A Florida man was ordered by a judge to take his wife out on a date, instead of being sent to jail for a 'minor' domestic dispute. (Shutterstock)

A Florida judge has ordered a man accused of domestic violence to take his wife out on a date.

Instead of bail or jail, Judge John Hurley said Joseph Bray, 47, must give his wife flowers and a birthday card and take her out for Red Lobster and bowling, reported the Sun-Sentinal.

What began as a spat between Bray and his wife — when he failed to wish her a happy birthday — escalated to the point where Bray allegedly pushed her onto the couch, put his hand on her neck and held up his fist to hit her, but did not strike her, the report said.

The newspaper said the judge called it a "minor incident." He also ordered the couple to get marriage counselling.

Hurley said he wouldn't have imposed such an unusual sentence if the charge had been more serious or if the woman seemed to be injured or in danger.