50 First Date Ideas That Aren't Just Drinks (Cheap, Fun and Low-Pressure)

“Shall we get a drink?” is fine. It is also what everyone suggests, and two people facing each other across a small table can feel like an interview. The best first dates give you something to do, look at or laugh about, so conversation happens by itself.

Here are 50 ideas, then a few things that matter more than the venue.

What makes a good first date

• Short by default. An hour or two, with the option to carry on.
• Easy to talk. Not a cinema, not a loud club.
• Something to do. A shared activity takes the pressure off.
• Public. Safe and comfortable for both of you.
• Cheap enough that nobody feels they owe anything.

Classic, done better

1. Coffee, then a walk with the cups.
2. A drink at a bar with board games.
3. Ice cream and a stroll.
4. Brunch instead of dinner. Daylight is relaxing.
5. A wine or beer tasting flight to compare.
6. Dessert only, somewhere good.
7. A food market, one thing from each stall.
8. Tea at a bookshop cafe.
9. Tacos and a wander round the neighbourhood.
10. Breakfast before work. Surprisingly charming.

Active dates

11. Mini golf.
12. Bowling, loser buys chips.
13. A walk in a park you have never been to.
14. Rent bikes for an hour.
15. An easy hike with a view at the end.
16. Ice skating or roller skating, badly.
17. Indoor climbing, beginner wall.
18. Pedal boats or a rowing boat.
19. Table tennis or pool.
20. An arcade, with a ticket competition.

Free or nearly free

21. A free museum or gallery.
22. Picnic in the park, each bring one thing.
23. Watch the sunset somewhere with a view.
24. Browse a flea market or car boot sale.
25. A self-made walking tour of your favourite spots.
26. Window-shop and pick each other's worst outfit.
27. Feed the ducks. It still works.
28. A free outdoor concert or festival.
29. Walk dogs at a local shelter, if they allow it.
30. Stargazing with a flask.

Something a bit different

31. A pottery or painting taster class.
32. A cooking class for two.
33. A pub quiz as a team of two.
34. A comedy night. Shared laughter is a shortcut.
35. A bookshop: each choose a book for the other.
36. A record shop: same game with albums.
37. A botanical garden or greenhouse.
38. An aquarium or a small zoo.
39. A photo walk: best picture wins.
40. Karaoke, one song each, no judgement.

Cosy and low-key

41. A cafe with a jigsaw or cards.
42. Hot chocolate on a cold bench.
43. A farmers' market on a Sunday morning.
44. A cat cafe.
45. A late-night diner.
46. A drive to somewhere with a good view.
47. A library or museum late opening.
48. A rainy-day matinee, then coffee to discuss it.
49. A garden centre with a cafe. Trust us.
50. A walk along water: river, canal, sea or lake.

What to talk about

Ask questions you actually want the answer to, and follow up on what they say. Good openers: “What's the best thing you've eaten this year?”, “What would you do with a free Wednesday?”, “What are you unreasonably good at?” We have 120 more in date night questions for every stage.

Five things to avoid

• The cinema. Two hours of not talking.
• A long, expensive dinner. Too much pressure, no easy exit.
• Talking about your ex. Once, briefly, if asked.
• Your phone on the table. Put it away.
• Treating it like an interview. You are finding out if you enjoy each other, not ticking boxes.

After the date

If you had a good time, say so the same day. “I really enjoyed that. I'd like to do it again” is clear and kind. Games are tiring. If you need a line, see our flirty texts.

And if it goes somewhere, keep asking each other questions: BloomingPairs, free on iPhone and Android →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best first date idea?

Coffee or a drink followed by a walk. It is short, easy to extend, and walking side by side makes conversation easier.

How long should a first date last?

One to two hours. Leave while it is still going well.

Who should pay on a first date?

There is no rule. Offering to split, or taking turns (“you get the next one”), keeps it comfortable.