Looking for something fun to do in Fresno with your significant other? Check out my extensive list of date night ideas! We’ve covered everything, whether you’re looking for a romantic evening or an activity-filled day. From theater and museums to farmers’ markets and zoos, there’s something for everyone in Fresno. So get out there and explore your city with these things to do in Fresno for couples.
Who knows, you might just find a new favorite date night spot.
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My Personal Favorite Date Night in Fresno
We lived in Fresno, California, for seven years, and during that time, my husband and I went on A LOT of date nights. Like every couple, we fell into a routine when we could get out for the night.
Typically, we would start our night out by eating dinner at Colton’s Social House in Clovis. The food is excellent, and the service is top-notch. If you go, don’t forget to check out their seasonal cocktail menu for fabulous drinks.
Then, depending on our moods, we would head to a brewery or the Modernist in downtown Fresno for some after-dinner drinks.
We like to do that, but everyone is different, so keep reading for the best places for a date in Fresno.
Best Romantic Date Night Restaurants in Fresno
For a romantic evening out, look no further than local! The Fresno area offers plenty of great restaurants perfect for date night. From intimate bistros to upscale dining, there’s something for everyone.
Check out these restaurants for your special date night if you want to splurge on dinner.
- Cracked Pepper Bistro: a Californian-style bistro with a seasonal menu featuring local ingredients & nightly specials.
- The Lime Light: An elegant, long-running eatery offering New American dishes, innovative cocktails & a patio.
- Flemmings: A high-end steakhouse chain with aged prime beef & classics such as lobster tails.
- Schoolhouse Tavern in Sanger: A historical brick schoolhouse established in 1921 that offers New American fare in a relaxed atmosphere.
- The Palms: An elegant destination for upscale American fare featuring a curated wine list in a sophisticated space.
- Parma Restaurant: Go for traditional Italian Cuisine and homemade pasta dishes.
- Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar: An upscale eatery with an old-school vibe and a menu of steaks & chops.
- Oggi Cosi Si Mangia: Located in Fresno’s historic Tower District on Van Ness Avenue, it serves fine traditional Italian Cuisine.
- Starving Artists Bistro: A simple eatery showcases local artists & musicians while providing a menu of American fare, beer, and cocktails.
- Campagnia Bistro: An upscale eatery that offers a menu and relaxed ambiance inspired by California
- Five Restaurant: A contemporary eatery with a patio serving pasta, pizza & other Italian fares with Californian flair.
Best Places to Grab a Drink in Fresno on Date Night
Fresno has plenty of options if you’re looking for a great place to take your date for drinks. Here are the six best places to go in Fresno for a night out.
- Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar: a craft cocktail bar located in the Brewery District in Downtown Fresno
- Mad Duck Craft Brewing Co: An airy, brick-walled tavern serving small-batch brews, burgers & New American bar bites.
- The Lincoln Pub & Grub: A locally owned restaurant and bar in Fresno’s historic Tower District offering a fantastic selection of craft cocktails, beers, wines, and food items.
- Quail State: Located in Downtown Fresno on an industrial-chic rooftop, this bar offers farm-to-table dining, creative cocktails & local beers.
- Spokeasy Public House: If you are looking for a relaxed hangout featuring hard-to-find craft beers & classic arcade games like pinball & Skee-Ball in the Tower District, look no further than Spokeasy Public House.
- The Standard: This is the spot in Northeast Fresno if you are looking for a loungey site with an American menu, bottle service & regular live music in the outdoor cabana area.
Best Breweries in Fresno for Date Night
If you’re looking for a fun and romantic night out, why not check out one of Fresno County’s many breweries? There are many to choose from, each with its unique atmosphere and flavor. Here are some of our favorites.
- MachineHead Brewing Co.: Located in Clovis, it has a great variety of beers.
- Crow & Wolf Brewing Company: The family-friendly brewery is in the heart of Clovis, next to the Dry Creek trail.
- BarrelHouse Brewing Fresno – Taproom: Located in the River Park shopping center, this taproom has a large outdoor patio, live music, and a vast selection of craft beers.
- Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company Beer Garden: Across the street from Chuckshansi Park, this brewery has a large outdoor patio and hosts some great events.
- South of Shaw Beer Company: Neighborhood brewpub and pizzeria in the historic Peerless building in downtown Fresno’s Mural District.
- Full Circle Brewing Co.: This Downtown Fresno brewery has unique craft beers and is known to have live entertainment.
Best Places to Grab Coffee on a Date in Fresno
If you’re looking for a great place to take your date, Fresno has no shortage of coffee shops. Here are some of the best places for coffee and good conversation.
- Collect Coffee Bar: Known for its signature roasts, light bites, and WiFi availability.
- Two Cities Coffee Roasters is a family-owned and operated café and coffee roastery in Historic Old Town Clovis, California.
- Kuppa Joy Coffee House is a cozy cafe with crafted coffee drinks in multiple locations around the valley.
- The Revue: Located in Fresno’s Tower District. The Revue offers a variety of specialty-crafted coffee and tea.
Best Fresno Wineries to Try on a Date
If you’re looking for a romantic date idea, why not try visiting some of Fresno’s best wineries? There are plenty to choose from, each with its unique atmosphere and wine offerings.
- Engelmann Cellars
- Dracaena Wines
- Toca Madera Winery
- Moravia Wines
Best Things to Do to Act Like a Kid on Your Date
Looking for something more than food and drinks for your date in Fresno? Here are some fun things and places in Fresno to let your inner kid run wild.
- Fresno Chaffee Zoo: Don’t let all the kids have fun at the zoo. The zoo is the perfect place to walk hand in hand while enjoying the animals.
- Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment: Can you say mini golf?
- Dave and Busters: Play some arcade games with a drink in your hand.
- Xcape Room Fresno
- Unlock Escape Rooms
- Puzzle Effect – Clovis
- MB2 Raceway – Clovis
- Metalmark Indoor Rock Climbing
Outdoor Date Ideas in Fresno
- Woodward Regional Park and Shinzen Friendship Garden: Take a walk and enjoy nature.
- Forestiere Underground Gardens: The perfect day date on the weekend
- Shaver Lake: Hiking, boating, paddle boating, and snow activities in the winter!
- Bass Lake: Same with Shaver Lake, there’s a plethora of activities to do and places to explore.
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Yosemite National Park
Museums and Other Experiences For Date Night
- Fresno Art Museum
- Meux Home Museum
- Kearney Mansion Museum
Farmers Markets
- River Park Farmers Market – Open year-round on Tuesday nights from 5 pm – 9 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am -3 pm. It’s a great place to make a night of it and grab a beer at BarrelHouse Brewing after walking around the market.
- Clovis Farmers Market – Located in Old Town Clovis, this farmers market is open on Friday nights from April 29 – October 28, 2022. What is fun about the Clovis Farmers Market is live music, food trucks, and great local restaurants to enjoy.
Go on a Picnic
Order food and take it to one of Fresno’s parks with great picnic areas. Our favorite parks in Fresno County:
- Oso de Oro Park
- Dry Creek Park
- Lost Lake Park
- Woodward Park
- Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Recurring Events Perfect for Date Nights
If you’re looking for something different to do on your next date night, why not try a recurring event? These events are held regularly and often have a specific theme or focus. This can make them more fun and interesting than going to the same old restaurant or movie theater. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to! Here are some of my Fresno favorites.
- Karaoke On The Patio at Shep’s Club on Tuesday at 8 pm
- Food Trucks at Gazebo Gardens on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5 p.m. -9 p.m. – Besides food trucks, there’s a beer garden and live music.
- CAWraoke Wednesdays With James Johnson at Crow & Wolf Brewing Company from 6 pm – 9 pm
- ArtHop on the first Thursday of the month in Downtown Fresno and the Tower District
- Food Trucks at Simonian Farms every Friday from 6 p.m.-9:30 pm
Seasonal Activities or Special Events in Fresno
- Island Waterpark in Fresno is open during the summer and offers water rides, pools, slides & kid play areas.
- Wild Waters in Clovis is a 52-acre water park with a wave pool, kiddie area, mat slides, a quick ride & more open during the summer.
- Fresno Grizzlies Minor League Baseball
- Big Fresno Fair – Usually takes place for two weeks in October.
- Fresno Bulldogs Football or other Fresno State sports games
- Old Town Flea Market at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds – Usually takes place on the weekend twice a year in November and May.
- Taco Truck Throwdown – try the best tacos in the Central Valley while enjoying live entertainment.
- The Clovis Rodeo is one of the top five rodeos in California and is a part of the ProRodeo/Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Tour. Buy tickets on Groupon for the 2023 Rodeo event on April 27th-April 30th here.
Plan the Date in Advance and Buy Tickets to a Live Event
- Save Mart Center: Go here for a live concert or other events.
- Saroyan Theatre – Spacious theater hosting concerts, operas, ballets & Broadway shows, plus other cultural events.
- Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center
- Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts
- Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater – A venue offering musical comedies accompanied by a served or buffet meal of American Cuisine, plus fun drinks.
- Warnors Center for the Performing Arts
Movie Theaters in Fresno
- The Regal Fresno Riverpark
- The Regal Marketplace @ El Paseo
- Maya Cinemas Fresno 16
- Sierra Vista Cinemas 16
- Barb’s Drive-In
I hope this list of date night ideas helps you and your loved one explore all that Fresno has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening or an action-packed day, there’s something for everyone in this city. So get out there and have some fun! And remember to save this post to reference later when you are looking for things to in Fresno for couples.
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