Romantic date ideas in Denver, a curated list by Bozhena Evans, LCSW, Couples Counselor and Sex Therapist in Wheat Ridge, CO
I talk a lot about the importance of keeping the romance alive in our long-term committed relationships.
This is especially relevant to those who have experienced and survived multiple chapters of ups and downs with regard to eroticism. Date nights aren’t reserved for the honeymoon period alone–they’re just as important and enlivening in later stages of a relationship as in its inception. Whether you’re a busy working couple with the added burden of raising children, or childless partners defaulting to your vocation or other non-sexy comfort zones in which to pour most of your energy, I’m here to help you work on intentionally carving out opportunities for actual romantic experiences, which will infuse your relationship with that delicious eros that it craves. (More on my couples counseling and sex therapy after my sexiest spots for dates in Denver directory below.)
As I am a Denver Metropolitan area resident and proud Coloradan, I thought it might be fun to share just a few among many of my favorite romantic local activities for those of you locals reading.
Maybe these ideas will inspire non-Coloradans to do your own exploration of your local fun/romantic spots that offer sensory stimulation and allow for romantic energy to flow. There are too many bars, restaurants, and other special places to include, but here is a list of a few great spots that really stand out in my mind:
Major Tom Restaurant (Rino)
It’s a more upscale but not stuffy restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere, artsy aesthetic, and excellent cuisine for the price point. It’s an intimate space with outdoor seating as well. This may be a bit decadent for a first date, but definitely a must for someone special. https://majortomdenver.com
ESP Bar Denver
An exquisite little bar/lounge. As written directly on the bar’s website, “ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) hints to the feeling for us when all senses, sight, smell, touch, taste and sound are in harmony. You can’t put your finger on it, but everything just feels… right.” I couldn’t say it better! If you want to grab a delicious beverage in an aesthetically and multi-sensorially stimulating space, go here with your cutie. https://esphifi.co
Harkins Arvada Movie Theater
Located on the northwestern side of town, it has a cute retro aesthetic, a little bar inside for those who like an adult beverage before/after their movie, and super comfortable plush recliner chairs to view the movie of your choice. https://www.harkins.com/theatres/arvada-14
Tatarian Denver
This is a small yet vibrant, woman-owned little cocktail lounge with exquisite cocktails that’s perfect for a date evening! I love how cozy it is, and conducive to good conversation as it’s rarely too loud. https://www.thetatarian.com
Denver Botanical Garden on York Street
Of course, I couldn’t help but include this stunner. Even though it’s typically thought of as more of a daytime place to visit, some might forget that it’s open until the evening and serves as quite the romantic setting for a stroll and chat with a loved one or even a newer crush! https://www.botanicgardens.org
Clocktower Cabaret of Denver
This unique event spot offers entertaining burlesque shows in a cute venue inside of the Downtown Denver clocktower. Grab some dinner beforehand and head over here if you and your main squeeze are comfortable viewing the somewhat ancient art of burlesque theater, with always some form of creative themes to accompany each show…this can be a more overt way to generate erotic energy. https://www.clocktowercabaret.com
About Your Curator: Bozhena Evans, LCSW, Owner & Founder of BE Therapy
Hi, I’m Bozhena Evans, LCSW, Couples Counselor and Sex Therapist near Denver, Colorado in Arvada, CO.
In my experience, a couple can start out hot and steamy with their attraction, chemistry, and great sex, but they might struggle with emotional intimacy free of fears, disappointments, and trust issues.
Understandably, a healthy companionship becomes more challenging in this case as the couple works to explore and heal their wounds until a more secure attachment develops.
On the flipside, and what I see often in my office, is that many couples in long-term committed relationships report having less trouble managing their domestic responsibilities and may report being great companions but say that eroticism has been largely neglected and needs reviving. In other words, the partners get along and cohabitate quite well but have allowed all other areas of focus, and the natural course of sharing proximity with someone over time, to dampen their desire for one another. Many times, at least one of the partners craves more heat to reenter the relationship. More likely, they both want to increase romantic energy but may have different needs for accessing desire for one another.
Even the act of exploration in itself is exciting and fun. Hence the importance of this list!
Multiple couples and sex therapists speak to the difference between companionship and eroticism in a committed relationship. In fact, we know from couples and sex therapy gurus like Esther Perel that exploration and excitement are opposite forces from safety and stability, which as mentioned earlier, many couples may possess while nonetheless struggling with eroticism. Again, setting an intention to have more romantic, fun and exploratory date nights is one important avenue through which eroticism can be increased and enhanced, also allowing the couple a bit of an escape from the more mundane or serious tasks of daily life.
To explain how folks differ in their ability to access desire is beyond the scope of this post and will be discussed in another; however, it’s fair to say more generally that remembering to keep romance alive is something many of us in long-term committed relationships can strive to improve. We forget that we mustn’t take our relationships for granted, even as we feel cozy and settled into them. Usually, at least one partner craves more excitement or lust in the relationship, so if we remember to actively work at keeping the eros alive, which involves supplementing the more grounding energies of a relationship with more playfulness, fun, and excitement, we end up feeling more connected and joyful as partners.
Could your relationship use some sparks? Save this list and see which one suits you best. Need more than sparks? Perhaps some couples therapy?
