Come Fly With Me

Romantic Ideas to beat the winter blues

By Paul Natinsky

What makes the perfect setting for a date night? It’s the right mix of factors: the holidays are over, restaurants are entering the slow season, and tax refunds are starting to hit bank accounts. Meanwhile, those gray January and February days can leave many searching for ways to lift their spirits. Whether you’re looking for a cozy, intimate night out or an action-packed adventure, Metro Detroit offers plenty of options to help you warm up your date night.

Classic Date Night Ideas

For a traditional evening out, nothing beats a fine dining experience. Metro Detroit has a wide range of restaurants to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, upscale dinner or a casual but delicious bite, you’ll find plenty of options to make the evening memorable.

Notable spots include Hazel Park’s Mabel Gray Kitchen, popular Midtown restaurants like Selden Standard and Grey Ghost Detroit, and local icons such as Buddy’s Pizza in Hamtramck and Lafayette Coney Island in downtown Detroit.

Mabel Gray, a relatively new addition to the Metro Detroit dining scene, has quickly become a standout. Located in Hazel Park, this small but exceptional restaurant offers a memorable dining experience with its eight-course tasting menu. The food is innovative and flavorful, and the service is efficient yet unpretentious. Given its small size, reservations are a must. Mabel Gray is part of the transformation of Hazel Park into one of Metro Detroit’s newest and most sought-after neighborhoods.

Selden Standard in Midtown is another local favorite that excels in both atmosphere and cuisine. The restaurant is often credited with helping to jumpstart Detroit’s modern food scene. It offers a combination of New American fare, craft cocktails, and a warm, rustic ambiance that draws diners from all over the region. Its success has made it a go-to for date nights, especially for couples looking for a place that’s trendy yet welcoming.

Grey Ghost Detroit, also in Midtown, offers a unique experience with its emphasis on meat dishes and innovative cocktails. The cozy, intimate atmosphere makes it a great option for those looking for a romantic dinner with a touch of rustic charm. While the restaurant is renowned for its cocktails, it’s also a great spot for those who prefer mocktails, as the restaurant has earned praise for its creative non-alcoholic drink offerings.

For a more casual but equally delicious date, consider heading to Buddy’s Pizza in Hamtramck or Lafayette Coney Island in downtown Detroit. These iconic spots serve up some of the best Detroit-style pizza and classic coney dogs, perfect for a fun, laid-back date that still delivers on flavor.

Unconventional Date Night Adventures

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, Metro Detroit offers a wide range of unique experiences that go beyond dinner. From helicopter rides to ghost tours, there’s no shortage of exciting options to make your date night stand out.

For thrill-seekers, consider a helicopter ride over downtown Detroit with Max Flight Helicopters. This unforgettable experience allows you to see the city from a whole new perspective, soaring high above the skyline while taking in breathtaking views of the Detroit River and its surroundings. It’s an ideal option for couples who want to add a bit of excitement to their evening.

If you’re in the mood for something more interactive, why not try axe throwing at Detroit Axe in Ferndale? This fun and unique activity offers an adrenaline rush, as you and your date try your hand at throwing axes at targets in a safe and controlled environment. It’s a great way to bond over a little friendly competition.

For fans of puzzles and challenges, escape rooms from World of Escapes provide an immersive experience where you and your date must work together to solve clues and escape before time runs out. With a variety of themes, from mysteries to thrillers, escape rooms offer an interactive and team-building experience that’s perfect for couples looking to test their problem-solving skills.

If you’re intrigued by the supernatural, Detroit Paranormal Expeditions offers guided ghost tours that take you through the city’s most haunted locations. Whether you believe in ghosts or just enjoy a spooky story, these tours are a fun and eerie way to spend a night together.

After-Dinner Entertainment

After a delicious dinner and adventure-filled date, you might want to continue the fun with some entertainment. Metro Detroit is home to a thriving theater and comedy scene, ensuring that your night doesn’t end with just a meal.

Catch a Broadway or off-Broadway show at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre, which has long been a hub for world-class productions. Renovated in 1961, the theater offers an intimate setting for major touring shows. This winter, you can enjoy stage productions of The Golden Girls and Clue, which promise to entertain with their humor and nostalgia.

For something a little more avant-garde, check out Matrix Theatre Company in Detroit, which specializes in socially conscious theater that encourages dialogue and new perspectives. This theater company is known for producing thought-provoking plays that tackle contemporary social issues.

If comedy is more your style, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak and the Detroit House of Comedy offer a great night out. Both venues feature local and touring comedians, ensuring you’ll get plenty of laughs throughout the evening. For those looking for more interactive comedy, try improv at Go Comedy! in Ferndale or Planet Ant Theater in Hamtramck. These venues allow for a more engaging experience, where the audience plays a role in shaping the performance.

Music lovers will find plenty of options to dance or enjoy live tunes at legendary spots like Cliff Bell’s and Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. Cliff Bell’s, known for its jazz performances, has a cozy vibe and a great cocktail selection. Jazz lovers can also head to Baker’s, an iconic Detroit venue with a rich history that has hosted some of the world’s most famous jazz musicians. With live performances every night, it’s an ideal location for couples who want to enjoy smooth music in an intimate setting.

Combining Adventures for an Unforgettable Date

For a truly unforgettable date, why not combine some of these activities? Start with a helicopter ride, followed by dinner at a restaurant like Mabel Gray or Selden Standard, then head out for an escape room challenge or a ghost tour to keep the excitement going. Or, if you prefer a laid-back yet fun evening, start with dinner at Buddy’s Pizza, then enjoy live music at Cliff Bell’s or Baker’s.

No matter what combination you choose, the key to a great date night is creating a mix of experiences that both you and your date will enjoy. Whether you’re after a night of luxury and fine dining or looking for an action-packed adventure, Metro Detroit offers plenty of ways to make your winter date nights memorable.

End the Night on a High Note

And if your date night takes an unexpected turn or just doesn’t go as planned, there’s no need to worry. Head over to The Raven Lounge, Detroit’s oldest blues bar, where you can unwind and enjoy some live blues music to cap off the evening. Whether you’re celebrating or commiserating, The Raven Lounge offers a cozy, laid-back atmosphere perfect for reflecting on your night.

So, whether you’re looking for romance, excitement, or a bit of both, Metro Detroit has the perfect mix of options to warm up your date night this winter.