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18 Amazing Date Ideas in Brooklyn (+ Map)

The River Café, one of the best date ideas in Brooklyn
Date ideas in Brooklyn

From roller skating to having dinner with a beautiful view, there are a lot of activities that make for perfect date ideas in Brooklyn.

For couples, spending time in Brooklyn is a lot of fun. Whether you like games, music, views, food, or something else, there’s a lot to do during a date! As there’s a large variety of things you can do, there are both activities that are great for couples who’ve been dating for a while and those going on a first date.

I made this list of the most fun Brooklyn date ideas to help you find the ideal activity!

Date Ideas in Brooklyn

Roller Skate With a View at the Pier 2 Roller Rink

View of Pier 2
View of Pier 2 from the water – Brave Behind the Lenz / Shutterstock.com

The Pier 2 Roller Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park is a great place for a fun date during which you can roller skate while enjoying a view of the skyline of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the East River.

You can find this roller skating rink on Pier 2, which is located in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Lots of public skating sessions take place during the year, including free admission skating events during which you can go here for free.

You can bring your own skates, or you can rent skates at the roller skating rink.

Roller skating here is also possible in the evening, so you can enjoy a view of the skyline in the evening.

Play Games and Have a Drink at Barcade

Barcade is a video arcade that is located in Williamsburg at 388 Union Avenue. Barcade has several locations in America, including one in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn location is where the company started.

At this place, you play all kinds of vintage arcade games for a low fee, including the games Asteroids and Donkey Kong.

In addition to being an arcade, Barcade is a bar as well, which means that you can get great drinks here. The drinks menu includes many different types of cocktails as well as other drinks.

You can also get all kinds of snacks at Barcade, including different flavors of chips, such as salt & vinegar chips and BBQ chips.

Going to Barcade is also one of the most fun date ideas in Williamsburg.

Address: 388 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Have Dinner and See a Movie at Nitehawk Cinema

Outside of Nitehawk Cinema
Exterior of Nitehawk Cinema – Richard Scalzo / Shutterstock.com

Nitehawk Cinema is a dine-in movie theater that makes for one of the most romantic things to do in Brooklyn for couples. It has two locations in Brooklyn. One of these locations is located in Prospect Park and the other one is in Williamsburg.

You can see Hollywood movies as well as other types of movies at the movie theater, and enjoy delicious food at the same time, making for a great date.

The menu of the movie theater includes dishes made with fresh and local ingredients. It is also possible to have brunch at Nitehawk Cinema on the weekends. Sometimes, there are also specials on the menu that are paired with a certain movie that plays at the movie theater.

The Nitehawk Shorts Festival, which is an annual event during which you can see shorts, can be great to attend during a date too.

Address: 188 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Play an Escape Game at Brooklyn Escape Room

Brooklyn Escape Room is a place where you can play escape games during a date. You can find this place at 68 34th Street in Industry City.

You can play an escape game here, which is an immersive game that takes place in a themed room during which you have to find clues and solve puzzles to escape from the room within a certain time.

At Brooklyn Escape Room, there are different themed games to choose from that you can play with 2 people. One of these has a “haunted house” theme during which you have to escape from the haunted house.

Address: 68 34th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Attend a Concert at the Kings Theatre

Kings Theatre in Brooklyn
Outside of the Kings Theatre – BGStock72 / Shutterstock.com

Kings Theatre is a historic theater that is located in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood.

Lots of different types of shows take place at this beautiful venue that you can attend, including concerts, film screenings, and comedy shows.

The design of the theater adds a lot to your dating experience. The theater’s history goes back to the year 1929 when it opened as a movie theater by Loew’s Theatres. The theater has a stunning auditorium that is very large and that is decorated with chandeliers and lots of golden elements.

It is also possible to do a historic tour of the Kings Theatre. During such a guided tour, you can learn about the history and design of the venue.

Kings Theatre is one of the best music venues in Brooklyn.

Address: 1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Go to Shipwrecked and Play Miniature Golf

Shipwrecked is a fun place that is situated at 621 Court Street where you can do a variety of activities.

The main attraction of this place is a miniature golf course which makes for a fun date idea in Brooklyn. At Shipwrecked, you can find an indoor 18-hole miniature golf course that is spread over four themed areas.

Another attraction at Shipwrecked is the “Mini Escape Room”. This is an escape room that you have to escape from within 15 minutes by finding clues and solving puzzles.

There are 3 different escape games to choose from, each with a different theme.

You can also play games at the arcade of Shipwrecked and have a fun time.

Address: 621 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Have a Picnic at Domino Park

Domino Park from above
View of Domino Park – Pandora Pictures / Shutterstock.com

Domino Park is a beautiful 5-acre public park next to the East River and it is one of the best picnic spots in New York City. You can find Domino Park in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg.

For a date, you can go here with a blanket and have a relaxing picnic with a view. From the park, you can get a view of the skyline of Manhattan, the river, and the Williamsburg Bridge.

In addition to several lawns where you can place a blanket, the park also has benches where you can sit down.

See a Movie and Enjoy a View of the Skyline of NYC at Skyline Drive In NYC

Skyline Drive-In NYC is a drive-in cinema that you can find at 1 Oak Street, next to the East River.

At this place, you can see a movie while enjoying an amazing view of the skyline of New York City at the same time. Seeing a movie here is also one of the best things to do in Greenpoint.

You can go here to see a movie from the comfort of your own car while listening to the sound of the movie through your own stereo system, or you can go here without a car as there are outdoor seating options.

Keep in mind that the Skyline Drive-In NYC is only open during the summer season.

Address: 1 Oak St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Have a Romantic Lunch at Time Out Market New York

Time Out Market New York from the inside
Inside of Time Out Market New York – Boris-B / Shutterstock.com

Time Out Market New York is a food hall that you can find in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn, and next to the Brooklyn Bridge.

The food hall is home to more than 20 local eateries that serve all kinds of delicious dishes, making sure there’s something for everyone’s liking. This is ideal for a date in Brooklyn as you can then both have the food that you like best, or you can try something new, which is fun for a date too.

Some types of dishes that you can get here include tacos, burgers, pasta dishes, pastries, sandwiches, and much more.

There’s also a rooftop bar where you enjoy a drink with a view of the city.

Address: 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Attend an Event at the Barclays Center

Building of the Barclays Center
Exterior of the Barclays Center – lazyllama / Shutterstock.com

The Barclays Center is a venue in the Prospect Heights neighborhood with a capacity of about 17,000 people.

You can attend an event here during a date.

Lots of different events are held at the center, including basketball games by the Brooklyn Nets, which is a team that competes in the NBA, as well as other sports events.

Besides sports events, concerts by famous musicians take place at the center. For example, in the past Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, and many other artists performed here. These concerts are also great if you’re looking for things to do at night in Brooklyn.

Address: 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Listen to Music With a View at Bargemusic

Bargemusic from the outside
Outside of Bargemusic – Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Bargemusic is a unique and intimate venue that you can find close to the Brooklyn Bridge. It is one of the best venues for classical music in NYC.

Bargemusic is a floating concert venue that is moored in the East River. It was established in 1977 and presents great chamber music events.

Throughout the year, more than 200 chamber music concerts are held at Bargemusic, and during these concerts, you can enjoy great music by both up-and-coming and established artists.

While enjoying live music, you can also get a view of the skyline of Manhattan and the East River.

Go to Williamsburg Cinemas and See a Movie

Williamsburg Cinemas is a place where you can see a movie during a date. You can find this movie theater in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood at 217 Grand Street.

At this place, you can see the newest movies.

It is a movie complex with 7 screens that have a Dolby sound system, which means that you can enjoy great sound while seeing a movie. In addition to that, the movie theater has comfortable seats.

Seeing a movie here is also one of the best things to do in Williamsburg.

Address: 217 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

See Animals at the New York Aquarium

View of the entrance of the New York Aquarium
Entrance of the New York Aquarium – MarinaMonroe / Shutterstock.com

The New York Aquarium is the oldest aquarium in the United States that is still open. The aquarium was established in 1896, and you can find this place in Coney Island.

Going to the aquarium and seeing marine wildlife is one of the best date ideas in Brooklyn. Some of the animals at the aquarium include harbor seals, sand tiger sharks, and many other species. There are about 250 different species of animals at this aquarium in total.

You can also do a special experience at the New York Aquarium, such as a “Wild encounter” experience during which you can see penguins and sea lions up close and learn a lot about them.

Address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Attend a Concert at Warsaw Concerts

Warsaw Concerts is a live music venue that you can find in the Greenpoint neighborhood at 261 Driggs Avenue.

The venue has a capacity of about 1,000 people and a variety of live music events take place at this place.

For example, you can enjoy live music by up-and-coming bands at the venue.

There’s also a good bar at the concert venue where you can have drinks during your date.

Address: 261 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Have Dinner With a View of Manhattan at The River Café

View of The River Café from the water
View of The River Café – Gordon Bell / Shutterstock.com

The River Cafe is a fine dining restaurant that is located in Brooklyn Bridge Park, underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The restaurant was established in 1977.

At The River Cafe, you can have incredible food while enjoying a view of the skyline of Manhattan at the same time.

The menu of the restaurant features classic American dishes.

Besides great food, the restaurant has a romantic and cozy atmosphere. The restaurant has a dining room with beautiful deco and you can enjoy live piano music when you are here.

The restaurant also has an incredible wine list with many options that pair well with the food of the restaurant.

Having dinner here is also one of the best things to do in Brooklyn Heights.

Address: 1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Go on a Coffee Date at Absolute Coffee

Going to Absolute Coffee is also a romantic thing to do in Brooklyn. This is a specialty coffee shop that you can find at 327 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.

At this place, you can get high-quality coffee drinks made with coffee beans that are freshly roasted by Gimme Coffee, which is a roaster that is based in Ithaca, New York. In addition, the coffee shop uses locally sourced milk, and there are different milk alternatives.

Some types of coffee that you can get at this place include cold brew, cortado, and mocha. There are also seasonal drinks, such as a Mexican hot chocolate and a lavender latte.

Besides coffee, you can get delicious sandwiches, bagels, and other food at Absolute Coffee.

Address: 327 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Visit the Brooklyn Museum

Exterior of the Brooklyn Museum
Building of the Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the best museums in New York City where you can find a large collection with about 500,000 objects.

The museum is situated in Prospect Heights and was established in 1898.

You can see a large variety of works of art at this museum during a date. The collection of works spans a period of about 3,000 years, and there are works from all over the world.

In addition to checking out the permanent collection of the museum, you can also go to the museum to see interesting temporary exhibitions and throughout the year you can attend all kinds of events at the museum, including talks.

Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Try Delicious Pastries at Almondine Bakery

Almondine Bakery is a bakery that is located in Dumbo. The bakery was founded in 2004 by an artisan French baker.

You can go here to try delicious French pastries and other baked goods.

Some of the most delicious items on Almondine Bakery’s menu include different types of cookies, macaroons, chocolate croissants, crème brûlèe, and madeleines. I recommend trying a pastry you haven’t had before during your date.

In addition to pastries, you can also go to Almondine Bakery for lunch. There are different types of sandwiches, quiches, and soups.

Address: 85 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

More Brooklyn Articles

Free things to do in Brooklyn

Best museums in Brooklyn

Things to do with kids in Brooklyn

Things to do alone in Brooklyn

Rainy day activities in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Date Ideas Tips

The activities that I listed in this Brooklyn date ideas guide are all great, but you can often have an even more fun date by choosing two of these ideas for one date.

For example, you can have a picnic at Domino Park and after doing that go to Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg to see a movie.

Another example is having food at Time Out Market and attending a concert at Bargemusic after that.

You can also get a cup of coffee at Absolute Coffee and then go to a nearby place.

Kings Theatre from the outside
Exterior of the Kings Theatre – Felix Lipov / Shutterstock.com

Date Ideas in Brooklyn Map


This was my list of date ideas in Brooklyn. I hope you liked the activities!

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