Ideas from the east end
Date night ideas in Toronto that aren’t another dinner
Dinner and a movie is fine. But the dates people actually remember usually involve doing something together, ideally something slightly outside your comfort zone. This list starts in our corner of the city and throws in a few classics.
- Rated 4.9 on Google
- Founded by World and British champions
- Adults only
- No partner needed
1. Learn a dance together on a weeknight
We’re biased, but there’s a reason a dance class keeps turning up on Toronto date lists. You’re learning something new side by side, you’ll both get it wrong at least once, and laughing at that is half the point.
At our studio on Queen Street East, Latin Thursdays start with a short class at 8:00, salsa or bachata depending on the week, then the floor opens for social dancing. Country Fridays work the same way with line dancing and country partner dancing. Either night is $10 for the class and the social, and nobody needs experience. Our guide to social dancing in Toronto explains what a first night is like.
One honest note: partners rotate during the lesson, so you’ll dance with other people too. Most couples find that’s the fun part, and you get each other back for the social.
Which dance night suits which couple
Latin Thursdays
If you both love music with a beat and don’t mind a bit of hip, start here. Unsure which of the two to focus on? Our salsa vs bachata comparison helps.
Country Fridays
Line dances don’t need a partner, so neither of you has to lead. Our page on line dancing for beginners explains how a first night goes.
A private lesson
Anniversary, engagement, a big birthday: book a lesson together and get a coach’s full attention. Couples are welcome to book private lessons together, from $140 + tax.
2. Walk the Beaches boardwalk, in any season
The boardwalk along the eastern beaches is one of the best free date walks in the city, and it’s a different date every season. Summer is busy and bright. On a cold, clear winter evening it’s nearly empty, the lake is dramatic, and you’ll want somewhere warm to duck into afterwards along Queen Street East.
If you have time before dinner, keep walking east to the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant. It’s an art deco landmark perched above the lake and an unexpectedly romantic backdrop.
More Toronto ideas worth stealing
A few dependable classics, for when you want to mix things up:
- Sunset from Riverdale Park East. Bring takeout from the Danforth, sit on the hill and watch the skyline change colour.
- The Distillery District after dark. Pedestrian cobblestone lanes and old brick buildings, best on an evening stroll.
- Graze through St. Lawrence Market. Build a picnic or a cheese board together; agree in advance who’s carrying it.
- Get lost in Kensington Market. Vintage shops, street food and murals, ideal for a slow afternoon.
- Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands. In warmer months, the view back to the city from the island boardwalk is hard to beat.
Our tip for any of them: plan the second half of the evening. A walk followed by a dance class, or a market followed by cooking together, beats a single activity every time.
3. A winter date that actually warms you up
Toronto winters push most dates indoors and onto the couch. A dance night is one of the few plans that leaves you warmer than when you arrived. Bring smooth-soled shoes in a bag so you’re not dancing in salty boots, and leave the heavy coat on a hook for an hour.
No parking lot of our own, but there are several Green P lots and street parking a short walk from the studio at 1501 Queen Street East.
Make it a date
Book a Latin Thursday or a Country Friday, or call and we’ll help you choose. Planning something bigger? A private lesson for two makes a lovely surprise.