Show Your Significant Other Some Love With a Weeknight Excursion
Sometimes life gets in the way of having a romantic night out with your partner. And once you’re able to finally set some time alone, it could be even tougher to know exactly what to do that will please both of you. Fortunately for you and your beau, Orange County is a couple’s dream come true with activities perfect for any day of the week. From breathtaking beaches to world-renowned amusement parks, Orange County has it all. If takeout and Netflix at home is getting old, here’s our lineup for must-do date ideas to break up the work-week monotony that will surely swoon your SO!
Wine Wednesdays at Cafe Sevilla
When life calls for a midweek date night, spice things up with salsa dancing and Spanish wine with Wine Down Wednesdays at Cafe Sevilla, Costa Mesa’s best tapas bar! Journey through Spain with a sizzling five-course meal bursting with the flavors of Ibiza and Mallorca. Date night just got better with half-off all bottles, glasses and flights from 6:30-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, and if you prefer to bring your own bottle of wine, simply pay a small $20 corkage fee!
Sip on bubbles while leaning into live Latin music—consider the mood set! Cabanas and heated lounges give the space an elegant flair, while dark wood panels and mosaic tiles convey styles reminiscent of traditional Spanish interiors. Things tend to get heated during Cafe Sevilla’s post-dinner festivities. Sip on a glass of sangria in true Spanish fashion and take a salsa and bachata class, which begins at 8 p.m. The party doesn’t end here! Keep the night rolling and dance your heart out with live DJs capping off a night of Flamenco-inspired fun.
Local Insight: Opened by Spanish-born owners Rogelio and Janet Huidobroin in 1987, Cafe Sevilla pays homage to their home country in every way—from the decor to the menu!
Location: Costa Mesa
Cruise Around on a Vision Electric Boat Rental
There’s nothing more romantic than sailing into the sunset with your sweetheart, and Newport Beach’s Vision Electric Boat Rental can make that happen! Head over to Lido Marina Village to rent an electric boat for a cruise around the harbor. Vision Electric’s mission is to add a sense of adventure to your next date night, and their dynamic fleet of vessels makes it easy to seas the day with your sweetheart! And if you’re looking for that extra something to make this date night even more special, charcuterie boards and decorative balloons are offered at an additional cost.
Location: Newport Beach
Visit The Source Mall
The classic mall date: it’s perfect for low-key, first-time outings or simply enjoying each other’s company. Among its eclectic dining scene, cute couple photo ops and entertainment venues, you’ll never be bored at Buena Park’s The Source. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that bring out the most joy in life! Sit down to coffee and a pastry at In-Sit Coffee or split a bucket of buttery popcorn at CGV Cinemas. Catching a flick is a timeless date pick for a reason. There’s something about cozying up in the dimly lit theater next to your beau that instantly sets the tone for a romantic outing.
Location: Buena Park
Get in Touch With Your Creative Side
A local favorite, Salty Bear in Costa Mesa is a home for all beer lovers. And what better way to follow sharing an ale with your best bud by then skipping right over to an art class! Ceramics is something that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime, and ARTime Barro is here to teach you the ropes. From one-on-one pottery-throwing lessons to open studio memberships, taking a class does not only open the artistic door for yourself but allows you to share this special skill with your significant other. Whether you’re both novices or pros, you’re sure to have a good time with one another at Salty Bear.
Location: Costa Mesa
Say Cheers at Hive + Honey Rooftop
Handcrafted cocktails with a sunset cityscape view? Count us in! At Hive + Honey Rooftop in Irvine, you’ll get to experience the best of both worlds. Gaze over the skyline and watch the sunset with your choice of creative cocktail, beer, wine or bites in-hand. Their handcrafted cocktails truly are the bee’s knees, with favorites like the Wasp’s Nest (a tequila sunrise with a twist) or the bar classic H&H Old-Fashioned. Since Hive + Honey Rooftop is always buzzing, we recommend making a reservation!
Location: Irvine
See a Show at The Rec Room Comedy Club
The Rec Room is a far cry from the visuals of underground basements its quaint moniker stirs up. With dim lighting, vintage arcade games and a lineup of comedic talent, this comedy club is the perfect spot for an intimate night out on the town. With a rotating selection of drinks on tap, laugh the night away hearing from some of the world’s funniest comics. The Rec Room keeps things budget-savvy for date night, with entertainment that only costs a quarter to play! Take a trip down memory lane with old-school joysticks and button mashing.
Location: Huntington Beach
Rent a Moke in Newport Beach
What’s cuter than exploring Newport Beach in a Moke?! Mokes are classic-looking electric, low-speed vehicles that are street legal and are absolutely one of the cutest rides on the road. With a top speed of 25 mph, renting a Moke with your partner is the move for a casual beach drive. Head down to The Wedge at sunset or take the ferry across to Balboa Island for a frozen banana!
Location: Newport Beach
Bowling at Bowlero
In need of some Sunday-night date inspo? Challenge your date to a game of bowling at Bowlero! Where else can you have oven-fired pizzas and coconut shrimp delivered right to your bowling lane underneath the neons? Keep things cool and casual at this deluxe bowling alley with their Sunday Funday Special. Double your chances of rolling that lucky strike with unlimited bowling and a $5 arcade card. All the competition is bound to leave you feeling parched. If you’re in the mood for a challenge, pull up a stool at their sports bar and split a Dunk Tank—their 123-ounce signature cocktail!
Location: Tustin
