Los Angeles Date Ideas
Top LA date ideas include sunset at Griffith Observatory (free), Hollywood Bowl picnic concerts ($1-200), Largo at the Coronet intimate shows ($25-45), Highland Park Bowl bowling in a 1927 building, and The Broad contemporary art museum (free).
14 places · 3 free · Updated Oct 2026
Iconic outdoor amphitheater hosting the LA Philharmonic summer season, pop concerts, and film screenings. Seats 17,500 and allows picnicking before shows. Over 50,000 free tickets and 50,000 $1 tickets are offered each season, with half of all tickets priced at $48 or under.
Legendary 500-capacity club that has shaped pop culture since 1957. Elton John, James Taylor, and Tom Waits all played early career-defining sets here. Intimate standing-room venue with excellent sightlines from almost anywhere.
Intimate 280-seat venue known for surprise guests and genre-blending programming — comedy, music, spoken word, and film. Jon Brion's legendary Friday residency and unannounced drop-ins from A-list comedians make every show feel like a one-time event. Popular shows sell out within hours.
The most famous comedy club in America, operating since 1972 on the Sunset Strip. Three rooms — the Main Room, Original Room, and Belly Room — host shows nightly with a mix of headliners and up-and-comers. Two-drink minimum applies. Where Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and Dave Chappelle all cut their teeth.
Sunset Strip comedy institution featuring nightly lineups of established and emerging comedians. Free open mic every Tuesday at 5:30pm (sign up at 5pm, 2-minute sets). Two-drink minimum on ticketed shows. More polished/tourist-friendly than The Comedy Store.
The best deal in LA comedy. Seven nights a week of improv, sketch, and stand-up from $5–$12. No drink minimum. Founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, and Matt Besser. The Franklin Ave location is UCB's only remaining LA venue — small, scrappy, and consistently hilarious.
Free admission to one of the world's finest art collections, set on a hilltop with panoramic city views. Tram ride up is part of the experience. European paintings, photography, sculpture, and rotating exhibitions. Saturday evening hours until 9pm make this a top-tier free date. Parking is $20.
Free contemporary art museum in DTLA featuring 2,000+ works by Basquiat, Koons, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Kusama. The Infinity Mirrored Room is the signature draw (separate timed ticket required). Thursday evening hours until 8pm. Timed-entry tickets released monthly.
The largest art museum in the western US, home to Urban Light (the iconic lamp post installation) and encyclopedic collections spanning 6,000 years. LA County residents get free admission after 3pm on weekdays. Second Tuesday of each month is free for everyone. Friday hours until 8pm.
LA's oldest bowling alley (est. 1927), beautifully restored with original woodwork, a full Italian restaurant, and craft cocktails. Eight lanes in an intimate setting — feels more like a speakeasy than a bowling alley. All ages before 8pm daily. Reservations strongly recommended on weekends.
38,000-square-foot micro-amusement park in the Arts District featuring VR experiences, story rooms, classic arcades, and experimental games. Pay-per-experience model — entry is free, individual attractions $5–$35. Great for groups and date nights who want something beyond dinner and a movie.
Top-rated escape room in Los Angeles with Hollywood-quality set design and production value. Multiple themed rooms ranging 60 minutes each, accommodating 2–8 players. Great for date nights, friend groups, and team outings. Book online in advance — popular time slots sell out.
DTLA's 12-acre public park hosts free programming year-round: the Grand Performances summer concert series (June–August), Sunday Sessions dance parties, lunchtime Wednesday concerts at 12:30pm, and major holiday celebrations including NYELA. No tickets needed for most events — just show up.
Disney-operated 1926 movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard showing first-run Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films with extras you cannot get anywhere else — live pre-shows, 4D effects, themed photo ops, and occasional character appearances. A genuinely magical moviegoing experience for all ages.