Bristol is a fantastic city with loads of things to do, which means that there are plenty of great date ideas in Bristol for anyone looking for something new to do.
Whether it’s an activity date or a more traditional drinks and dinner vibe that you’re after, this is a city where you’ll be sure to find something for you.
No matter whether it’s a first date or a long-term partner that you’re heading on a date with, these date ideas in Bristol will be sure to put a smile on your face.
We’ve also got a fantastic guide on how to spend a day in Bristol Harbourside, if that sounds like your perfect date day!
1. Alcotraz Bristol: Cell Block Two-Two-Six
Address: 1 All Saints’ St, Bristol BS1 2LZ
Phone number: 020 3109 0488
Alcotraz Bristol: Cell Block Two-Two Six is the ultimate spot for date night.
It’s a secret prison bar that will be sure to shake up your cocktail experience.
This covert cocktail speakeasy is the perfect place to go if you’re a bit of a rule-breaker – it’s all about doing the crime and then enjoying the time!
Expect a boozy evening with your smuggled liquor and watch as your tipples are turned into a series of incredible bespoke cocktails.
Get on down here and get ready for a party!
2. Virgin Balloon Flights
Virgin Balloon Flights is the perfect way to create magical memories with your partner.
These hot air balloon flights will provide you and your date with a new perspective of the city that you know and love, and it will be sure to blow you away.
Some might say that Bristol is the hot air ballooning capital of the country, and let me tell you, it’s a special experience that you’ll never forget.
Float up, up and away and soak in the breathtaking views as you glide across the city.
As date ideas in Bristol go, it doesn’t get much better than this.
3. The Wave
Address: Washingpool Farm Main Road, Easter Compton, Bristol BS35 5RE
Phone number: 0333 016 4133
The Wave is Bristol’s inland surf destination and it’s a great spot for an alternative date.
This is a place where you can learn to surf if you’re a newbie or show off your skills to your date if you’re something of a seasoned pro.
Hop aboard your surfboard and take to the waves under the Bristol sky.
The best part is, this little slice of the ocean is open all year round, so you can shred some waves no matter the season.
Inject some fun into your dating life and get involved with the waves!
4. Smoke and Mirrors
Address: 8 Denmark St, Bristol BS1 5DQ
Phone number: 0117 929 0362
Smoke and Mirrors is a unique pub with a special events calendar that’s perfect for date night.
It’s got a rotating calendar of magic, music, burlesque and comedy, so you’ll be sure to find a show to float your boat at this experiential spot.
Step inside their secret theatre and get ready for some of the best performances in town, all of which will be sure to keep you entertained.
They’ve got up-and-coming stars as well as established names, too, so you may well find the next big thing on your date.
Now that would be a story for the grandchildren!
5. Whistle Punks
Address: Unit B The Programme, All Saints’ St, Bristol BS1 2LZ
Axe throwing may not be the first activity that springs to mind for a date, but trust me, Whistle Punks is a great shout if you’re looking for a laugh.
You’ll spend your evening sipping on craft beer and wine, slinging axes side by side, hitting targets and cheering each other on as you go.
Some might say that it’s a pretty good bonding experience!
They’ve also got tasty pizzas to indulge in if all that activity makes you peckish.
Sounds like the perfect date spot to me!
6. CityDays
CityDays is the home of immersive urban adventures in Bristol.
They’ve got a series of puzzle-filled walking tours where you and your partner can unravel clues and use them to solve puzzles as you make your way through the city.
You’ll explore unique places that are full of history, intrigue and secrecy, so if you’re looking to get to know the city better, then this is it.
There’s no better way to bond than by working together to solve clues about your surroundings.
Be sure to treat yourself with a delicious dinner after a day of exploring!
7. The Old Duke
Address: 45 King St, Bristol BS1 4ER
Phone number: 0117 401 9661
The Old Duke is a world-famous jazz and blues pub that’s one of my favourite date ideas in Bristol, without a shadow of a doubt.
They’ve got live music every night, so if you’re dating a music lover, then this place will be sure to tick all the boxes, I can promise you that.
Entry is always free, too, which is a plus if you’re on a bit of a budget!
They’ve also got open mic nights on Tuesdays, with each performer getting a free drink, which is a great way to show off your hidden talents to your loved one.
Warm up your vocal chords and get on down here!
8. Yakinori Sushi School
Address: 78 Park St, Bristol BS1 5LA
Phone number: 0117 934 9222
Yakinori Sushi School is the perfect place to learn a new skill with your date.
It’s a place to let the good times roll and have a giggle as you get stuck into the ultimate cooking class, teaching you skills that will stay with you forever.
You’ll learn about the history of sushi, as well as its ingredients, knife cutting skills and getting the best cut of salmon.
The best part is, the experience includes welcome drinks, a starter selection and sake to finish the class.
You also get to take your sushi home of course, so in my eyes, that’s £35 per person well spent!
9. Bristol Tandem Bike Hire
Address: The Green Shed, Princes Wharf, Bristol BS1 4RN
Phone number: 07470 311592
Bristol Tandem Bike Hire is the perfect way to test your coordination skills as a duo.
You can pick up a bike for a half day or a full day, or if you’re really loving it, then why not take the bike for the whole weekend?
They will supply the safety gear and the maps, you just need to show up and get ready to show off your cycling prowess to your date.
Be warned though, tandem biking has been known to cause bickering between uncoordinated pairs!
Stick on a helmet, hop aboard and get cycling.
10. SUP Bristol
Address: Underfall Yard, Bristol BS1 6XG
Phone number: 0117 422 5858
SUP Bristol is an award-winning spot that’s perfect for those looking to try something new.
It’s great for everyone from beginner through to advanced paddleboarders, and it’s a lovely way to see the city from the water.
Explore the historic Bristol Harbourside with a new perspective, and try and keep your balance as you float across the water’s surface.
Once you’ve nailed the balancing act, try out some tricks to show your date just how impressive you are.
This is the ultimate sporty date!
11. Milk Thistle
Address: Quay Head House, Colston Ave, Bristol BS1 1EB
Phone number: 0117 929 4429
Milk Thistle is the venue for the discerning drinker.
It’s the sister venue to Bristol’s original Prohibition bar, Hyde & Co., and it’s a notch cooler than its older sibling, but both are worth a visit!
The bar is sprawled across four floors, so there are plenty of nooks and crannies to curl up in with your partner if you want a romantic evening.
Whether it’s a cocktail in the bar or a relaxed wine in the lounge, there’s a space for everyone.
It’s hidden in plain sight, and it exudes style and sophistication, which makes it one of the best date ideas in Bristol by a mile.
12. Stoke Park Estate
Address: M32, Duchess Gate, Bristol BS16 1BX
Phone number: 0117 922 3719
Stoke Park Estate is a historic park and garden that’s a lovely spot for a stroll.
The park covers 267 acres, so you can easily spend several hours wandering around the countryside and getting to know your date.
Bring a picnic along and settle into one of the fields or woodland areas to enjoy a delicious meal while soaking in the natural surroundings.
If you’ve got a pup, why not bring them along too?
There’s plenty of space for them to run around, and dogs are a great talking point if you’re in the early dating stages!
Get your walking boots on and get on down here.
13. St Nicholas Market
Address: The Corn Exchange, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JQ
Phone number: 0117 922 4014
St Nicholas Market is a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning with your loved one.
It’s got a range of unique stalls and shops, meaning that there are plenty of curious objects to pore over and discuss with your date.
The market has a buzzing vibe, and is open from Monday to Saturday between 9:30 am and 5 pm, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check this one out.
Whether looking to shop, eat, drink or just enjoy the vibe, there’s something for everyone at this fantastic market and you won’t want to miss it.
Chuck on a tote bag and get ready to shop until you drop!
14. Roxy Lanes
Address: 13-29 Union St, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 2DF
Phone number: 0117 244 2270
Roxy Lanes is the home of booze and ball games, and trust me when I tell you that it’s one of the best date ideas in Bristol by a mile.
They’ve got a bunch of activities such as bowling, karaoke and shuffleboard to choose from, so there’s plenty to keep you busy at this spot.
Unleash your competitive side and show off your skills to your date as you enjoy an evening of fun and games in one of Bristol’s hottest venues.
Bowling has always been a classic date activity, so why not start there?
15. Wiper and True
Address: Unit 11, City Business Park, St Jude’s, Bristol BS5 0SP
Phone number: 0117 941 2501
Wiper and True is a must-visit destination if you or your date are beer lovers.
Their Old Market taproom is an aesthetic treat, too, which is a huge plus in my books.
They serve up super fresh beer in a gorgeous space, complete with a huge beer garden that’s an absolute treat on a sunny day.
There’s also a menu of incredible Japanese street food, so if you get a little peckish, then don’t worry, because you’ll be well-catered to.
You can also take brewery tours or head here for jumble sales and pottery workshops, so this spot really does tick all the boxes!
16. Escape Hunt
Address: Cabot Circus, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3BX
Phone number: 0117 927 2222
Escape Hunt is the perfect way to test your brain power with your partner.
You’ll get to choose from a range of Wonderland-themed immersive experiences, allowing you to come back again and again and always have a new experience.
In the room, you’ll have 60 minutes to find and solve a series of clues to break out, which is a great way to learn to work together with your partner.
It’s one of my favourite date ideas in Bristol by far, and I know you’re going to love it too.
Get your best thinking cap on and get stuck in!
17. Veeno
Address: 1 Glass Wharf, Bristol BS2 0EL
If you fancy a spot of wine tasting for your next date night, then Veeno is the place for it.
It’s an Italian wine bar and restaurant that imports its wine directly from Veeno’s very own vineyard in Sicily, and let me tell you, the wine is fantastic.
It’s all about good times, good company, and good wines here, and it’s the perfect environment for a romantic date night with your loved one.
Sip your way through a selection of different wines and nibble on some light bites as you chat the night away with your date.
This is the ultimate date spot, so don’t miss it!
18. Mr Mulligans
Address: Unit 6, The Venue Cribbs Causeway, Merlin Rd, Patchway, Bristol BS10 7SR
Phone number: 0117 387 8030
Mr Mulligans is the place to par-tee in Bristol.
It’s the home of crazy golf in the city, and it will be sure to delight and entertain you and your date for hours on end.
They’ve got two 12-hole crazy golf courses as well as shuffleboard, pool, electro-darts, arcade games and more, so if you’re looking to be kept busy, then this is the place for it.
Hit some balls along the crazy golf course then shoot some darts before settling in for a drink and a catch up with your partner.
There’s nowhere better to unleash your competitive spirit!
19. Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery
Address: 87-89 Park St, Bristol BS1 5PW
Phone number: 07717 880734
Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery is the home of the popular Dead Man’s Fingers rum, so if you’re a rum drinker, then this spot will tick all the boxes.
Their rum school offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of rum, taking you through its history with interactive classes designed to entertain and inform.
You’ll also enjoy a selection of delicious rum cocktails throughout, as well as taking home your very own bottle of rum that you’ve personally curated, with its very own bottle label.
Now that’s a romantic souvenir if I’ve ever seen one!
20. Paco Tapas
Address: 3, The General, Lower Guinea St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6FU
Phone number: 0117 925 7021
Paco Tapas is the ultimate restaurant for date night.
It’s a traditional tapas spot owned by renowned chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, and it’s the perfect choice for any foodies looking to try a new spot out.
Tapas is a firm favourite of mine for date night, as the sharing-style dishes help the conversation to flow (and it means you can try more of the menu – always a plus!).
If you’re a fan of Spanish food, then I can promise you it doesn’t get much better than this.
Get the tapas and vino in and settle in for a romantic evening with your partner.
21. Bristol Lido
Address: Oakfield Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BJ
Phone number: 0117 933 9530
Bristol Lido is an urban retreat in Clifton, and it’s easily one of the best date ideas in Bristol.
Start your date in the 24-metre heated swimming pool, sure to leave you feeling fresh and energised as you race your date up and down the pool.
After your swim, head inside to their in-house spa and treat yourselves to a massage or a facial to add an indulgent touch to your date day.
Wrap up the day with a meal in the restaurant or a drink at the poolside bar as you watch the sun go down over the swimming pool.
Now that is a date day that you surely can’t resist!
22. Clifton Observatory 360 Bar and Rooftop Terrace
Address: Clifton Observatory, Litfield Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8
Phone number: 0117 974 1242
The Clifton Observatory 360 Bar and Rooftop Terrace is a special spot for watching the world go by with your date, and I know you’re going to love it.
You can head up to the rooftop terrace between 10 am and 5 pm, which is the perfect window to drink in the views of the city from up high.
They’ve got plenty of seating as well as outdoor heaters to keep you comfortable, and if you’re lucky, in winter you might catch a sunset before the doors close for the day.
Settle in with a light bite from the café and enjoy the date of your dreams.
23. The Lanes
Address: 22 Nelson St, Bristol BS1 2LE
Phone number: 0117 325 1979
The Lanes is so much more than just a bowling alley, and it will be sure to blow you away.
There’s bowling, karaoke, pool and table football, so if you’ve got a bit of a competitive spirit, then this spot will be sure to bring it out of you.
Belt your heart out to your favourite tunes before spinning some bowls done the lanes – you’ll be sure to impress your date when you hit a strike!
They’ve got some great pizzas on the menu, too, so if all of that competition works up an appetite, then you’re in luck!
This is the ultimate date spot, so get booked in and get ready for some fun and games.
24. Cabot Tower
Address: Brandon Hill Park, Park St, Bristol BS1 5RR
Phone number: 0117 922 2200
Cabot Tower is a century-old tower set in Brandon Hill’s gorgeous parkland, and it’s an absolute treat if you’re looking for a relaxed date day.
The tower is a real piece of Bristol history, so if you’re looking to step back in time, then don’t miss it.
Head up the tower and look out at the incredible views – they’re truly breathtaking.
Once you’ve soaked in the views, stroll back down hand in hand and enjoy the park on a sunny day.
Be sure to pack a picnic – this is one of the best outdoor dining spots around!
As far as dates in the summer sunshine go, it doesn’t get better than this.
25. Flight Club
Address: 41 Corn St, Bristol BS1 1HT
Flight Club has become a firm favourite all over the country for a good night out.
Its Bristol location is one of the very best around, too, I can promise you that.
The décor combines the heritage of darts with the nostalgia of a pub, plus an extra dose of fun.
Enjoy a cocktail or two in the bar before heading on for a game of darts, and prepare to get competitive!
You can even opt for their Brunch Social experience if you go at the weekend, adding prosecco and bottomless pizza to the mix.
If you’re looking for a date night with a difference, then this is it.
Don’t miss it!
There you have it then, the ultimate roundup of date ideas in Bristol.
There’s something for everyone, from darts to dining, so you’ll be sure to find your perfect match here.
This is a city where you’ll be sure to make lasting memories with your loved one whatever you do, so take your pick and get booked in.
These are the dates of dreams!