37 Unique Places To Take A Date In Houston If You Don't Drink
Houston has plenty of places that offer up a host of ways to hang — no bar tab involved.
Dating might as well be called “drinking” because that’s pretty much the go-to thing — no matter if you’ve swiped right or have been set up through mutual friends.
So, what’s a girl or guy to do if drinking anything more than a virgin spritzer is out of the question.
We have good news: There is hope. Lots of it. These thirty-seven places offer up a host of ways to hang — no bar tab involved.
But, even if you do drink, you’re still allowed to read this list. In fact, you probably should. After all, the bar scene can start looking pretty basic (and boring).
Common Bond Café & Bakery
Where: 1706 Westheimer Rd.
@celeste_noelleeIf the name isn’t reason enough, you’ll bond over your common love for a sugar rush here. The patisserie has treats galore — and the handmade, flaky Nutella croissant should probably be shared, too. It’s also a great neighborhood café for a casual-chic lunch and dinner.
@visit_houston
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Houston Skyline Tour
@emiliegangwerSee Houston from a whole new vantage point. Kayak together with a guided skyline tour that runs 7.65 miles from Woodway Memorial Park to Sabine Street and navigates through Memorial Park, Hogg Bird Sanctuary, Buffalo Bayou Park, Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, Eleanor Tinsley Park, and of course, the downtown skyline.
The Mad Potter
Where: 1963 W. Gray St.
@themadpotterReenact that steamy Ghost pottery scene (well, sort of) at this paint-your-own pottery studio, where you’ll go home with a souvenir of your own making.
Earthcraft Juicery
Where: 2400 Mid Lane, Ste. 130
@rheatheveganHave some shots — juice shots, that is — at this shop that also specializes in blending exotic superfoods into their smoothies, acai bowls, and more.
@earthcrafthtxCane Rosso
Where: The Heights, 1835 N. Shepherd Dr.; Montrose, 4306 Yoakum Blvd.
@itsnothouitsmePizza night is perfect here. But, weekend brunch is where it’s really at, especially with Cap’n Crunch waffles drizzled with condensed milk syrup, carbonara benedict, breakfast taco pizza, and other uniquely delicious spins on breakfast-y faves.
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Discovery Green
Where: 1500 McKinney
@discoverygreenWith too many free activities to name, Discovery Green is always a good idea — from yoga and dance classes to outdoor concerts and jam sessions, movies, and more. Of course, just strolling the perfectly manicured grounds and the Lindsey Waterside Landing by Kinder Lake is quite sufficient, too.
Well Done Cooking Classes
Where: 2811 Airline Dr., Ste. 5
@berrysweetlifeDate night is looking pretty delicious at this place that offers a host of couples cooking classes — from steakhouse classics to a sushi rolling party, and Tex Mex faves.
@haileychristine_Open House
Where: 1000 Bagby
@artblockshoustonWe’re not suggesting you go house-hunting — yet. But, Sam Houston Park has another type of “Open House” worth seeing with your S.O. Artistic duo Havel Ruck Projects transformed a previously abandoned house into an interactive temporary public sculpture that includes vintage photos of people, places, and things with pops of Houston’s downtown poking through the Swiss cheese-like holes.
@sarahadamhafez
@darrow81Wortham Theater Center
Where: 501 Texas Ave.
@camilo_dStay fancy, and have a night at the opera (or ballet) at this majestic venue that’s home to the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera as well as other touring productions.
Morningstar
Where: 4721 Main St.
@morningstarhouThis next-gen donut shop doesn’t do standard fried dough. First of all, flavors rotate regularly but could include matcha, triple raspberry, strawberry shortcake, caramel, and so many others. Second of all, they’re made from scratch using real ingredients and none of that hydrogenated stuff. Of course, they have a full breakfast and lunch menu, with coffee and matcha, too.
@morningstarhou
The Escape Hunt Experience
Where: 125 W. Gray St., Ste. 100
@cutefreakIndulge in a bit of roleplay at this escape-room-inspired adventure, where you can be a detective with your partner in crime or help save the Apollo Lunar Mission.
@lwangaxPaper Co.
Where: 1100 Elder St.
@yujininrainbowsCoffee shops are always a good idea. But, this one serves up an even better reason to visit: All profits go towards providing for and feeding the Houston homeless community.
@masusuuuTiny Boxwood’s
Where: 3614 W. Alabama St.
@arianneloeberBreak bread at this sweet eatery — whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The outdoor garden space is charming, too, as the restaurant is tucked within a nursery.
@tinyboxwoods
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Where: Hermann Park, 6000 Hermann Park Dr.
@fortheloveofhouSo, we’re not saying you should be a cheap date. But, the price is right (meaning, free) for Miller Outdoor Theatre’s shows at Hermann Park that range from jazz and ballet to concerts, musicals, and more. From March through November, you can take advantage of the packed program of artistic, culturally diverse productions — and have a picnic in the park, too.
Inversion Coffee House
Where: Art League of Houston Building, 1953 Montrose Blvd. Ste. A
@inversioncoffeeYou can definitely get your drink on at this sunny, artistically inspired coffee shop in the heart of Montrose — meaning everything from the most beautifully hued amethyst lemonade to celadon pearl tea, homemade horchata, aqua fresca, and of course, all the coffee. The gelato is a must, too. As the shop is located on the grounds of the Art League of Houston, it showcases the works of local artists throughout the year.
River Oaks Theatre
Where: 2009 West Gray, at Shepherd
@cyberspider_The historic movie theater shows indie flicks, classics, special musical and theater films, and regular screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to make “going to the movies” a bit more inspired.
Bowlmor Lanes
Where: 925 Bunker Hill Rd.
@jacm1982With 39 nightclub-inspired lanes and dynamic video walls, this bowling alley puts a modern spin on good, old-fashioned fun. If you get thirsty, they have sweet lemonades in surprising tropical flavors like strawberry fusion, watermelon splash, and cherry chiller.
@bowlmorlanesHobby Center for the Performing Arts
Where: 800 Bagby St.
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If your date is a Broadway-loving babe, then a night at the Hobby Center will probably fit the bill. All the most talked-about touring productions are here.
Brooklyn Athletic Club
Where: 601 Richmond Ave.
@mcheriephotoYou can totally play games at this place that has ping pong, bocce, Jenga, and corn hole in their unique outdoor gaming environment. And, with food like mini sliders with 44 Farms beef and jalapeño jam, beef short rib mac ‘n’ cheese, and fish tacos, the menu’s not bad, either.
@phplaybookFellini Caffé
Where: Rice Village, 5211 Kelvin Dr.; CityCentre, 794 Sorella Ct.
@htowninmymouthYou can get his and hers frappes at this Italian café and coffee shop with their cute pink bubblegum and blue cotton candy frozen drinks. The location at CityCentre has gelato, too (and gelato-stuffed treats).
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Goodnight Charlie’s
Where: 2531 Kuester St.
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Dust off those cowboy boots! This Houston honky-tonk has live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They also have a full menu of gourmet tacos, too, to fuel your evening shindig.
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Houston Dairymaids
Where: 2201 Airline Dr.
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Get cheesy at this shop that stocks more than 150 varieties. They offer free tastings that cover a range of styles, milks, and origins in case you’re feeling overwhelmed at all the cheesiness.
Caracol
Where: 2200 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 160
@hotpinkhoustonCaracol means “snail” in Spanish. Haven’t tempted you yet? Even if you don't get the ceviche de caracol (conch ceviche) at this coastal Mexican restaurant, there are so many other seafood-centric plates — like Chef Hugo Ortega’s masterful rendition of oysters. They’re aphrodisiacs, after all.
@megankphamEtro Nightclub
Where: 114 Main St.
@kezleyweathersBreak out the retro dance moves (and possibly the costumes) at this after-dark scene that’s a love child of ’80s dance culture and contemporary electro, disco, and EDM. They have thematic events regularly, but you can count on Fridays and Saturdays to be all ’80s all night long.
@djhectormoranJoystix Classic Games & Pinballs
Where: 1820 Franklin St.
@beilowitzForget Saturday Night Fever, PacMan Fever Friday is where it’s at. And, it happens every first and last Friday of the month when Joystix turns its showroom into the ultimate arcade with more than 200 new and classic games.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Where: 4501 Woodway Dr.
@ripeseedsfallingFind all sorts of natural beauty at this 155-acre urban sanctuary, where you can both embrace the great outdoors.
Space Center Houston
Where: 1601 NASA Pkwy.
@deej_ybanezHave an out-of-this-world time at this gateway to NASA Johnson Space Center and fly to the moon and back (hypothetically speaking, of course).
Kemah Boardwalk
Where: 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah
@kemahboardwalkWhether you both are low-key people-watching or taking a spin on the roller coaster, the boardwalk is plenty entertaining.
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Where: 5216 Montrose Blvd.
@denisadoicuGo modern at this destination in the Museum District. The iconic stainless steel building is almost as fascinating as the cutting-edge exhibits.
The Jung Center
Where: 5200 Montrose Blvd.
@freckled_mesGet cerebral together at this place that serves a forum for dynamic conversations on a diverse range of psychological, artistic, and spiritual topics. They have more than 200 classes a year (think Film and Psychoanalysis, Laughter Yoga, Origami, and more).
@gbaophamShowboat Drive-In Theater
Where: 22422 FM 2920, Hockley
@coreyhrycThere’s something just so retro-charming and romantic about a drive-in theater. After all, who wouldn’t want to cuddle up to a double feature under the stars. This place is a little out of the way, so you may want to save it for a special date — someone you know you want to spend all night with.
@b_mcgee10Tinys Milk & Cookies
Where: 3636 Rice Blvd.
You can never go wrong with cookies and milk (and ice cream). So, even if you’re planning on an easy #NetflixAndChill date night at home, take it up a notch by baking a dozen of Tinys treats together with their ready-made dough.
The Grove
Where: 1611 Lamar St.
@grovehoustonThis unique urban dining experience at Discovery Green has indoor-outdoor environments and beautiful food to match. The brunch is stellar. But, so is their periodic Sunday Supper featuring a private dining experience with the chefs and a menu of farm-to-table vegetables, local gulf seafood, and house butchered meats.
Rec Room
Where: 100 Jackson St.
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The place to see quirky performances, weird comedies, and offbeat-but-cool shows, the Rec Room will always be unexpected — and totally worth a night out.
Houston BCycle
Where: Multiple locations
@houstonbcycleHop on a bike and pedal around the city together. With stations located in Downtown, Montrose, Midtown, The Heights, and the Museum District, you can really go anywhere — or hit Sam Houston Park to hop on any number of the Buffalo Bayou Hike and Bike Trails.
@houstonbcycleLAUNCH
Where: 701 Avenida de las Americas
@soulfitgrillShop ‘til you drop or just browse around, all for a good cause, at this curated boutique that showcases some of Houston’s best designers and makers and thus fosters the creative community in the city. There’s a new roster of designers every two months with goods in arts, home, apparel, and accessories.
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Pinky’s Kayak Rental
Where: 4106 East Nasa Pkwy.
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Namaste — in a whole new way — at Pinky’s, where the weekend SUP Yoga classes have you downward dogging on a stand-up paddleboard. Of course, you can also kayak here, if yoga sounds a bit too intimidating.