Date Night (and Day) Experiences in Worthington

You don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day to plan a date night! Heck, you don’t even have to wait for it to be night! Here are some ideas for dates in and around Worthington.

By Nicholas Dekker

Video Games and Cocktails at Level One
Level One Bar + Arcade at Crosswoods offers a room full of 1980s arcade games and pinball machines. For the adults there’s a great selection of craft beer and fun cocktails with names like Princess Peach or Frogger. They offer non-alcoholic drinks, too. Tip: pair video games with a movie or dinner nearby like Wurst und Bier, Sushiko, or Lotus Grill.

Create Something Together in Old Worthington
Get crafty the historic district! Join a class or reserve a spot to create something together, whether it’s printing your own posters, binding books, and other projects at Igloo Letterpress; pouring custom-scented candles at The Candle Lab; or building and decorating your own signs, centerpieces, trays at AR Workshop. Tip: pair your projects with dinner at The Whitney House, Old Bag of Nails, Everest, The Half Pint, Dewey’s, or La Chatelaine.

Sample Wine or Beer Together
Visit Zaftig Brewing to sample from their menu of big, flavorful beers like IPAs, barleywines, and stouts. Enjoy dinner from local food trucks, and catch live jazz Thursday nights from 7-10 p.m. House Wine lets you sample wines by the glass or order up beer on tap. It’s the ideal atmosphere to hang out as a couple, and maybe grab a bottle or two to bring home. Or head over to Random Precision Brewing to sip on sour beers and cocktails. (Learn more about Random Precision here.)

Go to the Movies at Crosswoods
Lounge in style while you catch the latest blockbusters on the big screen. Marcus Cinemas at Crosswoods features reserved seating, a full bar, food, and a game room. Tip: make it a daytime date with Crosswoods’ $5 Tuesdays.

Build Your Own Bouquets at Ampersand
At Ampersand Flowers & Events, you can sign up to build your own floral bouquets, often using flowers from local farms. If you’re making it a group date, host a build-your-own Bouquet Occasion.

A Romantic Dinner at La Chatelaine
La Chatelaine’s cozy confines will whisk you away to the French countryside. Visit during the day for coffee, quiche, and pastries, or grab a table for two at dinner. Feast on French classics like vol au au vent, boeuf bourguignon, and bassa meunière. And don’t forget a glass of wine and a luscious dessert!

Learn Local History While You Stroll
Pick up Worthington history booklet at the Worthington Historical Society in the Old Rectory – they’re only $2! Then use it as a guide to explore the historic district. Learn about the people, buildings, and events that shaped Worthington since its founding in 1803.

A Coffee Date at Highline
Snag a quiet moment over a cappuccino and a brownie at Highline Coffee! View the artwork in the Art Space, and shop Shift Studios and Branchline Leather.

Explore International Eats Around Worthington
Be adventurous together and try a new type of cuisine! Sample Indian and Nepali dishes at Everest in Old Worthington, dig in to curries and tandoori specialties at Aangan Bistro, savor Szechuan Chinese favorites at Helen’s Asian Kitchen, plus more Chinese delicacies at Lotus Grill.

Dinner and a Show at the MAC!
Pair dinner in or around Worthington with a concert and a visit to the free gallery space at the McConnell Arts Center! Have dinner at Cameron’s American Bistro, then reserve tickets for a night of jazz, the MACCO chamber orchestra, or one of the visiting dance companies. Arrive early to enjoy the latest exhibitions on display.

Happy Hour at The Whitney House
It’s hard to beat the happy hour specials at The Whitney House! From 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, select wines, beers, and house punch are on sale, and all snacks are half off. Start with happy hour and stick around for dinner, like warm brie, seared scallops, pork chops, plus their daily specials. Or even make it a stop for late-night drinks!

Drinks and a show at The Light of Seven Matchsticks and Natalie’s
Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza is a two-fer: you can start your night with fun cocktails and creative bar snacks at the underground speakeasy, The Light of Seven Matchsticks, and then make your way upstairs for dinner and live music. Natalie’s hosts music most nights of the week, so you’re sure to find a new favorite amongst their lineup of blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, acoustic, and more.