VenueNow Guide: Melbourne’s Best Date Night Spots

Melbourne is one helluva romantic city. It's all mood lighting, lush gardens and European-style alleyways and bars. But each date is as individual and nuanced as the people taking part.

Whether it’s with your spouse, your significant other, your Tinder/Bumble/RSVP date, or even with your best pal, heading out and about with the one you love, or the one you’d love to get on the pump with, is a great way to spend an evening.

So, let's delve into the minds of the VenueNow team, to see what they name as Melbourne's best date night spots.

Michael, Venue Booking Manager:  Harley House! Down a city laneway, and below street level; you step into the land of Pisco sours and tasty Peruvian food! Large open space with lots of cosy spots and a great energy. Especially nice on a winter's evening — you feel like you're all tucked up in a cave.

Leah, Venue Booking Manager: My most recent memorable date would have to be my birthday dinner at Tonka — sister venue to Coda. Nestled just off Flinders Lane, Tonka offers delicious modern Indian flavours, accompanied by an award-winning wine list and a gorgeous ceiling installation that runs through the restaurant.

Lauren, Corporate Business Development Manager: I'm a fan of a Sunday afternoon rosé in the sun, and there's no better spot than the rooftop at Richmond Club Hotel; the view back to the city, plenty of room and normally a very relaxed vibe. Plus, once you're done with the bottle of rosé, there's $12 Aperols on offer. It's a winner!

James, co-founder and CTO: One of my favourite date spots was out in the Yarra Valley at Yering Station Winery - the venue is filled with amazing wines and delicious snacks. The garden lawns are beautiful and comfy to have a little picnic over a bottle of wine on a sunny day.

Sagie, Marketplace Growth Manager: We went to True South the other week. Cannot recommend the lamb brains more - yum yum!

Hayley, Content Producer: Pour one out for my deceased favourite date spot, Shebeen (RIP, you will be missed). My new ideal date spot is definitely a corner seat at Bad Frankie's and sitting there for hours. Leonard's House of Love for fried chicken and cocktails is also a go-to. Essentially, anything with dim lighting and tasty treats.

Marcus, Marketplace Growth Manager: I'm not overly romantic, but I don't mind racking up some balls at Pulo Pool Parlour and having a hit with the missus.

Kira, Venue Booking Manager: The best date spot is the Malthouse — it's super cool and you can have sneaky bevs/food outside beforehand and then be all fancy and watch the the-a-tre, holding hands and whatnot.

Ming, Developer: My favourite date spots are any gardens or parks. Carlton Gardens is a favourite.

Grace, Marketplace Growth Manager: The Royal Melbourne Zoo is pretty good for a couple of reasons:

1. If the date is terrible, you can always just look at cute animals.
2. If the date is good, you get to top it off by looking at cute animals.

Also, if you're a serial dater, buy an annual membership. You can get brownie points by "shouting" your date their ticket (its actually free for members), and then they'll repay you by buying the drinks after.

Hamza, Head of Product: Sezar —my wife and I went there for our ninth anniversary! Nice and cozy grub nook tucked in neatly in the heart of the city. Ambient lighting complemented by aphrodisiac Armenian delicacies provide a perfect setting for a first-date or an anniversary dinner.

Kayetlyn, Accounts Assistant: Some good BBQ at San Antone at Crown, followed by a movie, or join in on some of the festivities that happen along Southbank, (there's always something).

Rebecca, Content Manager: I’ve never really been one for a proper ‘date night’ (even saying it grosses me out), but I guess my girlfriend and I are partial to a night scampering around Melbourne, sinking cocktails and catching some music. A rad night out would be dumplings and a bottle of wine, followed by a gig and some art at NGV Fridays, then a few more drinks somewhere like Monty’s or Double Happiness.

Ellie, Venue Booking Manager: Alrighty, let's just say Clay Pots in St Kilda. Beautiful seafood restaurant. the courtyard has magical boat lights hanging from the trees and a string quartet playing 1920's music. The food is fresh and delicious!

Pip, Content Producer: The way to my heart is through my stomach, so pretty much anywhere that has excellent food and wine is a winner for me. A while back, I went on a pretty mediocre date at Circa — but the venue was so visually striking and the food so delicious that I didn't mind at all.

Perhaps your date went super well and you need a venue to host your upcoming engagement party? Head to VenueNow for some more inspo (and to book)!