Archive for the ‘Date Night’ Category

Top Date Night Restaurants in Downtown Greenville

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Looking for the top date night restaurants in Greenville, SC’s downtown area? We have a fantastic list of date night restaurants in the beautiful downtown Greenville area. Pair dinner with a walk-in Falls Park and you’ve got a great Greenville date night in the making.

Top romantic restaurants in downtown Greenville, SC

As I’m writing this, Valentine’s Day is around the bend. Date Nights abound. I’ve compiled a subjective—yes, subjective—list of my highly recommended restaurants in Downtown Greenville for date nights. Do all of these have romantic ambience? No. Do they all have a massive price tag? Heck to the no. Do they all serve you outstanding food that will have to returning next month? YES. And for that, I hope you’ll read on and try out some of these locally-owned businesses on your next date.

Guide to Date Night in Greenville, SC

Out of Date Night Ideas?

Learn more in our Ultimate Date Night Guide to Greenville, SC!

Great Date Night Restaurants in Downtown Greenville

This list is far from exhaustive. The downtown Greenville restaurant scene is unmatched for a non-metropolitan area. I could argue several other eateries onto this list, but each here offers something unique and suits a variety of date desires. Start here and move out. I am rooting for you to test out something new on your next night out!

Soby’s New South Cuisine

207 South Main Street Greenville, SC
You will probably recognize this restaurant immediately. Soby’s has been wining and dining the downtown Greenville scene with their fresh take on Southern cuisine for years. Alfresco dining is a popular option here while the atmosphere inside is slightly more traditional.

Chef Shaun Garcia stands by the philosophy that customers should develop favorites to keep them coming back. Therefore, his menu is permanent, and rightly so (*cough cough* the pimiento cheese).  The dinner entrees range from $20-$40.

Foxcroft Wine Co

631 South Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
Speaking of wining and dining, for a less hearty evening, look no further than this Main Street bar, Foxcroft Wine Co. Elevated, though. The staff will bring out small plates paired with one of their hundreds of unique wines.

No reservations needed by design, this first come first served restaurant gives you a reason to trot out that new cocktail dress and not leave feeling like a popped can of biscuits. However, you can make reservations if you’d like. Lite and unique, this is a wonderful option for adventurous dates who can’t settle on one dish and drink. May I suggest the burgers, though, if you want some comfort food? There’s something about a scrumptious burger to deflate a stuffy date night.

Rick Erwin’s West End Grille

648 S Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
Rick Erwin’s name tacked onto this restaurant means one thing: time-“tasted” favorites and top quality control. The menu is full of American surf and turf mainstays you’ll immediately recognize. Mac and cheese, chicken, crab cakes, and all impeccably prepared and served.

Atmosphere? Elegant. You won’t be out of place in a necktie if you want to gussy up. During peak hours, secure a reservation. The prices range around $20 for starters and $40-$60 for entrees.

The Anchorage

586 Perry Ave Greenville, SC 29611
I feel like a Greenville date list isn’t complete with The Anchorage. No, it’s not in the heart of downtown, but not by a far jaunt. This eatery and chef have been nominated for several well-earned awards, requires no reservations (so arrive early or late), and pairs small plate decadence with craft beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.

Their eclectic chameleon of a menu features local providers and keto-friendly options. And, if the fact that I squirreled around with my original article plans to add this restaurant to the list doesn’t convince you, the cuisine is phenomenal. Top Tip: visit after 9 pm for your nightcap and “dessert.” Small plates can count as a dessert when they tick all the right boxes. Prices for plates in the teens and twenties.

Trappe Door

23 West Washington Street Greenville, SC 29601
An offbeat suggestion, I’m thinking about those “date nights” that need to include kids. New baby? No babysitting family around? Last-minute supper? Trappe Door has a variety of menu items rooted in Belgian culture that can please the pickiest eater. The atmosphere is cave-like, cozy, and a bit loud. I’ve been in that desperate situation before where I really needed a date night but didn’t have childcare. You just make do.

Trappe Door gives you an elevated-enough feel that your night will be special without stressing that your kids might amp up the volume. There is a solid reason that this funky pub has lasted so long in a sea of ever-changing downtown businesses. While it isn’t marketed as kid-friendly, the fish and chips can make anyone a believer. Entrees around $20-30.

Jianna

600 S Main St #2, Greenville, SC 29601
Delicious modern Italian? Check! Overlooking Falls Park? Check! Excellent vibes, drinks, and food? Check, check check! Jianna is a favorite of my husband and mine for date night, gathering with friends, special occasions, and I wouldn’t hesitate to have a meal alone there.

The atmosphere is light and relaxed, but elevated with cuisine that is not only delicious, but fresh and always being updated! We highly recommend making a reservation, and they are most busy on the weekend. entrees range from $30-$50, depending on what you are looking to indulge in.

Scoundrel

18 North Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Located in the heart of Downtown Greenville off of Main Street, Scoundrel has grown since it’s opening in 2022 to be one of Downtown’s top date night destinations. The cuisine at Scoundrel is a plethora of French favorites with a modern take to each dish, plus delicious craft cocktails are a hit here. You’ll find Foie Gras and Duck Liver Mousse, Beef Tartare, and other famous French dishes, along with items like the Tomahawk steak or roasted duck.

Scoundrel makes a wonderful date night spot because of the way the restaurant was designed with the consumer in mind, with low lighting illuminating the space, giving the restaurant the perfect romantic ambiance. Menu items range from $6-$88, with a wide range of dining options.

Where is your favorite date night restaurant in Downtown Greenville?

Check out more restaurants in Downtown Greenville. There are a lot!

Nintendo and Local Beer at Family-Friendly Double Stamp Brewery: Greenville, SC

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Double Stamp Brewery in Holland Park in Greenville, SC is a fun place to relax and have fun together while enjoying local craft beer and soda and playing Nintendo.

While I enjoy a good craft beer, I enjoy playing Nintendo even more, so when we got an invitation to check out the old-school Nintendo games at Double Stamp Brewery, it was an easy “yes!”. But to my surprise, not only was the Nintendo playing a ton of fun but the beer, which is made on-site with local ingredients, was top-notch. 

Double Stamp Brewery

Looking for more family-friendly breweries? We have a list for that!

Double Stamp Brewery

Double Stamp Brewery is part of Holland Park in Greenville, which includes Flying Rabbit Adventures, Home Team BBQ, and Greektown Express.

Double Stamp is 90s-themed, which makes my heart happy. There are Vanilla Ice cards under the glass at the bar and posters of VHS tapes, which my kids were totally confused about. 

The brewery doesn’t sell any food but you can take your beer and walk over to Greektown or Home Team BBQ and eat there, or bring food from either place into the brewery. 

Double Stamp Brewery
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Idyllic Treehouse is the Romantic Getaway You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Are you looking for a place to get away for a weekend as a couple? Life is busy! And you both need a little time to reconnect, no distractions. We totally get it and you are in luck because we have found the most idyllic and romantic treehouse for your escape! The Old Soul Treehouse on Lake Greenwood is nothing short of completely stunning in every way. It’s one of a kind, nothing like it, completely magnificent and we’re going to tell you all about the magic we found in our stay!

The Old Soul Treehouse, Lake Greenwood

Thank you to Old Soul Treehouse owner, Kristen, for providing us with a two-night stay so we could bring this review to our readers.

Watch the Video Tour

About the Treehouse

A true work of art, this treehouse is stunning and very special. Built with beautiful, unique, reclaimed, and restored pieces that are flawlessly incorporated into animaginative design, we’ve never seen anything like this treehouse. And we have stayed in a lot of vacation rentals.

The home’s guest book of information shares the history of these reclaimed components, including the gorgeous French doors in the tree house that opens to the deck and the view of Lake Greenwood. They are restored, fully functional, and came all the way from Turkey. I loved these doors. I think I probably took nearly a thousand pictures of them. Which, I realize sounds so silly. “What did you do on vacation?” “I took pictures of doors!” But they are that pretty. And, they work beautifully. The craftsmanship in this home does not disappoint.

Is a treehouse complete without a bridge and spiral stairs?
Probably not.
The property’s cast iron spiral staircase came from Bob Jones University, according to the home’s guest book. They date to the early 1900s and were located in the study of Bob Jones himself.

If you take the spiral staircase down to the ground, you’ll arrive at a beautiful deck under the treehouse. Lit with a strand of lights and a pretty chandelier, there’s a swinging bed to relax with a view of the lake plus two cozy wicker chairs. My husband and I enjoyed snacks, wine, and quite a few rounds of our favorite board games here.

Back up the spiral stairs, you can return to the house or turn and cross the bridge to the other deck which is round with little trees growing right through it, in true treehouse fashion. There’s a table for dining and a hot tub that lights up at night.

Heading back across the bridge is my other favorite part of this home. There’s a vintage window that opens out from the interior kitchen to an outdoor breakfast bar with two stools. We enjoyed lunch and breakfast at this little cozy outdoor nook.

Inside the treehouse

The interior of the treehouse is small but so airy and beautiful. We loved the kitchen with the vintage farmhouse feel, especially the soapstone sink! The smaller appliances are so cute, new but made to look vintage. We didn’t cook here and opted for a charcuterie one night and Doordash the next, but the home is fully equipped to cook a meal. You’ll find all the cooking things including pots and pans, cookie sheets, cutting boards, dishes, silverware, and the like. Everything you need!

There’s a pretty king-size bed that looks like it might have come from a Disney princess movie, and a full bathroom with a clawfoot tub. Don’t miss the totally gorgeous stained glass window above the tub, another beautifully incorporated treasure. The details in this treehouse are tremendous.

Treehouse bed

The treehouse book on the table has restaurant recommendations, information on where to get groceries, things to do, and everything you could possibly think of is there. You really don’t have to plan much at all before you arrive!

Treehouse table

Spending Time at the Treehouse

You won’t find a television at the treehouse and that is intentional. Kristen, the treehouse owner, wants this place to be where couples come to connect. You’ll find board games and a record player with a wide selection of records. My husband and I loved having the record player. Listening to records is actually one of our favorite things to do at home and it was so neat to discover in a vacation rental. Very rare!

The home also has a cute lantern Bluetooth speaker so you can play any music you like from your device and even bring the speaker outside. There is wifi available. We brought it out to the hot tub on both nights of our stay and were so happy to have it.

The treehouse also has a private dock in Lake Greenwood that you can access with just a short path through the woods from the treehouse. There you’ll find two comfortable Adirondack chairs to enjoy the view. This is a good place to enjoy a beverage or a snack and good conversation.

Treehouse Dock

You may notice a small building beside the dock in our photos and video. That is an old fishing cottage on the property. The owners hope to someday restore it but it is not currently in use by anyone. The dock is private just for you!

You can swim from the dock, fish with poles provided at the house (fishing license is required according to SCDNR and the owner warns that they do cruise around on a boat and check from time to time), or even rent a boat.

Treehouse Dock From the water

My husband and I brought our own inflatable paddle boards and we enjoyed several paddles on the lake. We went out to a railroad trestle crossing the lake and saw hawks nesting on the trestle top, several Herons, ducks, and other birds. Usually, when we head out to paddle we are keeping tabs on kids, so this was such a lovely change!

Speaking of kids, no one under 18 is allowed on the property. This is a kid-free space designed for adults to spend quality time with each other. After 4 kids and 18 years of marriage, we’ve learned that time for each other is a rare and precious thing, and we so appreciate it.

I love my kids, I really do, don’t get me wrong. But, to have a conversation without the possibility of being interrupted by our kids was so nice. It really took pounds off our mental load so we could just relax and communicate. And the kids were spending some quality time with their aunt, so it was really a win for us all.

Treehouse French door close up
Is this door not completely gorgeous?

Want to go?

We really can’t say enough wonderful things about this special property. We know you’ll want to visit for yourself.

Now for the best part! Ready to plan your little escape together? Just visit the Old Soul Treehouse on Airbnb and book it!

The Old Soul Treehouse
Waterloo, SC, on Lake Greenwood

Enjoy a Date Night While Your Kids Paint Pottery at The Art Cafe: Hilton Head Island, SC

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If you are hoping for a date night while on vacation, check out The Art Cafe! Hilton Head Island’s art studio is just upstairs from Rockfish, so you can have an awesome night while your kids are also enjoying themselves. Kidding Around’s Kristina reviewed both the Kids Night Out event at The Art Cafe and the Rockfish restaurant, and she was pleasantly surprised!

Date nights are hard to come by for many couples who have kids. I think a date night on vacation would be pretty awesome because you’re already in relaxation mode, away from your daily life at home and work, and have that time to focus on each other. But finding a reliable sitter while away from home? I haven’t mastered that yet – which was why I was thrilled to find The Art Cafe on Hilton Head Island because they offer the perfect solution for couples wanting to get in a date night while on vacation. 

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Escape Artist Is One of Greenville’s Best Places for Fun and Mystery

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Do you think you can beat the clock at Escape Artist Greenville SC? Several years ago, some friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to meet up. When we asked them what they would like to do, they suggested that we meet up at one of Greenville’s top escape rooms, Escape Artist Greenville. We are very glad that we said yes. In fact, we had such a great time we can’t stop recommending Escape Artist to all of our friends in Greenville. Escape Artist Greenville was even voted one of the Best Escape Rooms in 2025 by Newsweek, how cool!

Escape Artist Greenville

Liberty Bridge at Falls Park

Looking for more fun things to do downtown? Check out the KA Guide to Downtown Greenville.

What is Escape Artist Greenville Like?

Upon arriving, we were energized immediately by owners Will and Kim Rutherford’s enthusiasm. It was impossible to not catch the excitement about trying to test our group’s wits against one of their escape rooms.

After a short explanation of rules such as “don’t tear apart the ceiling” followed by a creepy story intro we handed over our iPhones and headed into  “Dr. Fratelli’s cabin”. Inside the mad scientist’s cabin, we quickly got to work looking inside and under the many objects in order to start finding clues. These clues then led to puzzles that had to be solved in order to find the special locked exit and escape the room where Dr. Fratelli had trapped us. Of course, the primary entrance remained unlocked so we weren’t actually physically locked in. It is just a game!

We were given just one hour to escape the room, but we had the ability to ask for three clues during our hour. Will was watching us through his surveillance cameras and was quick to offer the exact help needed for each clue. The puzzles were challenging but still simple enough for a group to solve.

Did We Escape?

Of course, the first question everyone asks is “Did you escape?” Actually, Will told us that only 20-25% of the groups that try the room “get out”. We made it though with only a couple of minutes left to spare and we used all 3 hints.

Will greeted us after we finished and shared his own observations of how we solved the puzzle. We then were allowed to grab our phones again so that Kim could take a victory photo for us showcasing our time.

Objects and clues at Escape Artist Greenville SC
Photo Credit: Eli Warren, used by permission from Escape Artist Greenville

Is Escape Artist Greenville Worth the Money?

Escape Artist is a little bit more expensive than most of the attractions my husband and I visit, starting at around $30/person. It was worth every penny we spent. We had so much fun working together, laughing at our mistakes, and bragging about what we solved. The room was very well designed, all of the clues were clear and worked correctly, and Will & Kim executed everything wonderfully. It’s no wonder that they have received so many 5 star reviews.

Any hints?

Well, of course, I can’t give any hints on how to solve the puzzle because that would ruin the fun, but here are a couple tips to help you have the best chances of victory:

  1. Don’t be afraid to ask for a clue when you are stuck. It’s better to use them up than not get out!
  2. Get started quickly. Don’t be shy about looking around the room when you enter it. The sooner you find your first clues the better.
  3. Don’t overthink your clues. None of the clues will require knowing weird facts and you won’t mess up your clues by touching or moving objects in the room.
  4. Playing an escape room game on your tablet or phone ahead of time will help give you an idea of the types of puzzles you might encounter.
  5. Have fun! Don’t get too stressed out. This activity is all about having a good time.

What About Kids?

I visited Escape Artist Greenville with 3 other adults and I thought that it was a great adult activity but older children and teens would definitely enjoy it as well. Children under 16 are allowed to attend with an adult, and Will told us that he had even recently hosted a party of 11-year-olds. Will did tell us that he adapts the clues as necessary for children and that the children who have come through really have enjoyed the puzzle. All of the content in the story and inside the room was appropriate for any age audience and there weren’t any thematic elements that would scare a child.

About Escape Artist: Greenville SC

Be sure to book your time ahead of time online. Due to the nature of the event, space is limited and 2 hours advanced reservation is required.

This attraction is completely unique to Greenville. While there are other “escape rooms” in Greenville and in other cities, Will & Kim specifically designed this room and story making it a one-of-a-kind adventure.

The attraction can fit 2-8 people at a time. Your group may get placed with another group if you don’t purchase the entire 8 tickets.

In addition to Dr. Fratelli’s Cabin, there are four other escape rooms including our current favorite Starlight Motel (a spooky, interactive room for adults). You can read about Starlight Motel in our review.

There is a second location of Escape Artist Greenville, located at Hampton Station. The Hampton Station location has fewer rooms (Help Wanted and Dark Lullaby), but the proximity to dining, breweries, and shopping makes it a great activity.

The Escape Artist Greenville: SC Has Two Locations!

209 East Stone Avenue, Greenville, SC
864-509-9305
info@escapeartistgreenville.com
www.escapeartistgreenville.com
Book the Downtown Greenville location

Hampton Station
1320 Hampton Avenue, Bay 11C, Greenville, SC
Book the Hampton Station location

Have you ever visited The Escape Artist or another Escape Room in Greenville? We would love to hear what you thought in the comments!

Guide to things to do indoors, Greenville, SC

There is still fun to have indoors!

KA Premier Guide to Things to Do Inside

Enjoy great food, breweries, activities, and more at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC

Things to do at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC

Date Night Ideas Including Your Baby near Greenville, SC

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Trying to plan a date night that will allow you to bring the baby along without any fuss? Date nights might seem like a thing of the past once you have a baby, so we are coming to the rescue with this list by Lindy Wilson. We have some great date ideas with a baby for parents in Greenville, SC that are perfect for when you need your tiny human to tag along.

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