13 Kick-Ass Ideas for A First Date In and Around Atlanta
If this year has you entering or reentering the dating scene, fear not. While we can’t guarantee that whoever you’re meeting off of Hinge will look like their profile pic, we’ve at least got a great list of first date spots for you so you can rest easy knowing that at least great vibes, amazing food, and fantastic drinks are in store for your evening! Restaurants and attractions listed below in alphabetical order.
1. The Blind Pig
128 E Andrews Dr NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Bring in the roaring 20’s with a trip to the Blind Pig. This speakeasy is located in the back of Chido & Padre’s and is both sexy and unexpected. We love the swanky seating, their excellent cocktail menu, and live music Thursdays. It’s a great place to have an intimate conversation with a date, and the ambiance really helps dial the romance up a notch.
2. Bon Ton Atlanta
674 Myrtle St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Seafood is always the right option for a date, and Bon Ton Atlanta does it so well and with a cajun Vietnamese twist. We love their hip, cozy interiors that just seem to mandate a great time. You can nip upstairs if the date is going well to their bar, The Waiting Room, for a nightcap!
3. Chairs
2783 Main St
East Point, GA 30344
Chairs in East Point is THE place to go for a laidback, fun first date with some cheap well drinks, great beer, and surprisingly fantastic food. The co-owner, Meg Sellers, even reports that she knows of at least 5 couples who have met at Chairs and gotten married! Step right in and all your first date jitters will vanish away because this place is just cozy, comfortable, neighborhood bar fun. There are tons of puzzles, pool tables, foosball, and arcade games to occupy you, and they also do drag bingo on Mondays.
4. Dancing Goats Coffee Bar
650 North Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Coffee dates are always a great, low-key, and cheap place to go for a date. And the Dancing Goats Coffee Bar by Ponce City Market has one of the coolest set-ups in town. There’s tons of fun comfy swinging chairs, their cold brew always hits the spot, and the Beltline is a step away if you prefer to take your cup of Joe to go.
5. The Earl
488 Flat Shoals Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
The Earl is everything you want in a dive bar. Rock music, cheap but tasty food, and stiff drinks at great prices. What more could you ask for?
6. Forza Storico
1198 Howell Mill Rd #020
Atlanta, GA 30318
Perfect patio check! Forza Storico, from the folks behind Storico Fresco, have opened up a fantastic date night spot in West Midtown over by JCT Kitchen. Their patio is our favorite place to be, with plenty of heaters to keep you cozy in the fall and winter time. The energy is both lively and cozy, leading to a more relaxed atmosphere for you and your date.
7. Ladybird
684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
Ladybird has the best backyard hangout vibes, with truly fantastic food as well. Sip a cocktail or some punch on their patio–and you can even bring your pup, too. Their whole menu is excellent, but we recommend you dig into their Nashville hot chicken or their burger–one of the best in town!
8. Little Spirit
299 North Highland Avenue Northeast r3
Atlanta, GA 30307
Little Spirit is a dark and trendy place in the heart of Inman Park that’s perfect for pre-dinner or post-dinner cocktails. You’ll also love how they pay homage to music legends like Tupac and Bowie with an assortment of fun and cheeky paintings hanging up on the walls.
9. The James Room
661 Auburn Ave NE STE 280, Atlanta, GA 30312
The James Room is a sexy, moody cocktail bar right off the Beltline with grown and sexy vibes. Your date will be impressed as you step through a door in the cafe towards the back hidden speakeasy. You’ll love the hip-hop and R&B tunes. Order the espresso martini, which comes in a matte black coup, for a drink as chic as it is delicious.
10. Osha Thai Sushi Galleria
1820 Peachtree Rd #1
Atlanta, GA 30309
Thai food is always a great idea, and Osha Thai Sushi Galleria is an excellent choice in particular for a date because their Asian fusion menu has a little something for everyone. And just as important, the interiors and the vibe of the place is really a true showstopper. Some of the co-owners are artists and you can see that reflected in the decor, with hand-drawn art on the walls and art pieces sourced from Thailand. The cocktails are really something special.
11. Ruby Chow’s
620 Glen Iris Dr NE Unit C-1
Atlanta, GA 30308
New to ATL, Ruby Chow’s by Ponce City Market has some truly luxurious interiors and some heated outdoor seating as well if you prefer to dine outside. Their menu is an eclectic mix of pan-Asian tapas. They’re also open to 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, making it a great place to linger over dinner. Or hop on over to the Beltline for a stroll or to Ponce City Market for some gelato from Honeysuckle gelato post date!
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12. Dad’s
870 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
Keep things fun and casual and nostalgic spot Dad’s. The comforting, nostalgic, and retro vibes will make you feel right at home and get the first date conversation flowing! There’s also fun menu items like “White Castle Burgers” that are just total crowdpleasers. It’s the perfect spot to go if you don’t take yourself too seriously!
13. The Third Door
131 Church St
Marietta, GA 3006
It’s impossible to not have a good time at this gorgeous spot in Marietta. An old gas station was transformed by a Marietta husband and wife duo into a Prohibition style speakeasy that’s totally sexy. If the date goes well, grab some food nearby in Marietta Square!
