There are dime-a-dozen date ideas to explore in Cape Town’s summertime, but when winter comes around, most of us are guilty of opting for the safe bet of Netflix and chilling or a home-cooked meal.
These ideas might be the epitome of romance for the homebody, but for the couple who misses getting out and about, there’s a lot more to the City’s dating scene in winter beneath the icy chill of our weather.
So, what are lovebirds to do? Here are 5 winter dates in the Cape that don’t include Netflix:
1. Go for a romantic meal and get cosy by a fireplace
Exchange the hot water bottle or electric blankets and food deliveries for a fireplace, a soul-warming hot beverage and a delicious meal at a cosy spot like Kloof Street – if you’re looking for a classy, vintage-themed evening out where you can enjoy fireside drinks in the homely library room.
Keep an eye out for the travelling case bar.
2. Go on an out-of-this-world date at the planetarium
Watching the stars has, from the time of our ancestors, been considered flirtation with the universe at its finest. If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world date pick with a side of intellect, then the SAAO planetarium on Observatory Rd is ready to leave you and your partner starstruck.
It’s a date – on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 8pm.
3. Get creative at a cafe and paint something you’ll both keep
Winter means we can’t always rely on nature to paint colour into our lives, but luckily there are a few spots in Cape Town where you can do it yourself.
In the city, Hout Bay and in Paarl, lie the famous creative date spots, the Clay Cafes. These are a fabulous date choice to unlock your love and inner artists.
4. Go on a classic movie-night date – vintage or modern
The original date night – perhaps, one could argue, the parents to the moden-day ‘Netflix and chill’ notion.
From IMAX laser technology and luxurious Prestige experiences to nostalgic 2D and authentically old-fashioned, going to the movies can take shape at a few spots in Cape Town.
For your next date, however, why not try somewhere old or somewhere brand new?
The Labia Theatre, South Africa’s oldest independent art cinema, allows you to savour the melancholy of movies the old-fashioned way, with ticket stubs, popcorn in a brown paper packet and a Coca-Cola in a glass bottle.
For a more contemporary experience, Ster Kinekor offers a viewing experience adorned with elite pleasures: ‘Love Nests’ for the ultimate cuddle, wide reclining seats for extra comfort, snack options beyond popcorn and drink combos being brought straight to your seat just before the start of the movie.
Time-tested and filled with popcorn, shoulder-snuggles and the interlocking of fingers – it’s a classic date choice for good reason.
5. Book a bookstore date
The smell of old books has always had a romantic quality about it. If words are your love language and books had your heart first, then a bookstore date should definitely go on your shelf of ideas.
For a quaint city setting, try the Book Lounge in the CBD on Roeland Street. As an independent bookshop for hungry minds, the Book Lounge is just waiting for you and your date to dig into any and every genre.
If you’re looking to head out of town, Peregrine Farm Stall along the N2 has an enchanting book gem beyond its pop-up stalls and cafe, Liberty Books – iconic for its circular reading nook. Go a little further and you’ll find the Book Bus, which will take you on a literary ride.
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