Updated: 07/27/2020
Whether you’re in town visiting or whether you live, work, or play in our city, people can count on Plano as a destination for a fun night out. Planoites don’t have to drive south to Dallas to experience fine dining or hip unique restaurants; it’s right here in our backyard. We’ve put together date night ideas around Plano for the next time you need a night (or day-date) out alone with your partner or even just a friend.
DINING
Ready for a culinary adventure? With over 1,000 restaurants spread across Plano, there truly is a unique experience for whatever your heart (and stomach) desires. From the Downtown Plano Arts District to Legacy West, The Shops at Legacy, The Boardwalk and everywhere in between, Plano covers all culinary genres. You can see our complete list of Plano restaurants here.
When the weather is perfect, stroll the boardwalk and relax. The Boardwalk at Granite Park features waterfront dining with places like The Biscuit Bar, Union Bear, Suburban Yacht Club, Fork & Fire, and Chip’s Hamburgers.
At both Legacy West and The Shops at Legacy, enjoy dinner and drinks at the many popular restaurants like Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Earls Kitchen + Bar, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, Jasper’s, KĀI, Kenny’s Smokehouse, Mesero, Mexican Sugar, North Italia, RA Sushi, Tommy Bahama, True Food Kitchen, Haywire, Taverna, and Toulouse.
On top of all of that, Legacy Hall is a one-of-a-kind artisanal food hall experience with equal parts premium food hall, beer garden, craft brewery and live entertainment. With 22 chef-driven artisan food stalls and half a dozen bars, each presents its own unique personality. The third floor houses a fully functioning craft brewery, Unlawful Assembly Brewery & Tap Room, featuring classic pub fare and 21 operating tanks used to crank out its portfolio of premium year-round beers, along with a rotating tap selection of highly creative, collaborative and seasonal beers. If you’re looking for a day-date opportunity, brewery tours are available every Saturday at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Come for happy hour and dinner and stay for live music in The Box Garden. This awesome outdoor patio and entertainment venue constructed out of reclaimed shipping containers is designed to be a versatile and innovative, communal space. See what’s coming up at the Box Garden here.
In downtown Plano, dine before a show at Courtyard Theater or live music event at McCall Plaza at one of the many restaurants featuring cuisine ranging from wood-fired pizza and drinks to sushi and barbecue. Here’s a complete list of restaurants to dine at in the Downtown Plano Arts District. Looking for a place to chat over coffee? Downtown has two unique coffee shops perfect for a casual date.
Date night = steak night! Don’t miss our list of Plano steakhouses and wine offerings. Looking for patio dining? Here’s our list of Plano patios. Speaking of wine, let Nappa come to you! If you are looking for a wine night accompanied by cuisine inspired by the wine country, Sixty Vines has you covered. Here’s a list of happy hours to get your Friday night started early. Did happy hour work up a late night appetite? Check out this list of late night dining options. Is brunch more your style? There are many phenomenal restaurants offering brunch.
LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
Plano’s nightlife and live music scene is stronger than ever before. Even locals may be surprised to learn there are more than 30 venues across the city that offer some sort of live music on a regular basis. From hip restaurants to new unique venues, you’re bound to find something close by that’s perfect for your date night out. See a list of venues, events, and more here.
Want to dance the night away? Sambuca 360 and VNYL, both located at The Shops at Legacy, are great spots for dancing many nights of the week!
Over in the Downtown Plano Arts District, Plano Stages hosts many free live music events like Downtown Sessions and Live & Local, and the Historic Downtown Plano Association hosts many events throughout the year with live music.
ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURE
Who doesn’t love an adult-friendly indoor gaming destination? Pinstack is a 50,000 square foot venue featuring a 28-lane bowling experience, ropes course suspended 20 feet above the gaming center, two-story laser tag, bumper cars, LED lit six-lane rock climbing walls, hundreds of interactive games, and simulator technology. It’s not just for kids! Pinstack also has a full-service restaurant, outside bar area, covered patio with fire pits, and big screen TVs.
Are you in for some late-night or maybe even early-morning bowling? The newly renovated 50-lane Plano Super Bowl is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week! There’s a restaurant and bar as well.
What’s more romantic than taking a cooking class? Enjoy a unique opportunity to learn various cooking techniques, skills, and recipes from the star chef himself at Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts. Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
If you’d rather a little more adventure during your day-date, check out Go Ape Treetop Adventure course at Oak Point Park which is made up of numerous rope ladders and 39 exciting crossings, including five zip lines!
Looking for adventure on a budget? Here’s a list of adventures under $25. For a complete list of attractions in Plano, click here.
STAY THE WEEKEND
Make it a weekend getaway and stay the night! Here is a complete listing of Plano hotels, but also check-out Plano’s newest full-service hotel property that recently opened at Legacy West – the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West.
For more events in Plano, visit our online event calendar.
Cover photo credit: Downtown Plano Arts District
Dining gallery photo credits (left to right): Visit Plano, Visit Plano, Adam Stewart Photography, Union Bear, Princi Italia, and Pepper Smash.
Live music gallery photo credits (left to right): Legacy Hall Box Garden, Visit Plano, and Visit Plano.
Hotel gallery photo credits: Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
