Some cities are just more conducive to dating. Be it because of the atmosphere, a multitude of venues, the amount of single people, or whatever other reason. London is one of those cities that seems to have it all. It’s packed with everything from romantic corners to places where you can have unexpected adventures. There’s something on almost every corner of this huge city and you hardly ever have to settle for the old drinks and dinner routine.
Choosing the right activity and venue for the first date can sometimes feel overwhelming, precisely because of all these options, so we have made a list with some original ideas for anyone struggling with cute date ideas in London. We’re sure that these can at least inspire you to pick a perfect option for an excellent date.
Paint & sip sessions
Paint & sip sessions are a great first date idea as they give you a chance to showcase your creativity in a very relaxed environment with a glass of bubbly or some other drink. These events/workshops are excellent for all levels as you’re usually guided through the process step by step so even absolute beginners will certainly enjoy and possibly even take a small masterpiece back home with them.
London offers plenty of venues with Brush and Bubbles, Pinot & Picasso, and PopUp Painting at The London Art Bar being some of the more notable ones.
Couples’ creative classes
Another memorable idea for the creative daters are creative classes for couples, and London definitely offers some very interesting options.
There are pottery classes where you can get your hands dirty and build, sometimes also paint clay pieces side by side at studios like Crown Works Pottery and School or MYO Creative Studio.
Bespoke perfume workshops that let you blend and bottle a fragrance together to take home are a very romantic idea, and if you’re into scents and fragrances, consider one of the scented candle making workshops like We Candle It..
Each of these classes and workshops gives you a perfect opportunity to bond through learning and creating together, and will potentially give you a memorable reminder of your first date.
Roller disco or ice skating
For the more athletic ones, looking for a more fun and energetic idea for your first date that might even involve a bit of playful and healthy competition, roller disco or ice skating tick all those boxes and London offers plenty of rinks for either.
Roller Nation is probably the go-to roller disco venue in Tottenham with a bar, diner and of course, a good DJ, while Ice Rink Canary Wharf will offer you a very scenic setting for you ice-scapades making it a great place to break the ice(pardon the pun).
Regardless if you’re spinning around like two pros or wobbling about holding each other from falling down, these dates should provide you with plenty of laughter and possibly some viral reels.
Escape rooms
For anyone looking for something completely different, escape rooms might just be that original date idea that you’re looking for. It’s an interactive and collaborative experience that will force you to talk, look for clues together, and brainstorm while trying to beat the clock. It is a great way to bond and will give you plenty of conversation topics long after you’ve “escaped”.
Like almost anything else, London has plenty of escape rooms in various styles to choose from like clueQuest or Escape Hunt Oxford street, so if this seems up your alley, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Pub Quiz Night
Although pub quizzes are not original per se, this might be a bit of an unorthodox idea for a first date, but it makes for an excellent, if perhaps slightly “nerdy”, date. It combines casual drinks with “built-in” conversation, opportunities for teamwork, and some competition. This date idea minimises opportunities for awkward silences, and at best gives you both a chance to showcase your random knowledge or at worst forces you to at least laugh together, if you’re very unlucky with the questions that come up.
London offers literally hundreds of locations from your local pubs with weekly quiz nights, to specialized, quiz oriented venues like Quiz Room London.
Conclusion
London is a great spot for dating, especially in terms of having plenty of things to do, and plenty of places to do them at. Regardless of your budget or affinities, London’s got you covered, although the amount of options can sometimes make choosing the right one a tad bit overwhelming.
Regardless if you’re looking to showcase your creativity or knowledge, or just want to have fun and laugh, we’re sure that these date ideas can inspire you to think outside the box next time you go on a first date in London.
