How to Have a Fun Rock Climbing Date Night

Everyone loves a good date night. But what makes a great date? We'd argue that it's something enjoyable that allows you to bond with each other.. Enter rock climbing. This a perfect date night option that we guarantee will be fun for individuals with any range of climbing abilities. While going to the nearest indoor rock climbing gym is simple and requires minimal planning, we've compiled a list of suggestions to enhance a rock climbing date night. Check our tips out below, but be warned - you might get the date night itch immediately.

Tips to Having a Fun Rock Climbing Date Night

1. Book a Private Sessions/Staff Belay

If you are a first-time climber looking to try out a new rock climbing gym, we suggest a private staff-belayed session. These are great because you'll have an entire hour with a dedicated staff member who can belay you on any wall you'd like and guide you up the wall if you're unfamiliar with the sport. Even if you and your partner are veteran climbers, receiving your belay certification at a new rock climbing gym can be time-consuming. If you don't think you'll both visit the new gym frequently, bring your gear and book a staff belay. This way, the staff member can point out the best routes, and you'll be fully present to cheer on your partner while climbing. Or, having to belay will allow you to take only some of the photos. We all know photos are a must, or it didn't happen (just kidding - seriously, put your phone down and enjoy the night with your significant other).

What to Avoid: Don’t assume you can wing it without support. Climbing can be intimidating for first-timers, and struggling through it without help can lead to stress instead of fun. Booking staff belay takes the pressure off and ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

2. Make Post-Climb Dinner Plans

Rock climbing is a full-body workout that will leave you tired and need refueling. What better way to continue an epic date night than with dinner plans? If you want to save time showering, changing, and going somewhere fancy, place a takeout order while wrapping up your climbing. Then, on the drive home, pick up the takeout and enjoy it at home! If takeout isn't your vibe, swing by your favorite grocery store on the drive home and grab the ingredients for a meal you both love. Then, keep the romantic vibes by cooking together, playing chill music, and lighting candles.

What to Avoid: Don’t leave the night hanging with no plan. Going home hungry, sweaty, and unsure of what’s next can kill the vibe. A little forethought keeps things flowing and keeps the energy high after the climb.

3. Incorporate Friendly Competition

This won't be for every couple, but if you and your partner like competition and can still laugh together afterward, try out one of these climbing games. We've made these suggestions with a bouldering date in mind, but you can also adapt them to work for rope climbing!

• Flash or Trash

Go around the gym, trying as many climbs as possible. You both have one try per climb. If completed on one attempt, you or your partner earn one point. The goal is to have more issues (aka flashes) than your partner by the end of the date. Up the stakes - the loser pays for dinner.

• Make-Up Climbs

If you're regular at your local climbing gym but still want to have a great date night, try making up climbs for each other to try. You can also do this if you've never been to a rock climbing gym and don't find any of the boulders intriguing or doable. Add holds to a make-up to lower the difficulty, or take holds away to increase the difficulty. If you and your partner are super competitive, be careful! They may retaliate if you come up with a challenging climb.

You can also add a point system by climbing each make-up and getting a point for completing the climbs (the number of attempts allowed is up to you all to decide).

• Add-On

This is similar to make-up climbs, but you each will only add on one hand hold at a time. Feet can be "open," any holds, or you can designate specific feet for a more significant challenge. Add-on works similarly to the basketball game Horse. You'll pick a word before you start, and each time you fall before you add a new move earns you a letter. The first person to spell the chosen word by falling x amount of times loses, and the remaining person wins. Consider adding that the loser has to pay for dinner, or this time, the winner.

What to Avoid: Don’t leave the night hanging with no plan. Going home hungry, sweaty, and unsure of what’s next can kill the vibe. A little forethought keeps things flowing and keeps the energy high after the climb.

4. Make it a Double Date.

Depending on your and your partner's preferences, making your rock climbing date night a double date with friends could be fun. Rock climbing is equally social as physical, so it's perfect for grouping up and making a night of it. Some gyms also offer discounts for group staff belay packages if you're looking to save money. Or, if you and your friends are competitive, try out any of the previous games for an epic competition. Afterward, you can all go out for drinks and food, capping off a 10/10 night!

If you, your partner, and the other couple have kids, hire one babysitter for all the little rascals to make their night as fun as yours.

What to Avoid: Don’t invite people who might not be into it or make it all about them. If your friends aren’t on the same vibe—or they turn the night into a brag fest—it might take away from the quality time you and your partner were aiming for.

5. *Bonus Tip* Buy Punch Passes or Membership

If you and your partner end up loving your climbing date (and we think you will), do yourselves a favor and get a punch pass or, better yet, a membership. It's basically a fast pass to more quality time, spontaneous adventures, and built-in excuses to ditch boring dinner dates. Plus, climbing regularly together? That’s couple goals.

What to Avoid: Don’t turn one epic date into a one-hit wonder. If you both had a blast, make it a thing! Just maybe hold off on the matching chalk bags until date #3.

Hopefully, you have reached this point, ready and excited to schedule a rock climbing date night! If we're preaching to the choir, comment below about your and your partner's favorite thing about having a rock climbing date. If you've never had one, definitely give it a try because who knows how much fun you might (read: definitely) have! 6. Don’t Make It Your First Date

While climbing can be a fantastic way to connect, it’s best reserved for your second or third outing. A first date should be more low-key, like grabbing coffee or walking through a park. Climbing works better once you’ve already broken the ice, and now you’re ready to try something more adventurous together. The shared challenge can bring you closer but it’s not always ideal when you're still getting to know someone.

What to Avoid: Don’t surprise someone with an intense physical activity before you’ve figured out their vibe. It could backfire if they’re nervous or unprepared for that level of energy or closeness.

7. Dress for Comfort and Bring a Change of Clothes

You don’t need to show up in matching climbing outfits, but breathable clothes that allow full movement make a big difference. If you're renting shoes, wear thin socks. And pack a clean shirt for after—you’ll appreciate it more than you expect. Looking good is great, but comfort rules when you're scaling a wall and sweating it out.

What to Avoid: Avoid wearing restrictive or overly styled outfits. You don’t want to be adjusting your clothes or overheating during your climb. Dress to move and stay cool.

8. Take a Belay Lesson Together

If you’re both new to climbing, consider taking a belay class together before your date night. Not only does it help you stay safe, but it builds trust and gives you a shared experience right off the bat. Even if only one of you is new, it’s a great excuse to learn or refresh those skills together. Plus, knowing how to belay each other turns climbing into a full-on partner activity.

What to Avoid: Don’t assume your partner knows what they’re doing or that you can just figure it out as you go. When you both feel secure and supported, the whole experience is more enjoyable.

9. Keep It Playful and Supportive

It’s a date, not a competition. Even if you’re both experienced climbers, this isn’t the time to flex. Cheer each other on, share beta, and laugh off mistakes. The best part of climbing together is building memories and sharing fun not proving who’s strongest. Unless you’re both really into friendly competition, save the intense challenges for another time.

What to Avoid: Don’t get caught up in perfection or performance. Everyone falls, everyone flails—it’s part of the fun. Keep it light and encouraging.

10. Use Climbing Commands as a Connection Tool

Yes, climbing has its own lingo. But using phrases like “On belay?” and “Climb on!” isn’t just about safety, it builds communication and teamwork. If one of you is belaying the other, it becomes a natural way to tune in to each other and practice trust. And even on bouldering night, talking about the route, cheering each other on, and planning moves together strengthens your bond.

What to Avoid: Don’t ignore communication. Silence can turn awkward fast. Whether it’s calling out encouragement or checking in with your partner, talking through the climb makes things feel more connected.