Date night ideas in Cary from official sources: Peck & Plume, Herons, CRÚ wine bar, The Cary Theater, Fenton's ice rink and late bars.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Hours come from each venue’s own site, linked below. Restaurants change hours, especially on holidays; book or call ahead.

Who to call

  • Herons reservations: 919-447-4200
  • Peck & Plume: 919-804-1400
  • CRÚ Food & Wine Bar: 919-377-2079
  • Koka Booth Amphitheatre: 919-462-2025

Dinner

Herons, The Umstead Hotel and Spa. The hotel’s restaurant serves a tasting menu built on produce from its One Oak Farm, plus an a la carte menu. Dinner is by reservation only, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. Valet parking is complimentary (Herons page).

Peck & Plume, 301 S. Academy St. The restaurant at The Mayton downtown describes its food as “New American classics taking inspiration from our southern surroundings.” Dinner is 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and it says reservations are strongly encouraged (website).

At Fenton. CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, Superica and a cluster of other restaurants sit along Fenton Main Street; the center’s directory lists them all.

Wine and cocktails

Venue Address Hours
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar 9 Fenton Main St. Sun.-Thu. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Dram & Draught 3 Fenton Main St. Mon. 4 p.m. to midnight; Tue.-Thu. noon to midnight; Fri.-Sat. noon to 2 a.m.; Sun. noon to 11 p.m.
The Bark Bar Downtown Cary Park Mon.-Thu. 4 to 9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon to 10 p.m.; Sun. noon to 8 p.m.

CRÚ says it serves hundreds of wines “in an elegant, casually hip environment.” Fenton’s directory lists its parking in the Green Deck, Blue Deck or Parking Lot A.

Dram & Draught pairs a neighborhood bar with a craft cocktail list and more than 400 whiskeys.

Downtown, the open-air Bark Bar in Downtown Cary Park pours beer and wine beside the dog park, and the park’s signed Social District lets you carry a drink 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Shows and things to do

  • The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St.: films, live music, comedy and special screenings (calendar).
  • Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave.: the town’s curated concerts; in 2026 its Valentine’s night concert was on Feb. 14.
  • North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway: Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, nightly 6 to 10 p.m., closed Christmas Day (festival page).
  • Skate the Square, Fenton Square by Paragon Theaters: an outdoor ice rink, Nov. 6, 2026, to Feb. 7, 2027; daily hours on the ticket page.
  • Free movie nights and concerts on the Great Lawn at Downtown Cary Park; see our free things to do guide.

Seasonal ideas: our Valentine’s Day page, the holiday lights guide and New Year’s Eve page.

Late spots

Fenton keeps the latest hours: Dram & Draught until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sports & Social, 301 Fenton Gateway Drive, until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday. Live music venues and breweries are in our live music and nightlife guide.

What this means for you

  • Book Herons ahead: dinner is reservation only.
  • Dinner and a show downtown: Peck & Plume, then The Cary Theater.
  • Winter dates: the lantern festival or the Fenton ice rink.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I go for a special dinner in Cary?

Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa serves a tasting menu and an a la carte menu at dinner, by reservation only, Tuesday to Saturday. Peck & Plume, 301 S. Academy St., serves dinner Monday to Saturday and strongly encourages reservations.

Is there a wine bar in Cary?

CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, 9 Fenton Main St., is open from 11:30 a.m. daily, until 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. other nights. Call 919-377-2079.

What is there to do on a date in Cary at night?

See a film or show at The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St., skate at Fenton’s Skate the Square from Nov. 6 to Feb. 7, or walk the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre from Nov. 21 to Jan. 10.

What bars are open late in Cary?

At Fenton, Dram & Draught is open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and Sports & Social until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday, according to their own listings.