Best Austin First Date Ideas \\ Fun First Date Ideas in Austin

Got a first date planned in Austin and looking for some fun unique Austin first date ideas? Look no further! I put together some fun different ideas for your first date in Austin that are a mix of great for talking, good for dinner, something unique, and something louder! Depending on what you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone here.

PLUS once you pick a favorite, you can then check out my Fun & Unique Date Ideas in Austin that are a little better for someone you DO know well and just want to do something outside of the home with!

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Patrizis + Butterfly Bar

One of my favorite restaurants in Austin paired with one of my favorite bars! It’s a perfect Austin vibe featuring an AMAZING Italian food truck that anyone is going to love. You can pick up your Patrizi’s, and then eat it on the patio of Butterfly Bar which is the cutest outdoor patio spot. I love that they have local beers for affordable prices, OR you can grab a $30 bottle of their house wine if you’re going the wine route.

If the date goes well and you want to keep it going, you can pop across the street to Haymaker for another beer or a game of pool! Another one of my favorite bars in the area. AND if you’re feeling a little extra wild, you can set the date up for Tuesday at 7 pm and attend the trivia game they have at Butterfly Bar at that time!

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Wunderlust Wines

Denver and I recently tried out this unique wine bar concept and loved it! I would recommend going on Wednesday since everything is 50% off and you’re going to save SO much money. Their system is set up with dozens of wines on tap, and you can walk up and taste any of their wines. Have a blast tasting sips of these wines together, and then fill your glasses up and head to the tables to enjoy time to talk! They do have an Italian food truck on-site if you’re feeling hungry too. A great fun date spot for someone with who you want to enjoy wine tasting with!

SEE MORE // 15 WINE BARS IN AUSTIN WORTH VISITING FOR WINE TASTING

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Peter Pan Putt Putt

Who doesn’t love a classic putt putt first date! If you’re wanting something fun to do together sans food and drinks, then definitely count Peter Pan Putt Putt as a great option. It’s a blast with a fun course, and the perfect way to get to know how competitive that other person is. Plus, when you’re done you can always walk to dinner somewhere nearby like El Alma, Juliet’s, or Terry Black BBQ! And for those looking to spice up their date, Peter Pan Putt Putt is BYOB so you can enjoy some craft beer on your first date!

Pinballz Arcade or the Cidercade

If you’re someone who likes to have a little friendly competition, but you want to stay indoors and get some food and drinks, then you should opt for an arcade date! You can hit up Pinballz, a classic Austin arcade, or go for the newer Cidercade down off Riverside. Both options have food and drinks available, and all you can play options!

I’m a total sucker for an arcade first date so you can quickly determine if this is a person you can compete with in life. Because boy have we all met some sore losers we may want to avoid. True colors come out in competition!

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The Elephant Room Jazz Bar

Are you both music fans, and maybe want something a little more upscale for your first date? Hit up a Jazz Bar in Austin! We have no shortage of them, but Elephant Room Jazz Bar is probably my personal favorite. It’s a little hole in the wall with great music and great drinks, and if all goes well you can always pop into one of the millions of bars and restaurants also located downtown!

Some other great live music first date in Austin options are Wednesday Night Spazmatics shows at Cedar Street Courtyard, hitting up the slightly more upscale and quieter Parker Jazz Bar downtown, or going for a full-on show at Antone’s!

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Mozarts Coffee + A Walk Around the Lake

If you want a little more of a Day Date for your first date in Austin, then I would recommend meeting up at Mozart’s Coffee! You get stunning views of the lake, a quick bite to eat, and a little coffee to pair with it. It’s an easy and low-key way to get to know each other without the pressure of the evening. Then if all is going well, you can take a walk along the boardwalk together and enjoy the beautiful lake views while you chat even more!

Some of my other favorite options that are more low-key spots with outdoor patios like Mozarts are probably Radio Coffee Bar and Cosmic Coffee + Beer!

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Visit a Wine Bar Together, like House Wine

One of the only first dates I ever went on was to House Wine, this adorable home that was converted into a cute little wine bar off South Lamar. It was the perfect way to be somewhere cute, and have the ability to chat and get to know each other. Plus, you can QUICKLY figure out their pretentious levels with wine.

If House Wine isn’t your vibe, then I would recommend any of these Austin Wine Bars that’ll do the trick too!

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Explore a Speakeasy Together

Looking to hit a bar for your date, but want something a set up from the average spot? Check out a speakeasy instead! Below are some of my favorites and how to get them!

For Something Low Key // One of my favorites is Firehouse Hostel & Lounge located inside of Firehouse Hostel Downtown. You actually enter through their secret staircase into the back room. It’s a really relaxed vibe, perfect for when the two of you are just looking to get to know each other.

For a Classy Cocktail Bar // I would recommend Small Victory, a tiny little cocktail bar Downtown! Google Maps “108 E. 7th Street” and look for the Parking Garage door with a “V” on it. Enter and go up the staircase, and you’ll be right at Small Victory.

For a Unique Underground Spot // A newer favorite in the Austin speakeasy scene is actually Here Nor There, a cocktail bar underground off 6th street. You have to download their app in order to make a reservation, and then look for the gated entrance where you’ll type in the code provided to you from the app. Under is a cozy cocktail bar with the most fun and unique cocktails and secret rooms so you can have some alone space with your date!

For Incredible Music // One of the lesser-known speakeasies in Austin is Milonga Room, a little secret space under Buenos Aires Cafe in East Austin. You can enter by going to the back of the restaurant and knocking on the Blue Door you’ll spot in the corner. They’re TINY and hit around 10 people total, so you have to be prepared to not get a spot. But when you’re inside you’ll have a quiet cozy space, great music, and killer cocktails.

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Picnic at Auditorium Shores or Congress Bridge Bats

Wanting an activity that involves less drinking and more outdoors together? May I recommend a little picnic at Auditorium Shores, followed by walking over to watch the Congress Bridge Bats at sunset! It’s a really cute activity, especially if one of you is newer to Austin. And if you’re over it, you can skip the bats and just head out early. But between the beautiful views and the Austin sunset, how could it not be amazing!

SEE MORE // THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUSTIN & EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO

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Blue Starlight Drive In Movie

I used to dislike the idea of a movie for a first date because you can’t actually talk to each other in the movie theater, but this is totally a non-issue if you hit a drive in movie together! You’ll keep your space, have some snacks, and can watch a movie together while actually able to chat throughout the movie.

What a fun way to get to know someone, but you can easily avoid the awkward silence because you always have something on in the background!

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Visiting a Local Brewery

This may be because I am a sucker for a fun brewery, but it’s always a great first date spot! You can enjoy a good beer in the sunshine, and just have an easy way to head out if that’s the direction you want to go. Always a fan. Some of my favorites for a good first date would be:

Meanwhile Brewing down South as they also have cocktails and food available too for someone that wants more than just beer

Central Machine Works on the East Side for cocktails and food and a giant outdoor space

The ABGB for the above reasons as well, plus they also often have live music going!

EE MORE // 15 BREWERIES & BEER GARDENS IN AUSTIN WORTH VISITING

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Hit a Local Cocktail Bar

Much like the local brewery option or hitting a speakeasy, but this one is just simple and easy and you cannot go wrong with it. Below are some of my favorite fun Austin Cocktails Bars so you can find a spot that’ll be something new for you both!

Whisler’s off the East Side // For a cocktail bar with a higher end cocktail menu. Keep in mind they’re almost entirely outdoors, so just make sure the weather is looking good that day. Also, they do tend to be a little bit on the louder side!

Kitty Cohens off the East Side // I love Kitty Cohens, and think it’s such a fun first date spot! They’re also mostly outdoors, and they even have a little pool right in the middle of the bar. You can get delicious cocktails, or just opt for a beer.

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Hope you found this guide full of our favorite Austin first date ideas helpful! I hope that you and your potential new boo find a new favorite spot here, and it kicks off a wonderful romance between you two. And hopefully if it goes well, you can come back and check out some of my favorite Unique Austin Date Ideas for someone you ALREADY kind of know, but just want to hang out more with!