7 unique dates to go on in Charlotte if you’re tired of dinner and drinks

Unsure where to take your Hinge date? Or want to mix up your long-term relationship? We’ve got you covered with 7 fresh date ideas.

(1) Get steamy inside Mood House‘s infrared sauna

Get to know your S.O. under the blue, sweaty infrared light inside a sauna built for two. The Dilworth massage studio also provides water and eucalyptus-infused towels to help cool you down after a 30-minute session. Wear a bathing suit or go nude depending on your comfort level.

Best for: Getting to know your S.O. on a deeper level.

Cost: For two, it’s $40 for Mood House members, $60 for non-members. Book here.

Pair it with: Cheese and wine from Mere’s next-door.

(2) Have a night of pottery at Clayworks

Take a raku workshop and leave with your own piece of pottery. You’ll get to design your own vase or bowl using different colored glazes and then play with fire a bit using this traditional art form. Clayworks has two-hour workshops coming up in February on the 25th and 27th, and in March on the 4th, 6th and 26th.

Best for: The artsy pair.

Cost: $45 per person. Book here.

Pair it with: A casual beer at Smokey Joe’s.

(3) Hang out at North Carolina’s largest board game cafe

Bring out your competitive side on a date night to Luck Factory Games inside Concord’s Gibson Mill Market. The cafe has more than 1,000 games to choose from, and you can ask a staff member for recommendations if you can’t decide.

Best for: Catan nerds.

Cost: $5 per person for unlimited game play. Or get a VIP membership for $14.99 a month.

Pair it with: Venezuelan food from Ellie’s Diner, beer from High Branch or Cabarrus breweries, and a stroll through The Depot antique mall.

Read more: Board game cafe now open in Gibson Mill Market

(4) Daytrip for barbecue at Jon G’s

This Saturday-only barbecue joint in Peachland is worth standing in line for. BYOB and BYO-chair, and spend a couple hours getting to know your S.O. and the other barbecue lovers in line.

Best for: Foodies who want to get out of town.

Cost: I spent $200 and ordered just about everything on the menu. If you’re not ridiculous like me, you can probably expect to spend around $30 for two. Full menu here.

Pair it with: A good playlist. Jon G’s is about a 45-minute drive southeast of Charlotte.

Read more: 6 takeaways from my first trip to Jon G’s Barbecue with a Texas native

(5) Take a tour of Charlotte’s rooftops

Brewery crawls have been done a million times, but what about a rooftop bar crawl? Start at Fahrenheit, then to Nuvole, next head to Grand Bohemian Hotel’s Búho, and finish up at Merchant and Trade.

Best for: Couples with disposable income. You’re gonna need it. 😬

Cost: Expect to pay $12-$16 per cocktail, plus tip and tax and any food you purchase.

Pair it with: A staycation at an Uptown hotel.

Full guide: 13 best rooftop bars in Charlotte

(6) Play with cats at Mac Tabby

Try to resist adopted a new fur baby on this date at either Mac Tabby’s NoDa or Concord location.

Best for: Animal lovers.

Cost: $12/hour per person or book the entire room for $95-$150 an hour.

Pair it with: A coffee from the attached café.

(7) Play a classy round of putt-putt

New South End hot spot, Puttery, is a swankier version of your typical mini golf with 15,000-square-feet of putt-putt, a cocktail bar and restaurant.

Best for: The trend setters.

Cost: Game reservations are $18 per person.

Pair it with: A nightcap donut from Krispy Kreme’s donut vending machine.

Full guide: Mini-golf concept backed by Rory McIlroy now open in South End

More fun date ideas:

• Cheap dates: 35 Charlotte date ideas under $20
• 15 must-try dinner and drinks pairings for your next date
• The No. 1 “most basic” date idea in Charlotte