29 of the best Bumble date spots in 16 Charlotte neighborhoods
So you’ve landed a Bumble date. Now besides being yourself of course, you want to impress your potential partner with the best atmosphere for the two of you. Here are 29 places you can try out in Charlotte…
Dilworth
Ed’s Tavern
2200 Park Road
Bring your date here for: The casual, neighborhood vibe. Play a game (like checkers) inside, or take your beer to the newer, back patio. If things go well, there are plenty of rotating food specials to enjoy throughout the night.
Kid Cashew
1608, 5822, East Blvd.
Bring your date here for: A fun, outdoor patio space. Mix up your usual date night with a weekend brunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.). Try one of their homemade spreads (tzatziki, hummus, etc.) alongside their shrimp and grits and maybe even a mimosa.
The Arboretum
Vintner Wine Market
8128 Providence Road
Bring your date here for: The chance to split a reasonably priced bottle of wine in a quaint space. Don’t miss out on live music and free tastings on the calendar, either. Up next: A stroll around the shopping center lake, perhaps?
Bella Fresco Café & Gelateria
8200 Providence Rd
Bring your date here for: Ice cream. You can even visit their café for lunch beforehand if you’re looking for a full meal. Get the pistachio or salted caramel flavors, or both if you’re feeling adventurous.
RELATED: Shopping center superlatives: Your guide to the best of the Arboretum
LoSo
The Broken Spoke
227 Southside Dr.
Bring your date here for: Just the right amount of fanciness with a cocktail (consider the Blackberry Flip) and a Queen City Pretzel served with a four-cheese sauce. Consider a tour at the Great Wagon Road Distillery next door, too.
Queen Park Social
4125 Yancey Rd.
Bring your date here for: More than just a drink. From bowling to ping pong to shuffleboard, this spot is great to let loose. If you’re highly competitive, we would advise that you not scare your partner on your first outing together…
via Instagram (queenparksocial)
FreeMoreWest/Wesley Heights
Rhino Market & Deli
1500 W Morehead St #E
Bring your date here for: Wine or beer by the bottle or by the glass (and maybe a bag of something salty to snack on) before you grab a seat inside or at the picnic tables outside at this laid-back, hipster hangout. Plan on Monday night trivia to break the ice.
via Instagram (lightweightplate)
Pinky’s Westside Grille
1600 W. Morehead St.
Bring your date here if: They’re a fan of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Guy Fieri, of course. At first glance, you wouldn’t think this casual restaurant has more than just burgers and fried items, but they do. No matter the eater, your date can find vegetarian friendly, vegan and gluten-free menu items.
South End
Hoppin’
1402, 4165, Winnifred St.
Bring your date here for: Self-serve beer, wine or Prosecco. This is the go-to spot for many Charlotteans who are looking to go out, especially in South End. Hoppin’ also has a trivia night, a music bingo night and an outdoor patio with cornhole. The weekends are slammed, so we suggest choosing a weeknight so you won’t have to wait in line.
RELATED: 10 casual date ideas when ‘let’s grab a drink’ won’t do
Craft Growler Shop and Tasting Room
1320 S Church St., #100
Bring your date here for: All the specials, specifically their $6 charcuterie boards on Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. They are insanely good and if your date is Insta-obsessed, they can snap a pic of the work of art for the ‘Gram.
via Instagram (thewhimsicalpineapple)
NoDa
NoDa Company Store
3221 Yadkin Ave.
Bring your date here for: An outdoor patio vibe. Enjoy sitting on their porch swings or on their picnic tables towards the front of the store. On Sundays, they offer free, yes FREE lunch, plus other events like free dance lessons, live music and more.
Haberdish
3106 N Davidson St.
Bring your date here for: A slice of Southern heaven. From the fried chicken to the deviled eggs to their Sonker dessert, you will not go hungry. Wear loose-fitting clothing.
University City
PNC Pavilion
707 Pavilion Blvd.
Bring your date here for: An outdoor concert. You’ll be able to really get to know your date on your way there and back since it seems like it’s 828,882 miles away because of the traffic. This space could potentially be a great group date too.
Topgolf
TBD – Check out more about the approved second location. Plans for this future ‘entertainment district’ could also include a movie theater with a full bar, restaurant and brewery. In the meantime, opt for Topgolf at 8024 Savoy Corporate Dr. Take the light rail from University City.
Bring your date here for: Golf, drinks and food. Maybe you’re not a pro at the sport but there’s no need to worry. It’s just as much fun to sip on their Spring Sangria, hit a few golf balls and make a fool of yourself for some laughs from your date, right?
RELATED: The Charlotte light rail drinking trail: 32 spots to stop and sip along the new extension
Elizabeth
Visulite Theatre
1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Bring your date here for: An intimate concert venue. If you want to stay away from the massive venues in Charlotte so you can actually talk with your date, go here. Upcoming shows at the music club include The Aces, Wolf Alice, ThirdStory, Nina Nesbitt, Southern Culture On The Skids and more.
Cajun Queen
1800 E 7th St.
Bring your date here for: A taste of New Orleans. Inside this 100-year-old historic home, you can dine on everything from seafood gumbo to fried green tomatoes. They even have jazz every single night (swoon). Make reservations ahead of time.
Uptown
7th Street Public Market
224 E 7th St.
Bring your date here for: A ton of different dining options. There’s no way your date will be leaving hungry, especially with the market offering everything from sushi to acai bowls to pizza. You’ll feel like you’re in the heart of the city at this location.
Merchant & Trade
303 S. Church St.
Bring your date here for: Romantic, rooftop views. Located on the 19th floor of Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, you and your date will be able to overlook Romare Bearden Park while enjoying small bites or their delicious cocktails. Plan the date on a week that you’re getting your paycheck, as it can get a little pricey.
Ballantyne
The Harris Teeter Wine Bar
15007 John J Delaney Dr.
Bring your date here for: A grocery store trip he or she will never forget. Yeah, a grocery store is probably not the first or second place you think of when it comes to a first date, but trust us, this spot is everything. Enjoy the intimate atmosphere while sipping on wine and listening to live music.
Rush Espresso Cafe & Wine Bar
14825 Ballantyne Village Way, #135
Bring your date here for: A coffee buzz. Besides coffee, the flagship store serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (and drinks), and has live music at night starting at 7:30 p.m.
Cotswold
The Pizza Peel & Tap Room
4422 Colwick Rd.
Bring your date here for: Simple times. There’s really nothing better than pizza. If your date doesn’t like pizza, then run, run very fast.
Poppy’s Bagels
2921 Providence Rd.
Bring your date here for: Easily one of the best bagels in Charlotte. If you’re feeling really motivated beforehand, head to a Flywheel or Y2 Yoga class to get your workout in. Then get to know each other on a more personal level at Poppy’s. But honestly, just grabbing a bagel may be the way to go if you don’t want to scare your date away with your sweaty smell. (Insert Jimmy Fallon saying, ‘Ew!’)
SouthPark
Cafe Monte
6700 Fairview Rd.
Bring your date here for: A cheap trip to France. This French restaurant and bistro is a great way to impress your date with both the food and atmosphere. Check out their Sunday brunch, which was voted best 100 brunches in the U.S. just last year. No matter what you order, make sure to add their pomme frites aka French fries.
Tandur Indian Kitchen
721 Governor Morrison St., Unit F-150
Bring your date here for: One of the newest spots in the Queen City. This restaurant brings all the spices and Indian flair you’ve been looking for. Sit outside under the lights on their patio and order the Tikka Masala plus their spiced okra fries.
Montford/Madison Park
Good Food on Montford
1701 Montford Dr.
Bring your date here for: Small bites. Award-winning chef Bruce Moffett, the mastermind behind Barrington’s and Stagioni, brings the heat to this quaint spot on Montford Drive. Tapas include falafel and sautéed mushrooms. Definitely make room for dessert, specifically the caramel apple cobbler.
10 Park Lanes
1700 Montford Dr.
Bring your date here for: A recreation of Disney Channel’s Alley Cat Strikes. But seriously. Get your bowl on, eat, drink and jam out to live music.
MoRa
New Zealand Cafe
1717 N. Sardis Rd., #6-A
Bring your date here for: Sushi, sushi and more sushi. Switch it up from your normal sushi spots and head to New Zealand Cafe. Although it’s a bit of drive, it’s totally worth it.
Plaza Midwood
Legion Brewing
1906 Commonwealth Ave.
Bring your date here for: Beer and open mic night. This will be an interesting date, especially if you have the guts to start your own American Idol-esque audition. Maybe it’s your time to shine, and your date will be even more impressed.
Myers Park
The Duke Mansion
400 Hermitage Rd.
Bring your date here for: The ultimate first date. Plan a spring or summer picnic date in one of their gardens. Sure you’ll dish out a cool $85 for the chef prepared picnic basket but it’s all about treating yourself (and your date) every once in awhile. You can also opt for a free stroll through the gardens during the day when the gates are open. Fingers crossed for a second date!
Cover image: thewhimsicalpineapple on Instagram
This story was originally published April 9, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "29 of the best Bumble date spots in 16 Charlotte neighborhoods."