Buffalo couples seeking an occasion to spend quality time together while enjoying a night out will love these date night ideas. Enjoy one another’s close company while sampling some of the best Buffalo has to offer.
These romantic date night in Buffalo ideas are situated in the city’s rejuvenated West Side and offer fun, casual and original date night activities. Use the following list as a full date night itinerary or choose one or two and get to know some of the new and old faces who’ve set up shop on Buffalo’s storied Niagara St.
Date Night Starters
Mint Mojito Bar
Want to start off your date night right? Head out early for happy hour at Mint. Mint is centrally located at 1225 Niagara St. and is the perfect stop for a cocktail and a bite to kick off date night. This newly opened bar and kitchen are ready to welcome you any day of the week, excluding holidays.
Since 2022, Mint’s friendly bartenders have been serving handcrafted mojitos for patrons year-round. These bright and crisp classic cocktails are served in a warm and inviting atmosphere that combines mid-century modern decor with Scandinavian-style accents.
Mint also serves both meat-filled and vegetarian house-made empanadas for a deep-fried dish that makes for a satisfying snack and the perfect mojito pairing!
Twin Petrels Seltzer Co.
This Buffalo hot spot is known for its 10,000 sq ft seltzery, bohemian decor and inclusive atmosphere. Don’t be fooled by Twin Petrels’ trendy status, the only frills here are in the drinks!
Never heard of a seltzer bar before? Perhaps not, because Twin Petrels is new and one of a kind. This Niagara St. establishment is in the business of crafting new flavors and its seltzer menu is constantly updated with new brews. They also serve cocktails, beer and mocktails!
Kick off date night with a bubbly happy hour, or head into Twin Petrels before dinner service ends to dine on handhelds and shared plates just before the after-dinner crowd arrives. Twin Petrels is open Wednesday through Sunday until midnight most nights.
Dining Options
Roost
Just a few minutes north of Mint and Broderick Park is the trendy home of the renowned Buffalo restaurant: Roost. Located at 1502 Niagara, Roost’s modern menu aligns perfectly with its upscale industrial and rustic decor, offering both gourmet and home-cooked flavors. Roost serves high-end wines and an assortment of shareable chef-crafted dishes making it a bold but balanced date night dinner option. Roost is open for dinner service Wednesday through Saturday.
Root’s menu is regularly updated to keep things fresh and ensure only the highest quality ingredients are used. Available items can range from classic American style fare to updated Middle Eastern classics like seasoned falafel and hummus.
Roost also does brunch on the weekends for those looking to make their date night a full day romantic excursion! Stop and grab a pastry at the newly opened Frost Artisan Bakery on your way to Roost before dining on an assortment of breakfast favorites.
Frost Artisan Bakery
Buffalo’s West Side continues to undergo an exciting transformation with the recent opening of Frost Artisan Bakery. Frost is a fusion of Buffalo’s incredible historic architecture and a contemporary menu of gourmet desserts featuring classic flavors with an updated twist. Frost is now open weekday and weekends and is the perfect early stop to kick-off your date night. Indulge in Frost’s selection of bakery delights including cupcakes, house-made pasticciotti and scrumptious dessert bars. But if you’re going to come by and check out Frost at 1197 Niagara Street, be sure that date night dinner reservations don’t immediately follow because you’re sure to leave full!
Marco’s Italian Restaurant
This West Side Buffalo staple isn’t just for families. Its cozy atmosphere is also perfect for couples looking for an intimately lit meal with flavors reminiscent of times past. Marco’s Italian Restaurant is a pet project of Chef Marco, who’s been in business since 1988. Marco, the man and the brand, are Niagara St. institutions.
Don’t be fooled by the generous plates diners are served. Marcos uses only the highest quality Italian-inspired ingredients. Split an appetizer, share an entree, or get a pizza for two at this lynchpin of the old—and new—Niagara St. Marco’s is open for dinner service Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, starting in the late afternoons.
Date Night Activities
Hatchets and Hops
This activity goes by many names: blades and brews, axes and ales and our favorite, Hatchets and Hops—the name of Buffalo’s premier indoor axe throwing facility. No matter the name, the objective is always the same. To skillfully—and safely—hurl an axe accurately while enjoying your favorite adult beverage. Or skip the drinking altogether and focus on your form to earn bragging rights! Engage in some playful competition or join forces as a team against other Hatchets and Hops patrons.
With two locations—one downtown and another right off Niagara St.—Hatchets and Hops is right around the corner from other West Side date night locations in Buffalo’s Black Rock. Hatchets and Hops also features beers on draft, oven-fired pizzas, and a fire pit for breaks between games for drink sipping and sharing a laugh with your romantic partner.
Broderick Street Park and Pier
You and your date night companion should be sure to check out the recently updated Broderick Park and Pier. This beautiful park is the perfect place to spend some downtime before being seated for your date night dinner. Just a 10-minute walk or a two-minute car ride from Mint, Broderick is a scenic landscape spot overlooking the Niagara River where couples can enjoy spending time together on a nice walk, bike ride or while rollerblading!
The subject of a recent $11 million makeover, Broderick’s newly-added stage and amphitheater seating also make it a prime location for special events of all kinds including concerts, comedy shows and festivals.
Stroll the park’s beautiful walkways to reach Bird Island Pier where you and your significant other can relish an intimate moment together. Enjoy a romantic scene as outdoor temperatures cool and the setting sun ignites the sky with orange, pink and purple hues. Keep an eye on the time as date night dinner reservations might sneak up on you while enjoying the beauty of Broderick Park.