What to Do For the First Date in Calgary? Ultimate Guide!

The iconic first date…some say that it can either make or break the future of a possible second date. 

For some, you were introduced by friends and already know the person a little bit, for others, it’s a blind or Tinder date. 

Nonetheless, figuring out what to do for the first date in Calgary can be challenging. 

That’s why we have compiled a list of ideas for your first date.

No matter what your romance jam is, look no further, Calgary offers many different options for the first date. 

Whether you’re feeling something adventurous or more intimate, we have the perfect places lined up for you! 

The No Awkward Silences First Date

Speeders: Test the waters with a little healthy competition right off the bat. 

See how far your date will go to either let you win, or beat you. 

It’s the perfect way to have some fun and begin the date on a light note. 

Driving Range: If you are looking to see what kind of athletic performance your future children will have, (now let’s just take it easy!), this is the perfect first date.

Go test out your short game with some mini-golf, or grab your drivers and hit the range. 

What better excuse to get cozy than to help your date with her swing. 

The Shooting Edge: Is there seriously anything more badass than impressing your date with your best James Bond or Lara Croft style? 

Let this date go out with a bang and choose from a wide range of guns and hit up one of the 16 shootings lanes. 

Don’t worry though, the experiences, professional staff will be there to ensure you’re doing it right and who knows maybe give you some dating tips? 

The Coffee First Date

Rosso Coffee Roasters: Rosso is a local gem.

From their gourmet coffee beans to the beautiful, relaxing ambiance, Rosso is sure to please and ease any first date jitters. 

Philosophy Coffee: This coffee shop on 17th Ave is the perfect place for a first date. 

If you are looking for an edgy, hipster chic atmosphere, Philosophy is your place. 

There are many different seating options, but if you would like to break the tension and people watch, grab a seat in front of the window looking onto 17th Ave. 

Higher Ground: If you’re looking for a place that is ideal for the “coffee date”, head to Higher Ground. 

It’s not your typical run of the mill Starbucks or Good Earth, Higher Ground has plenty of tables, fireplaces, a vast food menu that includes hot and cold drinks. 

If you’re heading out for an evening coffee date, they even serve wine and beer. 

The Eats and Drinks First Date

Winebar Kensington: If you’re looking to get comfy and snuggle close to your date, then you’ve found the perfect place at Winebar. 

The dimly lit, comfy restaurant looks like it was made for first dates. 

Have a couple of glasses of wine while you sit back and watch the chef prepare your food for you. 

National on 8th Ave: Head to National on 8th Ave for some good eats and cocktails. 

Even better, impress your date with your bowling skills for a couple of hours over some tacos. 

Is there a better way to take the edge off?

LDV Pizza Bar: If you’re looking for some authentic Italian pizza to take your first date, look no further! 

LDV Pizza bar is located in Bridgeland’s little Italy and serves up pizza the authentic way over a wood-burned oven. 

Enjoy weekly specials and casual eats in a laid back and cozy environment that is sure to impress. 

This little gem is great for a first date or even group dates! 

Lunch First Date

The Guild: This stunning split-level lounge and dining room is capable of seating about 160 people. 

The patio, which seats more than 150 people, spills onto Stephen Ave, putting you close enough to the downtown hustle-and-bustle. 

The basement is a “speakeasy,” completed with decor, music, and cocktails reminiscent of the Prohibition Era. 

The Guild’s menu is anything but ordinary.

For example, there slow-roasted pig’s head is served with cabbage Choucroute, or west coast octopus served with bacon-steamed clams, or lamb shanks braised with split peas and served with mint glaze. 

The drink menu consists of a wide selection of signature cocktails, beer, and wine. 

The Middle of the Day Dates

Spolumbo’s Fine Foods & Deli: If you’re looking to meet the potential love of your life, but have no time to do it, don’t fret, Spolumbo’s is a great option! 

Sports memorabilia lines the walls of the shop and Italian favorites are always readily available.

Make sure you try the sausage, it’s a fan favorite! 

Ten Foot Henry: It is easy to miss this little spot at Victoria Park, but we hope you don’t because this place is a real treat. 

The sit-down restaurant is located at the back and Little Henry is a grab and go lunch spot, for the on the goers. 

Make sure you check both of them out and try the fried potatoes. 

Calcutta Cricket Club: Come for the decor but stay for the food. 

Everything about Calcutta Cricket Club is colorful. 

From the pastel pink and blue-colored walls to the brown wicker seating and the palm tree mural background, this restaurant gives you a feel for what the Indian city with a similar name (Kolkata) must be like. 

Specializing in Kati rolls, curries and cocktails, the Calcutta Cricket Club allows you to sample some of the best dishes known to Indian cuisine. 

The traditional celebratory dishes include

Bison biryani — served on basmati rice, potatoes and currents, as well as lamb shank kosha mangsho — slowly-braised lamb shank served with traditional mishti pulao, cashews, saffron and raisins. 

Ricardo’s Hideaway: Neighbors with National on 17th Ave, Ricardo’s Hideaway is a rum bar. 

The interior is small and cozy with its row of dining table seating adjacent to the row of bar seating, and the patio is also cozy thanks to its outdoor heaters. 

From Latin music to the hand-crafted food and drink menu, this cocktail club is strongly reminiscent of the Caribbean. 

With 30 different kinds of rum to choose from, there’s no reason to settle for a rum and coke … unless of course, you call it a Cuba Libre. 

If Tiki Bombs and Caipirinhas aren’t your callings, the bar also offers a selection of cocktails made from white spirits, as well as beer and wine. 

It wouldn’t be a real fiesta without Latin snacks, which include traditional fares like empanadas, jerk chicken, ahi tuna ceviche and Guyanese roti.

More Ideas for Romantic First Dates in Calgary

Teatro

Teatro is a no brainer when it comes to romance. Part of the Teatro group is a front liner when it comes to impress even the most cynical romantic. 

It’s hard not to be impressed when you walk into Teatro’s doors, located in Olympic Oval, it is the perfect backdrop to the most romantic evenings. 

It’s hard not to feel special, with the oversized white leather couches, soft lighting, and the rhythm of jazz music moving through the air. 

It’s no secret that with such amazing ambiance that the food would be just as spectacular. 

Teatro tries to source all its ingredients locally and organically whenever possible.

And what is a delicious meal without an equally impressive wine? 

Teatro’s wine cellar homes over 10,000 bottles of wine with over 800 labels focusing on Bordeaux and Italian red wines. 

To view the full wine list you can head to Teatro’s website or request a cellar tour on arrival. 

River Café 

It’s hard to pass up an evening at River Café with its amazing location located in Princess Island Park. 

They have perfected their menu and services to complement an equally impressive view. 

There is really nowhere else in Calgary where you can sit back and enjoy the city lights while listening to the river pass. 

It’s no wonder that it has been rated one of Calgary’s best and finest restaurants and some have even said that it is a Canadian paradise for food and atmosphere. 

Make sure to try the fish and game board (Olson’s bison bresaola & chorizo, candied wild salmon, steelhead lox, wild boar, duck liver, wild boar prosciutto, pickled asparagus, birch syrup, olives, canola seed crackers) or the Vancouver Island mussels and Manilla clams. 

Ollia Macarons & Tea

Why not switch it up and start with dessert first, well Ollia was thinking the same thing! 

The way to one’s heart is through their sweet tooth anyway, right?

Ollie Macarons makes all their delicious treats in the house and will excite even the pickiest macaron connoisseur. 

Choose from an array of their sweet and savory flavors and pair it with one of their many teas. 

And, if you’re lucky you may even want to snag a seat at macaron 101 cooking classes and really awe your date with your French culinary baking skills! 

Now, you’ve impressed one of your date’s five senses, it’s time to impress a couple of the other ones. 

Let’s have a little bit of fun and please their eyes and ears. 

Theatre Calgary 

Take a little walk, hand in hand over to Theatre Calgary. Let the professionals take over while you sit back and relax and watch the show. 

It is Theatre Calgary’s mission to “stimulate, provoke, and delight through ambitious programming created to ignite local, national and international engagement.” 

Choose from a list of current performances, depending on what your interests may be. 

You can buy tickets online, in person or via phone, but it is best to pre-book tickets to ensure you have a good place to sit to cozy up with your hunny. 

Telus Spark 

Get in touch with your inner scientist and head to Telus Spark for their Adults Only Night. 

Take advantage of the entire building while sipping on some tasty beverages from their fully licensed bar. 

And even better, they have dance jams pumping the whole night with no children ever to be seen!

To kick it up a notch, Telus Spark creates more involved challenges, innovative collaborations from the community and special themes to ignite the senses. 

Check out the upcoming adults-only night theme on their website. 

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