From axe-throwing to arcade bars, here’s how to mix things up on your next date night in Surprise, Arizona.
Whether it’s a first date or a weekly night out with your spouse, a little creativity can go a long way toward making it a memorable one. If you’re ready to get out of the dinner-and-a-movie rut, head to one of these unique and fun date night spots in Surprise, Arizona.
Dinner and a Round of Pac-man
Grab a table at Bonfire Craft Kitchen and Tap House, where the burgers, barbecue, salads and pizza are made from locally sourced ingredients, the kitchen is happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and requests and the atmosphere is lively and cozy all at once. Try not to linger too long, though — you’ll want plenty of time to play the vintage arcade games and pinball machines at your next stop, Player One Arcade. Indulge in a heavy dose of nostalgia as you go head-to-head in old favorites like Space Invaders and Blasteroids while sipping on a craft beer, glass of wine or cocktail.
Dinner and a Bullseye
Start your night with a nosh at State 48, the homegrown brewery that pays homage to all things Arizona. Be careful not to overdo it on the Rough Rider IPAs, though — you’ll need all your senses intact for your axe-throwing adventure at Axescape (previously BADAZ Axes). After a brief training session, you and your date will get to try your hand at this lumberjack-inspired sport that consists of throwing axes at a target (think: archery). It’s harder than it looks and sure to provide a few good laughs as you both struggle to hit the bullseye. The ice will be broken in no time — hopefully everything else stays intact. If you want to keep the date going after a few rounds of axe-throwing, Axescape also has an escape room.
Dinner and a Strike, Spare, Split — or Hole in One
Couples who play together, stay together — right? That’s the theory at Uptown Alley, a one-stop shop for good food, fun, drinks and a bit of healthy competition. Start with dinner at the on-site restaurant, Red Embers Bar and Grill, then take your pick of bowling, billiards, laser tag — or all three. The bowling lanes come complete with 15-foot projection HDTVs, black light bowling options, state-of-the-art scoring systems and gutter bumpers for beginners, and specialty cocktails help nervous newbies bowl like a pro.
For another entertainment hub, check out FatCats. The venue is complete with an arcade, bowling alley and even its own on-site movie theaters. But perhaps the biggest draw is Glow Golf, an indoor, glow-in-the-dark alternative to mini golf. The venue also has food and a full bar.
Dinner and a Glass of Wine
Sometimes all you need is time to reconnect, and a long, leisurely meal at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is the perfect place to do just that. Upscale yet unstuffy, this local favorite has at least 50 different wines in-house every day — all of which are made by the winery — plus a scratch kitchen where everything is fresh and made to order. Featuring an intimate environment perfect for date night, try the snow crab fritters paired with prosecco to start, then the crab and summer corn risotto paired with Isola del Sole for your entrée.
Plan Your Date Night
For even more date night ideas, check out our insider tips on our blog.