8 nerdy date night ideas in Charlotte
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Are you and your partner more likely to be found acting out a DnD campaign than clubbing at the Epicentre? Would you turn down Panthers tickets to binge watch One Punch Man in your matching gamer chairs? If so, you might be a nerd couple.
Nerds have a reputation for being introverted, but that doesn’t mean you want to spend every night in. Here are 8 nerdy date nights perfect for anyone who thinks Han Solo and Leia are #relationshipgoals.
Flex your intellect at nerd-themed trivia from TriviaTainment
Cost: Free
Location: Various
The TriviaTainment team organizes a bunch of fandom-themed trivia events around the Charlotte area.
In October 2018 alone, they’re bringing events like Game of Thrones trivia at The Peculiar Rabbit (Oct. 17 at 7pm), Disney movie trivia at Libretto’s (Oct. 23 at 7pm), Stranger Things trivia at World of Beer (Oct. 24 at 7pm) and Rocky Horror Picture Show trivia at Jackalope Jack’s (Oct. 29 at 7pm).
Head out and flex your intellect on some of your favorite geek subjects.
Watch glass blowing at Hot Glass Alley
Cost: $60 – $80 per person
Location:438 Atando Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206
Charlotte’s first glass blowing studio offers date nights on the second Thursday of each month starting in November.
Artist/owner Jacob Pfeifer shows off his abilities shaping molten glass, and if you’re fearless, you’ll get to blow your own pieces as well. This stuff is wild to see and there’s truly nothing like it.
Plus, it’s BYOB.
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Enjoy a drink in the secret library at 8.2.0
Cost: Varies, but on Wednesdays you can enjoy a charcuterie board and two glasses of wine for $15.
Location: 820 Hamilton St, Charlotte, NC 28206
A lot of people don’t know this, but 8.2.0 in the AvidXchange Music Factory has this secret library hidden behind a false bookcase in the hallway to the right of the pizzeria.
It’s pretty much a nerd paradise, evoking images of Sherlock Holmes, the board game Clue, or the library from Beauty and the Beast.
Grab a charcuterie board and a couple of glasses of wine for a unique date night drink.
Make some art together at figure drawing night at Birdsong Brewing
Cost: Free
Location: 1016 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Creating art together is an underrated date night idea. Luckily, Birdsong Brewing has combined drinking and drawing into one fun evening out. Buy a beer or a kombucha while you and your partner draw a figure model in Birdsong Brewing’s private space.
Note: Make sure you bring your own art supplies.
Get experimental at Science on the Rocks
Cost: $17
Location: 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Every third Friday of the month, Science on the Rocks delivers a themed night of experiments, exhibits, and beer and wine.
What makes this event so cool is that there’s plenty of different things to do and see, so if you’re asking your nerd crush out on a first date, you won’t have to worry about awkward pauses.
Learn something new together at a Skillpop class
Cost: $20-$40
Location: Varies, generally in coworking spaces like Advent and Hygge.
Nerds love to learn, and Skillpop loves to teach. With classes from hand-lettering to sewing to cocktail mixing, Skillpop has something appealing to any set of interests.
Plus, it’s an easy way to meet new people. You just might meet a fellow couple who’ll become your new best friends.
Work some wood at AR Workshop
Cost: $65.50 is the average
Location: The Charlotte location is at 117 Middleton Dr, Charlotte, NC 28207.
Creating something with your partner that can hang in your home is not only a fun way to spend an evening, it’s also productive. Over a glass of wine, AR Workshop guides you through painting projects like framed wall hangers and centerpieces.
Every time you see your new decorative piece, you’ll remember that awesome night you had. It’s the nerd date that keeps on giving.
Score at our two favorite arcade bars: Lucky’s Bar & Arcade and Abari Game Bar
Cost: As many quarters as you want to spend at Abari. Lucky’s uses a token system where the minimum payment is $10.
Location: Abari is at 1721 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206. Lucky’s is at 300 N College St #104, Charlotte, NC 28202.
The couple that games together, stays together. From classic console games to pinball, Abari Game Bar and Lucky’s Bar & Arcade get rave reviews from nerd couples all over Charlotte. Put your hand-eye coordination to the test and see once and for all which of you is the best gamer.
Header photo: Harry Potter themed Science on the Rocks via Discovery Place Science
