Are you constantly Googling “unique date night ideas in Christchurch”? Forgo the usual ‘dinner and a movie’ and opt for something adventurous, sans kids.
When you’re chasing multiple kids around all day, it’s no surprise that your relationship with your partner can take a backseat. Ōtautahi has a bustling bar and restaurant scene, but if you want to do something different together, these unique date night ideas in Christchurch are a great chance to reconnect and rekindle the flame.
Read more: Christchurch Gyms With Childcare: Crèches, Play Areas and Family-Friendly Hours
Unique date night ideas in Christchurch:
Battle Axe Throwing
If finding unique date night ideas in Christchurch is on the agenda, add this to your list. An activity dating back to the Middle Ages, axe-throwing is a great stress relief from a hectic day (how many times did your toddler ask for water at bedtime?) and a fun, competitive game for the two of you to ‘battle’ it out with. Perhaps the loser does the night feed?
How much: $40 per person
Book here.
Battle Axe Throwing, Unit 1/105 Orbell Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, www.battleaxethrowing.nz
Pinot and Picasso’s Neon Night
We love a good paint’n’sip, but did you know that Pinot and Picasso run a neon night? For ages 18 and over, the three-hour experience promises great tunes, and vibes, and brings your artwork to life under neon lighting. Wear white, bring your favourite drinks and stay for the after-party. This glow-in-the-dark experience adds a whole other dimension to date night.
How much: From $69 per person.
Book here.
Pinot and Picasso, 399 Montreal Street, Christchurch, www.pinotandpicasso.nz
Karma Creative Studios Craft ‘n’ Sip
If painting isn’t your jam, Karma Creative Studios hosts cool creative workshops throughout the month. From jewellery making to pot painting, clay sculpting and candle crafting, sessions at Crafted Coffee (121 Blenheim Road, Riccarton) run between 90 minutes to three hours. Some of the ‘sip’ sessions include bottomless drinks and nibbles for the price of your ticket, otherwise, you’ll have the chance to buy from the bar menu.
How much: Tickets start from $69 ($89 for a bottomless ticket)
Book here.
Karma Creative Studios, www.karmacreativestudios.com
Scared Scriptless at The Court Theatre
From now until Friday, 20 December 2024, Scared Scriptless is quick, naughty and will have you in stitches. Running each week at the Court Theatre in Addington, “The Court Jesters deliver Ōtautahi Christchurch’s favourite unscripted-laugh-fest.” Entirely improvised, the 75-minute performance is a fun way to unwind on a Friday evening and kickstart date night into high gear.
How much: Tickets cost between $16 – $25
Book here.
The Court Theatre, 36 Clarence Street South, Addington, Christchurch, www.courttheatre.org.nz/whats-on/scared-scriptless
Catnap Café
Who doesn’t love cats, cake and coffee? Tucked away on Colombo Street, Catnap Café is open during the day for visits, but also runs events which would be perfect for unique date nights in Christchurch! Spend a relaxing evening together playing board games, doing ‘cat-cows’ in their night yoga session or curling up with the cats over a movie – keep your eye on their events calendar for inspiration.
How much: $15 per person for a 55-minute session with the cats. Event tickets start from $20. If you are unable to arrange childcare, note that only children five years and over are allowed in with the cats.
Book here.
Catnap Café, 391 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, www.catnapcafe.co.nz
Phatsk8 Weekend Disco
Kick it old-school and sign up for an ‘adults-only’ weekend roller disco. This family-owned and operated business strives to teach people to skate and holds regular public sessions and weekend events that promise great tunes and an even better time together. What could be more romantic than holding hands and skating to Abba?
How much: $15 per person
Book here.
Phatsk8, www.phatsk8.co.nz
Ferrymead Golf Driving Range
Grab a drink, hit a couple of balls… grab another drink. Ferrymead Golf has an all-weather driving range that is ideal to either up your golf game or as a bit of fun between you. There is also a brand-new, jungle-themed 12-hole mini-course if you want to up the ante!
How much: From $12 for 50 balls. Club hire included. Mini golf costs $15 per adult.
Book here.
Ferrymead Golf, 68/100 Ferrymead Park Drive, Ferrymead, Christchurch, www.ferrymeadgolf.co.nz
Wine Tasting Flight at Cellar Door
Dates and fine wine usually pair well together, so why not go the extra mile and try a tasting flight? Set in the stunning Arts Centre, Cellar Door offer an extensive selection of local and international wines, craft beer, gin, whisky and a seasonal menu to compliment the current wine list. Whether it’s lunch, dinner or nibbles, pair it with a thematic and curated 4 x 40ml wine taster, presented with tasting notes to take home.
How much: Wine flights start from $17.50. Take a look at the flight menus here.
Book here.
Cellar Door, Arts Centre of Christchurch, 1 Hereford Street, Christchurch, www.cellardoor.nz
An Intimate Wine-Pairing Dinner at Otahuna Lodge
Have an occasion coming up, or feel like you deserve a treat? (read: you do). Otahuna Lodge’s intimate wine-pairing dinner is rather special. Firstly, the lodge is stunning. Holding so many treasures, Otahuna was built in 1895 and influenced by the style and scale of noble English country estates. Its four-course set dinner menu is served communally in the ‘opulent’ formal dining room, amongst “ornate original wallpaper, a roaring fire and sparkling candlesticks.” Have a sitter who can take the kids overnight? Settle into a gorgeous suite and make the most of its stunning gardens, swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi. Pre-dinner drinks with canapes are included in your reservation, as are tea, coffee, and a bottle of premium wine from the cellar.
How much: Dinner reservations start from $250 per person.
Book here.
Otahuna Lodge, 224 Rhodes Road Tai Tapu, Christchurch, www.otahuna.co.nz
Custom Picnic for Two
Crossley & Co’s “Romance for Two” package could be the perfect date night. Including up to 2.5-hour hire, a full set up and pack down (with delivery/collection), let this bespoke picnic company take the lead and set up a cosy date in a location of your choice. Starting from $149, with the added option of a charcuterie board for a further $79, they’ll supply all the rugs, cushions, decor and candles. At the same time, you turn up and enjoy an intimate evening together.
How much: $149 for 2.5 hours and $79 for the charcuterie board.
Book here.
Crossley & Co, www.crossleyandco.com
La Dolce Vita Italian Cooking Class
Book a private pasta-making class with La Dolce Vita. Running a variety of sessions throughout the week, choose from learning how to roll potato Gnocchi, making fresh Fettuccine and Ravioli, or grab your friends in need of date night and book a private 2-hour class (minimum numbers of 8) with a three-course menu to choose from. Rather learn as a couple? They also run a private class for two ($220 per person), which includes two main courses, two antipasto choices and a dessert! Each session is BYO.
How much: $90 per person (afternoon class); $100 per person (evening class) with minimum numbers of 8. A private class for two people cost $220 per person. BYO.
More information on what is included here.
La Dolce Vita, 49 Wiggins Street, Sumner, Christchurch, www.italiancookingclassesladolcevita.com
Watch the Sunset on the Pink Lady Rooftop
“Unwind and indulge” in top-notch drinks and even better 360-degree views. Perched on top of The Muse Hotel, wrap up on a chilly night and toast to making it through another week of parenthood. After several delicious and highly Instagrammable cocktails, head down to Pink Lady‘s sister restaurant, Seven, whose “dedication to local producers and suppliers promises you the finest local produce through captivating, innovative dishes,” and unmatched wine pairings.
Book a table at Pink Lady here and Seven here.
Pink Lady, Level 7/159 Manchester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, www.pinkladyrooftop.co.nz
Dice & Slice
Kick back with a few drinks and board games at this unique café in Christchurch. With over 250 games, fresh, New York-style Pizza to snack on, and a great selection of beer, wine and cocktails, this chill option for a unique date night is an easy choice for when you’re unsure where to go.
How much: All games are free to play with the purchase of food or drink. Bookings are highly recommended.
Book here.
Dice & Slice, 181 High Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, www.diceandslice.co.nz
Adult-Only Hot Pool Session at He Puna Taimoana or Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa
We’re lucky to have two hot pools close to the Garden City, both of which make relaxing and unique date night ideas. Hu Puna Taimoana in New Brighton hosts an adult-only, late-night session on Fridays from 8pm to 9.45pm and Ōpuke has adult-only “Tranquility Pools” that are available throughout the day, complete with a swim-up bar. Make a day of it out in Methven, as the pools are attached to a day spa that offers facials, wellness, body and signature treatments.
How much: Hu Puna Taimoana – $20 per person; Ōpuke – $65 per person for two hours or $81 per person for four hours.
Book Hu Puna Taimoana here or Ōpuke here.
He Puna Taimoana, 195 Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch, www.hepunataimoana.co.nz
Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa, 35 Mount Hutt Station Road, Methven, www.opuke.nz
Serve Ping Pong Club
If hitting the clubs isn’t your jam, how about a ping-pong version? This 18-and-over bar takes things to the next level by serving delicious food and drink and inviting you to play ping-pong and darts under cool neon lighting and great tunes. Serve Ping Pong Club charges $15 per person per hour, book for up to two hours for groups of two and up to 60.
How much: $15 per person per hour. Bookings essential.
Book here.
Serve Ping Pong Club, 166 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, www.yourserve.co.nz
“Learn to Brew” with the Brew Academy
Open Wednesday through to Saturday, Brew Academy “is the only place in Christchurch where beer lovers can learn to homebrew, and where Gin Lovers can create their blend too.” For those whose tipple of choice is gin, book a four-hour class learning the basics of gin making, choose the blend of botanicals that goes into your gin, and take home a 200ml bottle of your bespoke blend. Those preferring beer can opt for four hours of the fundamentals of producing an all-grain brew. The cost is inclusive of all of your ingredients and 20L of your beer to be bottled at a later date. Round off your date with a pint from ‘The Tap Room,’ housing the biggest selection of ChinChiller brews and delicious eats.
How much: $160 per person for a four-hour class.
Book here.
Brew Academy, 84 Falsgrave Street, Waltham, Christchurch, www.brewacademy.co.nz
Ride the Chairlift at Night in the Adventure Park
Not only somewhere you take your kids to tire them out for the day, Christchurch Adventure Park is open on Wednesday nights from 5-7pm during winter so that you can ride the trails in the dark. If biking isn’t your speed, buy a pair of passes to ride the chairlift and check out the views of Christchurch at night. The café will be open for at least an hour after the last chair is called, so stop in for a beer and a bite after a romantic loop around the hills.
PSA: Wednesday is also “Wing Wednesday,” cooking up $1 all-day wings.
How much: A single chairlift pass (without bikes) starts from $35. Night riders are required to bring a torch with them that is at least 600 lumens.
Book here.
Christchurch Adventure Park, 225 Worsleys Road, Cracroft, Christchurch, www.christchurchadventurepark.com
At-home Pottery Pack by Katie Jenssen
Can’t secure a sitter for the evening? Unique date night ideas in Christchurch can easily extend to your home. Well-known Ceramic Artist, Katie Jenssen, has launched a “Pottery Party Pack” – an at-home kit that can be collected from her studio in Kaiapoi in advance – that helps you to craft your own masterpiece. Whether it’s Katie’s famed ‘boobie’ mugs that you’re keen to replicate or gooey drip tumblers that you’ve had your eye on, set up in the comfort of your own home and drop the pack and your finished creations back to Katie’s studio to be fired in the kiln. The pack includes everything needed to make a mug (including all-important instructions!), and more clay can be purchased if you wish to make more things. The pack is pre-prepped for five people, so you could invite friends or make extra things with the leftover clay as there is enough for five mugs.
How much: $225. This includes everything you need to set up for five people, each additional person is an extra $45. For bookings of less than five people, the price remains the same and you can split the extra clay. The cost would still cover the firing of five mugs or mug-sized pieces.
More info and bookings here.
