21 Date Night Ideas in Melbourne (You Haven't Already Thought Of)

Here’s a free dating tip: don’t lock your date in a room with you and expect them not to be freaked out. The idea is a fun one, but the execution is…well…not great.

But there’s a solution! Turn Melbourne’s CBD into a giant, romantic escape room by roaming the streets together and taking in the city’s vibrant scenery.

Outdoor escape rooms like these work by guiding you and your through the city using clues sent to you via Whatsapp.

Answer riddles, solve puzzles and pause for refreshment at hand-picked cafés, bars and pubs - all while appearing very knowledgeable and astute to your date. 

Bonus: These games require you to work together, so this is a great alternative for couples who’ve been together a long time. And if you’re a new couple, it’s great for finding out early that your partner has no sense of direction...

Going for a dip at the beach or your local pool is old news. Next on our list of date ideas in Melbourne is something you might never have done before: namely, visiting some sweet bars with pools.

Why would you wanna do that? Well, why the heck wouldn’t you want to?! Depending on the level of bar-vibe to relaxation ratio you’re after, there are heaps of different alternatives for you to consider.

Here are my recommendations:

• Marriott Hotel (Docklands) and Le Meridien (Bourke Street): Swanky rooftop pools with incredible panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay. If you’re as cold-blooded as I am, the sauna here at Docklands is a dream. Both have nice rooftop bars up there (Le Meridien’s is Cote D’Azur themed).
  
  Unfortunately, you have to be hotel guests to visit (🥲) but hey, at least you won’t have far to walk “home”.
  
  
• AFLOAT: Afloat is back for 2024 and if you haven’t heard of them, you’re about to. This themed floating bar on the Yarra that just about sums up everything right with the world: great drinks, sun loungers, and incredible themed food.
  
  Last year’s theme was Mexico (oh my gosh those Margaritas🤤) and this year, it’s all about Capri.

What if I told you one of the best date ideas in Melbourne is to hang out with Aussie wildlife?

Located an hour away from the CBD, Healesville Sanctuary is an absolute gem of a place and perfect for showing off to your animal-loving partner.

So what can you do here? Well, you can see Australia’s most iconic animals such as kangaroos, koalas and platypuses up close, go for a romantic stroll through the koala forest, keep an eye out for allusive echidnas scratching around for ants, walk hand-in-hand through the wallaby walkabout…in other words: see all Australia’s native wildlife that are almost as cute as you two are together.

Calling all couples looking for date ideas in Melbourne that don’t want to drop big bucks on date night: this is for you.

If you didn’t already know, Melbourne has heaps of incredible markets, and if you ask me, it doesn’t get more romantic than shopping for ingredients for a home-cooked dinner together or picking up a fresh bunch of flowers for your partner.

If woeful cooking skills or pollen allergies prevent you from doing either of those things, don’t worry.

There are still heaps of alternatives left for you to try out: try on vintage outfits, go record shopping, pick up some secondhand books, eat doughnuts (American Doughnut Kitchen, IYKYK) or sip coffee after a stroll around… the list is endless.

Transform your date into an adventure as you team up with your date to discover Melbourne’s secrets on a Mystery Walk.

What is a mystery walk, you ask? Well, it’s a walk, but neither of you know where you’re going, and there’s another twist–you have a route, you just have to unlock it as you go!

Together, you’ll have to crack codes, unravel puzzles and watch as Melbourne’s CBD unfurls in front of your eyes, revealing hidden alleyways and curious gateways to the past.

On top of that, you get hand-picked recommendations to bars, pubs and cafés for rest stops along the way. Trust the process and each other - they’re great fun!

The way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach - or so they say.

If your love language is food, I have great news for you: Chinatown is

Juicy Bao is Melbourne Chinatown’s answer to the perfect date by offering a wide selection of delicious Asian cuisine. Stop and watch fresh dumplings being prepared in the window, or cut to the chase and get your order in.

Oh, and, it'd be remiss of me not to mention dim sim while you're in Melbourne (we Melburnians never miss a chance to point out it was invented here, do we?).

Opinions vary on where you get the best dim sim in Melbourne but if you ask me, it's at:

• South Melbourne Market: South Melbourne Dim Sim (they’re bigger, and for that reason, occasionally better!). My faves are from Mama Tran. 
• Secret Kitchen (Best if you prefer steamed dim sim over fried)
• Momo Central (Technically not dim sims but momos, a Nepalese equivalent. They’re delicious).

Some people say that Melbourne has no hidden gems. Well, they’re wrong – there are heaps of them, and many of them are hiding in plain sight.

Test your city knowledge in tandem as you follow cryptic clues that take you around the CBD or St Kilda, discovering new hidden gems and things you never noticed before along the way. 

Perfect if your partner is from interstate, rural Victoria, or overseas, or even if you’re both Melburnians, scavenger hunts like these get you looking high and low, left and right, up above and down below for secrets that have been there all along!

This is also the perfect activity to squeeze in before a dinner (the walking helps you work up an appetite!).

If you're looking for cute or romantic date ideas in Melbourne, you can do a lot worse than taking a leaf out of the most romantic country in the world's book: yep, it's Italy.

Luckily for us down here in Melbourne, Italy feels just around the corner in Melbourne due to the city’s Italian community and heritage. 

The founder of Pidapipó on Flinders Street has channelled her Italian ancestry and passion for Italian sweet treats into the most incredible gelato (and store) in the CBD.

I recommend raspberry swirl and hazelnut (but the menu has heaps of flavours I'm desperate to try too, including vegan options!).

If you've got more chance at impressing your date with your cooking skills than your bank statement, this is for you.

Obviously, if you're lucky enough to have a nice backyard then that's probably a more intimate, romantic date idea but for those of us unit dwellers, we've got to cast our eyes further afield when we're in the mood for a barbie.

If you don't live near anywhere with a nice park, I recommend Newport Lakes.

Firstly, it’s free to enter and secondly, it’s got acres of space for recreational activities.

Bonus tip: If you or the lucky man or woman you’re hoping to impress has a dog, this is a superb place to introduce your or their four-legged friend!

Trying to impress a high-class somebody? Knock the date out of the park with a visit to Overnewton Castle, a lovingly restored ‘castle’ and historic building dating back to the 19th century.

As well as indulging in an extravagant high tea, visitors can take a tour of the grounds and learn more about the castle’s past.

For couples who like to indulge in dramatics, a trip to the Princess Theatre has got to be up there as one of the most fun date ideas in Melbourne.

With a whole range of shows to choose from including ballet, opera, musicals, and more, you just can’t go wrong with a theatre trip. 

Bonus: If you or your partner is into the paranormal, remember that this theatre has a resident ghost - keep an eye out for him in the stands…

Find out what’s on here.

What’s so romantic about a stroll in the park, we hear you ask? Well, we’re about to tell you.

Even the author of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle couldn't resist the Botanic Gardens' charm: he called it the most beautiful place he'd ever seen, apparently.

Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens are famous all over the world for their beauty, but they’re also packed with intriguing pockets of history such as Guilfoyle’s Volcano and the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden.

Make it extra romantic by picking up a picnic and settling down somewhere cosy to get to know your date.

Fallen for a petrolhead? Easy, get yourselves over to Karting Madness in Bayswater for a fun date packed with high-speed thrills!

Karting Madness in Bayswater is Australia’s largest indoor go karting centre, equipped with the longest and fastest indoor kart track, no less. Compete with each other’s PB’s or strap yourselves into a 270cc kart and whizz around the track for a date neither of you will forget in a hurry!

If the person of your dreams is a sports fanatic, you’d be wise to brush up on your own sporting abilities before trying this one out. But hey, sport’s the winner (and so is this date idea). 

Edinburgh Gardens is 24 hectares of gorgeous outdoor space in the heart of Fitzroy with bookable tennis and basketball courts. Even better, you can get there easily on the tram (either Rushall Station and Brunswick Street).

All you need to do is reserve a court, grab some rackets and invite your date along!

And if you can’t bear the idea of playing tennis, a nice walk through the gardens is a less competitive but still romantic option.

‘They’ say that laughter is the best medicine, and if you’re really low on ideas for date night in Melbourne then this is a remedy for you. 

A night out having a laugh is a great way to get to know your partner or to show them you listened when they told you about that podcast they love. 

Check out The Comic’s Lounge on Errol Street for an easy venue to combine drinks, food and comedy for the ultimate low-effort but high-reward night out with your partner.

No matter what generation you’re from, there’s always fun to be had while gaming - especially if you’ve been looking to find a ‘player 2’.

Bartronica is a vintage games bar with plenty of options to show off your gaming prowess or get competitive with your partner. Think Smash Bros, Mario Kart or retro arcade games - all within a convenient walking distance of the bar.

If you think your date might be a Guinness or whisky lover, head to The Drunken Poet. 

This cute, cosy snug pub is super atmospheric and is the opposite of a clichéd attempt at an Irish pub. Popular with Aussies and Irish people alike, this small but unique venue has a great selection of Irish drinks and snacks available. 

This is also one of the best date night ideas in Melbourne for music lovers: regular live music events take place here that transforms the atmosphere from comforting to convivial.

While it might sound a little creepy to invite your date to a secret bunker to watch a movie, this date night idea in Melbourne isn’t as ominous as appears.

Underground Cinema shows a range of movies in ‘undisclosed locations’ around Melbourne and Sydney, offering an immersive cinema experience that is a step above a trip to your local mall. 

Get tickets to all sorts of movies including classics, horror movies and fan favourites by checking out their website.

If you’re looking for classic Melbourne date ideas with a twist, trade the city buzz for beach vibes in St Kilda. 

Kick off your adventure with a fun scavenger hunt through the streets, then catch a glimpse of the famous penguins at dusk. After that, the world is kind of your oyster: go down to the beach, grab a bite to eat, hang out in Catani Gardens…it’s all here and waiting for you.

Fortress is the perfect spot to settle the score–even if you’re a couple who never bicker. 

This cosy gaming hub in the heart of Melbourne offers a wide selection of board games, from the classics to the obscure, as well as PC gaming bundles if either or both of you are into that. 

If you’ve never dabbled in gaming of any kind before, don’t be put off: not all board games have ten zillion rules to remember and the PC games also vary. I’d recommend something lighthearted like Fall Guys or Overcooked 2.

Finally, as this is a bar, you can also keep your energy levels up with bar food, drinks and comfy seats, so win or lose, everyone’s a winner!

We all know by now how seriously we take sports here in Melbourne, but one that doesn’t get the air time it deserves is ice hockey.

Yep, an ice rink probably isn’t the first place you think of when you’re looking for date ideas in Melbourne but if you’re looking for something that’s a bit different, check this out.

Games only last an hour, so all the action is packed into 60 minutes (and when I say action, I mean action. Ice hockey matches are super fast paced and get pretty hectic!).