5 First-Date Ideas in Austin
Updated: October 21, 2009
First dates--or dating in general--can seem an awful chore parallel to dentist visits and queueing up at the DMV. Necessary, but possibly painful, messy, expensive and worst of all, dull. Why not plan a first date that will be memorable, low-pressure and show something about your potential mate that may not have been revealed otherwise? Go forth, date wisely, and pay attention to the details. Oh, and try to have fun!
Memorable Firsts
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - South Lamar
Read Reviews1120 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704 (map)
Dinner and a movie are such played-out date ideas, but this is one of Austin's most fun venues, and the food is amazing, too. The opportunities for people-watching and eavesdropping (or at least overhearing some hilarious commentary on the movie) are vast. At the Alamo, movies are more of a communal event one participates in; take a date to a sing-along or quote-along and test their pop-cultural knowledge along with your compatibility. Taking a date to a multi-course meal, served in sync with corresponding scenes, will surely impress.
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Austin's Park
Read Reviews16231 N IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660 (map)
An amusement park is a great public place for a date. In many romantic comedies, scenes set in batting cages are places where characters can really open up to each other, all while casually whacking whompers with a bat. Fun, yes, also the potential for physical comedy (look out!) is great. If someone is not a good sport, nor coordinated, or nastily competitive, this is where those traits will be revealed in under an hour. You're welcome.
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Deep Eddy Pool
Write a review401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703 (map)
While swimming may psyche out the less body-confident daters, in Austin, it's too hot to care about bellies and muffin-tops. Swimming is a perfect, low-key date, and hey. Check out the merchandise while you're at it. Deep Eddy is gorgeous, and close by are drinks at the low-key Deep Eddy Cabaret, or make a picnic with sandwiches from Thundercloud Subs, or pizza from Mangia, all steps away.
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Kerbey Lane Cafe
Read Reviews2700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 (map)
Another cliche: the diner. Instead of a mostly silent, shy meal, use the bustle of this cafe as a cover to check out if that potential mate is rude to servers, undertips, hates children, or worse, chews open-mouthed. If the date is going well, fantasize about growing old together and tottering in to the diner together, each ordering "the usual." If the date isn't so hot, look around for whom to date next.
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Mount Bonnell Park
Read Reviews3800 Mount Bonnell Dr, Austin, TX 78731 (map)
One of Austin's most beautiful natural landmarks, this picturesque spot is the best place to watch the sunset. Don't call that daily event a cliche. The oft-repeated saying is, climb Mount Bonnell once, you'll get a kiss. Climb it twice, get engaged. We think this is supposed to be dual climbs with the same partner, but love is not science.
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