5 hot date night ideas for couples looking to explore new restaurants and bars

I bet you’ve asked your significant other this question: “Where should we go tonight? I want to try something new.”

Good news, the Agenda’s got your back on hot date night ideas for couples looking to try new concepts.

For the couple that’s not afraid to do pizza and cocktails, as long as they’re both hand-crafted…

Neighborhoods: Dilworth and Montford Park
Combo: Inizio Pizza and Dot Dot Dot.
Instructions: Go to Inizio Pizza in Dilworth. Order a small Raffaile and Pistachio pizza and split their Italian Chopped Salad (underrated). Drink the Peroni on draft, served in the huge glass. Drive 4 minutes to the Backlot at Park Road Shopping Center. Enter Dot Dot Dot (guys, don’t forget they don’t allow shorts). Don’t bring out your phone, and talk to owner/bartender Stefan about your tastes before ordering a cocktail.
Agenda Pro Tip: The Manhattan at Dot Dot Dot is excellent (Kentucky Bourbon, House Blend Sweet Vermouth, Bitters, served up)

Neighborhoods: Ayrsley
Combo: Piedmont Social House and Topgolf.
Instructions: Go to Piedmont Social House. Bowl a game. Shoot pool. Order the app named The Piedmont Dou (tortilla chips, housemade salsa and their smoked gouda pimento cheese). Drive 6 minutes to Topgolf. Order a draft beer as your waiting for a driving range bay or their shareable “Golfbag” signature cocktail ($16) served in take-home mugs. Order food; Topgolf has above-average bar food. Get ready for the club type vibe to appear at about 8:30 p.m. when the music and lights start to get crazy.
Agenda Pro Tip: Order the nachos at Topgolf.

Neighborhoods: Matthews
Combo: TBD, depending on your timing and tastes. But definitely go to Brakeman’s in whatever “choose your own adventure” you create.
Instructions: It’s worth spending an entire afternoon/evening in Matthews. Drive 30 minutes. Just in the last six months, a flood of retail has sprung up around the downtown area: Temple Mojo (growler shop from the owner of Carolina Beer Temple), Mac’s Speed Shop (the barbecue chain’s fourth Charlotte location), Umami Sushi, Artful Gourmet (burgers) and Jekyll and Hyde (brewpub). Dealer’s choice.
Agenda Pro Tip: Order the lavender latte or the cold brew hibiscus tea from Brakeman’s.

Neighborhoods: Uptown
Combo: Sophia’s Lounge and Stoke
Instructions: Go to Sophia’s Lounge. Order a Where Is The Honey cocktail or The Last Word cocktail (fire is involved). Sophia’s Lounge operations are run by the 5Church team, so you know it’s solid. Walk a block to Stoke for dinner. Order the Stoke House Pretzel Brioche with whipped butter to start.

Neighborhoods: South End
Combo: Suffolk Punch and O-Ku Sushi
Instructions: Go to Suffolk Punch. Sit in the leather chairs at the bar. Order their The Midlenhall Treasure cocktail (Gin, St. Germaine, Prosecco, Lime garnish served tall over ice). Relax. For your second drink, go with a beer from Hyde Brewing. Take the light rail, walk 15 minutes or drive 3 minutes to O-Ku. Order O-Ku’s Rainbow Roll ($14).
Agenda Pro Tip: Drink the beer from the outside bar on one of their beautiful outdoor picnic tables.

Cover photo from Haberdish. Yes, it’s delicious. Yes, it’s the perfect date nightcap.