It’s good to have some activity on a night out beyond the dinner and drinks. Why not bond over your strike skills (or lack thereof) at Bowlero Lanes & Lounge? The retro bowling alley has mid-century decor, some nods to The Big Lebowski, DJs, and a swanky cocktail lounge.

The folks behind cheese and wine shop Mongers’ Provisions have branched out to Berkley is now home to the Rind, a wine bar from the folks at Monger’s Provisions. Expect the spot’s famous gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and charcuterie and cheese boards, along with a brief menu of small plates. Order wine from the bar or the spot’s bottle shop, where one can crack open a bottle for a small fee.

If you’re going out with another couple or two, a group date at Detroit Axe will test your skills. Take aim at the target, choose some board games to play after, and snack on bar food like mac and cheese and sliders, or, in the case of the Corktown location, nachos and tacos. Detroit Axe also features a full bar.

If your dating profile includes phrases like “loves the outdoors,” then Coriander’s canal-side dining is the place to meet up for an outdoorsy date. This casual spot offers a garden-like setting with views of the water (some folks even kayak to the restaurant) and a regularly changing scratch menu featuring local produce that’s romantic without being stuffy. Extended daytime hours during the week are now available, as is a grab-and-go retail section convenient for picnickers, space for private events, and community-focused programming like live music.

Every new couple in Detroit has to wander through the DIA at some point. Meet at Kresge Court and chat over a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or a coffee, then take some time strolling through the exhibits. If it goes well, have dinner across the street at Chartreuse.

Live out a Mad Men fantasy at this mid-century-inspired cocktail lounge in Midtown. Located in the Hammer & Nail Building, the lounge has a chill vibe, a colorful selection of cocktails like the Nitro Russian with Stolichnaya House vodka, coffee liqueur, and optional cream. Its most recent offering is Detroit Sushi, helmed by Shinya Hirakawa. Diners can choose from a selection of rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Ideal for those situations when one drink turns into a couple, and before you know it, you’re both hungry.

Classic cocktails, thrumming live music, and the potential for dancing make this painstakingly restored Art Moderne cabaret a worthy destination for an evening of drinks. Comfy upholstered booths and bar seats all face the stage, directly behind the bar, for maximum visibility.

You’re getting to know your new boo’s tastes, so why not test them out at Vigilante Kitchen and Bar. The menu features Midwestern comfort food with Asian influences and classical French techniques like hot chicken bao or an open-faced crab rangoon, along with special beer collaborations with neighboring Nain Rouge Brewery. What sets this place apart is its approach to wellness among its workforce. Chef and partner Aaron Cozadd is incorporating drug counseling, fitness memberships, and meditation sessions into the employee list of optional benefits to assist individuals who need help with support and recovery from substance use. While the spot’s altruistic ambitions are sure to be a conversation starter, when it’s time to grab the check and see what else the evening has to offer, there’s Barcade next door — featuring old school arcade games like Ms. Pac Man, pinball, and Centipede.

The Siren Hotel has numerous ways to impress that special someone. Start at Candy Bar for the vintage, glam decor and a nostalgic cocktail. Hang out with a glass of wine and records at Paramita Sound. Then, if you’re ready to show off your talents, take your brave companion to Sid Gold’s Request Room and serenade them during piano karaoke. For something splurgier, try the tasting menu at Albena.

Fans of Detroit architecture, fire stations, and wine will find plenty to talk about at this expansive, Eater Award-winning natural wine bar in southwest Detroit. Tucked away on Vinewood Street, Ladder 4 promises moody lighting and a thoughtful selection of wines, a retail shop so couples can take a bottle home to share, along with an impressive food menu ranging from wine-friendly snacks like marinated olives to sharable entrees, which have included like latkes and caviar — all housed inside a decommissioned fire house. In warmer weather, the venue expands outdoors with terrace and garden seating.

Capture early 20th century Paris, meets Detroit at Le Suprême, a brasserie where diners can indulge in specialties like escargot a la bourguignon, tuna carpaccio, seafood towers, and moules frites. To drink, the bar features a selection of more than 300 wines and Champagnes, absinthe service, and cocktails. Decadent desserts prepared in the in-house patisserie include a creme brulee made with Tahitian vanilla bean; profiteroles filled with ice cream and topped with warm dark chocolate; and a lemon tarte accented with pistachio and strawberries. Round out the evening of romance on the 14th floor of the Book Tower for a night cap at Kamper’s.

Conversation or dancing could be on the menu depending on when you stop by Motor City Wine. Share a bottle of Detroit Love with your love, sit back, and listen to the night’s live band. If it’s warm out, Motor City Wine has one of the best patios in the city. You and your date can share a charcuterie board or snack on bites from the guest chef.

This Corktown cocktail bar and distillery is a favorite for dates. It’s quiet, but not too quiet. Nice, but not too fancy. And the drinks are consistently good. Order a classic Manhattan while your date tries a seasonal selection. Need a bite to eat? Two James regularly hosts pop-ups and is surrounded by excellent restaurants including scene-y Northern Thai favorite Takoi and sister restaurant, Supergeil.

Gaze at the Detroit (and Windsor!) skyline from the 71st floor of the Ren Cen. Appropriate for a special occasion or a classy night out, Highlands opened in 2019 with a steakhouse, bar, and event space. Need a conversation starter? A memorable scene with George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight takes place in this location.

When you’re looking for an intimate, yet casual setting for a romantic round of drinks and oysters, Mink offers a unique experience. Sit at the bar and marvel at the crew as they get to shucking, plating, and interacting with guests. Guests can opt to order a la carte from the spot’s selection of fresh oysters from across the country or an array of tinned seafood snacks. Or, go all out and make reservations to try a five-course tasting menu (available with optional beverage pairing), which switches out every month. Recent tasting menu offerings have included as a lobster olive loaf, scallop ambrosia salad, and a swordfish casserole.