You both look at the girls giggling while on your side of the table. The awkward silence just hit a new height. You grimace thinking back to your girlfriend saying “remember my friend? She’s dating a new guy and y’all will get along just great! He’s exactly like you,” and now realizing you have nothing in common except the latest in weather and sports. The waier swoops by with the check and you get in a dead stare down with the other dude just thinking about who will grab it.

You’re at dinner. You’re on a double date. Things just got weird.

Get away from boring, awkward dinner and a movie double dates, text up your homies in couples and mix it up with some of these funky, fresh date ideas to keep it real:

1. BYOB Art or Cooking Class

Sure, maybe you’ve done a cooking class with your mom or maybe a friend, but ever tried it as a date? And with booze? Really makes it interesting. Or what about an art class? I’m pretty sure the more wine you drink the better your painting gets, right?

Photo provided by Meghan Riegel.

2. Be a Local Tourist

So I’m sure you’ve been vibing in your city for a while. You know the lay of the land. The rad places to go. But ever tried hitting up the super touristy spots in your town? Probably not. Act like you’ve never been there. Hit up those terribly touristy spots. Heck, even bring along a disposable camera to snap some pics while you’re at it to make some memories. Honestly, you’d be amazed at what you’d find and see what you didn’t even know existed.

3. Art Gallery

This is one of my personal favorites. A while back I found myself strolling down the street with a date and stumbled on a local artist showing downtown. We already had on some snazzy threads and nowhere to be, so we snuck in. It was easily the best part of the night. Check into some artist showings in your area. It could be totally lame or rad, you never know. But it never hurts to check out your local artists and grab yourself some free Hors d'oeuvres and a drink. Have some fun with it, go in and act like an art critic. Really analyze the art and what the artist was really feeling when he threw that paint down on the canvas. It makes for an hour or two of good date fun and lots of good laughs.

4. Portable Projector and Stargazing

I mean yeah, you could do a drive in with another couple, but then you’ve gotta squeeze into one car and it just gets weird when one couple makes a move. Or have to take two cars, and it completely defeats the purpose of a double date. But with this, you’ve got yourself an experience. Just think how impressed your date will be if y’all roll out of town and throw up a sheet on the side of your car and project their favorite flick. Maybe throw down some blankets or even some fold out chairs. And when the movie’s over, just gaze up at some stars.

Photo provided by Jack Ellington.

5. Barcade

Yep. It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s an arcade…with a bar in it. What better way to spend a night out than bringing back all your favorite childhood games and topping it off with your favorite adult beverages. It’s really a best of both worlds situation here. From giant Jenga, skee ball, and air hockey to classics like Pac Man, Galaga and Centipede, these places have it all for hours of a good time.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

6. Volunteer Events

Whether it be an animal shelter or a local church event, volunteer opportunities are a bomb way to spend some time giving back to the community while spending some quality time with your date and friends. There’s plenty of time to chat with each other and have lots to do. Plus, I mean, you can find out if your date is down to give up some time to give back to others.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

7. Choose a Concert and Just Go

This is one for those looking for that spontaneous kind of vibe with a passion for good tunes. Meet up with your date and another couple and just scroll through some of the artists that’ll be playing in your area tonight. Then choose someone random. Maybe the artist with the funkiest name, or the one that has the most wacky bio. Snag yourself some tickets and just go. It may be hit or miss, but hey if you find someone rad then have yourself a good time and groove to the tunes. If not, it’s still an awesome adventure and a chance to spend some time with your date.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

8. Brewery Tour or Wine Tasting

Two totally different vibes, but I thought I’d couple (ha ha) them together anyways. First off, Brewery tours are sweet. I’m not talking about one of those big macro breweries with industrialized everything. I’m talking about one of your down home, local breweries that care about their customers and the experience of their beers. Most of them host weekend events with live bands and a couple beers for a decent price. It’s a good way to branch out a bit and just stand around for some good beer and casual conversation while jamming to some tunes.

Now, for wine tastings, you’ve yourself in a little more classy situation here. Throw on some dapper clothes and get over to a winery and feel it out. Even if you don’t like wine, it’s a fun way to explore a new environment and look snazzy doing it.

Photo provided by Travis Bannon.

9. Find the Best Ice Cream in the City

It seems so simple, but have you ever thought about it? What is the best ice cream in your city? Here’s your chance to find out. Do some research and check out all the local favorites and hit ‘em each up. It’s a great way to spend a hot, summer afternoon. Plus, who else do you know that can say without a doubt what the best local ice cream is from a single day taste test comparison? Oh yeah, you can now.

Photo provided by Sarina Price.

10. Midnight Breakfast

First off, if you don’t like breakfast food, you’re just wrong. Breakfast food is always dank and easily the best meal of the day. Hence why there are limitless places to hit up 24 hours to get some breakfast grub. Try hitting up your favorite diner with a date and some other couples late night. It’s a good mix up from the usual time for dates. Maybe you’ve got a date that has to work late. Or your friend you’re double dating with forgot she’s got a “thing.” Well here’s your chance to still make a double date go down, and get the best food of the day at a time that doesn’t even make sense.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

11. Go on a Hike

Break away from Netflix and chill and get some fresh air on a real date. Even more so, because if your idea for a double date is Netflix, I’m a little concerned. But that’s beside the point. A hike is a bomb way to get outdoors and spend some time with some other couples. It’ll give y’all something to do and plenty to talk about with all the sights. And it’s a great way to get some exercise and some rad photo opportunities.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

12. Dance Classes

Personally, I make a fool of myself when I groove to some tunes. But that’s what makes it that much more fun. Group dance classes are a great way to have a good laugh at your friends, or yourself, by learning some real moves other than the whip or dab. As cool as those moves are, get together with another couple and go out and do some salsa dancing, or maybe even tango a bit. Heck, do anything and it’ll be a nice mix up from the normal “dancing” you do when you’re out.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

13. Skeet Shooting

Maybe it’s my Texan coming out, but I don’t know what doesn’t sound great about this. How could you not think guns and couples go together perfectly? It’s a really great way to try something new and out of the ordinary that not everyone has had the chance to do. Heck, make a competition out of it. Couple vs. Couple. Loser gets the dinner tab after.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

14. Visit Expensive Open Houses

Not to actually buy, of course. Maybe be careful how you approach this one if you just started dating someone or you know your friend just started dating someone. Inviting them to visit open houses might send off a little bit of an aggressive vibe… But regardless, cruise on over to some super fancy open house and just play it out. Pretend to be someone you’re not. Maybe y’all just won the lottery and made a ton of money. Maybe you’re from another country. I don’t know, you can really do anything or be anyone and just see what happens.

Photo provided by Michael Ellington.

15. Farmers’ Market

Farmers’ markets are great. They’re fresh. They’re full of friendly people. And the food is amazing. Hit up your local farmers’ without a plan and just see what looks good. Snag yourself some different ingredients and just see what sort of concoctions you can come up with and go home and make it. It’s a spontaneous and unique way to set up a dinner date while doing some exploring before hand.

Photo provided by Rachel Kellogg.

16. Crash a Black Tie Event

Now, I think for legal purposes I have to say I don’t condone this, but man oh man, is it fun. On any given weekend night, you know there’s hotels downtown just full with anything from corporate events to office parties. Heck maybe even a wedding or two. Throw on your tux or dress and get down there and have a good time. Who’s gonna stop you? Who are you gonna embarrass yourself in front of? Just enjoy yourself. Groove to a band. Eat some free grub. Maybe a cocktail or two to see where the night takes you. Best part is: if it’s lame, dip on out and hit up the next one right down the street.

Photo provided by Bryan Strode.

So get out of the rut and step up your double date game with these funky double date ideas.

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 21,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Starbucks Doubleshot is a bold, authentic Starbucks coffee experience you can enjoy whenever and wherever you want. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share the experience, please visit our stores or online at Doubleshot.com and Starbucks.com.