5 of the best bars and breweries in Fort Collins for a first date
Fort Collins has a vast array of scenic venues to choose from for a first date: a drive-in theater, upscale restaurants, idyllic hiking trails, escape rooms, golf courses and more. However, these excursions don’t necessarily make for great first dates.
An outing to the movie theater, a bike ride or a hike can be a great idea for a second or third date, but all too often you’re too focused on the activity to have a have a fully engaging conversation with your date. Meanwhile, restaurants can leave you feeling obligated to stay and finish your meal regardless of if there’s a connection or not.
Instead of wrangling with these potentially awkward venues, opt for a trip to a local bar or biergarten. Assuming you haven’t chosen Bar District on a Friday night for an intimate conversation, Fort Collins bars have a casual energy — something experts cite as critical to a successful first date — and provide a neutral space for yourself and your date. Reader’s Digest recommends choosing a neutral, public space — until you and your date get to know each other better.
So without further ado, here’s five Fort Collins bars and breweries that should allow for an engaging, successful first date.
5. CAFÉ VINO
Café Vino, located at 1200 S. College Ave., has a wide selection of wines and European cuisine. While the establishment is technically a restaurant, it makes for a perfect date venue for all the self-described wine aficionados out there. The business boasts an extensive menu of over 200 wines, including dessert wines and wine flights, in addition to craft beers and cocktails.
Psychology Today cites a well-lit environment as one of the factors that make or break a successful first date, and Café Vino provides exactly that, along with a casual and bucolic environment. There is no overbearingly loud music, and you can enjoy a covered patio to engage with your date without fear of Mother Nature interrupting.
4. SOCIAL
Too cold for a night out on the patio? Simply craving something a little traditionally ambient and romantic? Rained out? Not a fan of wines? Fear not, Social is the perfect cocktail bar for you. Conveniently located in central Old Town at 1 Old Town Square #7, speakeasy-like basement bar with an endearing setting.
Although Social’s environment isn’t as brightly lit as Cafe Vino’s, it makes up for it in ambience and a wide selection of cocktails — as well as wine and beers. Additionally, you’ll be able to hear your date over the music.
3. ODELL BREWING COMPANY
An ideal first date venue should be casual and relaxing, so shy away from ostensibly intimate and secluded locations like a five-star restaurant. Odell Brewing Co., located at 800 N. Lincoln Ave., provides a beautiful garden to sip in, a rotating selection of food trucks to choose from in the case you or your date get hungry, and a gentle overhead mist of water on hot days. The music outside is hardly noticeable, allowing for clear and distinct conversation, and it isn’t immensely loud inside either, so if the weather outside isn’t permitting, there’s that option as well.
And for the wine lovers, Odell is now serving wine at their winery taproom next door to their brewery.
2. THE MARMOT
Located directly across from CSU Campus and Hughes Stadium at 829 S Shields St., The Marmot provides an ample setting for you to get to know your date. Ardently decorated with warm string lights and not reverberating with blaring music, their patio is well lit, which encourages eye contact that helps facilitate discussion and connection. The Marmot has a rotating list of locally brewed beers, and mixed drinks for you and your date to choose from.
The music inside is comparatively louder, so if you’re going for a fully captivating and intimate conversation, try and grab a seat outside.
1. UNION BAR AND SODA FOUNTAIN
Like the Marmot, Union Bar and Soda Fountain also sets the stage for a successful date with a scenic, well-lit patio. Positioned at 250 Jefferson St., the environment is versatile, perfect for either an afternoon chat over drinks or a late-night chin wag. Their menu includes comfort food, boozy desserts and shakes, and a plethora of cocktails to choose from.
Union Bar also goes easy on the music volume, which helps encourage conversation since you aren’t straining to talk over Billy Joel or Olivia Rodrigo. Bars with a more rambunctious setting like Bondi Beach Bar or Lucky Joe’s should be avoided on a first date for this reason.
