Pointe Orlando: The Perfect Place for Your Next Date Night
There’s no end to exciting, over-the-top attractions you can find throughout central Florida. And no place is teeming with them more than International Drive, the hub of Orlando’s tourist corridor. With theme parks, waterparks, and eccentric museums dotting the landscape, it’s easy to find something wild and thrilling to do at any time, day or night.
But what about those of us looking for a more sedate and intimate evening out? There are equally adventurous options for an exciting – or relaxing – date night located all around the area as well. One great location to check out is Pointe Orlando, an open-air retail and dining complex located directly on International Drive next to the Orange County Convention Center. With great shopping, live entertainment, and dining options all in one centralized location, it just might be the perfect place for your intimate evening out while you’re on vacation or stay-cation even, if you are local.
Interested yet? Here are our top picks for places to plan your next date night at Pointe Orlando.
Main Event
Are you feeling adventurous? Try Main Event, a venue that combines food, drink, and plenty of old-fashion fun into a single experience. One major draw is their 20+ lane bowling alley, perfect for a couples date night or group events and larger parties. That isn’t all they have, though. Main Event is known for its extensive arcade and game room experience, letting you play everything from racing games to old fashion skee ball.
There is also an indoor gravity ropes course for the more adventurous among us. Suspended 20 feet above the ground, you can explore obstacles, high beams, tight ropes, and much more. This is a great choice for active individuals who want to spend time physically doing something.
However, don’t mistake this place for a kiddie arcade because you can have all your fun and games here with a Pina Colada in your hand! Which, in our opinion, may give the mouse house some competition for the happiest place in Orlando! Ever wanted to drink while challenging yourself (and your date) to a game or two on the world’s largest Pac-man machine? Well, you’re in luck because this is the place to do it!
In addition to the arcade and bowling alley, they also have a full restaurant serving American staples like classic burgers, pizza, and even salad offerings while stocking an extensive bar menu. Bahama Mama’s, Margarita’s, Pina Colada’s, Fireball Shooters, and a great selection on domestics and imported beer selections.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
You can never go wrong with Italian, especially for a romantic evening out on the town. Maggiano’s offers a delightful Italian-American dining experience with a relaxed atmosphere and stellar wine list. The décor invokes a homey, traditional feeling of home-cooked meals and a warm interior. You can choose from a family-style dining experience or single-serving portions.
While it isn’t the most unique cuisine option on our list, it’s one of the most consistently highly rated ones in the area.
Regal Cinema Stadium 20+ IMAX
One of the most tried and true options for any date night is catching a movie after dinner or drinks. At this Regal location, you can do both! The Regal location at Pointe Orlando offers a full concession stand and a well-stocked bar that provides specialty cocktails and standard good drinks, beer, and wine. The oversized reclining seats offer a luxurious viewing experience, and assigned seating means you’ll never get stuck with a bad seat (because there aren’t any). It’s also Central Florida’s largest IMAX screen, making it another reason to visit if you’d like to catch the latest blockbuster in all its 4DX glory.
The Improv
If you’d like to add live entertainment to your next date night, why not check out The Improv at Pointe Orlando? This highly-rated comedy club and restaurant books top talent from across the country, including Craig Robinson (The Office), Jason Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back), and Gary Owen. It’s more interactive than a movie date – and you get a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll want to check their schedule to see who is appearing that week.
Be sure to buy your tickets early (they frequently sell out!). The menu includes plenty of late-night cravings like burgers and sandwiches. They also serve fried chicken, wings, and a selection of tasty southern-style side dishes. They also have a sizable beer, wine, and cocktail menu with unique specialty drinks like The Loosened Tie and The Rubber Chicken.
Blue Martini
If you are in the market for a stellar cocktail, Blue Martini is the perfect way to end your evening. This high-energy locale is one of the best-known nightlife locations on I-Drive, and the venue caters to young professionals and a lively after-hours crowd. They offer tapas-style dining if you are looking for small, shareable snacks, as well as a larger menu if you need something more substantial. Most of the menu is designed around smaller bites, though, making it a good choice for before or after-dinner drinks but perhaps not the right option for a full meal.
They have three bar areas, including one outdoor patio space for a casual atmosphere, a dance floor, and a stage bar, giving you options for how high energy you’d prefer your evening to be. Weekend entertainment includes live music and DJ performances indoors and an exclusive VIP lounge if you need a step back from the action. Check their website for monthly themed events or to book your own celebration.
Shopping District
If you want to spend a casual afternoon together before your date, you can peruse the specialty shops Pointe Orlando has to offer, such as Cigars To Go and Hollister of California. From well-loved clothing brand stores to kitschy boutiques and even a few luxury shops, there’s a little bit of everything in the area. It’s easy to waste some time leisurely strolling through the retail offerings before you head on to the evening’s main event(s).
The Pub
This gastropub incorporates British cuisine here at home in America. The menu offers all the traditional food from the UK you’ll love – Shephard’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Scotch Eggs – at affordable pricing. They brand themselves as serving the “Best Fish and Chips in the United States” as established by the UK’s Greene King Brewery.
The lively atmosphere brightens any meal and is sure to make you feel right at home for your meal. They also have live music on the weekends, bringing a little bit more ambiance to the experience. We recommend checking out their bread pudding if you have a sweet tooth. It’s always a winner!
Orange County Convention Center
Pointe Orlando is located just adjacent to the massive Orange County Convention Center. While not directly related to your date night, Pointe Orlando’s proximity to the Orange County Convention Center makes it even more convenient, especially for those visiting Orlando just for one of their shows. The Convention Center is home to many national events, including multimedia convention Mega-Con, Star Wars Celebration, Premier Beauty Show, and even the AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships. Pointe Orlando is close enough to offer convention-goers some great nightlife just across the street! It’s the perfect stop for anyone looking for a break after a long day of trade shows or conventions.
The Hampton Social
One of the newest additions to Pointe Orlando, The Hampton Social, is designed to invoke warm summer days out on the ocean. With a distinctly nautical theming, this restaurant has a massive dining room, outdoor patio space, and live music on the weekends. They offer weekday happy hour specials in the early afternoons if you’d like to take advantage.
With their “Rosé All Day,” their atmosphere is designed for relaxation and, of course, trying one of their signature wine selections during your visit. Their coastal-inspired menu focuses on seafood selections, but there are steak and chicken entrée offerings as well. This spot offers a little bit of something for everyone. If you’d like to make it an early date, they offer a delicious weekend brunch with good reviews.
Taverna Opa
Would you like to try something a little more exciting than American cuisine? Why not visit Taverna Opa for traditional Greek food with a, shall we say, lively environment that combines food and fun with a delicious experience. The food is classic Greek, and the dishes are heavy on lamb, pork, and zesty flavors. The menu has everything from family-style service to ala carte options.
Taverna Opa features entertainment from professional belly dancers accompanied by high-energy live Greek music nightly at 7 PM. The Santorini main dining room décor manages rustic ambiance with modern flair while the Mythos Bar blends music and late-night festivities into a very lively, exciting experience. It may not provide the quietest atmosphere, but it is certainly a lot of fun you won’t soon forget!
While Pointe Orlando is not known for having as many family-friendly options as other locals like ICON Park and Disney Springs, the area excels at catering to a more adult crowd that is perfect for couples looking for a great night out. Providing unique dining options with a little something for everyone. If you’re looking for a place to find good food, laidback entertainment, and a fun evening for an adult crowd, Pointe Orlando has many choices for you!
Have you been to Pointe Orlando? What would you recommend for the perfect night out?
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