When the air is brisk and the sun seems to disappear without a trace earlier than usual during the wintertime, it’s tempting to brush aside the idea of planning a romantic night out with your special someone. And whilst sharing your favourite, dependable takeaway meal followed by a few hours in front of the television glow can be as meaningful a night as any, sometimes it’s fun to spice things up and do something that will keep that flame burning strong. Trying out an activity that’s interesting and unique can do anything from strengthen your emotional connection with each other to create new sentimental memories that can last a lifetime. We’ve picked out a few ideas to consider in the Sydney and the surrounding area this season, hopefully serving as a bit of inspiration for the next time date night rolls around.
Art appreciation
Have you ever looked into an artwork and just felt more in touch with your emotions? Throughout history, visiting art galleries and appreciating the creative works of others has been beneficial in gaining a deeper understanding about the human condition. Allowing yourself to think about and reflect on what an artist aims to express through their medium can be inspiring in and of itself, let alone alongside your significant other. Spending an afternoon appreciating and analysing art together has the potential to turn a seemingly simple outing into a genuinely special one. Located next to The Domain in the heart of the city, the Art Gallery of NSW is one of the most iconic in the country and is one of our personal favourite locales to have a thought-provoking, romantic wander through.
Hands-on workshop
Let’s say you and your date are feeling pretty inspired since your visit to the gallery. You’re both up for an activity where you can express your creativity together, motivating and building each other up in the process. With this, we recommend a hands-on workshop through ClassBento. Any one of the dozens listed on their website can be a great way to spend time with your person, with our favourite being the Cheeseboard Wood Burning Workshop. In this, an experienced instructor guides you through the process of creating intricate designs on the surface of a charcuterie board using specialised stencilling tools. Not only does getting a bit artistic reduce stress and increase levels of confidence in yourself, but the opportunity to take home a personalised item to use together in the future is fulfilling in more ways than one.
A taste of the Mediterranean
A classic, there’s nothing more go-to than a night where you and your date indulge in the flavours of your favourite cuisine. Heading out to a restaurant or bar together to experience a seasonal menu offering will never not feel like a special occasion, landing its spot on our list for good reason. Our sense of taste is powerful in that a can take us straight to a certain time or place in our lives, whether it’s a traditional roast that transports you back to your hometown or a signature espresso martini that reminds you of the nostalgic golden days. Sharing one of these meaningful culinary experiences with someone you admire can really keep the conversation flowing and increase feelings of admiration towards each other. In particular, we believe that dining over the flavours of the Mediterranean can make for one of the more ideal date nights, with the array of fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs combined with the use of olive oil making for a tasteful, satisfying experience.
Feeling peckish?
We recommend MàZi’s seasonal Mediterranean menu for your next night out | Click here to book your table
Stargazing
Finally, the age-old tradition of simply heading outside at night and staring into the cosmos is one of the most timeless forms of natural romanticism. Rugging up and gazing into the vastness of space, especially when the sky is particularly clear, often feels like a form of nourishment for the soul. Scientifically proven to generally calm the nervous system and trigger the release of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone”, it’s a surefire way to feel more pleasantly connected to the people around you. A rather unconventional idea on our list in that it can be something that can be experienced with little to no preparation, we still think that stargazing deserves a spot on our list as one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen a relationship with someone special.