Your Summer Solo Date Game Plan
because time alone is sacred, not a punishment
Does anyone else feel nervous about sitting alone in a restaurant? I remember my first attempt at a solo date required a lot of mental preparation. As an introvert, eating alone can feel intimidating. The fear of what others might think or doing it wrong often holds you back. But talking to my sister, a mom of many, made me realize how much of a privilege it is to have time alone and unbothered.
That first solo date? I brought a book, sat at my table, and barely looked up while I ate. No one stared. The waitress was kind. And all that energy I spent worrying melted away. Since then, solo dates have become one of my favorite rituals and a reminder that I get to choose how I enjoy my own company.
If you’ve been wanting to try it (or level up your solo time), here’s a simple plan for a solo date that leaves you smiling.
My Top 3 Summer Solo Date Spots
🍽 1. Start with a meal that matches your mood
Visiting restaurants alone in a major city like Atlanta usually means making a reservation or sitting at the bar. I keep a list of restaurants I want to try, along with my favorites, for different cravings. Last week, I wanted oysters, so I called Beetlecat, Kimball House, and The Select to find out where their current catches were coming from. Sometimes I look for a specific cocktail or mocktail. As a tea lover, I thoroughly enjoy discovering spots that combine tea with alcohol for a unique cocktail. Other times, I want simple food and don’t want to wait.
The appeal of a solo restaurant date is variety, but you don’t have to keep trying new places all the time. Sometimes, a solo food date is just a chance to indulge in your favorite dishes without restraint. Not having to negotiate with friends or partners about what everyone feels like eating at the moment is pretty great. Plus, you don’t need to put in much effort to look a certain way when dining alone. Maybe you'd prefer to stick to casual clothes, so you stop by your favorite soup dumpling spot to enjoy a laid-back vibe.
📚 2. Wander a local bookstore
Lately, I’ve been exploring many independent bookstores around the Atlanta metro area. We have several Barnes & Noble and Half Price Books locations, but as a book lover, the independent stores offer hidden treasures and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Sometimes, these bookstores also serve as coffee bars and cocktail lounges. It’s a matter of choice: do I want to be social while enjoying a favorite hobby or prefer quiet browsing?
Remember when Barnes & Noble used to host regular author book signings and chats? That’s now a tradition mainly found in independent bookstores. Kennedy Ryan recently visited Lawrenceville, GA, and Yrsa Daley-Ward stopped by the well-known A Cappella Books. Are you a romance novel fan? There’s an independent bookstore just for that. Into Anime? There’s an independent bookstore for that too. I don’t always buy new books, but as a Reading Rainbow kid, browsing bookstores and libraries still fills me with a special kind of joy.
🎬 3. Catch a movie
Summer is here with all the horror you want. Plus rom-coms, a bit of Marvel, and several feel-good, kid-friendly movies too. There's nothing like escaping the heat by heading into a cool theater. At first, this might not seem very comforting, but it only takes one visit to realize that going to the movies alone is a truly special experience. You get to enjoy the candy you like, indulge in popcorn, laugh out loud, and smile freely because it's dark and no one is watching.
As a movie lover, I take this ritual very seriously. Yep, I have an AMC A-List membership, so you know I’m serious about this. Sitting in the theater forces me to turn off my phone and stops the doom scrolling that often happens when watching TV at home (I know I’m not the only one). You get to disconnect from the world for a few hours, laugh, cry, get angry, and come out feeling refreshed.
Your Turn
The best solo dates combine these three activities. This weekend, start at an independent bookshop or your local library to browse titles and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Then, have a meal at a place that matches your current mood. Finish your night at the movie theater and escape into a film of your choice. Try this, come back, and let me know how you feel afterward.
📝 Your Solo Date Template
Here’s a simple plan to try this weekend:
✅ Start at a bookstore or your local library.
✅ Treat yourself to a meal that fits your movie.
✅ End the day with a movie that helps you disconnect.
Or mix it up: go for a hike, explore a museum, stop by your favorite coffee shop. The goal? Get out, explore, and reconnect with your desires.
💭If you try it, I’d love to hear about it. What spots did you choose? How did it feel? Let this be your permission slip to savor solo time this summer.
Until next time,