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Meet Brian
Hi, I’m Brian Ambuehl, Chief Business Officer at the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. I moved from Sacramento to North Carolina in 1978 when I was 10, grew up in High Point and went to Appalachian State before settling in the Triad in 1991. I now live in Greensboro with my wife, Staci, our kids and two cats. After all these years, I’ve found the go-to spots for group hangs and date nights — the kinds of places that make this city easy to enjoy.
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Pick your date vibes
- Park and play: The corner of Walker and Elam avenues is this cozy intersection where you can park once and choose from a cluster of local spots: Lindley Park Filling Station for sandwiches and salads, Emma Keys for a classic burger joint feel, Fishbones for a more relaxed seafood stop, and Sticks and Stones for wood-fired pizzas.
- Caffeinated convos: Common Grounds, aka “The Grounds,” is a community hub for students and locals; it’s cozy and eclectic, and they have fun, celebrity-themed drinks — my go-to is the “Robert Downey Jr.,” a peanut butter latte.
- Special but not stuffy: For a more intimate night, Gia is one of the first names out of my mouth. It has a modern speakeasy feel with a vintage twist, and the cocktails are seriously thoughtful, with innovative flavors and skilled mixology behind the bar. It’s ideal for couples or small groups who appreciate a good cocktail and a curated vibe.
- Treat yourself: 1618 offers high-end, gourmet food and is a top-tier pick for serious food lovers and celebratory occasions, while Lucky 32 is a favorite for a dinner that feels special without being overly formal.
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Go big or go home
- Tanger Center for the Performing Arts: They bring in a full Broadway series from roughly September through June, and I always tell folks to look into their Prelude Dining on the third floor before a show — it’s incredibly convenient, and the food is genuinely delicious, not an afterthought.
- First Horizon Coliseum: Just down the road, this is where you catch major concerts, family shows like Disney on Ice and Monster Jam, and huge sporting events from college basketball to figure skating championships.
- Greensboro Grasshoppers: For spring and summer, catching a Greensboro Grasshoppers Minor League Baseball game is a classic warm-weather outing — it’s more than just baseball, with live music, themed nights and special events that give the whole ballpark a festive, family-friendly feel.
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Good for the group
- Boxcar Bar + Arcade: This is an adult arcade where you can sip a drink and play pinball or vintage games, which is a blast for groups of friends.
- Bourbon Bowl: This spot combines a bar, bowling and a great outside patio, so it feels like a mini entertainment district all on its own.
- Brewpubs: If you know anything about North Carolina, then you know the brewery scene is great. NC is home to the largest number of craft breweries in the South, boasting more than 400 independent breweries and brewpubs. Joymongers Brewing Co., SouthEnd Brewing Co., Natty Greene’s and Little Brother Brewing in Greensboro are all solid options. Each has its own personality, but you can count on outdoor spaces, live music and community events.
- Fainting Goat Spirits: This family-owned, grain-to-glass craft distillery is tucked into a former blacksmith shop and uses 100% NC-grown grains — relying on super-local ingredients is a common thread in NC. Their tastings on Fridays and Saturdays are a fun way to sample local spirits and hear the story behind them.
This insider authorship was produced in partnership with Greensboro Area CVB.