Photo courtesy of universitycircle.org
This Cleveland landmark is the perfect place for an outdoorsy date night during any season. The area is filled to the brim with museums and cultural landmarks, which you could explore after a relaxing stroll or a picnic in the park. In the summer, lay down a blanket and dance along to reggae, jazz and rock during the free Wednesday night concerts. And in the winter, grab a hot chocolate from a nearby shop and twirl around the whimsical outdoor ice skating rink.
Photo courtesy of the Tabletop Board Game Cafe
Sometimes, a chill night of board games is just what the doctor ordered — especially after a long week. While mixing up a cocktail and breaking out SORRY at home is always a good option, we love spending time at the Tabletop Board Game Cafe. Here, you and your loved one can enjoy the perks of a full-service bar and restaurant alongside a selection of more than 1000 classic board games. There's bound to be one on the shelves you haven't yet tried!
Photo courtesy of Vino Veritas Cellars
In Cleveland, we are lucky to be located right near the heart of Ohio's wine country, so naturally, there are so many great options to choose from when it comes to sharing a bottle. However, Brooklyn's newest occupant, Vino Veritas Cellars, is one of our absolute favorites for date night. The winery is surrounded by residential streets, but the 2.3 acre paradise feels like it's worlds away from the city. Chat with the owner, Anthony Nunes Insana, while you sip from a bottle of Chardonnay, Cabernet, or Cougar Juice (a Michigan cherry wine), or walk down the path to a private seating area, where a bocce court awaits. Need another reason to love this Vino Veritas? A portion of the proceeds from the winery benefits Awakening Angels, a non-profit that helps individuals with developmental challenges.
The West Side Market is one of Cleveland's most recognizable landmarks — and is an absolute must for any out-of-town guests that are visiting. The market is open until 6 pm on Friday and Saturday nights, which allows a bit of time to stroll through the lively market on an early date night, admiring the freshly baked breads, fresh produce and seafood. This is an excellent place to grab a snack and enjoy people watching, or else stock up on some groceries to make a gourmet dinner at home.
Photo courtesy of Brian McCracken via Griffin Cider House
As long as you're in the Lakewood neighborhood, make it a point to stop by Griffin Cider House (although, the pub is reason enough to make the trip). The charming house-like exterior opens into a cozy English-style pub with modern touches, and a cozy backroom dubbed "The Gin Palace." Expect a wide range of ciders from dry to sweet, as well as a few specialty cocktails!
Photo courtesy of 16-Bit
This arcade-meets-bar is the place to go for a bit of friendly competition. Grab a cocktail from the bar (our favorites are the cleverly named "Hulk Hogan" and "David Hasselhoff"), and then take your pick of more than 40 classic video games. Loser has to buy the next round.