Our readers’ local horror date stories

We get it — dating is scary. Share your horror date stories that still haunt you to this day.

A shot of highrise buildings in downtwon Tampa. The sun is shining on the towers and there are palm trees in the foreground.

The sun has set on these bad dates.

For Valentine’s Day, we created a map of local stories sharing where our readers fell in love and made memories. We asked for your help compiling everything from proposals to making friends. You did not disappoint.

But what about those date stories that still haunt you to this day? You know, like if you were ever ghosted or thought you were getting ready to meet the love of your life but ended the night with a date night story that your friends still bring up + will never let you live down?

Well, gather ‘round. Turn off the lights and cue the perfectly timed lightning — it’s time to share your top horror date night stories that took place around Tampa Bay; just in time for Halloween.

Here are the rules

  • This is supposed to be a commiserative + fairly light-hearted story. Unburden yourselves of embarrassing date nights and cringe moments you’ll never forget.
  • Keep your stories PG-rated.
  • Don’t use real names. Keep everyone anonymous; we’ll keep you anonymous, too.

Pro tip: For bonus points, use some classic Halloween character names like “Charlie Brown,” “Frankenstein,” “Wednesday,” “Carrie,” or “Sabrina”. You get the picture.

Share your local horror date night stories with us + we might put it in anupcoming newsletter.

More from TBAYtoday
The city’s long-awaited two-way bike lane is nearly complete.
The new 31-story condo tower is one of the latest changes to the South Tampa skyline.
Different cities and regions have plenty of localized menu items. Now it’s time for cookies to join the fray.
Increasing the value of your home might be easier than you think.
The budding corals will eventually be replanted within the Keys as part of Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative.
We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.
From pop legends to chart-topping bands, there’s no shortage of concerts to see this year in the Tampa Bay area.
Here’s where to ring in 2026 in TBAY.
We rounded up six locally approved matcha picks so you can get your green fix.