By Cashmere Morley
Winter around town doesn’t have to put the freeze on a good date night! Here are five unique local spots that will warm your date’s heart this season.
For an occasion that’s out of this world, book a date with Planet Rock Climbing Gyms in Ann Arbor. A day pass, for $18 per person at Planet Rock will grant you, and your date, access to their vast climbing wall and fitness centers, including a traditional gym and yoga space.
Planet Rock
At first glance, the vast, colorful climbing walls at Planet Rock could look a little intimidating to a person who has never climbed, but Mark Hanss, a manager and instructor at Planet Rock, ensures that the adrenaline rush that comes with the experience is what makes it the perfect spot for a date.
“I’ve brought many dates here,” said Hanss. “It’s a great place to learn to trust somone, mentally and physically. It’s an easy skill to learn together, and it gets the blood pumping!”
Jermaine Hinton, an instructor at Planet Rock, added that climbing “can build trust and communication between a couple. All the adrenaline starts going, and you get rid of any initial fears you might have. Plus, you’re flexing your body, whether you’re trying to or not. And that always looks good on a date!”
Dale Cutshaw, a frequent climber at the gym, said the atmosphere at Planet Rock is very “inviting and welcoming,” so first-timers who may be searching for a new experience can take a date there without feeling judged.
Planet Rock is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 3 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at: 82 Aprill Drive C, in Ann Arbor.
Last Word Bar
After a hard work out with your date, unwind over at the Last Word Bar. Known for their $10 take on The Osborn, a twist on a Moscow Mule, the Last Word takes its name from a cocktail that was popular in Detroit in the 1920’s. The atmosphere mimics this era with its almost hidden entranceway and underground, speakeasy feel – mismatched lighting fixtures dangle from the ceiling, casting a soft glow on the hardback books lining the walls and glistening bottles of liquor of every variety. It’s the cozy, close-knit ambiance that makes it a good place for a date.
“We’re about to celebrate our seventh anniversary on Valentine’s Day,” said Marlee Kätt, a manager at the Last Word. “We usually do something a little special that day, for our anniversary and for any couples coming in to celebrate Valentine’s.”
Beyond that, the Last Word has Happy Hour Whiskey Wednesday’s from 5 – 7 p.m. every week, and live jazz music on Thursdays that turn the intimate spot into a celebration of sound that rivals the beats you’d hear in the Roaring Twenties.
Last Word Bar is open Monday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 301 West Huron Street, in Ann Arbor.
Ziggy’s
If you’re looking to take a date somewhere a little more avant-garde, look no further than Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti.
“It’s a great place to just drop in!” said David Jeffries, owner of Ziggy’s, a live music bar in Ypsilanti. “It’s for the left-field people that crave the deeper parts of art. But it’s also welcoming and authentic. You’ll get the punks of Ypsi here, but also the people who enjoy that “living room feel” that merges live music with comfort.”
At Ziggy’s, there are records to spin, arcade games to conquer, and pop-culture references to gawk at, all while enjoying a sip at the bar. Whether you’re looking for a wild night at one of Ziggy’s karaoke events or just looking to grab a drink and enjoy some live music, Ziggy’s has a little something for every date. Jam out at Ziggy’s live music venue at 206 W Michigan Ave, in Ypsilanti.
Ziggy’s is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and is located at 206 West Michigan Avenue, in Ypsilanti.
Revel and Roll Bowling Alley and Party Venue
For a spot that’s buzzing with activities no matter what time you swing by with your date, lace up your bowling shoes and head over to Revel and Roll Bowling Alley and Party Venue. Promising a great night “whenever you feel like fun,” Revel and Roll has plenty to offer the couple looking to get out for a good time when the weather gets bad.
A total of 56 televisions line Revel and Roll’s expansive 27-lane bowling alley and attached restaurant/sports bar, illuminating date night with black lights, music videos, classic films, and sports games depending on what time you drop in.
Start the night off with “some of the coolest and stunning [bowling] lanes in the game” that feature plush lounge seats and games of varying prices, depending on what time you play. (Check out bowlero.com for prices and more information.)
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“Thursday night is a great night to come for date night,” said Revel and Roll manager Christopher Cachin. “It’s college night, we’ve got a resident D.J. here that’s local to Ann Arbor, playing some great music. It’s also our “Unlimited Bowl,” which means for $12.89 it’s all you can bowl after 9 p.m. with your own shoes. Pints of beer and slices of pizza are $2.50 that day as well, so it’s a great day to bring someone.” Tuesdays, Cachin mentions, is another good day to come with a date, since bowling games, tacos, and select domestic beers are only $2.88.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! A neon landscape of 103 arcade games beckons from the party venue’s back room, featuring classic arcade games like air hockey and Skee-ball as well as some more modern marvels such as a Batman-themed multi-player adventure and an immersive Halo 4-player game with a panoramic screen that puts you and your date in the middle of the action.
After the fun winds down, enjoy a wide selection of local beers on draft with your date at the venue’s restaurant and sports bar. “There’s a lot of great selection here,” said Cachin. “We feature stuff from Ypsi Alehouse, which is brewed right downtown on Pearl Street, and of course Bell’s from Kalamazoo. There’s a lot to choose from here, whether you’re looking for that sports-bar type venue, or something a little more immersive like our arcade.”
Revel and Roll is a place that meshes a lot of interests, so everyone from the sports enthusiast to the gamer couple can find something that will make date night special.
Check out all that Revel and Roll has to offer at 1950 South Industrial Highway in Ann Arbor. Revel and Roll is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fleetwood Diner
If you’re out on a last-minute date or are looking for a quick meal at an odd time of night, you can never go wrong at Fleetwood Diner in downtown Ann Arbor, open 24/7. This little place packs huge flavor into its dishes, and features American classics including a wide variety of omelets and gyros in a retro-diner setting. Fleetwood’s sticker-slapped walls hold a nostalgic, and sometimes strange, sense of local history, and while many come to admire its unique aesthetic, they stay for Fleetwood’s signature “hippie hash.”
“Have you tried this stuff?” says Callie Tobin, halfway through a plate of hippie hash. “It’s so delicious. Plus, it’s full of vegetables so I feel like I’m being healthy.” She laughs.
For $8.58, Fleetwood’s plentiful plate of hippie hash begins with a generous layer of homemade hash browns. Layered on top of that is green peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms. Sprinkled with melty, gooey feta cheese at the end, hippie hash is something that has to be experienced for yourself (preferably with a good date by your side!).
“Besides that, [Fleetwood] is cheap, and has good food with a lot of options. I’ve been coming here for years and used to come here with my boyfriend almost every day, before I graduated. This is my favorite food,” Tobin said.
“Fleetwood is how all the waitresses meet their husbands!” Johnnie Williams, a worker at Fleetwood, chimed in from the back of the store. “Seriously. This place is for matchmaking. Plus, you can’t beat the quality of food.”
Outside is a covered porch, which is heated in the wintertime, so you and a date can enjoy the Ann Arbor view anytime of the year.
“We’re having a great time sitting out here, just enjoying the day,” said Natalie Arvin. “[My husband] has never been here before, so this is his first time, but I come here a lot. You can’t beat the food here. And it’s open all the time! So it’s always a good time for a date.”
Fleetwood Diner is open 24/7 at 300 South Ashley Street in Ann Arbor.
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