15 First Date Ideas To Tell Your Grandchildren About

Looking to have a good first date that isn’t riddled with awkward silences? Beyond the dated party in question being the problem, a date activity might be your best bet for generating the relationship kick-off you’ll tell your grandchildren about. Whether you met on a dating app or the old fashioned way (down the pub, of course!), here are 15 first date ideas that (hopefully) won’t leave you cringing the next morning. (Disclaimer: A successful first date is sadly not guaranteed…)

15 First Date Ideas

Wine Tasting

Here’s a first date idea for the distinguished gentlepeople out there: a wine-tasting night. You have multiple options for this: you could try something like London’s Colony Grill Room’s ‘Wine Discovery Journey’ – a flight of four wines served blind, chosen to match your taste preferences and dishes ordered. You’re left in the dark until the very end when all is revealed. Plus, if you correctly guess all of the wines served (name and vintage), the otherwise £50 wine flight is on the house. Elsewhere, Humble Grape hosts fun and accessible organic wine tasting classes across London, or opt for one of KASK’s at-home tasting kits.

Art Gallery

How to look sophisticated on a budget? By heading to a free museum, of course. Head to an art gallery with your amour-to-be, soaking up the stunning architecture and artwork before discussing it all over a coffee or cocktail. In London, there are plenty of options, from the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain, the V&A to the National (Portrait) Gallery. Just avoid any cringey pick-up lines about who the real art in the room is…

Looking To Impress? Take Them To One Of These Cool Exhibitions

Mini Golf Course

Looking for fun first date ideas? Time to go to the mini golf course you’ve always been toying with. These are a fun way to get to know each other without the intensity of constant eye contact over a table at a restaurant or bar. Here are our favourite mini golf spots in London.

Bounce Battersea

Ping Pong

If you’re not a mini golf fan, try ping pong instead. If you’re London based, the ultimate destination is Bounce, with venues in Battersea, Farringdon and Old Street complete with a vibey bar, loud music, and a few more games to choose from, too. If you’re a master table tennis player, try their new AI powered Ping Pong X to really showcase your skills. bouncepingpong.com

Trivia Night

Who needs a stock pile of conversation starters when you could ask a niche quiz question instead? Pick a pub quiz and challenge yourselves to a battle with the rest of the punters, or pick up a Trivial Pursuit set and a bottle of wine, and host a low-key first date in the house. If you’re not comfortable being in the house for the first date, try one of these board game cafes instead.

Mind of Moriarty

Escape Room

If that’s not intense enough for you, test your wits in an escape room. Here are eight options for 2024, from a Sherlock-inspired case to an abandoned tube station.

Substation Brixton

Rock Climbing

Consider yourself sporty? With most millennials picking up bouldering and rock climbing in recent years, there’s a 50:50 chance the person you’re about to go on a date with has tried this sport before (and loves it) – if you haven’t yourself. Here are some fun spots to try rock climbing in London.

Bike Ride

Speaking of sporty dates, a bike ride could be the high-energy alternative to a stroll you’ve been looking for. While the latter evokes gloomy memories of lockdown, bike rides are all about vibrancy, energy and fun. It’s the Lime/Santander bike effect. Fancy soaking up some iconic sites along the way? Try this cycle route through central London.

Stereo © Mr Tripper

Live Music Bar

Music fan? Combine your passion with alcohol and you have one of our favourite weekend pastimes: sipping a few drinks in a live music bar. From piano bars to jazz bars, there are plenty of hot spots in London to enjoy. Plus, some serve delicious food. Here’s our pick of the best.

Grab A Coffee

More of a no to low alcohol person? Try grabbing a coffee instead (or an indulgent hot chocolate from Knoops). Combine your hot drink with a stroll through a park for the ultimate cosy vibes.

Ice Cream

If you’re looking for summery first date ideas, ice cream is your coffee equivalent. (If you’re interested in doing this in colder climates, no judgement here.) Here are London’s best ice cream parlours to stop by on a first date stroll.

Botanical Garden

Speaking of first date walks, absorb more smells and nature at a botanical garden, from Kew Gardens to Chelsea Physic Garden to Hyde Park’s Rose Garden.

Skylight Peckham

Drag Show

Or why not thoroughly break the ice at a drag show? If you fancy it with a side of brunch, we’ve got you covered.

Pasta Evangelists

Cooking Class

If you prefer to be in the kitchen rustling up some delicious dishes, or you’re wanting to sharpen your cooking skill set, a cooking class is a lovely first date idea for foodies. Here are some of our favourites across the UK.

Pasta Fan? Try Pasta Evangelists’ Cooking Academy Instead

Pottery Class

Ghost fan? Or just stuck in a serious TikTok wormhole? Either way, a pottery class is a fun first date idea if you’re seeking activities, especially if you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty. You could go all out and book into a beginner’s class together, or opt for humble pottery painting instead (Social Pottery in Kentish Town is a great choice for both of these options.)