mini golf or pickleball: A little friendly competition is more memorable than another dinner conversation.
5. Booking a private beer or wine spa experience: Instead of rushing through an activity, you'll have 90 minutes to slow down together in a private suite with a warm herbal beer or wine bath, infrared sauna, and rain shower. Unlike a traditional day spa, Oakwell Beer Spa allows you to experience everything together, not in separate rooms, so it’s a great fit for date night. 

All of these make for a fun night out, but Oakwell is the only date night option that combines relaxation and connection. And if you're hungry for dinner afterward, you’ll leave Oakwell feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy a meal with your favorite person.

Break Out of Your Dinner Date Routine

There’s nothing wrong with a dinner date. But if every date night looks the same, it’s time to change things up. You don’t have to book skydiving lessons or plan an elaborate vacation: pick a novel experience that allows you to connect with your partner without distractions. 

If you're ready to trade dinner reservations for a more memorable date night, book the Couple's Retreat at Oakwell. You'll enjoy 90 minutes together in a private spa suite, sip on craft drinks in the taproom, and experience a date night that’s anything but ordinary.