The Best Date Ideas in Bozeman: No Boring Dates Allowed!

Looking to spice up date night? Check out these date ideas in Bozeman! We promise even dinner and drinks are exciting here, with cozy speakeasies, gorgeous mountain views, and creative menus.

Whether you're into hitting the trails, checking out local breweries, or going bowling, Bozeman's got something for everyone. From outdoor adventures to upscale dining to low-key hangouts, here's how to level up your dating game in Bozeman.

 

Planning a trip to Bozeman? Download our Travel Guide for tips on where to stay, how to get around, and events to attend while you’re in town!

Date Ideas in Bozeman You’ll Want to Steal

Gallatin River Lodge Restaurant

Go Out to Eat

There are plenty of Bozeman restaurants perfect for date night, whether you want to head downtown or to the peaceful outskirts. Grabbing dinner is certainly one of the more tried-and-true date ideas in Bozeman, but you’ll see it’s anything but boring.

If you’re looking for a more remote setting, try Gallatin River Lodge. Situated north of Four Corners with a gorgeous view of the mountains, it’s a fantastic place to watch the sunset. Its menu boasts an assortment of premium meat dishes and other inventive mains, along with an extensive wine list.

Feast Raw Bar & Bistro is a popular restaurant on West Kagy that uses seasonal organic ingredients with an emphasis on sustainability. While the menu changes, you can almost always expect raw oysters, plenty of seafood and locally sourced meats, and an imaginative menu inspired by dishes around the world.

Looking for an intimate ambiance? Go downtown to est. 1864 Noir Bar & Restaurant! The speakeasy-inspired decor and dimmed lighting makes for a truly romantic setting. The menu features inventive meat and pasta dishes and a long list of house cocktails.

Other tried and true date night restaurants include Blackbird, Little Star Diner, Shan, Cafe Fresco, J.W. Heist Steakhouse, and Hooked Sushi. Check out our Eat in Bozeman page for even more restaurants!

 

A couple sitting at Sky Shed's outdoor rooftop patio holding cocktails

Grab Cocktails

There are plenty of places to grab cocktails in Bozeman. For ‘20’s speakeasy vibes, head to Devil’s Toboggan, located on the northeast end of town in Bozeman’s Cannery District. The sizable cocktail menu and cozy interior make this fan favorite a great choice for date night.

At nine stories high, the Armory is the tallest building in Downtown Bozeman — and Sky Shed sits right at the top! In the warmer months, you can sit outside on the rooftop and soak up the beautiful views of the Gallatin Valley, staying cozy by a fire pit when night falls and the temperatures drop. But not to worry if you’re visiting in the winter! Thanks to the numerous windows lining the walls, you can still take in the views no matter how cold it is outside.

Plonk is another downtown establishment with fantastic mixed drinks and wine served in a more upscale atmosphere. In the warmer months, its quaint back patio is a charming date night spot.

 

Pizza and beer menu on the table at Mountains Walking Brewery

Play Games at a Brewery

Bring cards or your favorite board game to one of Bozeman’s breweries, like Mountains Walking (in Bozeman’s North Side neighborhood) or Apres Brewing (by Montana State University).

While Apres Brewing only serves beer, Mountains Walking also has appetizers and food. The latter also serves up two different kinds of slushies — beer and seltzer — that pair well with warm summer evenings.

 

The dining room at Ponderosa Social

Go Bowling

Choose from a large selection of craft cocktails at Ponderosa Social, along with wine and draft beers. But the fun doesn’t stop at the drinks — thanks to several bowling lanes, pool tables, and a gaming parlor, you and your date can spend the whole evening having a blast. 

Ponderosa Social is centrally located on 7th Avenue — right around the corner from Genuine Ice Cream, making it easy to walk over for a sweet treat.

 

Do Something Artsy

Bozeman has a pretty hoppin’ art scene, with numerous businesses that offer fun activities to do with your date, like painting or cooking. Located just north of I-90, Studio Wheelhouse offers unique art classes, like stained glass and collage card making.

Or, take a cooking class at La Cuisine on West Main Street. Classes range from specific dishes to sourdough bread making.

For a creative date night, head to Arts on Fire on West Main Street, where you can paint your choice of pottery pieces.

 

A couple soaking in Bozeman Hot Springs

Soak in Hot Springs

It wouldn’t be a visit to Bozeman without hitting the hot springs! Things will get steamy — literally. This is one of the most classic date ideas in Bozeman, especially during the colder months.

You’ll find Bozeman Hot Springs off Highway 191, just north of Gallatin Gateway. Plan to attend on Thursday or Sunday night for live music. Bozeman Hot Springs just added a cafe, and you can purchase smoothies, cold-pressed juices, a variety of breakfast and main dishes, and more.

If you’re up for a drive, go to Chico Hot Springs in Paradise Valley. Come hungry — Chico serves great food in the dining room and grill areas, along with beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options you can enjoy while you soak. Enjoy live music inside the saloon on Friday and Saturday nights.

 

A couple walking into the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman

Check Out a Museum

If you both enjoy learning about new topics, why not do it together? Visit one of the many museums in Bozeman and have a blast! Nerd out about your love for dinosaurs at the Museum of the Rockies on West Kagy Boulevard, or fall in love with a new artist at the Bozeman Art Museum on West Main Street. 

Step back in time at the Gallatin History Museum, conveniently located downtown and housed in Bozeman’s old jail (you can actually walk into an old jail cell!). Or geek out about technology at the American Computer & Robotics Museum, near the intersection of 19th and West Kagy.

 

The Ellen Facade at night in Downtown Bozeman

See a Show

If you’re looking for some entertainment, The Ellen Theatre in Downtown Bozeman is a great place to start. There’s almost always something going on at The Ellen, whether it’s a live musical or film festival screening.

Check the Bozeman Symphony’s Event Calendar to see when the next show is — they usually have at least a few per month, and make for a fun, fancy outing with your date. While most performances take place at the Willson Auditorium, check the calendar for details.

Tune Up Bar and Lounge is a basement bar inside The Armory on Mendenhall with live music Wednesday through Saturday. They serve an array of funky cocktails, classic appetizers with a creative twist, a couple of mains, wine, and beer.

Check out our event calendar for even more options.

 

Two people skiing at Bridger Bowl Ski Area looking at the mountains

Get Outside

Bozeman locals love getting outside — so why not make a date of it? There’s plenty to do outdoors in Big Sky Country! For example, you can go skiing at Bridger Bowl Ski Area, book a fly fishing guided trip, or go mountain biking at Leverich Canyon.

If you opt for a hike, we recommend making it extra romantic by watching the sunset. Some of the most popular hikes with epic views include Peet’s Hill (an easy walk), the top of the M trail (a moderate 1-3 mile hike), or Triple Tree Trail (a moderate 3-5 mile hike). Take it up another notch by bringing food and drinks for a picnic! If it’s already dark, remember your headlamps — and microspikes if it’s snowy.

Another winter option? Go ice skating! The City of Bozeman manages four different outdoor ice skating rinks, including one at Beall Park, one at Bogert Park, and two at Southside Park. They’re all open to the public until 10 p.m. every night.

 

Do Something Western

When in Bozeman, do as the Bozemanites do, and try a classic western-themed activity. Here are some local favorites:

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In our never-ending quest to keep up with all things new in Bozeman, we have been producing content for years and can't possibly update every blog when new businesses open or existing businesses close. Please reference the publish date and do your own due diligence when making plans.

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