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If you’re getting a little bored of the classic dinner date, and have found yourself going to the same restaurants, ordering the same food and having the same conversations, then why not shake things up a little? Check out a few of our alternative dating ideas...

1) A Fancy Wine Date

Take a trip to your nearest off-license, (try and find a ‘posh one,’ i.e. not the garage round the corner that sells a 4 pack of cider for £5). We mean one of those nice ones where the wine is stacked on wooden shelves with hand written notes, and they have hundreds of beers you’ve never heard of before. Ask the guy or girl behind the counter what they’d recommend, and go with it.

It might be pricey, but our thinking is this; spend whatever you would have spent on a dinner date on this fancy bottle and spend the evening enjoying it together. Go super romantic and head to a quiet spot in a park, or just cuddle up on your sofa. If the date goes well, you can keep the bottle as a little memento!



2) Rock Climbing

Whether you’re a total pro or a newbie, Rock Climbing is a great sport for a date. Mainly, because it’s not that aerobic so you won’t get all red faced and (too!) sweaty. It’s also a nice way to get ‘hands-on’ with each other and break down those body language barriers.

Exercise also gives us those happy hormones, putting us in the perfect mood for romance…

3) Bake Together

It’s the time of year again when everyone is in a baking frenzy (thankyou GBBO). Get messy in the kitchen with your date and bake your very own showstopper. Cupcakes are a fun and easy option, and you can have lots of fun decorating them when they’re ready.

Being in a kitchen with someone is always a good way of discovering more about their character – are they a complete control freak or really chilled out??

Cinnamon Swirl??

4) Dinner in the Dark!

Dans Lenoir is an incredible restaurant in London where food is served in the dark. The restaurant is pitch black, meaning that you can’t see your food, the table or your date! With blind waiters serving the food and being on hand to help you get around. It’s a truly unique experience that helps us re-evaluate our perception of taste and smell, in an open-minded atmosphere. Oh, and the food is amazing!





“The concept behind our menu is to re-educate our customers’ palates and minds, to make them truly experience the flavours being presented. Totally deprived of light, your eyes can’t deceive you, so therefore all preconceptions are gone.”

5) Watch the Sunrise

Not one for the first date (unless of course it went REALLY well). Wake up early, like 4am early, and drive out to the countryside to watch the sunrise together. Take a flask of coffee and a blanket and huddle up whilst you watch the day start. Afterwards, either take a walk or go for breakfast! …..and then go back to bed, because who wakes up at 4am?!

6) Theme Park

An adrenalin filled day trip to your nearest theme park will get the sparks flying! Hold hands on the scary rides and see if you can do the impossible and share a kiss as the photo is taken!

7) The British Music Experience

A permanent attraction on the top floor of the O2, featuring music memorabilia from David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust costume to Noel Gallagher’s Union Jack Guitar. Explore British music from the defining sounds of The Beatles to more recent rockers like the Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead. The museum houses over 3000 images, 600 video clips and 3000 artist videos – the PERFECT date option for music loving couples.

8) Bring A Film!

Film tastes – a great conversation for any first date. Take it one step further and have a night in watching 2 films, you each get to pick one (your favourite). Cue debates / discussion and general ‘getting to know you’ chit chat.

9) Lucky Dip

Our favourite! Open up your local paper and turn to the gig listings, shut your eyes and pick one. Not a live music fan? Do the same with restaurants, or even cinema listings. You could end up doing something really exciting and different or you could end up seeing a Barry Manilow tribute act at your local. Either way, it’s something to talk about!

10) Gin Cocktails

Time out have collected ‘London’s Best Speakeasies,’ bars inspired by the 1920s prohibition era. Expect beautiful gin cocktails, jazz musicians and a retro dance code…