Looking for some great Arizona date ideas? I have you covered! I’ve picked out my top 5 places to take a date in Phoenix Arizona.
Recently I visited my friend who lives out in Phoenix Arizona. Every time I visit, I have a great time. We go to new places, eat great food, and enjoy different atmospheres as we catch up together.
When I went to Arizona this last time, I thought, “Wow,” these are great places to take a date. In fact, several of the places I’m going to mention had people in new relationships visiting and enjoying the scene. Maybe you are going to be the next couple to try these places out!
If you find yourself visiting Arizona, or perhaps just moved to Arizona, here are my current top places to take your girlfriend or a new date. These places each offer a different vibe, and each have something unique to offer.
1. The Pemberton
The Pemberton is definitely first on this list because I think it is just one of the cutest and coziest places to spend an evening with your date. This whimsical little area is located in downtown Pheonix on the property containing the historical Sarah H. Pemberton house that was built in 1920. You can check out more info on this unique place here.
To paint a picture in your mind, imagine walking up to some gates where your greeted by someone who asks if you’d like to drink alcohol or not. If you say yes, you get your hand stamped. If you say no, you don’t get the stamp and you walk right thought the gates.
Now, imagine it is evening, the night air is cooling, the moon is brightly shining, and colorful string lights stetch from post to post. You can hear music, upbeat and joyful, and then you see them…the lights. The lights from food trucks around each corner and in every nook of the property! These aren’t just any old food trucks either!
These food trucks have more character, and likely a lot of booze. These are little vintage trailers renovated into food trucks that sell all types of cuisine!
When you follow the path around the property, you will likely discover lots more food trucks, one’s that sell Nepali food, ones that serve vegan comfort food, ones that sell only cocktails or dessert. One of the trucks even works as a full bar with bar stools to sit at and décor to admire while you drink.
When you decide on a food truck or two, you can take your food and find a place on the property by a fire, on a couch, at a table, or in a cozy little nook where you and your date can have an intimate time. It really is a little dream!
I recommend trying out this place on a weekday as opposed to a weekend or when they have an event going because I’m pretty certain this place gets capital PACKED. I went on a Wednesday and it was so chill which might be the move so there isn’t a concern about the property being overly crowded.
One other thing, the Pemberton house also holds a small and snazzy little sex shop on the first floor. Something that you could potentially be inspired to take a peak at with your date if you are really in the mood:)
2. Rewined Beer and Wine Bar and Glai Baan!
I LOVED the night that we went on this little adventure. Sure, maybe that’s partly because I really like craft beer and Thai street food, but even if those aren’t your normal go-tos, I encourage you to have this great duo of an experience.
So, what is Rewined Beer and Wine Bar? Well, it’s exactly what it’s called, only it’s more than that. Throughout the week there are themed nights. I don’t know about you, but I love a good theme. The theme night that we happened to come on was art therapy night. Wow, did I feel so blessed! My friend and I got to color in coloring books with crayons and markers that were provided. There were also games and seek-a-word puzzels and in addition to all that, Bob Ross was being played on a big screen in the corner. It was truly one of the best times I’ve ever had at a bar.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting here and the beer I had was good! I got a strawberry lemonade sour and a hard kombucha. That was enough to make me very happy as I colored a puppy in a kid’s coloring book. Honestly, this is the kind of experience you could enjoy greatly even without a date.
The other special thing about this bar is that it is in cahoots with Glai Baan, an authentic Thai food restaurant. This restaurant is POPULAR. I tried to make a reservation the day of and the nice host told me that they were booked out for the next week! My friend and I still decided to take our chances on getting on a waitlist because we were excited to try it.
When we arrived, the host told us it would be an hour and forty-five minute wait. This is probably very normal, honestly. This is when we learned about Rewind. What the host at Glai Baan will do is they will put your name down on the list and then have you go over to Rewind which is located just behind Glai Baan, a simple two minute promenade.
Once there, you can have a drink or two and when it is your turn to be seated at Glai Baan, the bartender gets a call on the phone, checks her list, and then shouts the name of whoever is up next to go back to Glai Baan. It’s honestly a really fun atmosphere. When the phone goes off, hungry people get excited.
So, how is Glai Baan? AMAZING! The menu is not terribly huge, which is good. And many of the plates are shareable (perfect for a date.) There are also entrees and fancy cocktails you can order. Everything I tried was amazing. The atmosphere here is amazing as well. I was so full by the end of it, but still made room for one of my favorite desserts in the whole world, Mango and sweet sticky rice, yum! 100% recommend. Feel free to check out Glai Baan’s website here.
3. First Friday
Now, I admit, this is a special one as it only occurs on the first Friday of each month in downtown Phoenix. The streets come to life and thousands of people come to experience a festival of sorts. Now, given the sheer amount of people and chaos that can come with it, you might want to reconsider bringing a first-time date to this event if you aren’t sure how they feel about being surrounded by crowds. Just a side note there…
Nonetheless, First Friday is a fantastic way to spend a night out if you are up for a little exploration. When you arrive to First Friday, the streets will be blocked off and crowded. So, I highly recommend getting dropped off by an uber here. Plus, if you’re going to drink, there is even more reason to use a designated driver.
Once there, you’ll see the streets are lined with everything from art vendors to food vendors, to musicians and dancers. Local businesses come to set up a stand and hand out free stuff too. You really never know what you’ll find. The entire event is so big. Surrounding the street vendors are the bars and clubs and pubs and whatnot.
Bars such as the Disco Dragon, Lucky’s, and Tap That Downtown (a self serve beer spot,) each offer their own unique kind of atmosphere. If you think you’d like to go bar hopping, First Friday is a great opportunity. The amount of restaurants and bars around seem limitless and with the energy buzzing, it can make for a great night out.
Also, another side note, Sazerac, is a very gay friendly bar/club with a pretty chill atomosphere and a food mexcian food truck on the property. Definitly check it out if you find yourself at First Friday!
4. The Japanese Friendship Garden and the Hance Park Play Ground
This Friendship garden is quite the opposite of First Friday. This is a super chill and simple walkthrough of a tranquil little place where you can hold hands with your date as you walk on stone bridges over water filled with koi fish. The site is neatly manicured and clean. There are some benches along the way and some nice photo ops too. It probably isn’t a place you’d stay too long at because the place isn’t too big, but admission is pretty cheap and you can walk around the pond as many times as you want. This could potentially be a good first or second date spot, a place to talk and get to know each other more in a peaceful and pretty setting where you can walk around or sit on a bench in the shade.
Next door to the Friendship Garden is Hance Park. This park has a big green area great for a picnic or playing with dogs. The play ground there has some cool features too and it might be worth stopping by to check it out. If you have kids, this is probably an ideal spot to let them play off some energy.
5. Two Hippies Beach House
This is one of my favorite places to go when I visit Arizona! This is a tiny little shack filled with character and a casual atmosphere. You go up to the window and place your order and they will bring it out to you where you chill out at one of their benches. This place has a lot of succeulents and knick knacks decorating the outdoor seating area and makes for a great lunch date!
The food served there includes the best burritos I’ve ever had, fish tacos, nachos, and more. It truly is awesome food and worth trying with a date or by yourself. I definitely give this a 5 out of 5 because I love small little fun and casual places that serve awesome food.
*Bonus* The Drive In!
West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In is a drive-in movie theater place that hosts 9 different screens! I recommend this type of date because it’s a classic and it’s unique at the same time. It’s a great way to watch a movie but more intimately.
I like sitting right in the driver and passenger seat, but I see many cars decorate their trunk with little string lights and make a picnic out of it, or with the bed of a truck, using that to camp out in. It’s romantic and enjoyable! I recommend.
You can also surprise your date by preparing a snack stash ahead of time, buying her favorite snacks and beverage or picking up pizza or subs. You can really customize the experience, which is something I think can turn a nice date into a really memorable one.
I hope you are excited about these Arizona date ideas and get to visit some of these awesome places in one of the funnest states!