Date Night: Spend an Enchanted Evening in Gilbert

Aug 11, 2023

Summer evenings in Gilbert involve enticing  meals and cool activities for two that make every night fun and — most important — memorable.

As the sun sets over the Heritage District in downtown Gilbert, the city’s unmistakable neon lights power on and illuminate the evening ahead. Whether you’re here for a romantic evening or just some laidback entertainment for two, you and your plus-one are in for an unforgettable summer night.

Afternoon: Keep It Cool

Share a sense of adventure before the sun goes down at the Gilbert Escape Room, where you’ll both have to use your wits to decipher clues that allow you to exit the room before time runs out. Or take some swings at Topgolf, where the climate-controlled hitting bays offer a respite from the heat, and the menu offers plenty of shareable snacks.

Evening: Snag a Table for Two

It might take all afternoon to decide where to go for dinner. Distinct and different tastes from across the world await downtown, from tacos and enchiladas at Barrio Queen to ramen bowls and dan dan noodles at Clever Koi. If you’re looking for a hidden gem off the main strip, Gilbert boasts many homegrown restaurants. Head to DelicioUS by Aldu Dominican Cuisine for pepper steak and plantains, or Phoenicia Cafe for gyros. There’s also the indoor-outdoor complex, Barnone, which houses Fire and Brimstone for wood-fired pizza and Garage East, where you can have a glass of wine made in Arizona and listen to live local music three nights a week. Don’t forget about Joe’s Farm Grill’s classic American dishes, cooked using produce from the nearby garden at Agritopia. The list goes on and on.

Après Dinner: Let Gilbert Entertain You

After the sun sets, take a quiet walk around Freestone District Park. The lighted volleyball courts with water-cooled sand, and tennis and basketball courts are great options for mixing in some physical activity.

For something more artistic, try your hands at painting at SunDust Gallery or The Art House Gilbert. Both offer classes and events for all would-be Fridas and Diegos.

If you prefer to just sit back and relax, the legendary Hale Centre Theatre hosts evening shows on weekends and even some weeknights. This summer, the intimate, 350-seat theater in the round presents tribute concerts to musicians like Elton John and Elvis.

To cap off the night, grab a couple of seats on the spacious patio of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company, Gilbert’s world-class brewery, or order up a scoop or two of ice cream. Gilbert has plenty of places where you can indulge your sweet tooth — from the newly opened Topo (prickly pear soft serve) to the futuristic Creamistry (liquid-nitrogen-frozen ice cream). Make sure to try them both — and all the other ice cream shops in town — before the summer ends.