Northwest Arkansas Guide to Date Night
Whether it’s the first date or fiftieth, the appeal of a special setting for date night remains. And while we hope it’s the start of something beautiful, you will, at the very least, be impressed by our list of local favorites. From dinner to drinks — and a nightcap or two — here’s Northwest Arkansas’ Guide to Date Night.
FAYETTEVILLE
BOCCA ITALIAN EATERY & PIZZERIA
2036 N College Ave, Fayetteville | Cozy up to the bar or take a seat on the patio at Bocca to enjoy the fresh flavors of authentic Italian cuisine along with extensive selection of wine, local brews, and top-notch cocktails.
ELLA’S TABLE
SCOUTED | 465 Arkansas Ave, Fayetteville | @eatatellas | Equally suited for date nights or relaxed occasions, Ella’s Table is an easy-going spot to enjoy good food and good company. Take a seat in the welcoming dining room for a dinner of modern American fare or stop into Lambeth Lounge to sip on craft cocktails while sharing a wood-fired pizza.
FEED & FOLLY
110 S College Ave, Fayetteville | @feedandfolly | Feed & Folly dishes up made-from-scratch fare, specialty cocktails, and an extensive selection of craft beer from their trendy atmosphere, bested only by their rooftop boasting surrounding downtown Fayetteville views.
GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE
SCOUTED | 519 W Dickson St, Fayetteville | @georgeslivemusic| For live music lovers, George’s Majestic is unmatched. Awesome music, great drinks, and lively, unpretentious vibes will keep you coming back to this Fayetteville staple.
HUGO’S
25 1/2 N Block Ave, Fayetteville | @hugosfayettville | You might have heard rumors that Hugo’s has the best burger in town (or maybe anywhere), and we’re here to confirm. A Fayetteville institution since the 70s, it’s almost a requirement to head here for a date night while in the area. A full bar, burgers, and draft beer – I mean what’s not to love?
LAMBETH LOUNGE
SCOUTED | 465 N Arkansas Ave, Fayetteville | @innatcarnallhall | Comfy leather sofas and plantation shutters set the scene for laid-back Southern elegance where you can unwind in true Fayetteville fashion over signature cocktails, scotches, and craft beers.
LEVERETT LOUNGE
737 N. Leverett Avenue, Fayetteville | @leverettlounge | Decked out in floor-to-ceiling eclectic decor and a funky menu to match, this fun spot is always a favorite for date nights in Fayetteville. Whether it’s dinner or drinks and small bites on the patio, Leverett Lounge will always please.
MAXINE’S TAP ROOM
107 N Block Ave, Fayetteville | @maxinestaproom | Opened in 1950 by the bar’s namesake, Maxine Miller, Maxine’s Tap Room is a long-enduring Fayetteville institution. Cozy up to your date inside the moody atmosphere and imbibe together with well-balanced, quality cocktails.
MEIJI
3878 N Crossover Rd, Fayetteville | @meijinwa | This intimate Japanese joint specializes in their creative takes on sushi, seafood, and traditional plates and is well-known for their impressive selection of quality sakes.
PLOMO
644 W Dickson St, Fayetteville | @plomoquesadillas | This late night eatery on Dickson Street offers notoriously delicious quesadillas best enjoyed after a night out and a couple of drinks with your date.
PURITAN COFFEE & BEER
205 W Dickson St, Fayetteville | @puritancoffeebeer | Seamlessly transition your coffee date into happy hour at Puritan Coffee & Beer where you can enjoy the best of both worlds from their leather clad lounge or sleek patio.
THEO’S FAYETTEVILLE
318 Campbell Ave, Fayetteville | @theosfayettville | Theo’s blends the freshness of coastal cuisine with the comfort and cooking of Southern hospitality to be enjoyed under the low light of their upscale atmosphere. And if dinner isn’t the main event, the cocktail lounge and patio are a fabulous location to imbibe.
TULA
SCOUTED | 1 E Center St, Fayetteville | @_tulamx | Fayetteville’s downtown district eatery and date-night staple, Tula, offers a dimly lit, upscale ambiance and a menu that stretches across the vast landscape of Mexican cuisines. Expect cultured and unique dining and dangerously delicious cocktails.
VAULT
112 W Center St, Fayetteville | @vaultbar| Crafted in a raw yet warm palette of concrete, wood, steel, and leather, Vault is a straightforward bar with amazing whiskeys, delicious cocktails, and one of the best bourbon selections in the state of Arkansas.
ROGERS
BIG ORANGE
SCOUTED | 2203 S Promenade Blvd, Rogers | @bigo_rogers | Big Orange serves up more than just a fantastic burger, offering a variety of standout salads and appetizers plus a wide selection of wine, beer, craft cocktails, and over the top milkshakes suited for sharing.
FOX TRAIL DISTILLERY
2121 S Bellview Rd, Rogers | @foxtraildistillery | Take a tour around the distillery with your date then head to the laidback tasting room to sip on an incredible lineup of craft cocktails courtesy of their master bartenders.
HEIRLOOM
101 E Walnut, Rogers | @1907heirloom | Hiding within the 1907 Building in historic downtown Rogers, sits the not-so-secret, secret tasting menu restaurant, Heirloom. With just 20 seats and open for only 3-4 nights a week, reservations for the multi-course prefix dinner are highly coveted. *Reservations release the 15th of each month at 11 a.m. for the following month’s dates.*
LOCAL LIME
SCOUTED | 2103 S Promenade Blvd, Rogers | @locallime | If you’re looking to treat your date to tacos and tequila, Local Lime is the spot. Expect inventive tacos, fresh hand-crafted margaritas, and a vibrant, upscale atmosphere.
LOMA
5201 W Pauline Whitaker Pkwy, Rogers | @_lomamx | Open as of January 2nd by the team at Tula, new kid on the block, Loma, serves a simple, clean representation of the complexity of Mexican cuisine from an interior inspired by Mexico City architecture. Bonus points for their rooftop terrace and bar area where romantic sunset views are best enjoyed.
THEO’S ROGERS
3300 S Market St, Rogers | @theosrogers | From the refined new American fare and vibey ambiance, you can expect the same upscale drinks and dining experience offered from sister restaurant, Theo’s Fayetteville.
BENTONVILLE
AOI SUSHI
211 NE A St, Bentonville | @aoibentonville | The sushi at AOI Sushi is so fresh, you wouldn’t believe we are nine hours from the nearest ocean. Indoor and patio seating are available, but we recommend grabbing a seat at the bar so you can get a front row view as the chef prepares your meal.
BAR CLEETA
10 NW 2nd St, Bentonville | @barcleeta | Seasonality and sleek interiors combine at Bar Cleeta to create an irresistible fine-dining experience. Menu highlights include an eclectic wine program, cocktails, oysters, charcuterie, and small plates for sharing.
BENTONVILLE TACO & TAMALE CO.
SCOUTED | 101 W Central Ave, Bentonville | @bentonville | Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. specializes in Mexican fare with Arkansas influences. So, in other words, it’s downright delicious. Come for four kinds of cheese dip and stay for the mezcal margaritas.
CONIFER
321 SE 2nd, Bentonville | @coniferbentonville | A sophisticated atmosphere and a hyper seasonal menu make this an easy choice for an elevated date of dinner and drinks. They earn extra points for being 100% gluten free for those who haven’t quite learned their date’s diet yet.
LADY SLIPPER
138 SW 2nd Street, Bentonville | @ladyslippernwa | Named for the wild Arkansas orchid, Lady Slipper is an intimate and elegant speakeasy lounge serving inventive cocktails and shared plates under low lights. It doesn’t get more date night than this.
SCOTCH & SODA
121 W Central Ave, Bentonville | @thescotchandsodaabv | Whiskey aficionados will delight in a date at Scotch & Soda. Known for their curated selection of Scottish and American whisky, you can explore their offerings via build-your-own whisky flights and craft cocktails while you snack on charcuterie and other bar bites.
THE HIVE
200 NE A St, Bentonville | @thehivebentonville | The airy restaurant and lounge located within the sleek 21c Museum Hotel, is perfect for getting to know your date over dinner, drinks, or both. Expect fabulous, seasonally-driven dishes that showcase the unique culinary identity of Arkansas and creative craft cocktails to match.
TOWER BAR AT THE MOMENTARY
507 SE E St, Bentonville | @themomentary | Loosely inspired by a 60s airport lounge, the Tower Bar is a high-flying space with stellar views and even better drinks. This is the perfect place to watch the sunset while you and your date sip on creative cocktails and unique spirits.
WHOLE HOG CAFE
1400 SE Walton Blvd, Bentonville | @wholehofcafebentonville | Take a seat at the red-and-white-gingham-clad tables to indulge in award-winning Memphis style barbecue and refreshing draft beer for a date that is both delicious and unpretentious.
WRIGHT’S BBQ
208 NE 3rd St, Bentonville 72712 | @wrightsbarbecue | Wright’s Barbecue is an easygoing outpost where casual or group dates are best enjoyed over Texas-style barbecue and frosty beers from a seat on the spacious patio. And if you’re lucky, there might even be live music for a date with dinner and a show.
SPRINGDALE & JOHNSON
CASA ALEJO
101 W Emma Ave, Springdale | @casa.alejo.nwa | Casa Alejo delights with a modern spin on classic Mexican favorites. Complemented by a full bar featuring fan-favorite drinks — micheladas, margaritas, and more — it’s a cute, casual spot with good personality and great eats.
HAIL FELLOW WELL MET
5519 W Hackett Rd Suite 101, Springdale | @wellmetcafe | The patio of this unbelievably cozy counter service café embodies a light and airy ambiance highlighted by wooden accents and hanging greenery to give you the best surroundings for enjoying their specialty coffee, high-end cocktails, natural wines, and freshly baked pastries.
MJ’S PIZZERIA
838 N 48th Street, Springdale | For a casual date where the food still feels upscale, look to MJ’S Pizzeria. Think Neapolitan-style thin crust pizzas, pastas, salads, and a world-class wine list, all enjoyed from comfortable digs that include a welcoming dining room and laid-back patio.
PIZZERIA RUBY
5519 Hackett St, Springdale | @pizzeriaruby | With both the charm and menu you would expect from a New York neighborhood Italian eatery, Pizzeria Ruby guarantees a date night filled with delicious pies and terrific cocktails.
We are currently scouting for Volume 7 and would love to hear from you! Nominate your favorite date night spots via email at [email protected]. And if you tap any of our Scouted bars or restaurants, don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
MORE LOCAL READS
